Fantasy Football: Welcome To Fantasy Relevance Anthony Gonzalez

Sometimes the number two wide receiver on teams needs a little bit of love too.

Anthony Gonzalez should certainly feel some warm-vibes this upcoming season, (albeit coming from fantasy managers).

After a disappointing year by everybody's standard for an NFL powerhouse (not bringing home an NFL Championship), things have changed.

Retired is Head Coach Tony Dungy, and gone with him is long-time, fan-favorite wide receiver Marvin Harrison.

Doing his best to replace Dungy is Jim Caldwell, the former QB and assistant head coach on the Colts' staff.

Replacing the long-tenured wide receiver Harrison is Gonzalez, the third-year man out of the Ohio State University, and also the man of the hour... or, just the article.

Anyways, Gonzalez is primed for a breakout season.  No, not just because he is entering his third year in the league, but because the opportunity has presented itself for him to figure a prominent role in the offense.

Now, it's not like he hasn't played a role on the team in his first two years, rather, he was just a small piece that helped contribute to the overall puzzle that was the Colts' offense.

In his rookie season, Gonzo brought in 37 passes for a cool 576 yards and a not so cool three touchdowns (but he was a slot receiver, so cutting him some slack is advised and recommended).

That yards per catch average equated to 15.6, which is a pretty great number from the slot.

Last year he improved upon his numbers, snagging 57 receptions (20 more than the previous season) and garnering 664 yards while scoring four touchdowns.

He still played the slot, and still too was the third and occasionally fourth target for quarterback Peyton Manning (sometimes falling behind tight end Dallas Clark).

But that will change this year. 

With Harrison gone, Gonzo should see a bump up in all categories.  Expect him to see 30-40 more targets resulting in 20-30 more receptions.  Those totals should generate about 200-350 more yards, and a few extra scores.

So, for Gonzalez in 2009, you are looking at a possible stat line that reads:

82 receptions, 1,000 yards, and six touchdowns.

ESPN rates this guy all the way down at No. 83 overall.  That puts him in the rear end of the sixth round.

I can't speak for you, but I can tell you that I know value when I see it, and this my friends is value staring you in the face.

On a side note: Is it just me, or does this guy have ''Wes Welker'' written all over him?