Is Deion Branch's Fantasy Football Career Over?

Sean E. DouglasJun 11, 2009

In 2006 the Seahawks gave up a first round pick to the Patriots for Super Bowl MVP Deion Branch.

With this big trade Seattle said good bye to Darrell Jackson in the '07 off-season and gave Branch the keys to the No.1 receiver title on the team. But since that time Branches career has been injury plagued.

In the regular season of 2007, Deion missed five games due to injury and then suffered a nasty knee injury in the playoffs against the Packers. That unfortunate setback cost Branch half of the 2008 season as he rehabbed the injury.

Just before the end of the year in 2008 Deion has another setback with the knee and had more work done on it, to clean it out.

"You will never be back to normal once you have this type of procedure done. I actually feel stronger, but it's not normal. Something has been done that removed [parts] of my knee. My biggest thing is to continue to strengthen it." - Deion Branch when asked about how his knee is coming along

Finally this month Deion is back practicing with the team again, running drills and catching passes.

While that is nice to see, fantasy football owners have to wonder just how long can his knee hold up until he suffers another setback.

Deion's Fantasy Outlook moving forward

As long as Branch does not suffer a setback this summer, look to draft him as one of your final picks in 2009. This seasoned vet still has talent and should benefit from newly acquired TJ Houshmanzada being on the field with him.

While Branch is not as fast as before the injury, he will not have to face the No.1 corner from opposing teams either. He should also be helped by second year tight end John Carlson as he will receive attention as well.

Factor in that Nate Burlson is returning from a knee surgery as well and this may be Dieon's last chance to have success with Seattle.

If Nate comes back and plays an entire season this year, I believe the Seahawks will move Branches 39 million dollar contact or cut him out right next off-season. That being said it is imperative that Branch shows the rest of the NFL (Patriots anyone) that his is worth a roster spot on their team in 2010.