Eddie Royal and Lance Moore: Fantasy Football Profiles

Eddie Royal made a smashing debut last seaon with 91 catches for 980 yards and five TDs. Pro Bowl QB Jay Cutler has moved on to Chicago, but Eddie’s prospects remain high. 

First of all, Kyle Orton doesn’t have the cannon that Cutler had. The Broncos could rely more on dinks and dunks than the deep ball. That plays right into Royal’s hand. 

Plus, with new coach Josh McDaniels coming over from New England, he has had plenty of Wes Welker comparisons. His yardage wasn’t consistent, but he had his share of targets.  He had 11 games with five or more receptions, including four with nine or more making him especially value in PPR leagues. 

His TD total wasn’t great, but he did add an additional 109 rushing yards. 

Royal is a real nice WR3 and possibly a WR2 if he can find the end zone more often. His fantasy draft stock is rising, and he’s currently going in the fifth rounds of fantasy drafts.  He easily could challenge for the league lead in receptions. 

I think he’ll have 105 catches for 1,250 yards and six TDs.

Lance Moore was one of the biggest fantasy football surprises in 2008 with 79 receptions for 928 yards and 10 TDs. 

Moore was very inconsistent last year with eight games with fewer than 40 yards (he salvaged one of those with a TD) and eight games with 76-plus yards. 

It’s hard to imagine a player with nearly 1,000 yards and 10 TDs taking a major step back in just his fourth year, but that’s what I see. 

First of all, Marques Colston is healthy and should return to his role of teacher’s pet. 

Second, Reggie Bush and Jeremy Shockey should have increased production provided they stay healthy. Plus, Robert Meachem has looked good this preseason and could finally show his potential, which would almost be the beginning of the end for Moore. 

Finally, I don’t see Drew Brees throwing for nearly as many yards. With Pierre Thomas entrenched in the starting tailback job, I expect a more balanced attack in 2009. 

Moore is going in around the seventh round of fantasy drafts, which which leads me to believe he won’t live up to the expectations that come with a seventh round pick. 

I surely wouldn’t trust him as a WR3. He could possibly be a decent WR4, but I think consistency will be an issue for him once again. 

I think he takes a step back with 55 catches for 650 yards and five TDs.

Originally published at LestersLegends.com.