Fantasy Football: WR Robert Meachem Looks Healthy

Robert Meachem finally became a fantasy relevant option last season as he put together nine touchdowns and gained the trust of coach Sean Payton and quarterback Drew Brees. Coming into this offseason it seemed like Meachem would be primed for a bigger role in the Saints’ offense.

Audio: 2010 Fantasy Outlook: WR Robert Meachem Looks Healthy

These hopes were squashed throughout the summer as Meachem missed lots of time on the practice field recovering from a toe injury. As we moved closer to August, I grew increasingly concerned about Meachem and started dropping him out of my early top thirty receiver rankings.

For a player who relies heavily on his speed, a lingering toe problem would spell disaster and especially when he plays on the turf. If Meachem was going to be a fantasy relevant option for 2010, he was going to have to prove that he was recovered from his toe problem and ready to pickup where he left off in ‘09.

Week 3 Of The Preseason

In the middle of August Meachem finally returned to practice but was hardly noticeable in the teams second preseason game. While it was nice to see Meachem back in practice and with no noteworthy setbacks, I still wanted to see him excel in game action.

Then came the Saints third game of the preseason against the Chargers and Meachem looked like his old self. Brees targeted Meachem three times, and the talented receiver posted two receptions for 28 yards and a touchdown score.

Probably, the play I liked the most was the one that didn’t go for a completion as Brees took a shot down the field and almost hooked up with Meachem for a 50-yard bomb. While Meachem doesn’t look fully back from this toe injury it is clear to see he was explosive.

Fantasy Ranking Update

With a healthy Meachem, Brees has another big play target on the field and that only makes him more valuable than before. As for Meachem, he should sneak backup to the top thirty five receivers on your cheat sheet for draft day.

Meachem may not post the nine touchdowns he had a year ago, but I fully expect him to see more receptions (close to 60), go for around 900 yards, and maybe seven touchdowns. This makes him a very nice No. 3 receiver for your fantasy squad.

NFL fantasy football player rankings writer Sean E. Douglas: fantasy-info.com

For more fantasy football news and advice feel free to follow and interact with us at our facebook, twitter and blog talk radio pages. Good luck, in your 2010 fantasy football league. Music is provided by: Jason Shaw @ audionautix.com