Fantasy Football Crystal Ball: Jabar Gaffney

Wide receiver Jabar Gaffney is an unusual subject for the crystal ball, since he is neither a rookie nor a new face on the scene. However, he has been largely an underachiever throughout his career.

A second-round pick by the Texans in 2002, Gaffney slowly but surely went from exciting starter to dependable starter to dependable third-down WR to fighting-for-a-roster-spot. Gaffney seems to have found his niche with the Patriots, however, especially now that Matt Cassel seems to have found his groove.

So, now the question remains: Should he be on your fantasy team? Let's look into our crystal ball.

Pros

Gaffney has emerged into one of New England's more dependable receivers. He has become a bigger part of the passing game, particularly since Donte Stallworth left and Cassel has realized that Gaffney is perhaps his most reliable third-down option at wide receiver.

Gaffney has caught more than 50 passes in a season only once in his career, and he has had only one 500+ yard receiving season in his career, but he could potentially surpass both if he gets hot in the final month of the season. 

In the last three weeks, Gaffney has caught 16 passes for 210 yards and a score. He has even added a two-point conversion for good measure. Perhaps more importantly, his yardage has increased each of those weeks, from 36 in Week 10, to 86 in Week 11, to 88 in Week 12.

Obviously, none of this happens if Cassel does not establish himself as a legitimate NFL quarterback, but with Bill Belichick now fully justified in putting the ball in Cassel's hands as often as he did Tom Brady's, all the WRs should benefit, perhaps most of all Gaffney...

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