Team:
New Orleans Saints Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6-4 Weight: 230 lbs Born: 06-05-83 Experience: 3rd season
Past three seasons:
Receiving
Year
Team
G
GS
Rec
Yds
Avg
TD
2007
New
Orleans Saints
16
14
98
1,202
12.3
11
2006
New
Orleans Saints
14
12
70
1,038
14.8
8
2005
Hofstra
University
Career: Marques Colston surprised everyone in 2006 coming out of Hofstra University after
being drafted in the seventh round by the New Orleans Saints. Colston was selected 252nd
overall, three picks away from being Mr. Irrelevant and now has the most receptions ever
with 168 by a wide receiver after two NFL seasons. In his rookie year, Colston suffered an
ankle injury in week 11 and played through it for the remainder of the season. Before his
injury, Colston was on pace for 96 receptions for over 1,500 yards and 12 touchdowns. His
sophomore season was equally impressive as he managed to surpass his 2006 numbers while
the defenses were focusing on him. Colston had
to deal with chronic back problems in 2007 and has shown in his first two seasons that he
is a very tough receiver who can play through injuries. Colston underwent a surgery on his
left knee in March that bothered him throughout last season but will be ready to go when
training camp begins.
Supporting Cast: After an unbelievable 2006 season, the Saints were a disappointment in 2007 and
although they showed glimpses of the team that made it to the NFC Championship, defense
was a problem all year long. Drew Brees had a difficult start to the season throwing 9
interceptions in his first four games but got on track after that throwing for over 4,400
yards once again and there is no reason to believe that he will not keep that up in 2008.
The only starter on offense who will not return from the 2007 team is Jeff Faine who
signed an astonishing contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the off-season. Jonathan
Goodwin is projected to be his replacement and in the two games he started in 2007, the
Saints ran for 205 yards on 52 carries and the offensive line gave up only one sack. Sean
Payton seems to have a lot of trust in Goodwin and although he may be a downgrade in pass
protection, he is much bigger and more physical than Jeff Faine and should help Reggie
Bush get on track. Bush and Colston should once again be Brees’s favorite targets in
the passing game. Deuce McAllister who suffered a season ending injury in week 3 is likely
to return this season so the running game should be much improved over last season. Brees
never found a number two receiver he could trust to run opposite of Colston after the
departure of Joe Horn. Devery Henderson, Terrance Copper and Lance Moore all failed to
step up so David Patten got his chance late in the season and was the most impressive of
the group. Patten is the likely candidate to be the number two receiver but 2006 draft
pick Robert Meachem who is now fully recovered from his knee injury should put pressure on
him. Devery Henderson, who struggled with dropped passes all season, was resigned in the
off-season and will likely only be used as a deep threat in 2008.
Job Security: Marques Colston’s number one wide receiver spot is as secure as it could be.
Robert Meachem and David Patten will get some looks but Colston is Brees’s favorite
target and is his most trusted receiver in the red zone. Colston’s injury problems
are the only thing that could keep him out of action in 2008.
Fantasy Outlook: Marques Colston should once again be a top 10 wide receiver in 2008. He was consistent
all season long in 2008 and was targeted more than ten times in seven of his sixteen games
in 2007. The only other wide receiver since 1983 who had more than 200 fantasy points in
each of his first two seasons was Randy Moss and we all know how solid he was in his first
six seasons in Minnesota. Now that Colston’s back and knee problems have been taken
care of, he should be at full speed and he showed how dangerous he could be in the first
half of 2006. For 2008, 100 receptions, 1,300 yards and 10 to 12 touchdowns is a very
strong possibility for Colston. He is a low risk receiver with medium reward and as long
as no injuries bother him, he has potential to be a top 5 wide receiver in 2008.
