Survivor I - Deion Branch Commentary

NOTE: this draft was completed on 7/24

Recent Stats

YR	RSH	RSHYD	RSHTD	REC	RECYD	RECTD	FPT	RANK
2002	2	0	0	43	489	2	60.9	71
2003	1	11	0	57	803	3	99.4	36
2004	0	0	0	35	454	4	69.4	58

Positives - Branch is in a position to be Tom Brady’s primary receiver and the first option on offense. Branch came up huge in the Patriot’s playoff victories against Pittsburgh and Philadelphia including 15 receptions, 249 yards, and a touchdown. Branch spent most of last year injured, but returned and hit his stride at the end of the season. A case can be made that he was Brady’s most effective and valuable weapon in the playoffs. Only starting his fifth year in the NFL, Branch is capable of a breakout season and finishing in the top 20 at his position.

Negatives - Branch was hurt for a good part of last year and has never caught more than 57 passes or 4 touchdowns in a season. The Patriots like to spread the ball around in the passing game and it’s unlikely that Brady will lock onto a single receiver for an entire season. The two playoff performances against the Steelers and Eagles may not be enough to predict that high level of production for an entire season. As an Eagle fan, Branch’s performance in the Super Bowl is burned into my memory and I may be giving him more credit than he deserves.

Draft Strategy - Branch may have some off weeks, but in this league’s ‘best ball’ format where the high scores at each position are used rather than a starting lineup, I can enjoy reaping the rewards of his good weeks while not having to worry about his down weeks. I plan on taking 7 or 8 receivers in this draft to make up for my lack of top level quality at this position in the hopes that I’ll have at least 3 WRs each week who will provide good production. I feel Branch has good upside with potential to outperform this draft position. At worse, Branch should have a handful of good games and I’ll need to rely on the depth I hope to draft at this position to make up the difference.