Survivor I - Derrick Mason Commentary

NOTE: this draft was completed on 7/24

Recent Stats

YR	RSH	RSHYD	RSHTD	REC	RECYD	RECTD	FPT	RANK
2002	0	0	0	79	1012	5	131.2	25
2003	3	11	0	95	1303	8	179.4	7
2004	1	-3	0	96	1168	7	158.5	17

Positives - Derrick Mason has improved his reception totals each of the last 6 seasons. He has emerged as an elite receiver catching 95 or more passes each of the last 2 years. Mason has missed only 6 games in his 8 years in the league, which proves his durability. He’s consistently improving year after year and now with Baltimore, he’ll be the #1 wide receiver option for the Ravens, compared to last year where he had an emerging Drew Bennett stealing his production. Despite the solid receiving competition last year, Mason managed to catch a career-high 96 passes. His only competition this season is tight end Todd Heap.

Negatives - Ravens quarterback Kyle Boller is no Steve McNair, but on the flip side, Boller has never had a wide receiver with the talent of Derrick Mason to throw to. It remains to be seen, how effective Mason will be in the Ravens weak passing attack. Will Mason suffer due to the weak passing game or will the offense flourish due to Mason’s presence? This is a big question mark that won’t be answered until the season begins. I tend to think the system helps the player more than the player helps the system, but either way, don’t expect Mason to duplicate his 90+ reception performances of years past.

Draft Strategy - With a QB, 2 RB, 2 WR already selected, I could’ve gone tight end here. Todd Heap, Dallas Clark, Randy McMichael and Alge Crumpler were among the available tight ends I coveted. My concern was, if I take a tight end here, what value would I have at wide receiver 20 picks from now? If I could get a better receiver now and still get one of the tight ends I had my sights on, that would be a win-win situation. Plus, the better value of all players available was from the wide receiver position or the quarterback position, but thanks to my 1st round selection of Daunte Culpepper, I didn’t have to worry about that. The logical choice for me was to again, go with experience, consistency and talent and that meant Derrick Mason. My top 3 wide receivers are each #1 receivers on their respective teams. All of my wideouts fall into the top 17 among all wide receivers from last season. Although I may have some question marks at running back, my quarterback position and wide receiver positions are loaded with talent, experience and consistency.