Survivor I - Antwaan Randle El Commentary

NOTE: this draft was completed on 7/24

Recent Stats

YR	RSH	RSHYD	RSHTD	REC	RECYD	RECTD	FPT	RANK
2002	19	134	0	47	489	2	76.5	59
2003	15	75	0	37	364	1	50.2	83
2004	8	34	0	43	601	3	86.0	48

Positives - Randle El becomes the #2 WR in Pittsburgh with the departure of Plaxico Burress, which all but guarantees a significant increase in his production of 600 yards and 3 TDs a year ago. When Burress was out for five games with an injury last season Randle El put up 350 yards and 2 TDs opposite of Ward. Extrapolated over an entire season, one can realistically expect 1,100 yards and 6 TDs. With punt and kickoff return duties and trick plays with him at QB, Randle El has plenty of opportunities to score extra touchdowns.

Negatives - Randle El will not pose the same threat that Burress did; however, he has proven he can fit into Pittsburgh’s offense as the #2 WR. Roethlisberger is still young, and Pittsburgh will always define smash-mouth football with their run-first approach. Randle El will also have to compete with Cedrick Wilson for the #2 spot.

Draft Strategy - Another pick and another scramble. I had a short list of four players I wanted at this selection: Jerome Bettis (to handcuff Staley), T.J. Duckett (to handcuff Dunn), Amani Toomer (a solid and forgotten about receiver), and Justin McCareins (reunited with his former O.C. in New York). The four picks immediately preceding mine were: Jerome Bettis, T.J. Duckett, Amani Toomer, and Justin McCareins. Somebody must have hacked my cheatsheet. I was forced to go to my fifth option in Randle El. Not that I’m unhappy with this pick, just not what I was targeting.