Top 50 Position Battles: Smith vs. Stokley
# 46. Broncos third receiver: Brandon Stokley vs. Rod Smith
This battle is far more dramatic in real life than for fantasy leaguers. One franchise legend facing off against another career overachiever, with the loser possibly being sent into retirement.
Smith’s hip injury may force him to miss the first six games of the year on the PUP list, which could almost do Mike Shanahan a favor. Does The Mastermind really want to carry Smith (or Stokley) as a fourth receiver?
By the time six games are up, perhaps there would be a logical spot for Smith if Stokley or Brandon Marshall are hurt. (Marshall is already having problems.)Shanahan’s poor drafting record (Darius Watts, Ashley Lelie) and his inability to turn around veterans (David Terrell, Jerry Rice) has hurt the team’s depth in recent years.
In the end, I’m not going near either of these two guys in fantasy leagues. But I’m pulling for Smith to get a proper career sendoff.
Comments
My early indication was that Marshell will be a great sleeper but givin his thigh injury and Cutler saying he was over weight in OTA's makes me drop him down a few spots.
I stopped Ranking R. Smith 3 years ago and both he and stokley will be WW pick ups at best in all league formats.
Posted by: GQ1NYC | July 13, 2007 11:39 AM
I stopped with Smith too early as well and missed his great 2005.
Posted by: gregg | July 13, 2007 12:16 PM
I'm not giving up on Brandon Marshall yet, simply because Stokley and Smith are so limited at this point.
Smith is one of the hardest workers in the NFL, and I think he'll find a way to semi-rebound from last year...but I wouldn't draft him.
Posted by: Leon | July 17, 2007 07:44 AM