Fantasy Football Impact Report: Nate Burleson

September 5, 2008 1:30pm CDT

Nate Burleson is one of the better return specialists in the NFL and is becoming one of Matt Hasselbeck's favorite targets. He was second on the team with 50 receptions and 694 yards, and led the team with 11 total touchdowns. Burleson does his best work out of the slot, where he is able to use his speed and quickness to get open. The Seahawks don't have that "one" wide receiver that you know will get over 1,000 yards receiving. What they do have is a corps of receivers with equal talents, which makes it very hard to key on just one.

NFL CAREER
2003: The Minnesota Vikings drafted Nate Burleson out of Nevada-Reno in the third round. As a rookie, Burleson starts nine games and catches 29 passes for 455 yards. Even as a rookie it was easy to see that Burleson's speed would give defenses matchup problems.

2004: Burleson's second year in the NFL was his best to date. He started 15 games and caught 68 passes for 1,006 yards and nine touchdowns. Burleson also added an electrifying 91-yard punt return for a touchdown. It appeared he was on his way to superstardom.

2005: After his great 2004 season, 2005 was a disappointment. Burleson struggled with injuries all year and managed to start just nine games. He had just 328 yards and one touchdown in the 12 games in which he appeared. This would be his last season in Minnesota.

2006: Despite his injury plagued 2005 season, the Seahawks decided to give Burleson a huge contract anyway. Burleson failed to make an impact in Seattle his first year with the team, starting only seven games and catching just 18 passes. It looked as though the Seahawks had signed him to just be a return specialist.

2007: In his second year in Seattle, Burleson stepped up and had a solid season. In 12 starts, he recorded 694 yards with 11 total touchdowns (nine receiving). Burleson developed chemistry with Matt Hasselbeck and has once again become the big play threat he was in Minnesota.

TEAM SCENARIO

For what seems like forever, the Seahawks running back has been Shaun Alexander. After a disappointing 2007, Alexander and the Seahawks decided to go their separate ways. The Seahawks went out and signed Julius Jones from the Cowboys and T.J. Duckett from the Lions to help fill the void left by the former MVP. Jones figures to get half the carries, and the other half belongs to starting running back, Maurice Morris. Morris has been patiently waiting for his chance to show the NFL what he can do. With only 16 starts in six seasons, he is unproven as an every down back. While Jones and Morris will be splitting the carries for the most part, Duckett figures to steal the short yardage and goal line touches. He is a huge back that could be a touchdown vulture for Seattle. These three backs should be able to make the transition from Alexander a smooth one.

The Seahawks are lucky enough to have one of the best and most underappreciated quarterbacks in the NFL in Matt Hasselbeck. Hasselbeck doesn't get the same press as Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, or Tony Romo, but he is not far away as far as skill and production are concerned. Last year, Hasselbeck passed for just under 4,000 yards while throwing 28 touchdowns to just 12 interceptions on his way to his third Pro Bowl. Maybe the most impressive part of Hasselbeck's career is that he has never had a true No. 1 receiver to throw the ball to. When Darrell Jackson is the best receiver you have ever had and you have posted the numbers that Hasselbeck has, you've had a pretty good career. Seneca Wallace is the backup to Hasselbeck and team has a lot of confidence in him. Wallace is a fast, scrambling quarterback who the Seahawks believe they can win with if they need to.

Are we sure the Seahawks aren't cloning receivers in Seattle? Nate Burleson, Bobby Engram, and Deion Branch are all 6-0 or under and all weigh between 192 and 198 pounds. Despite turning 74 in January, Bobby Engram had his best season as a pro last year, setting career highs across the board. Engram will, however, be starting this season on the bench thanks to nagging injuries. Deion Branch has been a disappointment since leaving New England in 2005. Branch can't seem to stay healthy and isn't producing when he is. Much like Engram, he will start 2007 on the sidelines due to injuries. That leaves Nate Burleson as the Seahawks' No. 1 receiving option. That isn't a very exciting sentence if you're a Matt Hasselbeck owner, but it brings a smile to the face of those who drafted Burleson late in their fantasy draft. Burleson has never had to be a No. 1 receiver, so this will be a new challenge for him. The Seahawks used a second-round pick on tight end John Carlson. Carlson will start and gives the Seahawks a legit receiver at the position.

2008 UPSIDE
Burleson has plenty of upside heading into the 2008 season. Not only did he have a promising 2007, but he is now the Seahawks' top receiving option (at least for the time being). While Burleson may not be the biggest receiver in the league, he is the biggest receiver who gets playing time for Seattle. His nine receiving touchdowns led the team in 2007 and there is no reason to think he can't repeat that number in 2008. If Bobby Engram and Deion Branch miss extended time, Burleson could be very relevant in 2008.

2008 DOWNSIDE
Even when you factor in all the positives, he is still Nate Burleson. He isn't a receiver you are ever going to feel completely comfortable starting. He had two catches or fewer in half of the Seahawks' games last season. While Matt Hasselbeck does appear to be comfortable with Burleson, he is also comfortable with every other receiver on the roster. If Bobby Engram and Deion Branch are healthy, they will likely out-produce Burleson. He is absolutely worthy of a roster spot, just don't think of him as anything more than a bye week fill-in and you won't be disappointed.

OVERALL FANTASY IMPACT
Burleson's 11 total touchdowns from last year is an impressive number considering he has had only more than three one other time in his career. Burleson should see lots of looks early in the season with Engram and Branch out of commission, but he still doesn't warrant a starting spot every week. Burleson had only three games of over 63 yards last year and caught more than five passes in just four games. His fantasy impact won't be great this season, but he is worth a roster spot as a No. 3 or No. 4 wide receiver.