Keenan McCardell

McCardell had another fine season at age 35, hauling in 62 percent of the passes tossed his way, averaging 13.1 yards per catch and 8.5 yards per target. McCardell was also effective in the red zone, bringing in six touchdowns on just 14 targets. McCardell’s not going to run by anyone, especially at age 36, but he’s a tremendous route runner who knows how to find the soft spot in the zone. He’s not afraid to go over the middle and he’s got very good hands. Of course, at age 36, he’ll have to work with untested Philip Rivers, and as a possession threat in an offense that relies mostly on LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates, last season’s numbers are probably beyond this year’s ceiling.

McCardell followed up his big 2003 campaign with a contract holdout that lasted long enough to get him traded, and as a result, he didn’t suit up until Week 7. Moreover, he missed the last three games of the year with a hamstring injury. Throw in a Week 10 bye, and McCardell played in just seven games last season. And despite being targeted 65 times (which prorates to 149 over a full season), McCardell totaled just 393 yards (898 over 16 games). And McCardell’s per target production (6.1 yards) was low because he caught just 48 percent of the passes thrown to him and averaged just 12.7 yards per catch. But McCardell is a good route-runner, has good hands and became Drew Brees’ favorite target once he joined the team. At age 35, McCardell, who was never a burner, isn’t going to beat anyone deep, but with Antonio Gates and LaDainian Tomlinson occupying the focus of opposing defenses, McCardell can be an effective possession threat in the middle of the field.

McCardell scored a career-high eight TDs despite floating around in the waiver pool of most fantasy leagues. He’ll turn 35 by season’s end, and his three TDs during the second half of ’03 are likely an indicator of what’s to come, as are his 12.2 yards per catch during that period (that figure had declined for three straight years prior to ’03). The Bucs’ receiving corps is suddenly very crowded, so opportunities will be more scarce than in ’03 (138 targets, 61 percent complete).

Led the Bucs in pass reception touchdowns with six in 2003 (61 catches altogether for 670 yards). If healthy, look for more of the same or perhaps a little less in 2003, especially if Jon Gruden makes good on his promise to give Joe Jurevicius more looks in the offense this season.