Keary Colbert

Colbert has a 50-50 chance of making the Lions' 53-man roster, but he won't see many snaps should he make the team. He's on the outside looking in on the team's top-5 wide receivers.

Colbert was initially signed with the intention of making him the #2 or #3 receiver, but with the additions of Darrell Jackson and Samie Parker, his competition became much stronger. He will most likely end up as the #4 receiver, but could still see some balls thrown his way.

Colbert's training camp will be crucial in determining his future with the Panthers. On one hand, he could impress the coaching staff in the new offensive scheme and live up to his potential after being a second-round pick out of USC in 2004. On the other, he could be outworked by rookies Dwayne Jarrett and Ryne Robinson along with last year's No. 3 Drew Carter and find himself looking for work in Week 1 rather than starting opposite Steve Smith. Consider him a pure boom or bust play, worth a gamble only in the endgame at the draft table, but keep a close eye on him during training camp before completely writing him off.

Colbert's numbers took a hit last season, but he was playing on an injured ankle. He had surgery in the offseason to fix the problem. Colbert has looked good in training camp and he could return to his rookie form.

Forced into the starting lineup in Week 2 after Steve Smith went down, Colbert filled in decently during his rookie year, averaging 16 yards per catch and 8.1 yards per target. At 5-10, 193 pounds, Colbert’s not much of a red-zone target – the Panthers threw to him just eight times from inside the 20 – but he caught four passes of 40-yards or more while being targeted only 93 times. Colbert’s not a burner, but he’s a smart receiver who knows how to find the gaps in the defense. Colbert struggled with drops last season (10 drops in 93 targets is unacceptably high), but he was known for being sure-handed in college, so withhold judgment until after 2005. Colbert again should benefit from flying under the radar (last year it was Muhsin Muhammad who kept the heat off of; this year it will be Smith), and receivers often improve considerably during their second seasons.

Colbert, who is often compared to Keenan McCardell, is a polished route-runner who projects as a solid number two receiver in the NFL. He'll have a chance to contribute as a rookie and has sleeper potential.