Justin Gage

Gage may be the most consistent receiver on the Titans roster with the strongest track record of production. He is not an exceptionally talented receiver whom would be number three or four on the depth chart on better teams. He currently appears to be holding onto the number two spot going into 2010, but could end up being the number one option on the Titans as easy as he could become number three. He returned at the end of last year from a fairly considerable back injury he received mid-way through the year. It has not been indicated whether this injury could effect his abilities in the upcoming season.

Gage emerged as the Titans’ No. 1 receiver down the stretch last year with five touchdowns and two 100-yard games in the second half as well as a 10-catch 135-yard effort in the team’s playoff loss to the Ravens. At 6-4, 217, Gage has excellent size that he used effectively in the red zone last year on the rare occasions he was targeted (seven looks, three scores). Gage isn’t fast, and he’s not particularly quick, but his route running improved as did his ability to find empty spaces in the zone. Overall, Gage caught just 46 percent of the passes thrown his way, but made up for that with 19.1 yards per catch, which comes out to a highly efficient 8.8 yards per target. Of course, Tennessee doesn’t throw the ball a lot (28 attempts per game, 28th), and that doesn’t figure to change with Chris Johnson and LenDale White both slated to see plenty of carries. The loss of star tackle Albert Haynesworth and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz along with a first-place schedule could put more pressure on the team to score points. Gage is likely to be Kerry Collins’ first look on the outside, though the team added Nate Washington as a deep threat and drafted another big receiver, Kenny Britt, in the first round.

Gage turned in a good season in Tennessee's passing-game wasteland a year ago, catching 65 percent of his passes and averaging 13.6 yards per catch. The result was 8.8 yards per target on a team that averaged 6.6 yards per attempt. As a result, the Titans awarded Gage with a four-year $14 million deal, including $6.5 million guaranteed. That makes him the de facto No. 1 receiver, especially with Roydell Williams still working his way back from a broken ankle. At 6-4, 217, Gage has excellent size, and he knows how to use his body to keep defenders away from the ball. Gage isn't particularly fast or quick, but he has good hands and excellent focus. Despite his ideal red-zone attributes, Gage saw just six targets there all season, catching five (two for scores). Williams, on the other hand, saw 18 red-zone looks, though it's hard to read too much into those numbers with last year’s offensive coordinator Norm Chow gone and Mike Heimerdinger taking his place. Heimerdinger is likely to be more aggressive in the passing game, which should benefit all Titans receivers.

Gage was signed in the offseason by the Titans and will provide the team with size, athleticism and significant upside to compete for playing time at wide receiver. He played eight games in final season with Bears. He totaled four receptions for 68 yards and was inactive for eight contests.

Despite starting 11 games last season and playing in 15, Gage only had 31 receptions for 346 yards and two TD. Though big things were expected from the tall and athletic wideout, Gage has failed to live up to expectations in his three-year career and is not likely to do so in 2006. He'll try to work his way up the depth chart in training camp, but Gage likely will wind up no better than the No. 4 WR and will only have fantasy value if injuries strike the Bears' receiving corps.

Gage was not a favorite of last year's offensive regime, and it reflected in his dismal numbers (12 receptions for 156 yards and no TDs). However, new offensive coordinator Ron Turner loves Gage's big-play potential and named him the team's No. 2 receiver heading into training camp. At 6-4, Gage is a big target who has the ability to not only stretch the field but also be a red zone threat. Though Gage is expected to get competition for the starting spot, he has a good chance to win the job and become a fantasy sleeper in 2005.

Gage was the talk of the Bears’ minicamp and, at 6-4, has a nice speed to height ratio (his slight build was the reason he slid to the fifth round of the NFL Draft). He’s still raw, but could emerge as a starter. He's worthy of a pocket pick, especially in keeper leagues.

With Marty Booker, Dez White and David Terrell in front of him, Gage will have a tough time finding enough passes thrown his way to have any fantasy value.