Player Watch: Seattle Seahawks WR Nate Burleson

Seattle Seahawks WR Nate Burleson is looking like he will be a main weapon at WR for The Seattle Seahawks this year. This is good news as QB Matt Hasselbeck is ranked as one of the top QB prospects this year, top 10 on most lists. Some info has come out of early camps suggesting that Burleson is being used as a starter out in Seattle. His Average Draft Position has been on the rise this off season and you should keep an eye on that. He started the offseason as a sleeper kind of pick but his stock is rising fast and he probably won't be so sleepy depending on when you draft. If you have already grabbed him in a league that drafts early congratulations are probably in order as he was probably a great value. Even though his stock is rising he will still be a nice value but still keep an eye on that ADP as he is fast becoming one of the vogue picks at WR this season. Let's look at some of the latest intel.

Mike Holmgren has insinuated that Nate Burleson is likely to be relieved of kick return duties. This is a sign that they are serious in Seattle about making Burleson a starter. Most teams don't use starting WRs as kick returners to save wear and tear on the starter. This is noteworthy in leagues that count kick return yardage. In this return yardage leagues Burleson has already been on owners radar last year. This year the gain in stats as a stater might very well be offset by the loss of return yardage so Burleson may be a wash in these return yardage leagues. But nothing is yet written in stone so return yardage leaguers should continue to keep an eye on this situation as Burleson could be huge if he does retain kick return duties. If nothing else keep an eye out to see who picks up the kick returner duties.

Seattle has been keeping the status of WR Deion Branch pretty close to the vest, so far. The lastest info I have read is saying that he is unlikely to be ready for camp and might not be ready at the start of the season. This helps Burleson, obviously. Deion Branch will probably be a take a late flyer type of WR as his value is low right now. He may end up being the real sleeper in the Seahawks WR corp. Needless to say his ongoing status is something that should be closely monitored. You can also bet that we will be keeping a close watch here at Sports Outlaw on Branch's status.

Bobby Engram sounds lie he may or may not do some holdout antics. This shouldn't really be a big problem other than draw some headlines and raise some short term concern as he and management blow smoke up each others asses. He will likely start the season as the starter and be very productive doing so. The Seahawks ought to pay him more money as he is worth it but that is just my opinion and I don't run the Seahawks. Engram should start out the season like a house afire. Making hay as the Branch don't shine, so to speak. If and when Branch comes back he will probably drop back to solid Bobby Engram numbers, which are pretty good as he is always a Red Zone target.

Engram is currently ranked in the top 20 (high teens) that will probably stay about the same. He might even drop a bit depending on the previously mentioned holdout antics. Burleson is rising in the mid 30's. Sports Outlaw ranking are about to come out soon. It will be interesting to see how we rank em.