General Info

5'11", 215 lbs. 24 years old
Texas Christian

Adrian was a 5th round pick for Denver in 2003. While his playing time was very limited last season (2 receptions for just 10 yards), with the retirement of Ed McCaffrey and Shannon Sharpe, Madise should have the opportunity to see the field. He's currently listed as Ashley Lelie's backup.

Will Grant's Thoughts

2004 Outlook

Madise is not a guy who will draw much attention in many dynasty leagues. He's young and athletic with some above average talent, but he certainly hasn't blown off anyone's doors up to this point. He began his career as a 5th round draft choice, and followed that up with a 2 catch, 10-yard performance in his rookie season. Not exactly numbers that excite anyone, much less fantasy owners.

The biggest upside of Madise is the amount of receptions and receiving yards that are no longer on the Broncos. McCaffrey, Sharpe, and Portis are no longer on the Denver roster. They accounted for 119 receptions, 1279 yards and 8 receiving TDs for the Broncos last year. With Madise listed as the #3 receiver behind perennial disappointment Ashley Lelie, Madise has a great opportunity to propel himself into a starting role opposite Rod Smith.

To succeed in 2004, Madise will have to overshadow several young wide receivers that are hungry for the starting lineup. So far this preseason, Madise has only 3 receptions for 36 yards over the course of two preseason games. These numbers are not nearly as impressive as those put up by 2004 rookies Darrius Watts and Charlie Adams. Madise needs to elevate his game if he hopes to be anything more than a special teams player who catches a few passes here and there.

Baring an injury to Smith or Lelie (or Madise suddenly exploding during the final games of the preseason) he will have very minimal fantasy value in 2004.

2007 Outlook

If Madise cannot establish himself as a legitimate wide receiver thread for the Broncos in 2004, by 2007 you may not even remember his name. The Broncos have several young, talented wide receivers that are bigger and faster than Madise. Unless he can distance himself from them this year, he will quickly fall on the depth chart and be forgotten.

Final Thoughts

Madise has precious little time left to establish himself as an NFL quality receiver. As the Broncos try to solidify their new receivers after losing Sharpe, McCaffrey and Portis, Madise has a chance to break into the starting lineup as the #2 or #3 receiver. If he continues to be overshadowed by Watts and Adams, Madise will return to his backup/special teams role, and his opportunity will evaporate before his eyes.

Jason Wood's Thoughts

2004 OUTLOOK

Adrian Madise is flying below the radar of most fantasy drafters this year, which is understandable considering he amassed a whopping 2 receptions for 10 yards as a rookie last season for the Broncos. However, Madise's skills shouldn't be discounted because he failed to contribute as a rookie; particularly when you consider that the Broncos are in DESPERATE need of playmakers.

The Broncos lost Shannon Sharpe, Clinton Portis and Ed McCaffrey this offseason and are left with Rod Smith and Ashley Lelie as the main threats in the receiving corps. Rod Smith has been exemplary in years past but a four year downtrend in his yards per catch, receptions, and receiving yards lends credence to the view that his best days are behind him. Ashley Lelie will have every opportunity in the world to breakout this year but he has failed to show consistency in his route running or in making routine catches thus far in his young career.

Which brings us back to Adrian Madise. Madise is built more like a running back (5'11", 215 pounds) than a wide receiver and he has speed (or lack thereof) to match (4.55 40)…however, he was universally hailed to being able to create separation, and consistently made tough catches in traffic while playing for TCU. The biggest knock on him entering the league was the need to improve getting off the line without being jammed in press coverage. Now, if you've been following the new enforcement of illegal downfield contact against cornerbacks, you would know that if there's one flaw to have this year, it's the tendency to get jammed.

Net-net, I believe Madise will have every opportunity to emerge as the Broncos 3rd receiver and contribute as the team uses more 3-WR sets with the retirement of Shannon Sharpe. Should he be considered a potential option in redraft leagues? Certainly not until proven otherwise, but for dynasty purposes, he should be on your radar.

2007 OUTLOOK

Madise is a wild card. Given Rod Smith's age, the 2007 Broncos will certainly have at least one new starter from the 2004 incarnation. Assuming Ashley Lelie develops into a competent option; the opportunity remains to start opposite him. Whether Madise fits into that equation or, more likely, Lelie's receiving partner has yet to be drafted, remains to be seen. I think Madise could make some noise out of the slot, but his size may limit his opportunities unless injury creates a wide open situation for him.

Final Thoughts

Madise is a running back in receivers clothing. By all accounts, he's a hard worker who runs good routes and creates separation despite a lack of size and ideal speed. That's a recipe for success in this league. There are few teams that offer someone with Madise's questionable pedigree as much opportunity as the Broncos due by virtue of their lack of depth in the wake of Shannon Sharpe and Ed McCaffrey retiring. If Madise is able to gain the confidence of Mike Shanahan this year, he could factor into the lineup at some point down the road. I wouldn't put money on Madise ever being a starter, but stranger things have happened.

Quotations from the Message Board Thread

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WinningIsEverything:
Positives: Plays the same side as the underachieving Lelie. If Lelie does not shake the funk he is in, Madise may see more playing time. Rod Smith is getting old. This will open up a spot in the next couple of years. Opportunity will be there. Is signed through 2007 so he will be with this team if they want him there.

Negatives: Darrius Watts was drafted to be the next Rod Smith. Lelie is ahead of him and will likely start to catch on this year, limiting Madise's PT. Madise does not have any attribute that causes him to stand out, meaning NFL DBs should have no problem containing him.

ExtraPoint:
Longshot. Not worth stashing unless he somehow gets an opportunity to play. Recommendation: dump

Portis26:
The guy who'll be starting opposite Lelie a couple of years down the road when Rod Smith has retired is Darius Watts, not Madise, so I'd have to say that Madise has practically zero value.