General Info

5'10", 193 lbs 22 years old
USC

Colbert was the 10th wide receiver drafted this year, and was a second round pick for the Panthers. He had a very solid career at USC, and is billed as a kid who is a hard worker who is willing to do the 'little things' that are necessary to succeed. Note: There is some debate as to his actual height as several sites list him at 6'1" tall. These bio stats are taken straight from the NFL.com player page.

Will Grant's Thoughts

2004 Outlook

Just another wide receiver buried on the depth charts of team, or legitimate fantasy sleeper who is just waiting for the right moment to break out? The debate is going to be fierce on this kid, and the message board commentary was just the start of it. He's still listed as #3 on the Carolina depth chart and with Muhammad and Steve Smith firmly entrenched as #1 and #2. Colbert is only going to see the field as a #3 WR this year unless there is an injury.

Colbert is a good NFL prospect. Even if the 5'10" height is wrong, Colbert does not have 'prototype' size for an NFL receiver. His speed is also good, but not great, meaning he'll never be a true 'deep threat' either. What makes Colbert so attractive is his solid work ethic and good route running ability. Sounds exactly like a 'possession' type of receiver to me.

In 2004, Colbert is going to have to compete with Rickey Proehl and Karl Hankton for the #3 slot on the Panthers depth chart. Given Proehl's age and Hankton lack of game experience (despite being with the Panthers for the last 4 years), Colbert has a good shot at the #3 role. His 131-yard and 2 TD performance against Washington in Carolina's first preseason game was a great start.

The problem for your fantasy team is a rookie wide receiver in the #3 position isn't going to do a lot for your fantasy team. Unless Muhammad or Smith has a season-ending injury Colbert is going to have minimal fantasy impact this year.

2007 Outlook

By 2007 the face of the Panthers will have changed considerably. Muhammad is in his 9th season and is not under contract beyond 2004. Rickey Proehl is in his 15th season, and will be long gone by the time 2007 rolls around. By 2007, Colbert should be starting opposite Steve Smith for the Panthers.

As a starter, Colbert will probably assume the role of the guy who will be asked to go over the middle and make the tough catches in traffic that every team needs. Steve Smith will still be the deep threat on the team, and should pull most of the 'cover two' secondary formation his way. This will free up Colbert to work one on one against the secondary in a role he seems to do well in.

Given that the Panthers are not a team that throws for 4000 yards a season, the #2 WR role should land Colbert somewhere in the WR27-WR40 slot. Colbert will be a solid backup or WR#3 in most 12 teams leagues, and a low-end WR#2 in leagues with 14 teams or more.

Final Thoughts

The biggest issue with Colbert is going to be his hype. He's a rookie WR, which means he's going to get a bump in most leagues. His first game out of the box was lights out, meaning he's now on everyone's radar as a 'super sleeper'. (Hard to understand how someone is a sleeper if everyone know about them but..) Given that, I'd say avoid spending the high draft pick that it's going to take to land him this year, and grab him next year after his stock has fallen.

Chris Smith's Thoughts

2004 OUTLOOK

Here is a player that isn't on many fantasy owners' radar screens but he likely should be. He wasn't very well known coming out of USC thanks to a mountain of a man named Mike Williams stealing all of the scouts attention from the receiver position. However Colbert is a very gifted player who is blessed with tons of natural athletic ability combined with an outstanding work ethic. He signed a contract on Monday, July 19th so there will be no potential holdout worries that would certainly cause him to be behind all season. Instead he'll be at training camp with a contract in place and can put all of his focus in impressing the coaching staff of the Panthers. So far after a few months of minicamps, Colbert has wowed both his teammates and coaching staff alike with his ability and work ethic.

Jul 19, 2004, 18:12
Panthers - Rookie WR Colbert Signed
AP - [Full Article]

Southern California WR Keary Colbert, the 62nd overall pick in the draft, was signed today, terms were not disclosed.

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Jun 10, 2004, 10:26
Panthers - WR Colbert Proves To Be Quick Study Of NFL
Pat Yasinskas, Charlotte Observer - [Full Article]

WR coach Richard Williamson has worked in the NFL since 1983, and he has never seen a rookie quite like Keary Colbert. "It's almost like he's been here for a couple years," Williamson said. "He's as advanced mentally as any rookie I remember coming out at that position." He has been backing up starters WR Steve Smith and WR Muhsin Muhammad and playing in the slot in three-receiver sets.

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May 2, 2004, 11:23
Panthers - Rookie WR Colbert Catching On Fast
Brent Borden, Panthers.com - [Full Article]

It looks like the second round of the NFL Draft has been kind to the Carolina Panthers once again. Wide receiver Keary Colbert is opening eyes in minicamp with his hands, athleticism and professional attitude. "He can come in here and make some plays," said teammate Steve Smith. "He's already made plays in practice. He's come out here and shown he's ready to make plays."

The above blurbs really showcase the immediate impact he has had with the team so far. He is going to see a lot of action as a third receiver and I expect him to get on the field before veteran Ricky Proehl in many situations. He won't be a fantasy 'starter' for a fantasy team this year but I would love to have him on my squad in a dynasty league going forward. He has all of the skills necessary to become an above-average player for a long time to come. This year I have him catching 27 passes for 411 yards and 3 touchdowns but I wouldn't be surprised to see him surpass that with a strong second half of the season.

2007 OUTLOOK

While he likely isn't talented enough to be at the 'stud' level in fantasy football, I believe he will be firmly entrenched as a fantasy starter by the 2007 season. He has good size at 6' and 200 lbs and has great speed (clocked at 4.45 in the forty). With his solid work ethic and intelligence he should have no problem becoming a 1000-yard, 70 receptions, 7-touchdown kind of player. He will be in the top twenty at the very least by the 2007 season.

Final Thoughts

The best thing in regards to Keary Colbert is that he isn't nearly as 'mainstream' as the other prominent receivers who came out of college this year. He went 24th in a rookie draft I was a part of back in early June and he was taken behind guys such as Derrick Hamilton, Devery Henderson and Michael Jenkins, none of whom are as talented as Colbert in my opinion. Find a way to get this playmaker on your roster and you'll be rewarded down the road. Steve Smith and Colbert will team up to be an exceptional duo in another year or two.

Quotations from the Message Board Thread

To view the Entire Message Board Thread, Click here.

Blend:
When I see Colbert play, I can't help but think of Johnnie Morton and/or Keenan McCardell and to some extent Wayne Chrebet. Colbert is going to eventually be a solid Fantasy WR3. I think he's a player that every NFL team would like to have. A good WR2 who won't make dumb mistakes - he'll run the right route, catch what's thrown to him, and block downfield.

Barry Jive and the Uptown Five:
His big knock heading into the draft was speed. Is he Roy Williams fast, no. But 4.46 at his Pro Day is beyond adequate. People had him pegged in the 4.6+ range. He's smart, runs great routes, has excellent hands, and will fight for the ball. Mentally tough. Keary has all the skills to be very successful.

Extra Point:
Colbert was drafted at the end of round 2. We don't know if Muhammad will restructure next year or get released or what. So Colbert's situation is decent but not great. His talent is good but again not what I would consider great. In large league's he is someone I would consider but probably would rather wait to acquire after his stock goes down. In a league with less room for receiver prospects I wouldn't do anything but put him on my radar. He's a rookie which will temporarily inflate his value.