Upside by Andy Hicks
Keyshawn Johnson is a guy that many drafters will refuse to select for personal reasons. Don't be one of them. On average this year there are 30 other receivers being taken before him. The reasons for this extend beyond dislike of the man. Keyshawn is now 32, he's at a new club, he was deactivated at his last stop in Tampa, and he's lost a serious step or three.

Why should you draft him then?

1. He knows how to catch the dang ball. He has a career average of 75 catches a year.



2. His yards per catch has not diminished. From 13.4 in his rookie season to 13.3 last year. His career average is 13.2.



3. He is with his favorite coach, in a system that utilizes his abilities to the max.
   Never underestimate a players personal feelings. Keyshawn has everything to prove this year to BOTH Jon Gruden and Bill Parcells.



4. Keyshawn is one of the most physical receivers in the game. Both Antonio Bryant and Terry Glenn are reluctant to mix it up in the middle. This is where Johnson thrives.



5. 70%+ of his catches are for a first down. That kind of figure will get his number called regularly.



6. Without concentrating too much on the New York Jets/Parcells history, it was a fact that he averaged about 8 touchdowns a year under Parcells compared to about 4 a year at Tampa Bay.



7. Although the volume of divisional games has dropped from 8 to 6 in recent times, one of the big changes in the NFC East this off season is the loss or injury of the Cowboys rivals star cornerbacks. Keyshawn against younger, inexperienced corners for significant parts of the schedule is a bonus for Johnson drafters.

Expecting Keyshawn Johnson to return to #1 fantasy WR status is not viable, but becoming a solid #2 is a good bet. If you are taking risks elsewhere at WR don't hesitate to throw Keyshawn in as your #2 or #3, you should be well pleased with the results.

Downside by Michael Brown
Let's run down the highlights, shall we?

Player is drafted first overall by the Jets. Player enjoys moderate success first four years in the league. Player is traded to the Bucs. Player sees yardage total drop by 300 in first year, then sees touchdown total drop from 8 to 1 in second year. Player has decent year and helps team win Super Bowl. Player can't stand coach and gets banished from the team. Player signs with old coach, under whom he had moderate success. Player is now 31 years old, coming off a 600-yard season. Quarterback is either A) 40-year old Vinny Testaverde, or B) Drew Henson, he of the splendid career totals of 0-0, 0 yards, 0 touchdowns.

Yes I know, we keep hearing all about how Bill Parcells can get the most out of Keyshawn Johnson and will resurrect his career. Forgive me for not putting 100% faith in Keyshawn Johnson, of all people. Also, keep this in mind. Wide receivers in the Jon Gruden system have it made. It turns decent Keenan McCardells and washed-up Jerry Rices into Pro-Bowlers. Yet the best Keyshawn could muster up in four years there was the number 21 wide receiver ranking? Considering no one is confusing the Dallas offense with that of Tampa anytime soon, and you can begin to see why it appears everyone is a little too high on this Keyshawn/Parcells reunion.

Another aspect that will negatively impact Johnson's numbers is the presence of many other options. Parcells drafted Julius Jones, then signed Eddie George. Despite his shenanigans, he kept Antonio Bryant around, and receiving options such as Terry Glenn and Richie Anderson are still around. Add in that Parcells would like to see TE Jason Witten get more involved in the offense, and you have quite a few options with only one football to go around. Considering Parcells teams are usually ball control-type units, don't expect to see too many opportunities for big numbers out of any one receiver. Keyshawn Johnson has underachieved for years, so expecting anything else now is a risk you may want to reconsider.