Sleeper Watch

Second-year wide receiver Josh Reed has been a very popular sleeper pick in fantasy football circles this offseason, and with good reason. With Peerless Price heading down to Atlanta, Reed, who showed flashes of greatness as a rookie, seemed poised to step right in where Price left off.

Yet Buffalo’s WR situation turned a bit murky recently. Rumors were swirling that Bobby Shaw’s performance leading up to the season had greatly impressed the Bills’ coaching staff, and that the former Jaguar was pushing Reed for that coveted number two spot. Now, Reed has indeed been confirmed as the #2 WR, but that doesn’t mean Shaw has no value.

Bobby Shaw certainly has talent. A good route runner with a knack for separating himself from defenders, it isn’t hard to picture him putting up excellent numbers if given the opportunity. He now finds himself in a fantastic envoronment to showcase his skills: with Drew Bledsoe’s accurate tosses and both Eric Moulds and Reed drawing opposing defenses’ top cover men, Shaw should find plenty of room when the Bills go with three-receiver sets.

If you’re in a league deep enough that #3 WRs not named Jerry Porter are being drafted, Shaw is definitely worth a look. In shallower leagues, don’t make a move yet, but keep an eye on him as the season progresses.