Sleeper Watch

Selected by Oakland in the seventh round of the 2002 draft, Ronald Curry was finally starting to come into his own last year. In a three-game stretch between November 21 and December 5, the young wide receiver racked up a total of 309 yards and four touchdowns, and the fantasy community was quick to take notice. Unfortunately, Curry suffered a torn Achilles tendon in the final contest of that impressive run after being hit by Kansas City safety Willie Pile, and was forced to sit out the rest of the season. Upon being placed on the injured reserve list, Curry again became a fantasy non-entity.

Yet as we look toward the 2005 NFL season, Curry’s name shouldn’t be forgotten. Expected to be fully healthy again for the upcoming campaign, he could be a valuable part of a fantasy receiving corps if he can pick up where he left off in December. And if teammate Jerry Porter isn’t franchised by the Raiders and leaves the team through free agency, Curry’s role in the offense could increase even further.

No matter whether Porter stays or goes, and no matter whether Kerry Collins or Rich Gannon is under center, Curry will again be one of Oakland’s top targets next season and will benefit considerably from the Raiders’ 2005 schedule. With two games against both Kansas City and San Diego, who finished at the very bottom of the pass defense charts with 262.7 and 253.3 yards allowed per game, respectively, and dates with the Cowboys, Titans and Giants, who all gave up 28 or more passing TDs last year, Curry should see quite a few good matchups. And with relatively pedestrian 2004 season totals (679 yards receiving, six touchdowns) thanks in part to his month-long absence, he may well be undervalued in next year’s drafts.