Fantasy Impact: Deion Branch

August 5, 2008 at 7:27 am | Article by Paul Hickey |

Fantasy Impact: Deion Branch After missing five games due to injury in 2007, Seahawks WR Deion Branch entered an NFC Wild Card match-up against Green Bay with high hopes last January. He left the game with a torn ACL, and a prognosis that he may miss the first six games of 2008, if not the entire season. As a result, he dropped off the fantasy radar all summer - find out why he’s back on it.

No-Offseason.com is hearing that the 29 year old Branch - a former second round NFL Draft pick, who hasn’t ever reached 1,000 yards receiving in a single season, yet was traded to Seattle for a first rounder two years ago - will be ready to play in Week 1.

He has been running with the team and working his way back quickly and quietly, but recently Seahawks front man Tim Ruskell has been hinting that Branch could be back healthy by the start of the season. At this point, it’s a sure bet that he won’t start the year on the regular season PUP list, which means even if he doesn’t play in Week 1, he’ll likely return by Week 3 or Week 4 at the latest.

This news means Branch should be considered a solid WR3 candidate in 2008, and can be drafted as early as round 8 or round 9 in seasonal formats. His dynasty and deep keeper owners should be thrilled, due to the fact that a player they had planned on stashing away on their league’s injured reserve lists for another year, now could become a key cog in a championship run.

Branch has talent, and if he can recover from this injury and stay healthy - a long shot, I know - he’ll definitely finally reach that 1,000 yard plateau, especially in Seattle’s pass happy attack.

Branch’s return shouldn’t really negatively affect the fantasy value of WRs Nate Burleson and Bobby Engram, as there will be more than enough balls to go around in Mike Holmgren’s offense.

To see where Deion Branch ranks in our dynasty, seasonal and keeper rankings - check out our USP forums now!

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