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Free agent wide receiver Nate Burleson will be in the hunt for a new team in the 2014 NFL season. According to recent reports, there are receiver-needy teams like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Dallas Cowboys who are potentially interested in Burleson’s services.
He will be 33 years old heading into the upcoming season and played in 15 games over the past two seasons for the Detroit Lions. After a bizarre pizza-related injury where he missed a big chunk the past season, Burleson will have to try to prove to some team that he can still be a player of value. His separation skills and speed have all but disappeared, but his sure hands and leadership skills can be used in the proper situation.
Assuming Burleson finds a new place to play this offseason, fantasy football general managers will wonder if he will have anything left to give as a fantasy asset in the upcoming season.
If he is brought into the right situation, Burleson can certainly hold some fantasy value, but not much. He has only scored more than five touchdowns in a season only three times in his career, which means that the bulk of Burleson’s fantasy value comes from his yardage and reception total.
Due to his touchdown deficiencies, Burleson will only hold value in a PPR league where he can rack up receptions. He will be a risky pickup for any fantasy general manager and can probably be avoided. His age and health concerns don’t really help his value either. He can probably be valued as a mediocre WR-4 in fantasy if he is placed onto a team with a competent passing offense like the Cowboys, but that will probably be as high as he can achieve this season.
Alexander Muir is a writer at Rant Sports.com. Follow him on Twitter @AmuirAlex, “Like” him on Facebook or add him on your network on Google.
