Holmes’ Super Bowl MVP performance has overshadowed the fact that he was largely unproductive in 2008 after being highly touted coming into the season. The question now becomes, is Holmes a legitimate #1 WR for the Steelers or was he just the beneficiary of being in the right place at the right time when Hines Ward got hurt? I think Holmes is somewhere in between. With Hines Ward's career winding down, Holmes is at worst option 1A in passing situations, which is good enough to slot him into that gray area of borderline #2 (great #3) wideout on your team this season moving forward. Just know that he’s not going to turn in Super Bowl MVP-winning performances every week for your fantasy team.
('09 Proj: 72 rec, 1,040 yds, 8 touchdowns) ~Jon Rascon
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The Super Bowl hero has steadily increased his production each year and should be in line for an even bigger role next season. Counterpart Hines Ward will begin to decline at some point in the near future and Holmes is the heir apparent. Pittsburgh does not embody the “Run First” mentality nearly as often as years past, so being the WR1 is not a bad deal at all.
('09 Proj: 59 rec, 895 yds, 7 touchdowns) ~Frank Mazzola
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Much like a college player's stock rises solely on his bowl game performance, look for Holmes to have the same thing happen this season after his MVP Super Bowl performance. I’m still not sure if he’s going to be an elite receiver but there is no doubt he could be a solid #2 fantasy option at worst.
('09 Proj: 68 rec, 989 yds, 8 touchdowns) ~Robb Perkins
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Many owners expected the Santonio Holmes they saw in the Super Bowl, a threat every time he touched the ball and the top target for Big Ben. Unfortunately, he regressed last season and was still the second option behind Hines Ward. Expect a spike in numbers this year and the production of a solid #2 fantasy wideout. Don’t be the guy who gets blinded by the Super Bowl MVP status however.
('09 Proj: 70 rec, 985yds, 7 touchdowns) ~Steve Cavanagh
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Never had more than 5 rec. in any game last year. In fact, he's yet to catch more than six balls in any regualar season game in his career. I can appreciate what Santonio does with the ball in his hands. He's electric in the open field. But I've yet to see a game (outside of the Super Bowl) that he takes over. No I'm not cherry-picking stats by excluding the Super Bowl; I tip my hat to the fact that he played flawlessly. But his height ('5'11), the Steelers' run-oriented ways (27 WR's were targeted more) and his putrid catch per target percentage last year (48.2%) are ominous signs. He's still extremely young and could make the big-jump in 2009 but I think he's in danger of being overvalued.
('09 Proj: 65 rec, 1,020 yds, 7 touchdowns) ~Rick Perkins
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Didn’t experience the major breakthrough most expected from him until the season was over. Despite being targeted 30 more times than in 2007, Holmes caught just three more passes and saw his yardage drop by over 100 yds (his YPC fell from 18.1 to 14.9). His fantastic postseason will make many owners forget how inconsistent he was in 2008, and though he certainly has the potential to reach No. 2 status, draft him as your #3 and don't feel bad if he's gone before that.
('09 Proj: 70 rec, 1,050 yds, 8 touchdowns) ~Stan Feldman
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Pittsburgh should upgrade their O-line in the offseason, unless they want to kill Roethlisberger. More time for Big Ben means more throws to Holmes. Whether Ward is healthy or not, 2009 will be the year Holmes officially becomes the man in the Steel City, and he finally gets 1,000 yards receiving.
('09 Proj: 60 rec, 1,000 yds, 6 touchdowns) ~Jeremy Fischer
