Made a big splash in his first career regular season game and rode the momentum to finish tops among rookie receivers in receptions and receiving yards. Experienced the usual inconsistencies of a young receiver, registering double-digit FP in just six games. Represents the speed component of one of the league’s best receiving duos. His value is bolstered by his dynamic return skills.
(’09 Proj: 90 rec, 1,200 yds, 6 touchdowns) ~Stan Feldman
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Due to their running back ranks being decimated by injury, the Broncos were forced to throw the ball all year long and Royal was a prime beneficiary of the situation. Even better, he is paired up with another phenomenal receiver in Brandon Marshall, so he'll never see a double-team. Royal is in a fantastic position in Denver and should be part of a well-oiled passing machine for years to come.
('09 Proj: 89 rec, 1,010 yds, 7 touchdowns) ~Frank Mazzola
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Led all NFL rooks in receptions (91), yards receiving (980), receiving yards per game (65.3) and receiving touchdowns (5). He also plays in a great passing offense led by ever improving stud Jay Cutler. A solid #2 fantasy wideout already in a great Broncos attack.
('09 Proj: 93 rec, 1,000 yds, 8 touchdowns) ~Steve Cavanagh
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Royal is a bona-fide No. 2 fantasy wideout, capable of putting up No. 1 numbers on occasion and/or if Brandon Marshall finds trouble again. But the best part is that you should be able to draft him as your No. 3 wideout, so he should be an excellent value buy in next year’s drafts. Royal is very similar to Lance Moore, with one exception, Royal is a playmaker. He can make something out of nothing. He won’t score enough to be upper echelon wideout because Marshall and Scheffler are better red zone targets, but Royal should be able to provide you solid numbers across the board.
(’09 Proj: 105 rec, 1050 yds, 7 touchdowns) ~Jon Rascon
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New offensive coordinator, Josh McDaniels, is going to throw the ball. There will be enough to go around for Marshall and Royal both. Expect Cutler, Marshall and Royal to all have great fantasy seasons in 2009.
('09 Proj: 100 rec, 1,100 yds, 5 touchdowns) ~Jeremy Fischer
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Word here in Denver is that HC Josh McDaniels plans to have intimate daily contact with Jay Cutler. Hmmm...that didn't come out like I meant it to. Quickly moving along. By end of season last year, the Broncos were down to what seemed like their 23rd option at RB, so saying the running game WILL improve is a given. Only days ago, the organization did some high-dollar Spring cleaning on the defensive side of the ball as well. What I'm taking my sweet time in saying is that 2009 should mark the year where QB Jay Cutler can shift his thinking to a bit more ball-control. I'm loving what we saw out of Royal as a rookie, particularly when Marshall wasn't on the field. Don't be surprised if, five years from now, Royal is universally thought of as Denver's best WR.
('09 Proj: 85 rec, 1,200 yds, 8 touchdowns) ~Rick Perkins
