With the release of Plaxico Burress, Steve Smith is now a starter alongside Domenik Hixon. You can rest assured that Smith is the better of the two starters. The Giants are lacking a dominant receiver but that doesn’t mean they can’t be productive. Smith has excellent hands and is able to come up big in clutch situations.

('09 Proj: 78 rec, 845 yds, 6 touchdowns)   ~John Kezer
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Third year receiver looks for bigger role in Giants offense now that Plaxico Burress has been sent packing; but at 5’11 and not overly explosive, Smith is better suited to be the Giants possession receiver. Last year, he had 57 catches, and even if the Giants bring in a big time WR, Smith should still be able to approach last year’s numbers. But ceiling is limited.

('09 Proj: 750 yds, 3 touchdowns)   ~Jon Rascon
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There is a huge opportunity for “the other” Steve Smith to break out in 2009 as the departure of Burress opens up a spot for a #1 wideout for the G-men. Smith led the team in receptions last season and could be a player to target as a #3 fantasy wideout to begin the season with serious upside.

('09 Proj: 66 rec, 750 yds, 5 touchdowns)   ~Steve Cavanagh
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He’s no Steve Smith, you know the “other” guy that plays for the Panthers but THIS one is primed for a breakout year as he enters his third season. Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer are gone - leaving Domenik Hixon, Sinorice Moss, and Mario Manningham as Smith’s primary competition. In other words, Smith is likely to be the go-to-guy this season for Eli Manning.

('09 Proj: 77 rec, 903 yds, 6 touchdowns)   ~Robb Perkins
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The receiver most likely to benefit from the departure of wide receiver Amani Toomer (as opposed to the release of receiver Plaxico Burress, of which Domenik Hixon appears to be the primary beneficiary). Smith is a steady route runner who, like Toomer, lacks the superior athleticism to be a consistent home-run threat. That said, Toomer made quite a career for himself through heady consistency, and if the Giants fail to add a proven name or two, expect Smith to be the best performer in New York’s receiving corps.

('09 Proj: 70 rec, 900 yds, 5 touchdowns)   ~Stan Feldman
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If necessity is truly the mother of creation, then this Steve Smith should certainly be on your radar this summer.  I don't personally believe Smith explodes this year, but should we really be shocked if he does?  I mean, there's a whole pile of factors here that, when we look back on this season - could leave the fantasy community wondering "How did we not see this guy coming from a mile away?"  Third year wide receiver with talent (former second round pick) yet to meet production.  Underrated hands and works okay in traffic.  A QB that can make any throw and a top 3 y.p.c. running game that defenses can't ignore.  Burress didn't exactly set the world on fire for five years in Pittsburgh before arriving in New York and exploding for 22 touchdowns in '06-'07.  Theoretically, those scores need to go somewhere and Hixon is more track star than pure WR.  Hmm...maybe I am predicting he explodes.  I'm calling my shot:

('09 Proj: 95 rec, 1,280 yds, 11 touchdowns)   ~Rick Perkins