Holt flamed out spectacularly with only 796 yards and a measly three touchdowns last year after posting seven straight seasons of 1,100+ yards, and in the process, crushed the hopes and dreams of many fantasy owners. Holt, much like Marvin Harrison (Colts), has lost his ability to separate from defensive backs, and once you lose that ability, you are D-U-N as an elite wide receiver in this league. Come draft day 2009, I’d be awfully disappointed if Holt was anything more than my No. 3 wide receiver and I wouldn’t be feeling all that great at that.
('09 Proj: 54 rec, 590 yds, 4 touchdowns) ~Jon Rascon
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One wonders just how much that ongoing knee injury he's been dealing with for years has robbed him from the tail end of his career? On the other hand, maybe we know full well just what it's cost him based on his '08 stats. Holt's fall from grace last year was a result of several factors finally meeting at the crossroads. He was never a speedster to begin with, relying on precision routes and probably the best pair of hands in the NFL to do his damage. That's the type of WR that doesn't have a step to lose! The offensive line is a shell of it's former self and Bulger has sorely missed the dual option on Old Man Ike Bruce on the other side.
('09 Proj: 68 rec, 700 yds, 5 touchdowns) ~Rick Perkins
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Failed to reach 1,000 yards for the first time since 1999. Holt’s three touchdowns were the lowest season-total in his career; it was also the first season that he did not record a single 100-yard game. At just 32 years-old, it’s hard to imagine that Holt’s struggles were the product of diminishing natural abilities, but it will take a change of scenery to make Holt more than a No. 3 receiver in 2009.
('09 Proj: 70 rec, 850 yds, 5 touchdowns) ~Stan Feldman
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We all should have seen this decline coming miles away. I avoided him like the plague last season and will again this year. Holt is descending as quickly as the economy and won’t even be recommended as a #3 receiver. Look elsewhere for a wideout, as he has declined in yardage every year since 2003! Old possession type receivers hold no fantasy value in the non-ppr formats. The Donnie Avery era has officially begun!
('09 Proj: 54 rec, 670 yds, 2 touchdowns) ~Steve Cavanagh
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The drastic decline in Holt's numbers last season was either an aberration or a clear signal that the inevitable has begun. Considering his age (he'll turn 33 in June) and the fact that Donnie Avery appears to be the new "Main Man in Town", it may be more a case of the latter rather than the former. A lot depends on where Holt ends up playing this season as he may become a cap casualty.
('09 Proj: 61 rec, 710 yds, 3 touchdowns) ~Frank Mazzola
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For the first time since 1999 Holt didn’t have at least 81 receptions (64), 1188 yards (796), or four TD’s (three). He has now been a little worse (statistically) in each of his last six season and, while I see a mini bounce-back season, Holt’s best days are behind him.
('09 Proj: 77 rec, 1,001 yards, 6 touchdowns) ~Robb Perkins
