Michael Clayton Worth A Flier

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) - Two injury-filled seasons removed from an outstanding rookie year, Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Michael Clayton is healthy again and eager to hold off the competition for his starting job.

"Obviously, in this league you have to compete, you have to produce," said Clayton, who's being challenged for playing time by a group of hungry receivers that includes second-year pro Maurice Stovall and former Pro Bowl receiver David Boston.

The article quoted above off Fox Sports reminds me why I think Clayton is worth a late round flier this year - he did have a monster rookie season (1200/7) and you're supposed to get better, not worse. With Gradkowski or whatever his name was at the helm last year, no one on the team got better. Honestly, I don't remember what happened to Clayton in 2005, but he 'battled injuries all season' and was supposedly banged up last year too, ending the year on IR.

He is injury prone but that may be due to the fact he considers himself a bigger receiver whose job it is to run over defenders. Gruden has apparently told Clayton that sometimes it's best to get out of bounds or lay down and live for another play.

One more thing. Jeff Garcia is a 61% completion passer with a 4300 yard, 31 TD season on his resume. Of the three years he started all 16 games, 3300 and 21 is the worst. In the six games he saw significant action in last year, he throw for 10 TDs and 1280 yards - a pace for 27 TDs and 3400 yards over the course of a season.

The Mustard: If you need a WR4 or WR5, Michael Clayton will probably be available and worth a gamble. He has had a good season when injury free but suffered with Simms and Gradkowski under center.

Jeff Garcia is someone to keep an eye on. Looking through the Bucs' years with Gruden as coach, Brad Johnson and then Brian Griese put up some pretty decent numbers (3700/23, 3900/27, and 3800/24) until ol' Chris Simms came along.

As stated before, success of the passing game bodes well for Carnell Williams' chances of resurrecting his young career. He's worth an RB3 selection with plenty of upside and will be available in round five and maybe round six. Repeat after me, "A starting running back in round 6 is great value." Everyone remembers getting burned last year. This is the year to buy low.