Holt to Jags is uninspiring fantasy play

Last year Torry Holt was the number one wide receiver on a team with a decent quarterback being protected by a bad offensive line led by an aging left tackle who some suspect might be running out of gas.

Holt signed a three-year deal Monday with Jacksonville, making him the number one wide receiver on a team that in 2008 had … a decent quarterback being protected by a bad offensive line. The Jaguars have added William Tra Thomas, an aging left tackle whose better days are behind him.

Sound familiar?

I don’t think Torry Holt is completely out of gas. And in fairness, Jacksonville was hammered by injuries last season. And Thomas probably has more in the tank than Orlando Pace does at this point.

But don’t expect miracles from Holt either. He has lost a step. And the Rams actually have had better talent at wide receiver than the Jags – Isaac Bruce until last season and rookie Donnie Avery in 2008 were better counterparts for him than the guys Jacksonville has been lining up in recent years.

Reggie Williams?

Troy Williamson?

Matt Jones?

I’d expect more from Holt than his 796 yards and three touchdown output from 2008. Being surrounded by Maurice Jones-Drew in his first year as “the guy” should be good for some open looks.

But expecting Holt to get back to 93 catches (in both 2006 and 2007) and nearly 1,200 yards (1,188 and 1,189 respectively) is, in my opinion, far fetched.

And double-digit touchdowns? Eh. Not out of the question entirely – he immediately becomes the number one wideout. But I wouldn’t count on it, especially if the Jags add another similar or even better receiver between now and the end of the season, as I expect that they will.

Holt can be a fantasy factor in 2009. But I’d only take him as a potential third wide receiver – not as someone you want to anchor your team around.