Breaking down the Ashley Lelie/TJ Duckett trade:
Winner: Denver
The Broncos will reportedly receive two mid-round draft choices for Lelie, a former 1st round pick whose time in Denver could only be described as "inconsistent". Lelie has the ability to make big plays (his career yards per catch average is 17.9, which is great), but he's never made those plays with any regularity. Aside from his "breakout" season in 2004 (54-1084-20.1 w/7 TDs), Lelie never produced at a level high enough to warrant the #1 WR status he felt he deserved.
Denver will also receive back some of Lelie's original signing bonus, as well as some cash from the fines Lelie accrued while holding out of training camp. The total dollar amount could be in the $500K area.
Loser: Atlanta
Yes, the injury to Brian Finneran left the Falcons without a reliable #3 WR. But in Atlanta, does the #3 receiver even matter? Atlanta's bread & butter was the run, and while Warrick Dunn is the starter, and carries most of the load, he's 31 years old and it was Duckett (6-0, 254) who the team turned to when the tough, short yards on 3rd down or near the goal line.
Let's also not forget that Atlanta now has three (3) former 1st round picks at WR (Roddy White, Michael Jenkins, Ashley Lelie), as well as Alge Crumpler, a 3-time Pro Bowler at tight end. With Michael Vick at QB (the 1st overall pick in 2001), what will the excuses be this year if the passing game again finishes near the bottom of the NFL in 2006?
Why?: Washington
Nobody should be surprised that Washington spent two draft choices to acquire TJ Duckett, who is a free agent after this season. In the Daniel Snyder Era, the draft hasn't been as important to Washington as it is to other teams. However, one has to wonder if the acquisition of Duckett is a sign that Clinton Portis' shoulder injury is one the team expects to linger throughout 2006.
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