Who is this Marques Colston character?

That was the exact thought that ran through my mind as I scoured the waiver wire for a receiver that could get me though Week 4. Should I really pick up a rookie I have never heard of?

Due to an injury, a few untimely byes and few other options, there was little choice. The New Orleans Saints' wide receiver had two touchdowns and 15 catches already, so I reluctantly picked him up and hoped for the best.

That weekend against the Carolina Panthers, Colston caught five passes for 132 yards and a score. The Saints lost, 21-18. But with Colston in my lineup, I didn't. The wideout remained a starter for me, helping propel my team back into the race until — ironically — a late season ankle injury sent him to the sidelines. Colston had become so much of my offense I couldn't keep up without him.

Colston was the 12th ranked receiver in my Yahoo league at season's end, and would have finished much higher had he not missed four games due to injury. He still managed to put up 1,038 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.

Considering the Saints drafted electric Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush, it was this other rookie that was supposed to make headlines in the Big Easy this season. Not Colston. After all, he was a seventh-round pick out of Division I-AA Hofstra.

That was the magic of the New Orleans Saints in 2006. Not only did the franchise inspire a nation by shaking off the ravages of Hurricane Katrina to make the NFC title game, they also proved to be a fantasy owners' dream.

Anyone who had the foresight to draft quarterback Drew Brees — coming off rotator cuff surgery to his right throwing arm and a free agent pickup after five seasons in San Diego — was treated to 4,418 yards and 26 touchdowns. The only quarterback to put up more fantasy points in my Yahoo league was Peyton Manning, thanks largely to his four rushing touchdowns and two less fumbles.

What made Brees' season even more amazing is who he was throwing to. After trading away Donte' Stallworth in the preseason, the Saints were left with just Joe Horn in terms of veteran experience at receiver. But thanks to the aforementioned Colston, along with Devery Henderson (32 catches, 745 yards, five touchdowns) and the amazing Bush, Brees found plenty of open targets.

The only player on the fantasy radar before the season began — and a trendy pick at that — was Bush. After a remarkable career at Southern California where he proved an equally devastating rusher and receiver, he drew comparisons to another fantasy stud: Marshall Faulk.

He only managed to frustrate fantasy owners early on — unless your league gave you points for receptions (for which he had 88). His first seven games yielded only two touchdowns, one of which came on a punt return. It seemed that the Saints were having trouble figuring out how to get him the ball. All the goal line carries went to franchise back Deuce McAllister (10 touchdowns).

But Bush found his stride. And patient owners were rewarded with a frantic finish. Bush scored seven touchdowns in his final nine games. You could see the confidence growing every game, right through his manic 88-yard touchdown catch-and-run against the Chicago Bears in the title game.

So the question becomes, what about 2007?

Bush will be a first- or second-round selection in almost any draft, and you can expect him to get close to 100 catches and score double-digit touchdowns. Though it will be very interesting to see how long he will share carries with McAllister. The two-headed running attack worked very well for the Saints, but eventually Bush is going to want to be the man in the backfield. Think Tiki Barber with more speed.

McAllister is a dependable NFL running back. He came up huge in the playoffs and his style of running is a great counter to Bush's. That being said, you can expect to see Bush to get more carries next year, and since McAllister only ran for a little over 1,000 yards anyway, less touchdowns means maybe a seventh-round selection. His future in New Orleans is in question.

Then there's Colston, the man nobody drafted last season. Is he a one-year wonder or will he continue to grow and blossom like another former Hofstra wideout: Wayne Chrebet? The reason the Saints traded Stallworth in the preseason was because it was apparent that Brees had developed some chemistry and trust with Colston.

Expect Colston to continue to be a Saints fixture on offense next season, especially with Horn's inability to stay on the field. Look for him to be selected in the second or third round, behind receivers like Steve Smith, Marvin Harrison, Chad Johnson and Terrell Owens.

What about Brees? Dislocating his left elbow in the Pro Bowl didn't help people who think he is prone to injury. But you can't ignore his play. Nor can you ignore the confidence he gets from the love the people in New Orleans feel for him. Remember, he chose to sign with the Saints.

Manning should always be the top quarterback on any board, but consider taking Brees just behind Tom Brady and Carson Palmer. He is one of the top five pure passers in the NFL.

Now for that Saints defense, well that is for another article.