Steve Smith is no longer an elite fantasy receiver, but he still finished last year with over 700 yards and four touchdowns. This season, he moved on to Baltimore after 13 seasons as a Carolina Panther. He’ll join an offense that struggled last season and a quarterback in Joe Flacco who sorely missed the departed Anquan Boldin, who brought toughness and consistency to the Ravens offense before being traded to the 49ers prior to last season. The Ravens will hope Smith can bring his own special brand of toughness to an offense that finished 18th in passing last season.

Fantasy Upside
Smith will finally have a capable receiver opposite him in Torrey Smith, meaning he won’t be the focus of opposing defenses. This will help him get open and become a reliable safety valve for Joe Flacco. Also, despite Smith’s diminutive size, he’s always been excellent at tracking the ball and going up to get it, which will help him in new offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak’s downfield offense. Smith also is only a year removed from two straight 1,000 yard seasons, so he may not be quite as washed up as he appeared last year.

Fantasy Downside
Smith isn’t as explosive as he once was, and at age 35 he may not have much left in the tank. He’s going to a new team for the first time in his career and will need to develop chemistry with quarterback Joe Flacco, also coming off a down season. Finally, while Smith should benefit from the attention given to Torrey Smith and tight end Dennis Pitta in the passing game, this will also be the first time he has played on a team where he isn’t the number one receiver since his second year in the league. How much of his recent success has been based on being the only viable receiver in Carolina could be revealed this season in Baltimore.

Bottom Line
Smith is no longer a WR1 or WR2, but has some upside in a new offense with a new quarterback as a depth guy on your fantasy roster. His ADP has placed him in the 12th round of most drafts, as he’s been picked up as a reserve option with upside in most leagues. While it’s hard to say a 35 year old receiver has upside, it may be true with the fiery Smith, who has the extra incentive of showing the people in Carolina who cut him during the offseason that he still has plenty left in the tank. Smith should be viewed as a decent pickup late in the draft as a possible spot starter or more steady option behind some high upside alternatives.