Skin Chooser
| Third Year Receivers To Watch |
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| Written by Adam Lasik | |
| Sunday, 29 June 2008 | |
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Each year, one of the most important set of analysis is of those potential breakout third-year wide receivers. It’s not a myth that a significant percentage of strong fantasy receivers experience their emergence into studdom during that fabled third season.
In 2006, there were 34 receivers selected, most of whom will certainly never amount to anything – and some of whom have already disappeared into the annals of irrelevance. Of course, Marques Colston and Brandon Marshall have already made their marks, so this will focus primarily on those receivers in the 2006 class who have not yet broken 1,000 yards in a season. So who is left? There actually aren’t many strong prospects left for “breakout” status from the 2006 class. So we’re highlighting a few key third-year receivers to target, and a couple of honorable mentions to keep your eye on. 1) The top-selected receiver of the 2006 draft was Pittsburgh Steelers’ Santonio Holmes, who is already pretty highly-ranked after catching 8 touchdowns last year, and 942 yards on 52 receptions – in just 13 games. Holmes may not be a top-5 receiver this year, but he should be peeking in from just outside. 2) Much like Holmes, Green Bay Packers’ 2006 pick Greg Jennings is already on everyone’s radar. He, too, played just 13 games last year, but registered 920 yards on 53 receptions and 12 touchdowns. Jennings will not have Packers’ legend Brett Favre throwing at him this year, but his style of play and ability to get open in the seam should allow Aaron Rodgers to hit him often. Jennings’ yardage after the catch will keep his touchdown production high. 3) Devin Hester is a known commodity as a return man, but not too many people are going to draft a return specialist as high as they would take, say, a potential performer at both wideout any in the return game. Hester caught 20 passes last year, 11 of which were in the last three games. With Bernard Berrian and Muhsin Muhammad both gone, and neither Marty Booker or Brandon Lloyd likely to step into dominant roles in the offense, look for Hester’s role on the offense to expand dramatically. Can he handle it? That much is uncertain, but if the Bears can find a pass offense and focus on getting Hester the ball, he should make his owners extremely happy. Honorable Mention:1) Delanie Walker (SFO): Walker is no longer a wide receiver, but he has made some waves at tight end. He’ll be behind Vernon Davis on the depth chart, but don’t be surprised if Walker actually ends up outperforming Davis in terms of receptions and touchdowns. Sure, he doesn’t really fit in this article because he’s no longer a wideout, but he’s worth a mention since he was drafted as one in 2006.2) Jeff Webb (KCC): Webb isn’t likely to be a breakout receiver this year, but the third-year player saw a significant leap in production last year, jumping from 3 receptions to 28. He’s currently listed behind Samie Parker, whose own productivity, or lack thereof, could very well end up giving Webb an opening. There may be a few extreme longshots left in the 2006 class, as well. Names like Jason Avant (PHI), Ben Obomanu (SEA), Sinorice Moss (NYG), Chad Jackson (NEP), Maurice Stovall (TBB), and Derek Hagan will probably be drafted, but their chances of making the list of third-year breakout receivers is quite slim. |
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