Most rookie wide receivers struggle to adapt from college to the pros,
but a second season of experience is usually enough to complete the full
transition.
Former greats like Cliff Branch, Harold Carmichael and Steve Largent
have proved this trend valid in the past, and present players like Terrell
Owens, Santana Moss and Javon Walker have confirmed it can be
a great tool in ranking the position.
Here's our list of 15 third-year wide receivers to watch for in 2006:
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Third-Year Wide Receivers
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Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona
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Fitzgerald isn't a traditional wideout on this list because he
broke out with 1,409 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. An
unbelieveable athlete who possesses the skills and abilities to be
the league's next great receiver, Fitzgerald also has the benefit
of fellow wideout Anquan Boldin, who alleviates constant double
teams. The former Heisman runner-up should be selected in the
second to third rounds as a No. 1 receiver in most drafts.
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Roy Williams, Detroit
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Williams has shown flashes of brilliance in his first two pro
seasons, but injuries have limited his rise to stardom. He's a
physical specimen with incredible hands and the tools to make
acrobatic catches on inaccurate passes, and he's one to watch as a
breakout candidate. Barring further health issues, the former
Texas standout has a chance to post 1,200-plus yards and eight to
10 touchdowns in the offense of new coordinator Mike Martz.
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Reggie Williams, Jacksonville
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Now that Jimmy Smith has retired, Williams has to be considered a
much more attractive low-end sleeper candidate. While he hasn't
met expectations to this point in his pro career, he still has the
size and tools to make some noise. Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio
should allow him the chance to put his past failures aside and
become the wideout the team sees in him, so Williams is well worth
a late-round flier across the board.
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Lee Evans, Buffalo
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Evans has produced a combined 16 touchdowns in his first two
seasons -- that's more than Hines Ward and Plaxico
Burress -- so he's an obvious sleeper candidate from a fantasy
perspective. The one problem with this talented wideout is the
quarterback situation in Buffalo -- an unattractive battle between Kelly
Holcomb and J.P. Losman is expected in camp-- which
might not produce a reliable and consistent option under center
the entire season.
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Michael Clayton, WR, Tampa Bay
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Clayton recorded an impressive 1,193 yards and seven touchdowns as
a rookie, but injuries caused him to fall off the radar as an NFL
sophomore (372 yards, 0 TDs) and behind veteran Joey Galloway. However,
he's back to 100 percent and should have countless chances to
produce this season as head coach Jon Gruden looks to assist what
has to be a shaken level of confident. Take a chance on him in the
middle to late rounds.
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Michael Jenkins, Atlanta
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Jenkins hasn't done much from a statistical perspective in
Atlanta, but he's still considered the best wideout in the pass
attack. With two seasons of pro experience under his belt, Jenkins
should be in line to produce the best numbers of his career. The
possible quick emergence of fellow wideout Roddy White
could be an issue for Jenkins, who needs to produce in order to
avoid the dreaded bust label. He's worth a late-round flier in
drafts.
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Rashaun Woods, San Diego
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Woods once scored seven touchdowns in a collegiate game
for the Oklahoma State Cowboys against Southern Methodist, but
he's recorded a mere seven receptions as a pro. An
offseason trade to San Diego could be a positive -- sometimes a
change of scenery can lead to greater confidence and better
production -- but overall Woods has much to prove between the
white lines before he warrants serious draft consideration.
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Devery Henderson, New Orleans
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Henderson has the tools to make an impact from time to time, but
he'll be hard pressed to produce serviceable numbers behind Joe
Horn and Donté Stallworth on the depth chart. He
will see some time in the slot as the No. 3 receiver for head
coach Sean Payton and could post a nice stat line from time to
time, but his production will be limited overall. At best,
Henderson will be worth a late-round flier in leagues with 14-plus
teams.
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Darius Watts, Denver
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The offseason addition of Javon Walker caused Watts to fall to at
least fourth on the depth chart in Denver, so his chance to make
an impact has decreased. He impressed head coach Mike Shanahan and
his staff in offseason workouts and will be allow a chance to
perform, but his time on the field won't be enough to produce.
Unless the team deals Ashley Lelie at some point before the
start of the season, Watts will have no real value in drafts.
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Keary Colbert, Carolina
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Colbert was a serious disappointment last season, and the presence
of Steve Smith and free-agent Keyshawn Johnson will
mean fewer opportunities for the former Southern Cal wideout. He
should see some improved matchup in the slot against nickel
cornerbacks, but his level of production still won't be enough to
warrant much consideration in drafts. Colbert is worth little more
than a late-round flier in leagues with 12-plus teams.
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Bernard Berrian, Chicago
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Berrian is a burner who should be utilized by Bears head coach
Lovie Smith to stretch defenses in the pass attack, but he's
slated to enter the season fourth on the depth chart behind Muhsin
Muhammad, Mark Bradley and Justin Gage. Even if he has
a productive preseason, Berrian will be hard pressed to record
enough statistical success to matter much for owners. He's worth
little more than a flier in leagues with 14-plus teams.
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Samie Parker, Kansas City
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Parker is in a position to succeed as a starter in what has the
potential to be an explosive Chiefs pass attack, but injuries and
an inconsistent level of production have hurt his stock in the
eyes of owners. Still, the presence of Larry Johnson and an
incredible run attack, not to mention a veteran quarterback in Trent
Green and a veteran like Eddie Kennison makes him a
viable option in drafts. Parker is worth a late-round selection as
a No. 4 or 5 wideout.
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Jerricho Cotchery, N.Y. Jets
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The retirement of Wayne Chrebet has pushed Cotchery up to third on
the depth chart for new head coach Eric Mangini, so he should see
more opportunities in the pass attack. Questions about the
offense, especially at the quarterback position with the brittle Chad
Pennington, will limit the value of all the Jets wideouts, so
the former N.C. State wideout will need to cash in on his skills
soon if he's to warrant a roster spot for owners.
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Ernest Wilford, Jacksonville
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Like Williams and Matt Jones, Wilford's value shot upward
when Smith retired in the offseason. He possesses incredible size
and was an attractive option in the red zone for quarterback Byron
Leftwich last season, scoring an impressive seven touchdowns.
Wilford, who also recorded 681 yards in 16 games (eight starts),
should be prominent for Del Rio as the offense looks to find a
true No. 1 option, so considered him a nice sleeper candidate
across the board.
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Patrick Crayton, Dallas
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A former seventh-round draft choice out of Northwest Oklahoma
State, Crayton showed flashes of potential last season for head
coach Bill Parcells before an injured ankle forced him to miss
five contests. Now that Owens is in the mix and without question
the most prominent receiver in the offense, Crayton's
opportunities to produce will be fewer and further between. As a
result, he won't be consistent enough to be worth a roster spot in
most formats.
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