Michael Fabiano gives Fantasy Football owners a look into next season with his 2006 Player Rankings, which will be updated throughout the offseason based on depth chart changes, personnel moves and injuries.

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:

Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona: 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 should be selected in the second to third rounds in most drafts.

Roy Williams, Detroit: Williams has shown flashes of brilliance in his first two pro seasons, but injuries have limited his rise to stardom. 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.

Reggie Williams, Jacksonville: 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, Williams still has the size and tools to make some noise. He's well worth a late-round flier across the board.

Lee Evans, Buffalo: Evans has produced a combined 16 touchdowns in his first two seasons -- that's more than Hines Ward or Plaxico Burress -- so he's an obvious sleeper candidate. The one problem with Evans is the quarterback situation, which is a battle between Kelly Holcomb and J.P. Losman.

Michael Clayton, Tampa Bay: 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). He's back to 100 percent and should have countless chances to produce this season, so take a chance on him in the middle to late rounds.

Michael Jenkins, Atlanta: 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. He's worth a late-round flier in drafts.

Rashaun Woods, San Diego: Woods once scored seven touchdowns in a collegiate game against Southern Methodist, but he's recorded a mere seven receptions as a pro. An offseason trade to San Diego could be a positive, but overall Woods has much to prove before he warrants serious draft consideration.

Devery Henderson, New Orleans: 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. At best, Henderson will be worth a late-round flier in leagues with 14-plus teams.

Darius Watts, Denver: 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. Unless the team deals Ashley Lelie before the start of the season, Watts will have no real value in drafts.

Keary Colbert, Carolina: 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's worth little more than a late-round flier in leagues with 12-plus teams.

Bernard Berrian, Chicago: Berrian is a burner who should be utilized to stretch defenses, 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 worth little more than a flier in drafts.

Samie Parker, Kansas City: 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, Parker is worth a late-round selection as a No. 4 or 5 wideout.

Jerricho Cotchery, N.Y. Jets: 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. However, 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.

Ernest Wilford, Jacksonville: 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, so consider Wilford a nice sleeper candidate across the board.

Patrick Crayton, Dallas: A former seventh-round draft choice out of N.W. Oklahoma State, Crayton showed flashes of potential last season before an injured ankle forced him to miss five contests. Now that Owens is in the mix, Crayton won't produce on a consistent enough basis to be worth a roster spot in most formats.

Reader Feedback

Frank: Is Peyton Manning worth a first-round selection, or should I take a back like Ronnie Brown, Steven Jackson or LaMont Jordan instead?

M.F.: Manning is worth a first rounder across the board, but I'd be more concerned with building a solid backfield in the first two to three rounds. As a result, I would side with Jordan over Manning, Jackson and Brown.

Joe: I have the No. 10 overall selection in our draft. Who should I target? What about the No. 15 overall choice?

M.F.: It's still all about the backs in the first and second rounds, so the likes of Jordan, Rudi Johnson, Steven Jackson and Carnell Williams (in that order) should be targeted. Turn around and look to complete the backfield with the 15th overall selection, where backs like Brian Westbrook, Brown and Domanick Davis should be on the board.

Derek: Michael, I think Trent Green should be ranked higher than No. 11. I also think Roy Williams is too high and Donald Driver should be higher on the list of wide receivers. Oh, and how can you rank Vernon Davis ahead of Heath Miller?

M.F.: Green threw for a mere 17 touchdowns and wasn't consistent last season, so his stock was certain to fall. Of course rank lists are subject to different opinions, and I wouldn't be shocked if Green went before the likes of Kurt Warner, Drew Bledsoe or even Daunte Culpepper in drafts. Williams should be a statistical beast (barring injuries) in Detroit and is a borderline No. 1 receiver, and I like Miller but Davis' upside in San Francisco is unmistakeable.

Caz: I think it's time to move Carson Palmer to second on the quarterbacks rank list. It looks like he'll be available for the regular-season opener.

M.F.: The news has been positive Caz, but I think it's still too soon to move him to second. Should his rehab continue to be free of setbacks over the next month, then at that point Palmer will be moved into that position.

Steve: Michael, I love your stuff and would like to break into the workforce as a fantasy analyst. Do you have some advice for this recent college graduate?

M.F.: Steve, there are a lot of websites out there for amateur sports writers -- I started on one called e-sports.com -- where you can receive some online exposure and even get press passes for some events. Start a mailing list as well, one that includes friends, family, etc., and send out an e-mail each time you write a new column. Word of mouth can create some fanfare! Of course, be sure to also keep tabs on possible employment opportunities and be aggressive. Good luck!

Mailbag

Joe, Florida: I have been offered Reggie Bush and Carnell Williams for Larry Johnson and Priest Holmes in a keeper league. I also have Reuben Droughns, Rudi Johnson and Chester Taylor. Should I make this deal?

M.F.: Johnson is an absolute beast with the potential to be the next Marshall Faulk in Fantasy Football, but I would still make this trade if it was a long-term keeper league that rewarded points for receptions. Otherwise it's a little less attractive. Bush has the skills to be an absolute stud and Williams has immense potential, so the loss of Johnson is warranted under the aforementioned terms.

Justin, Las Vegas, Nev.: Which two players should I retain: LaDainian Tomlinson, Brian Westbrook, Torry Holt or Steve Smith?

M.F.: Tomlinson is a definite keeper, so the second choice boils down to Westbrook, Holt and Smith. It's a difficult decision, but I would have to side with Smith in this case.

You can e-mail your questions to us at dmfantasyfootball@cbs.com Be sure to put Attn: In the Trenches in the subject field. Please be aware that due to the large volume of submissions received, we cannot guarantee personal responses or answers to all questions.

Michael Fabiano is the champion of the 2005 Gridiron Guru League II.