2013 Top 20 Fantasy 3rd-Year Wide Receivers!

It’s been said in the past that the “3rd” year Wide Receiver(s) can be a attractive Fantasy asset, who in the past have come out and produced “break-out” campaigns. With the direction the league has shifted over the past few seasons, we continue to seen more and more impact from younger receivers coming into their prime. There is quite a bit of potential in this years 3rd year Wide Receiver class heading into 2013!

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1.A.J Green (12) Cincinnati

2.  Julio Jones (6) Atlanta

3. Randall Cobb (4) Green Bay

4. Torrey Smith (8) Baltimore

5. Cecil Shorts (9) Jacksonville

6. Jeremy Kerley (10) New York J

7. Joe Morgan (7) New Orleans

8. Vincent Brown (8) San Diego

9. Andrew Hawkins (12) Cincinnati

10. Greg Little (10) Cleveland

11. Denarius Moore (7) Oakland

12. Austin Pettis (11) St Louis

13. Leonard Hankerson (5) Washington

14. Dwayne Harris (11) Dallas

15. Jon Baldwin (10) Kansas City

16. Doug Baldwin (12) Seattle

17. LeStar Jean (8) Houston

18. Aldrick Robinson (5) Washington 

19. Armon Binns (6) Miami

1. Bengals - A.J Green should be viewed as a solid No.1 Fantasy WR worth a pick in Rounds 2 and 3 after recording 97 receptions on 175 targets for 1,350 yards and 11 touchdowns. Green was able to score in 9 straight games from Week 2 to Week 11 along with posting 70+ yards OR a TD in 13 of the 16 regular season games last season.

2. Falcons – Julio Jones should still be viewed as a low-end No.1/SOLID No.2 Fantasy WR with tons of upside who will go off the board in Rounds 2 and 3 after recording 79 receptions on 152 total targets for 1,198 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2012 as well as posting 70+yards and/or a Touchdown in 10 regular season games. Julio averaged over 74.9 yards per game in 2012 along with recording 17 receptions of 20yards or longer and 5 receptions recorded 40 yards plus. In back-to-back seasons, Julio’s longest reception has gone for at least 80 yards as Ryan’s main deep threat along with converting 56 receptions for first-downs.

3. Packers - Randall Cobb should be viewed as a No.2 Fantasy WR as he checks in as a Top 15 Fantasy Wide Receiver in 2013 after recording 80 receptions on 112 targets for 954 yards and added 8 touchdowns in 2012. The Packers had all sorts of ideas planned for Cobb, once he emerged he was able to record 70+ yards and/or a touchdown in 10 regular season games. Cobb had an impressive all-around season, racking up 2,342 all-purpose yards including 954 receiving, 132 rushing, 964 on kick returns, and 292 on punt returns along with 9 total touchdowns in 15 games. Greg Jennings now in Minnesota, Cobb should be a main fixture in the Packers offense and will likely play havoc again this year against weaker coverage.

4. Ravens – Torrey Smith finished with 49 receptions for 855 yards and 8 touchdowns in 2012. Smith is stepping into the No.1 WR spot for Flacco and the Ravens this year and will head into 2013 as a No.3 Fantasy WR with a ton of upside with the departure of Anquan Boldin. Smith set career-high numbers in every category  except receptions in 2012. If Smith can pick up the slack with Boldin now in SF, it could lead to a very nice break out 3rd year and owners should view Smith as a No.3 Fantasy WR worth a mid-round pick.

5. Jaguars – Cecil Shorts was a welcomed breakout producer in 2012 as he recorded 55receptions on 106 targets for 979yards and 7 touchdowns. Keep an eye on what happens with Shorts this offseason, and hopefully he can avoid any setbacks with the concussions. If Shorts can remain healthy he has a ton of upside and fantasy potential and owners should consider Shorts a low-end No.2/high-end No.3 Fantasy WR.

MORE Wide Receiver Rankings and Write-ups by Jonathan Nardone of FantasyFootball101 to come!