A Look at the NFL's Best Third-Year Receivers

It’s a pretty well known fantasy football axiom that it often takes two years in the NFL before a wide receiver is ready to break out. Past breakout WRs were Steve Smith and Braylon Edwards, among many others.

Let’s take a look at this year’s crop.

Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City Chiefs

Already has two solid seasons under his belt. Not a candidate.

Steve Breaston, Arizona Cardinals

Breaston broke out last year with a 1,000-yard season. If he can somehow increase his TD total, he’ll have more value, but he’s already being drafted as a WR4, so it wouldn’t be a big-time breakout. It would be more like Chad Ochocinco’s third year breakout. That said, I don’t see a big jump in Breaston’s numbers.

David Clowney, New York Jets

Here’s our first real breakout candidate. He has good speed, and the Jets aren’t exactly loaded at WR. If he can somehow crack the starting lineup, moving Chansi Stuckey to the slot, the potential for big plays is there. I wouldn’t recommend drafting him, but keep an eye on him.

Craig Davis, San Diego Chargers

The talent is there, but Davis can’t seem to stay healthy. Ironically, it would take an injury to Vincent Jackson, Chris Chambers, or Malcolm Floyd for Davis to make his mark, but stranger things have happened. Just remember his name in case one of the Charger WRs goes down.

Ted Ginn, Jr.

Ginn had 34 catches for 420 yards as a rookie and 56 for 790 last year. He exploded for 175 yards in Week Eight against Buffalo, so the big game potential is there. I expect Ginn, Jr. to crack the 1,000-yard barrier this year, making him a nice breakout candidate.

Anthony Gonzalez, Indianapolis Colts

Gonzalez is another player who has played well but could make the leap this year. He’s had a couple years to build a rapport with Peyton Manning, and now that he’s the clear-cut No. 2, look for Gonzalez to put up big numbers as a solid WR2.

Johnnie Lee Higgins, Oakland Raiders

The Raiders aren’t very fantasy-friendly for WRs, but Higgins had a nice second season as a return man and could make the leap to become a decent fantasy backup WR this year.

Dwayne Jarrett, Carolina Panthers

Jarrett hasn’t done much to date (16 career receptions) but could take a step forward as the Panthers' No. 3 WR this year. Muhsin Muhammad is not the long-term answer for Carolina, so Jarrett will get a chance to prove he is capable of being the No. 2 next year. I’d only take him as a WR5.

Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions

Megatron is a beast and one of the game’s best WRs.

Jacoby Jones, Houston Texans

It would take an injury to Andre Johnson or Kevin Walter for Jacoby to really make a splash. He has the physical tools; it’s the mental side that’s been holding him back. Don’t draft him, but keep an eye on him.

James Jones, Green Bay Packers

Jones took a big step back with Brett Favre’s departure, going from 47 catches for 676 yards to 20 for 274. With Jordy Nelson pushing for time, don’t expect Jones to make too big of a splash in 2009.

Robert Meachem, New Orleans Saints

Meachem was supposed to make a big leap last year, so perhaps everyone was a year off on him. He has the tools and the QB to make a major impact. It’s just a matter of whether he can get the opportunity. I’d consider drafting him as your WR5 or WR6.

Legedu Naanee, San Diego Chargers

Like Davis, Naanee will only be valuable if Jackson, Chambers, or Floyd goes down. Naanee is probably ahead of Davis at this point.

Sidney Rice, Minnesota Vikings

Rice is a big target that excels in the red zone. With Favre’s tendency to let his WRs make plays, Rice could be in for a big jump this year. When healthy, he has been able to beat defensive backs deep. He just never had a QB who could deliver the ball like Brett. I would take Rice as a backup WR.

Laurent Robinson, St. Louis Rams

Laurent is expected to start the first couple of weeks while Donnie Avery is out. If he impresses, he could hold on to the job, as he is currently ahead of Keenan Burton in the battle for the Rams’ No. 2 WR spot. That said, I wouldn’t expect much from him, as the Greatest Show on Turf is a distant memory.

Steve Smith, New York Giants

Smith made a jump from eight receptions as a rookie to 57 for 574 yards last year. He will slide into Amani Toomer’s role, and his targets should increase even more. Though he isn’t much of a TD threat, he could catch as many as 80 passes this year, making him a nice breakout candidate. His value increases in PPR leagues. Smith makes for a nice WR4.

Chansi Stuckey, New York Jets

Stuckey could be forced into slot duty if Clowney can move ahead of him on the depth chart. If he holds on to the No. 2 job, he could have some fantasy value during the bye weeks.

Mike Walker, Jacksonville Jaguars

Troy Williamson has been taking advantage of Walker’s ankle injury. As long as he returns soon, he should hold on to his starting role. Torry Holt is the only Jag WR worth drafting, but keep an eye on Walker if he gets on a roll. He had six catches for 107 yards against Pittsburgh last year, so the potential is there.

Originally published at LestersLegends.com.