Gridiron Experts

3rd Year Wide Receiver Break Out

A wide receiver that is coming into his third season has in the past been considered a breakout candidate for fantasy teams.   This year there are a number of wide receivers entering this three year mark.  I have created a list of third year receivers to keep your eye on entering your fantasy league draft.  Some of these players have yet to live up to expectations, others stepped up their games last season, while others unfortunately had let downs last season.  Overall, all of these players are expected to make solid contributions to their teams in 2010.

Early Doucet – Arizona – Doucet moves up the depth chart in 2010 after the departure of Anquan Boldin.  Doucet was the team’s fourth receiver last season, but will move into the third receiver role at the start of training camp and will have the opportunity to compete for the #2 receiver spot.

James Hardy – Buffalo – Hardy has yet to live up to the expectations Buffalo had for him when they drafted him in the 2nd round.  However, this could be the make or break year for Hardy.  With the departure of Terrell Owens, Hardy will be given the chance to earn a starting spot opposite Lee Evans.

Earl Bennett – Chicago – Bennett is in a crowded group of receivers.  The Bears have many young receivers and …Continue reading 3rd Year Wide Receiver Break Out

Player Profile: Mario Manningham

Your newest fantasy crush is a rare Michigan receiver success story. Maybe.

Sure, Braylon Edwards had that one amazing year. And Desmond Howard, well, he wasn’t really a receiver, was he?

Mario Manningham was drafted in the third round by the New York Giants in 2008 after a stellar 2007 season that saw him catch 72 passes for 1,174 yards and 12 touchdowns.

This was especially impressive considering he hadn’t registered more than 750 receiving yards or eight touchdowns in his other two season at Michigan, while also coming off of a serious knee injury that prematurely ended his 2007 campaign. Throw in drug accusations and a horrid Wonderlic test score (6 out of 41), and Manningham’s draft stock plummeted, sending the once “day one” prospect to the middle rounds.

While Manningham has always been knocked for his small stature, (5’11″ and 183 lbs), he has always made up for it with good speed and excellent ball skills. Plain and simple, Manningham has always had a knack for getting open and making things happen when he gets the ball in his hands.

With both Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer around in 2008, the rookie Manningham was under-used, finishing the season with only four receptions. However, with Burress in prison and Toomer knocking on the door of retirement, Manningham entered 2008 as a prime candidate for a serious look at starter numbers. …Continue reading Player Profile: Mario Manningham