2012 fantasy football profiles and projections (WRs 43-56)

WR RANKINGS 57-70

• Quarterbacks
• Running Backs
• Wide Receivers
• Tight Ends
• Kickers
• Defenses
• Linebackers
• Defensive Backs
• Defensive Line

Statistical projections are provided by EA Sports

• Player
• Analysis

Robinson burst into fantasy relevance in a major way in 2011, thanks in no small part to Tony Romo's right arm and injuries to Miles Austin and Dez Bryant. Heading into his sixth season, no one has any illusions that Robinson is capable of posting double-digit touchdowns again - especially with the addition of rookie Justin Blackmon. In fact, he's going to be a major disappointment for anyone who drafts him expecting a repeat of last year's success now that he's signed with Jacksonville. Robinson will now have a far less credible quarterback under center while also seeing more defensive attention. As a result, avoid drafting him as anything more than a No. 4 or 5 fantasy option if you can't avoid him altogether.

It's likely that few people outside of Seattle noticed, but Baldwin had a pretty productive rookie season. The Stanford product finished the year as the NFL's fourth-leading rookie wideout, posting 788 yards and four touchdowns playing in an uneven Seahawks passing game. As with just about every rookie, it will be interesting to see if Baldwin can improve upon his initial success. He definitely has some deep sleeper potential in some fantasy leagues, especially with Matt Flynn under center. But for now, hold off on Baldwin until the late rounds as a fantasy reserve with some statistical potential in 2012.

Floyd posted one of the best all-around seasons of his seven-year career in 2011, and he did it despite missing four games with injuries. Now, as a player who will turn 31 at the start of this season, Floyd could be poised to register his first 1,000-yard season. Of course, much of that depends on the impact of Robert Meachem, the health of Antonio Gates and the presence of Vincent Brown and Eddie Royal. So regardless of his statistical potential, a crowded core of receivers could put a cap on Floyd's 2012 numbers. Take a chance on him in the late rounds as a No. 4 fantasy wideout and potential matchup-based starter.

One of the most explosive wide receivers in the 2012 draft class, Wright is coming off a terrific final season with Baylor and was highly touted in April. Unfortunately, he didn't land in the best situation from a fantasy perspective. The Titans aren't exactly a pass-laden offense, and their receiving group is pretty stacked with Kenny Britt, Nate Washington, Damian Williams and Jared Cook all in the mix. As a result, it's tough to project Wright as more than the third option in the Titans' pass attack. On the same lines, fantasy owners should temper their expectations for the rookie in 2012. Consider him in the late rounds.

Collie bounced back to play in a full 16 games last season after an injury-plagued 2010, but his numbers took a nosedive. That's due to the absence of Peyton Manning, who missed the entire year and was replaced by a mishmash of subpar quarterbacks. Looking forward, Collie is the favorite to start opposite Reggie Wayne with a rookie quarterback in Andrew Luck throwing him the ball. The question is, though, was Collie a product of Manning? That's very likely, and it will make him far less attractive from a fantasy perspective. In fact, Collie shouldn't be considered more than a late-round pick as a reserve wideout in the majority of fantasy football drafts.

If Rice could ever stay healthy, he just might duplicate his breakout 2009 season. Then again, "if" is a mighty big two-letter word. In the past two seasons, Rice has played a combined 15 games and posted just four touchdowns. Even when he was on the field in 2011, he was far from the first option in the Seahawks aerial offense. Most fantasy owners have grown tired of waiting for Rice to live up to his potential, and his chronic proneness to injuries has made him a major risk. It's also important to remember that Rice has never been a reliable fantasy option without Brett Favre. For owners who are so inclined, he should still be around in the middle to late rounds.

Moss was yet another wide receiver whose lot in life was determined, in part, by lackluster quarterback play. He put up just 584 yards and four touchdowns last season while missing four games due to injuries. In the past, he's done well to bounce back from down years, but he'll turn 33 before this season and is clearly now past his prime. What's more, the addition of Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan could mean fewer targets for Moss. Still, the veteran wideout should be one of the better options in the pass attack for rookie Robert Griffin III. As a result, fantasy owners could do worse than grab Moss as a No. 4 fantasy wideout in 2012.

Before last season, Manningham had proven himself to be a very worthy second option for the Giants. However, injuries and the emergence of Victor Cruz conspired to diminish his fantasy value in 2011. Now a member of the 49ers, it's tough to predict an increase in production for a wideout who joins a crowded pass attack that includes Vernon Davis, Michael Crabtree and Randy Moss. Couple that potential for limited targets with a downgrade at quarterback from Eli Manning to Alex Smith, and Manningham's draft stock is going to remain stagnant in 2012. As a result, there's no reason to call his name until the late rounds as a No. 4 or 5 fantasy wideout.

Following a great rookie season in 2010, Williams was victimized by the dreaded sophomore slump last year. Unfortunately, His outlook for 2012 isn't particularly encouraging, either. New coach Greg Schiano is likely to rebuild the team around a strong running game, which could take the ball out of the hands of Josh Freeman and his receivers. What's more, the addition of Vincent Jackson means fewer targets for Williams when Freeman does throw the football. When you also factor in the presence of Arrelious Benn and Dallas Clark, it's going to be tough to draft Williams outside of the late rounds as more than a No. 4 or 5 fantasy wideout.

In 2010, Amendola emerged into a legitimate fantasy starter in all PPR formats with 85 catches and 689 yards. He missed most of last season with an injured elbow, but he'll be back at 100 percent in time for training camp and could turn into a nice draft bargain in the what-have-you-done-for-me-lately world of fantasy football. Projected as one of the Rams' slot receiver in the pass attack (rookie Brian Quick and Givens are expected to start), Amendola will be worth a late-round look in standard leagues and a middle- to late- round pick in PPR formats. He'll have even more value in leagues that rewards points for return yards and touchdowns.

Sanders has shown flashes of potential in the Steel City, but being prone to injuries has put a major dent into his fantasy appeal. He's had stress fractures in both feet repaired, and now he will need to prove that he can stay on the field before warranting anything more than a late-round flier in standard leagues - especially with Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown ahead of him on the depth chart. Sanders will have more value in leagues that reward points for return yards and touchdowns, but don't consider him more than a reserve in most formats on draft day.

Baldwin, a big wide receiver who drew comparisons to Vincent Jackson coming out of college, didn't make much of an impact as a rookie. He caught 21 passes, scored one touchdown and posted double-digit fantasy points just once. While it's hard not to expect him to improve on those lowly statistics, Baldwin still figures to be no better than third on the Chiefs depth chart behind Dwayne Bowe and Steve Breaston in 2012. He's still worth a late-round flier based on his talent and potential, but Baldwin should be considered a fantasy reserve in most drafts.

He's back! After a one-year absence from the league, Moss signed with the Niners during the offseason. Of course, owners shouldn't expect him to return to the elite status he once held in fantasy land. At 35 and past his prime, Moss will be hard pressed to make a major impact in a run-based offense that also includes Vernon Davis, Michael Crabtree, Mario Manningham and A.J. Jenkins. There will be some fantasy owners there that reach for Moss in the middle rounds because of his name value - but we warn not to be that owner. He's worth no more than a late-round flier in drafts.

Burleson might have been the biggest benefactor of the über-productive connection between Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson in 2011. The veteran from Nevada posted one of the better seasons of his career with 757 receiving yards and a personal-best 73 receptions. But as teams start to pay more attention to Megatron in 2012, it should create more openings for Burleson to make plays. Don't get too excited, though. Even in his best seasons, Burleson was never more than a No. 2 receiver. Now, nine years into his career, that ranking has taken a dive. At best, fantasy leaguers should consider him with a late-round flier in drafts.

WR RANKINGS 57-70