2012 fantasy football profiles and projections (WRs 57-70)

TE RANKINGS 1-12

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

Statistical projections are provided by EA Sports

• Player
• Analysis

After a nice season in 2010, it was disappointing to see Bess take a big step back in 2011. The idea he could be a No. 1 receiver was far-fetched, especially when Brandon Marshall was on the roster. But after last season, it seems like he may be consigned to a fate as a slot receiver. Of course, that assumes Chad Ochocinco becomes the Dolphins replacement for Marshall in the pass attack. If Bess ends up as the No. 2 starter opposite Ochocinco, he'll be worth a late-round flier with added value in PPR leagues. Just don't expect him to produce huge numbers in what could be a mediocre offensive attack.

Coming off micro-fracture knee surgery in 2011, Smith wasn't able to make much of an impact with the Philadelphia Eagles. Now that he is healthy and has been impressive during training camp, the veteran is considered to be pushing for one of the starting wideout roles. However, Smith will still only warrant consideration as a reserve in fantasy drafts. Other than his stellar 2009 season, Smith has never surpassed 574 yards or three touchdowns. Consider him a late round pick with some potential, but his numbers dictate being conservative and drafting him as a reserve.

The No. 13 overall selection in April's draft, Floyd was considered one of the top two wideouts coming out of the collegiate ranks. Compared to his teammate, Larry Fitzgerald, for his frame and athleticism, Floyd will come in and compete for a starting job in training camp. Keep in mind, though, that the Cardinals have one of the more crowded group of receivers now with Fitzgerald, Floyd, Early Doucet and Andre Roberts all in the mix. The team also has question marks at the quarterback position, so don't expect Floyd to come in and make a consistent impact. Still, he's worth a late-round look in seasonal leagues.

The No. 45 overall selection in April's rookie draft, Jeffery has a chance to make some noise in his first pro season. That's due in large part to the fact that he's projected to start opposite Brandon Marshall right out of the gate. With Johnny Knox's status for the start of the season in doubt, Jeffery will have his share of opportunities to become a favorite of Jay Cutler in the pass attack. Expected to play the flanker position, the South Carolina product could be a nice red-zone option for the veteran quarterback as well. Consider Jeffery in the late rounds.

It's hard to find lots of value in a team's third wide receiver. Fortunately for Jones, the Packers offense isn't like most others in the NFL. The veteran receiver posted 635 yards and seven touchdowns last season, despite being behind Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson on the depth chart. With things expected to remain status quo in Green Bay in 2012, Jones could once again be one of fantasy football's most productive No. 3 pass-catchers. With that said, he's going to be wildly inconsistent overall and shouldn't be leaned on as more than a reserve or occasional matchup-based starter. Target him in the late rounds.

Quick, the No. 33 overall selection in April's rookie draft, will be given every chance to come in and make an impact as a rookie. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound wideout from Appalachian State was a former basketball standout, so he's an athletic specimen with real playmaking skills. That makes him a candidate to become one of Sam Bradford's favorite targets in the pass attack. While he's not going to come in and be this year's A.J. Green, Quick does project to start for coach Jeff Fisher and is clearly a player to watch during training camp and the preseason. In a best-case scenario, he'll be worth a roll of the dice in the late rounds in seasonal leagues.

Ford is an explosive wide receiver with real playmaking skills, but injuries limited him to just eight games in what was his second NFL season. He also played in fewer than 40 percent of the offensive snaps when he was healthy, so Ford has some work to do before he passes Denarius Moore or Darrius Heyward-Bey as the top fantasy wideout in Silver & Black. Still, his upside and explosiveness is intriguing enough to make him worth a late-round look in fantasy leagues. Ford will have added value in leagues that reward points for return yards and touchdowns as well.

Playing 16 games for the first time since entering the NFL, Doucet posted the best numbers of his four-year career last season with 54 catches, 689 yards and five touchdowns. Of course, it didn't hurt that he played across from Larry Fitzgerald, who remains a constant magnet for double coverage. Nonetheless, with a collection of ho-hum quarterbacks throwing him the football, it was still a nice year for the LSU product. The addition of rookie Michael Floyd does make Doucet less attractive in fantasy land heading into 2012, however, so don't take a chance on him until the late rounds.

The No. 63 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, Randle will be allowed an opportunity to come right in and make an impact for the Giants as a No. 3 wideout. Of course, the rookie will need to beat out Ramses Barden and Jerrel Jernigan on the depth chart to earn the spot previously held by Mario Manningham. Compared to his teammate, Hakeem Nicks, Randle is a big wideout at 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds and is considered a good route runner coming out of college. He'll be worth a late-round look in a best-case scenario, for owners in leagues with 10-plus teams.

As a third-year wideout in 2011, LaFell showed some flashes of potential. While his final numbers were not exactly eye popping from a fantasy perspective, he did record 45-plus yards, including a 100-yard stat line, in four of his last seven contests. Projected to start opposite veteran teammate Steve Smith, LaFell could be considered a deep sleeper in larger fantasy leagues in a best-case scenario. If he loses out to rookie Joe Adams or David Gettis during training camp, however, LaFell will be considered mere waiver-wire fodder in most formats.

Breaston has carved out a nice niche as a secondary wide receiver in the NFL. He used three good seasons in Arizona to propel himself to Kansas City, where he had a respectable season playing alongside Dwayne Bowe. Five seasons into his career, no one will mistake the former Michigan man as a top-tier receiver - or a fantasy superstar. But in a balanced offense with a capable quarterback in Matt Cassel under center, Breaston does have some late-round value as a No. 5 fantasy wideout. However, don't draft him with the thought that he'll emerge into a regular starting option.

Despite averaging a team high 15.7 YPC, Henderson found himself with only two touchdowns and finished sixth in receiving yards for the 2011 season. Now that Robert Meachem has moved on to San Diego, Henderson is getting his chance to cement the role opposite Marques Colston. However, he will have fight off rookie Nick Toon and Michican product Adrian Arrington during training camp. If he does win the job, Henderson will carry good value as a late round pick. The departure of Meachem leaves 620 yards and six touchdowns on the table for the LSU product to benefit from, presuming he doesn't wind up in another timeshare situation with one of the younger players.

Roberts is expected to win the No. 3 receiving job heading into 2012, but will have rookie Michael Floyd nipping at his heels. Though Floyd has had his share of struggles adjusting to the professional ranks, Roberts could be on a short leash given the Cards selected Floyd as their thirteenth overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. With Larry Fitzgerald and Early Doucet once again atop the depth chart, Roberts will have limited upside in fantasy drafts. Consider him no more than a late-round pick for depth purposes.

Simpson, a fourth-year wideout from Coastal Carolina, signed with the Vikings in the offseason and is projected to start opposite Percy Harvin. Unfortunately, he will miss the first three games of the year with his new team due to a league-imposed suspension. That will keep him from being drafted in most leagues. On a positive note, he posted career bests in 2010 with 50 catches, 725 yards and four touchdowns. Those aren't great numbers, but they did make him worth a reserve spot in deeper fantasy leagues. Keep tabs on Simpson once he's back on the field.

TE RANKINGS 1-12