2013 fantasy football profiles and projections (WRs 33-48)

WR RANKINGS 49-64

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

Statistical projections are provided by EA Sports/NFL.com

• Player
• Analysis

Williams is coming off a solid fantasy season that saw him record 996 yards with nine touchdowns - those numbers were good enough for him to finish among the top 20 players at his position based on fantasy points. That was a major improvement over his 2011 totals, as Williams suffered through what some would call a sophomore slump. The Syracuse product seemed to benefit from the presence of veteran Vincent Jackson, who drew defenses and allowed Williams to see more than his share of single coverages in 2012. While he is entering a contract year with the Buccaneers, Williams isn't going to break out and record enormous numbers in 2013. Still, he's a very nice option as a borderline No. 3 or 4 fantasy wideout in most standard and PPR leagues. He'll come off the board somewhere in the middle to late rounds in all fantasy drafts.

Since a breakout statistical season in 2009, Austin has produced three straight campaigns with mostly mediocre fantasy totals. Injuries limited him to just 10 games in 2011, and his 943 yards and six touchdowns in 2012 were his lowest full-season totals since 2009. That's a bit of a surprise, as the Cowboys pass attack has explosive potential with Tony Romo under center. Austin has also lost his role as the top wideout option to Dez Bryant, and has become more of a risk due to what appears to be chronic hamstring issues that have cost him playing time. He's still a young player at 29 and has the tools to be a 1,000-yard wideout, but Austin's stock has taken a hit. In fact, he is now more of a No. 3 fantasy wide receiver in most leagues with 10-plus teams. Owners shouldn't consider him before the middle rounds.

Britt possesses some serious statistical upside at the age of 24 and could turn into one of the better draft bargains of 2013. However, there are some red flags that do come with the Rutgers product. His proneness to injuries and off-field issues will make him a risk-reward proposition from a fantasy standpoint, but he's a risk worth taking in most drafts. He's shown flashes of major potential on the gridiron - in the words of his former college teammate, Ray Rice, Britt "can be one of the top five receivers in this league, hands down" - and the Titans will be looking at him as their top option in the pass attack for Jake Locker. Whether he reaches a higher level of production remains to be seen, but the fact that Britt has that sort of upside in a contract year makes him well worth a middle- to late-rounder.

Once an elite fantasy wideout during his time in Arizona, Boldin has failed to record 1,000-yards while also scoring just 14 combined touchdowns over his three years as a member of the Ravens. He is coming off a monster postseason, hauling in 22 receptions for 380 yards and four touchdowns, but at 32 he's past the prime of his career from a statistical perspective. While he is in a contract year and will be the top wideout in San Francisco in the absence of an injured Michael Crabtree, owners still shouldn't consider Boldin more than a fourth wide receiver in most leagues. He'll come off the board in the late rounds.

Moore is coming off a successful 2012 season, as he recorded the first 1,000-yard campaign of his NFL career. The Toledo product also ranked among the top 20 players at his position based on fantasy points, making him one of the better bargains in fantasy drafts. Playing in an explosive offense under coach Sean Payton and with a future Hall-of-Fame quarterback in Drew Brees under center, Moore has a huge advantage over many other players at his position. With that said, you have to be worried about whether or not Moore has hit his statistical ceiling at the pro level. While he has averaged a respectable seven touchdowns over the last three seasons, Moore has also posted 900 or more yards just twice in his eight NFL seasons. Overall, Moore should be considered in the middle rounds as a borderline No. 3 or 4 fantasy wideout.

Givens showed off some statistical upside during his rookie season, recording just under 700 yards while averaging a solid 16.6 yards per catch. The Wake Forest product has a chance to improve on those totals in 2013, as he'll have an opportunity to earn a more prominent role in the offense. Not only did the Rams lose Danny Amendola, but Brandon Gibson also jumped to the AFC East. That leaves Givens in a competition to start opposite rookie Tavon Austin and become one of the top options in the pass attack for Sam Bradford. That alone makes him well worth a late-round look in drafts.

For the first time in the last three years, Rice avoided serious injuries and played in a full 16 games in 2012. As a result, he also put up respectable totals and finished 32nd in fantasy points among wideouts. Of course, Rice saw just 80 targets to rank 73rd in the league behind the likes of Chris Givens and Nate Washington, so he didn't see the same number of opportunities as a typical No. 1 wideout. While the loss of Percy Harvin for most of the season will make him more attractive from a fantasy perspective, drafting Rice to be anything more than a No. 4 fantasy wideout isn't advised.

A serious burner out of Baylor, Wright finished what was a respectable rookie season with 64 catches, 626 yards and four touchdowns. While he was still tough to start in standard leagues - he scored double-digit fantasy points just twice all year - Wright showed some real long-term potential at the NFL level and in fantasy land. In fact, he'll have some middle- to late-round sleeper appeal in both standard and PPR leagues. If Kenny Britt continues to have injury or off-field issues, Wright could even end up being the top receiving option in the pass attack for quarterback Jake Locker.

A burner with the speed to stretch opposing defenses, Gordon showed clear flashes of statistical potential during his rookie campaign. He finished 38th in fantasy points among wide receivers, recording 50 catches for 805 yards and five touchdowns. There are some questions surrounding Gordon, though, as he faces one of the more difficult schedules among wideouts and plays in an offense with an inconsistent quarterback in Brandon Weeden. He's also going to miss the first two games of the season due to a league-imposed suspension. On a positive note, Gordon should benefit from the presence of new offensive coordinator Norv Turner. Overall, the lightning-fast Gordon will be well worth a look in the late rounds of 2013 drafts as a No. 4 or 5 fantasy wideout with potential as a sleeper candidate in most formats.

Tate made a nice statistical leap in his third NFL season, posting career bests across the board while finishing 33rd in fantasy points at his position. The Notre Dame product was still inconsistent overall, though, as 58 percent of his total points came in just four games. Unless he can become a more reliable offensive option in the pass attack for quarterback Russell Wilson, Tate is going to be hard pressed to make enough of an impact to become a regular fantasy starter. He did see an uptick in value due to the loss of Percy Harvin, though, so Tate is going to be worth a late-round look in just about every fantasy draft this season.

Floyd was invisible in the stat sheets as a rookie, recording almost 30 percent of his yardage and half of his touchdowns in the final week of the regular season. He possesses good size and the skills to be a playmaker at the NFL level, though, so fantasy owners had to wonder if the quarterback position in Arizona dragged down his numbers. That shouldn't happen in 2013, as the addition of Carson Palmer will improve the position tenfold. With that said, Floyd will be well worth a late-round look in seasonal leagues - consider him a potential deep sleeper in an offense that should throw the ball a ton.

Jeffery failed to make much of a statistical impact in his rookie season, ranking 78th in fantasy points among wideouts while also missing six games due to injuries. The 23-year-old still has plenty of upside, though, and learning the NFL game from veteran teammate Brandon Marshall will do nothing but help his development. Still, it's hard to envision a scenario where the South Carolina product will see enough of an increase in stats to become a legitimate and reliable fantasy starter in his sophomore campaign. Consider Jeffery in the late rounds as a No. 5 wide receiver this season.

The No. 27 overall selection in the 2013 NFL Draft, Hopkins is expected to come right in and start for the Texans opposite veteran superstar Andre Johnson. Compared to Rod Smith by coach Gary Kubiak, the Clemson product posted 82 catches, 1,405 yards and 18 touchdowns in what was his final collegiate season. Maybe the most NFL-ready wideout in his class, there is a lot to like with Hopkins at the pro level. He's not going to make an enormous statistical impact this season, but there's no harm in taking a chance on him in the late rounds as a No. 5 fantasy wideout in seasonal leagues.

A rookie out of Cincinnati, Thompkins could make some noise in his first pro season. A talented wideout who has turned a lot of heads in training camp, he'll be in the mix to start on a Patriots roster that doesn't have any sure things at the position outside of Danny Amendola. It also doesn't hurt that Tom Brady, a future Hall of Famer, will be throwing him the football. In a best-case scenario where he earns a big role, Thompkins will be well worth a late-round selection in re-draft formats. He also an interesting dynasty-league pick.

Blackmon started his rookie season slowly, but he showed flashes of brilliance in the second half. He would finish with Jaguars' franchise rookie records for catches (64), receiving yards (865) and average yards per reception (13.5). He also tied Matt Jones for the most receiving touchdowns (5) for a first-year receiver and finished 29th in fantasy points among wideouts. With that said, Blackmon's value took a near death blow when it was announced that he will miss the first four games of the season due to a league-imposed suspension. That makes him tough to draft before the late rounds.

Sanders recorded career bests in receptions and yardage last season, but he still ranked just 69th at his position based on fantasy points. There is plenty of upside here, though, as the Southern Methodist product will be a favorite to start opposite Antonio Brown with the departure of veteran Mike Wallace. Assuming he can avoid injuries, which has been a major problem in the past, Sanders is a pretty good bet to increase his numbers in the stat sheets compared to his 2012 totals. He should be considered in the middle to late rounds as a fantasy reserve with potential.

WR RANKINGS 49-64