Most of my recent articles have focused solely on standard fantasy football leagues. While standard leagues do represent a vast majority of fantasy football, dynasty leagues have become increasingly popular over the course of the last few seasons.
Let me explain the difference between dynasty and keeper formats. While the keeper format does encourage you to keep a number of players, dynasty formats are utilized for owners looking for a stronger sense of team ownership over the course of multiple seasons. In short, you are expected to keep nearly all of the players from the previous seasons, adding others through rookie drafts, free agency and trades.
Today's article is going to focus on the top 10 under the radar receivers you should look at in terms of your dynasty draft.
10. Josh Gordon, Cleveland Browns
Many people, myself included, questioned the Browns spending a second-round pick in the 2013 NFL draft in order to pickup the Baylor product in the Supplemental Draft. With that in mind, the Browns really needed to do something to get more talent at wide receiver. In short, they lack the necessary talent and production from that group.
Gordon would be more of a “down the line” pickup in dynasty leagues. He probably won't be starter worthy until 2013 at the earliest. That being said, you could hide him as the 29th or 30th player on your roster.
9. A.J. Jenkins, San Francisco 49ers
Another player that probably won't make a major impact as a rookie, this Illinois product seems to have a huge amount of upside. Jenkins showed big play ability against the Houston Texans and should get some down field targets as early as 2012.
This is a selection you should make with 2014 and beyond on your mind. Jenkins will not produce consistently enough to be counted on as a rookie.
8. Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers
The best of both worlds here, Cobb will give you production as the Packers “starting” slot receiver in 2012. Considering that Aaron Rodgers loves to utilize the down field passing game between the hashes, Cobb will surprise a great deal of people in 2012.
What makes the former Kentucky standout so intriguing is the fact that he is still a bit raw on the football field. Cobb still need to hone his route-running skills in order to maximize that production. If someone offers you a trade scenario you might want to consider taking him/her up on it with Cobb...mainly because of his long-term potential.
7. Doug Baldwin, Seattle Seahawks
Baldwin jumped onto the scene as an undrafted rookie for Seattle in 2011. In the matter of just a couple weeks he became their most consistent target on the outside. That being said, there is an opportunity that the Stanford product will come relatively cheap.
Seattle signed both Braylon Edwards and Terrell Owens, while Sidney Rice returns from what was an injury-plagued 2011 season. Look for Baldwin to see his production drop this season before becoming a stronger receiver in the future. Yet another player you should hide towards the bottom of your roster.
6. Vincent Brown, San Diego Chargers
I had Brown as one of the most under-the-radar receivers, even in standard leagues. While that changed with his broken ankle last week, he remains a strong dynasty option moving forward. Brown has the potential to be a No. 1 wide receiver for the Chargers.
You might not see a great deal of production this season from Brown, but he will be a 1,000 yard, double-digit touchdown receiver in the not so distant future.
5. Justin Blackmon, Jacksonville Jaguars
Basic supply and demand. While this is a universal law as it relates to economics, a lot of fantasy owners really don't look at their roster this way. Blackmon immediately became the Jaguars No. 1 wide receiver once he ended what was a rather lengthy holdout.
What the Oklahoma State product has done in his first two preseason games has to be considered astonishing . I was not high on Blackmon during the entire scouting process because he seemed to lack the ability to get off the line against press coverage and doesn't possess great route-running technique.
Those issues didn't show themselves in his first two outings this summer. Instead, Blackmon looked like a seasoned veteran that used his tremendous physical ability to create separation down the field. If Blaine Gabbert can actually get the ball to his young receiver, you can expect tremendous production in 2012 and moving forward.
4. Keshawn Martin, Houston Texans
One of the most surprising rookies in training camp, Martin has a real opportunity to earn the Texans No. 2 wide receiver job opposite Andre Johnson. In fact, he could become their most consistent secondary option in the passing game since Matt Schaub was acquired from the Atlanta Falcons.
You also have to take into account that Johnson is entering his 10th season and turned 31 in July. He only has a couple seasons of No. 1 production left in him. With that in mind, you have to wonder who Houston has slated to replace him. That man could very well be Martin. Keep an eye on him moving forward.
3. Torrey Smith, Baltimore Ravens
I guess you could make the conclusion that Smith is already the Ravens No. 1 wide receiver on the outside. The 2011 second-round pick turned in what was an amazing rookie season and has built on that throughout training camp.
It is easy to imagine the Maryland product accumulating 1,000 yards and double-digit scores this season. Moving forward, he is definitely going to be a Pro Bowl caliber receiver.
2. Brian Quick, St. Louis Rams
The most talented Rams receiver to come along since Torry Holt and Issac Bruce were the last members of the “Greatest Show on Turf.” Quick possesses the size, speed and hands to be a truly dynamic player on the outside. Moreover, Quick just seems to have the “it” factor. By this I mean he performs up to the level of his competition on a consistent basis. Despite going up against less than stellar opponents at Appalachian State, Quick has made a seamless transition to the NFL.
I am projecting Quick to start what promises to be Pro Bowl career with a 1,000 yard campaign as a rookie. Can't ask for more than that.
1. Titus Young, Detroit Lions
Some might be swayed away from Young because of Calvin Johnson's existence on the Lions. That would be tremendously foolish. As you already know, Detroit passes a lot with Matthew Stafford and the weapons they have through the air.
This is a team that will produce multiple 1,000 yard receivers on a consistent basis. Young, who was one of the most productive collegiate receivers at Boise State, has excelled on the field and promises to be a huge x-factor in 2012 and moving forward.
This is a series of articles focusing on under-the-radar dynasty league performers. Check out other positions as they become available in the coming week.