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Draft Fallout - Rookie WRs

The next few wide receivers likely won't have a fantasy impact.  But (there's usually a "but") each one of them could get an opportunity that will make them worth starting on your fantasy team.  Yes, I said starting.  These guys all appear worthless, but each one has breakout potential.  

Anthony Gonzalez (Indianapolis, 32nd overall) - When you're on an offense with Peyton Manning, there's always a chance that you'll have a fantasy impact.  As the third WR in Indy, Gonzalez won't be thrown a lot of passes.  Even so, he'll probably end up with 300 receiving yards and a touchdown or two.  If Harrison or Wayne were to get injured, Gonzalez could move up into the big time of fantasy wide receivers.

Sidney Rice (Minnesota, 44th overall) - Rice's draft stock dropped a bit during workouts as he was was considered too raw and unpolished for some NFL scouts.  Luckily for him he was drafted by the Vikings, a team full of raw and unpolished players.  There isn't an established star ahead of him; Rice only needs to beat out Troy Williamson (455 rec yds, 0 TDs) and Bobby Wade (461 rec yds, 2 TDs) for playing time in Minnesota. Having untested QB Tarvaris Jackson throwing to him limits his possible fantasy value, but he could still be a usable fantasy wide receiver.

Steve Smith (NY Giants, 51st overall) - Smith received plenty of glory and plenty of TV time while at USC, so it was a bit surprising to see him drop this far in the draft.  Good thing for him nobody buys into hype like the Giants ("..but he's Peyton's brother! What could go wrong?").  

Smith is a solid athlete with good hands but not known for being exceptionally fast.  His fantasy value on the Giants is very limited with Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer ahead of him on the depth chart.  An injury to Burress or Toomer would propel Smith into the starting lineup and with a strong offense behind him, Smith would be worth a spot on your fantasy team.  Without that injury, forget it.