Injuries limited these young wide receivers in 2012, but they should be on your fantasy pay leagues radar in 2013 if you play fantasy football. If they can recover, they could be an asset in your fantasy pay leagues:
Vincent Brown, San Diego Chargers
Brown, a third-round pick in 2011, had 19 catches for 329 yards as a rookie, averaging 17.3 yards per catch, and scored two touchdowns. But in 2012, he broke his ankle in an exhibition game and missed the entire season. Now Brown is back, and with Danario Alexander tearing his ACL, Brown has a clear path to being a starter. If Malcom Floyd’s knee injury hasn’t healed by week 1, Brown could start the season as the Chargers’ number one WR.
Ryan Broyles, Detroit Lions
After his college career at Oklahoma was cut short by a torn left ACL in 2011, Broyles, a rookie who was a second-round pick, tore his right ACL in week 13. The previous week, he had broken out with six catches for 126 yards. Broyles finished with 22 receptions for 310 yards and two TDs. While his recovery appears to be going well, Broyles may not be ready for the start of the season. But once he is able to play, Broyles could thrive in Detroit’s pass-heavy offense, particularly with Titus Young no longer on the team and Nate Burleson recovering from a broken leg.
Mohamed Sanu, Cincinnati Bengals
Sanu, a rookie drafted in the third round, scored four TDs in a three-game stretch last November, only to miss the remainder of the season with a broken foot. Sanu finished with 16 catches for 154 yards and the four TDs. Sanu was back on the field for OTAs. In training camp, Sanu was competing for the no. 2 receiver job opposite A.J. Green while fellow second-year WR Marvin Jones sat out the first exhibition game with an injured hamstring and WR Andrew Hawkins suffered a high-ankle sprain and could end up on the injured reserve-recall list.
Alshon Jeffery, Chicago Bears
Jeffery, a rookie drafted in the second round, broke his hand, then returned and injured his knee, missing a total of six games. Jeffery finished with just 367 yards, but that was just eight yards behind Earl Bennett for second on the Bears behind Brandon Marshall. Jeffery had 24 catches (15.8 yards per catch) and three TDs. With Bennett still dealing with the aftereffects of a concussion and a new pass-oriented coach in Marc Trestman, a healthy Jeffery will have the opportunity to produce.
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Jon Lewin writes on a variety of fantasy sports topics.