When formulating a strategy for start-up dynasty drafts, it's important to find a happy medium between short-term production and long-term impact.
Reggie Wayne may give you solid WR1 numbers in 2013, but he isn't going to be a long-term plan in your starting lineup. Meanwhile, someone like Cordarrelle Patterson may not give you much production this year, but he projects into being a top-tier receiving option moving forward.
This means that depending where you value either of these wide receivers, they might not be viable options in dynasty drafts.
Don't worry, eDraft is here to help. Today's article is going to focus on three dynasty options who we believe will produce at high levels in 2013. No, the likes of A.J. Green, Julio Jones and Calvin Johnson will not be included in this article.
T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts
2012 Statistics: 50 receptions, 861 yards and seven touchdowns
It seemed as if the Colts weren't sold on Hilton when they went out there and signed former top pick Darrius Heyward-Bey this offseason. Recent news suggesting yet another injury setback for the veteran receiver may open the door for Hilton to win the starting gig in 2013. In addition, reports from camp indicated that Hilton has been mighty impressive.
Prior to DHB's injury, Hilton was acting as the primary backup to both him and Reggie Wayne. That means that the 2012 third-round pick would have already received enough targets to make an impact in 2013. Give him the starting job opposite Wayne and the sky is the limit. We have no reason to believe that Hilton can't put up 70 receptions for 1,200 yards and double-digit scores in 2013. That makes him a buy-high dynasty option.
Cecil Shorts, Jacksonville Jaguars
2012 Statistics: 55 receptions, 979 yards and seven touchdowns
Shorts will make an immediate impact in his third season simply because Justin Blackmon will miss at least the first four games of the year due to suspension. Even with Blackmon in the fold for the majority of the 2012 season, Shorts was able to rack up nearly 1,000 receiving yards.
Continued progression from this young receiver seems to indicate that he's looking at a 1,200-yard campaign, much like what we indicated before with Hilton. According to Pro Football Focus, Shorts caught just under 55 percent of the passes thrown in his direction in 2012. While that's not a great number, it was higher than Blackmon's output. If Shorts' targets go up from five a game to about eight, his impact will be as a top-tier WR2 option.
Josh Gordon, Cleveland Browns
2012 Statistics: 50 receptions, 805 yards and five touchdowns
Gordon might miss the first two games of the regular season due to a suspension, but his value is through the roof as it relates to upside. Remember, the Baylor product was under the proverbial eight-ball after being selected in the supplemental draft in July of 2012. He just didn't have an offseason to learn the nuances of the NFL. Gordon was still able to put up over 800 receiving yards in what has to be considered a surprising rookie campaign.
Gordon possessed the highest catch rate of any receiver on the Browns last season, but only received 89 total targets. You can expect an increase of at least 50 targets this year, even after he sits out those first two games.