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The 3rd year wide receiver theory has been a staple for fantasy football fans year after year. The theory is based on the idea that wide receivers take at least 2 years to fully develop at the NFL level. Players like Reggie Wayne, Greg Jennings, Roddy White and Sidney Rice all had breakout years in their 3rd season. Players and coaches alike all agree that this is no fluke due to the learning curve associated at the wide receiver position between college and the pros. The 2014 season promises to be one of the best wide receiver break-out seasons, if tradition holds true. The 2012 wide receiver draft class was stacked with talent. That leads us to our list of 3rd year wide receivers to keep an eye and target for your upcoming draft.

Alshon Jeffery, CHI

Jeffery's sophomore year flew in the face of the 3rd year theory. He combined with Brandon Marshall to create the best wide receiver duo in the league under the first year of Marc Trestman's tenure as head coach. The Bears offense is only going to improve with more practice and time in the same system. Last season Alshon Jeffery showed off a skill set including crisp route running, strong hands and a highlight reel circus catches. While his 2nd season was his break out season, the 3rd year theory is still very much alive for Jeffery. He now has 2 season of experience under his belt and a full off-season of training to build on in 2014. Alshon Jeffery won't make it out of the third round in most leagues.

Michael Floyd, ARI

2013 Stats: 65 Rec. 1,041 Yds. 5 TD's
2014 Projections: 80 Rec. 1,200 Yds. 8 TD's
2014 Ranking/ADP: 48th Overall/ 62nd ADP
(Rankings and ADP Values as of August 14th)

Floyd is the perfect candidate for the 3rd year theory. He made great strides last year while breaking the 1,000 yard mark, but fantasy owners would like to see a guy get in the end zone a little bit more. At the beginning of the 2014 regular season Larry Fitzgerald will be 31 years old and entering his 11th season. Fitzgerald didn't have a bad year last season, especially with 10 TD's, but his age is a concern. Michael Floyd stepping up last season just set the table for a break out 2014 season. Carson Palmer is going to lean heavily on the younger wide receiver after a successful 2013. As of right now Michael Floyd is an amazing value pick with an ADP of 62nd. That probably won't hold up as he continues to impress throughout the preseason, but I still expect him to be a value pick in the 5th round.

Kendall Wright, TEN

2013 Stats: 94 Rec. 1,079 Yds. 2 TD's
2014 Projections: 90 Rec. 1,100 Yds. 6 TD's
2014 Ranking/ADP: 69th Overall/ 86th ADP
(Rankings and ADP Values as of August 14th)

Wright is another 3rd year wide receiver who showed break out talent in his 2nd year. Where I expect to see Kendall Wright achieve official break out status is in the end zone this year. His 94 receptions last year make him an obvious choice in PPR leagues, but no matter what format you draft in you are going to want to pay attention to him. At 5'10" he is a little shorter than you would want in a wide receiver but he makes up for it by catching everything. Tennessee has no other clear cut star offensive weapon except for Kendall Wright. He is currently ranked 69th overall and early drafters are getting a lot of value with his 86th ADP.

Rueben Randle, NYG

2013 Stats: 41 Rec. 611 Yds. 6 TD's
2014 Projections: 65 Rec. 900 Yds. 8 TD's
2014 Ranking/ADP: 92nd Overall/ 124th ADP
(Rankings and ADP Values as of August 14th)

Randle was most likely everyone's least favorite waiver pickup last season after having a strong 3 games in October before finishing the season in lackluster fashion. This season Randle is on my radar as the Giants look to find a replacement for Hakeem Nicks. Randle is a tall, well-built wide receiver with all the tools to break out in 2014. He is going to see more play time this season as the #2 on the Giants offense and I expect him to be Eli's favorite receiver in the red zone. Don't let the shaky 2013 Giant offense scare you. We saw this once before and they bounced back to a Super Bowl win. Randle is currently ranked 92nd overall with an ADP of 124th. I believe his money spot in value is somewhere in-between those two numbers right now, but that could change as we see more of him in the preseason.

Jarret Boykin, GB

2013 Stats: 49 Rec. 681 Yds. 3 TD's
2014 Projections: 60 Rec. 850 Yds. 5 TD's
2014 Ranking/ADP: 133rd Overall/ 170th ADP
(Rankings and ADP Values as of August 14th)

Boykin had a handful of impressive games last season. He is the first guy on this list to not be a number one or number two receiver for his team, but don't let that stop you from drafting some great value on your team this year. The Green Bay offense is built around Aaron Rodgers and he likes to distribute the ball to keep defenses guessing. You will have to keep an eye on the Packers at camp to see what is going on with the number three position, but I feel that Jarrett Boykin earned his opportunity last season. Boykin is a great addition to any team especially with his current rank to ADP differential.

Rod Streater, OK

2013 Stats: 60 Rec. 888 Yds. 4 TD's
2014 Projections: 60 Rec. 850 Yds. 5 TD's
2014 Ranking/ADP: 163rd Overall/ 237th ADP
(Rankings and ADP Values as of August 14th)

Streater is currently listed on the Oakland depth chart as the number two receiver with Andre Holmes. The situation in Oakland is interesting and fantasy players are going to want to keep an eye on things on the left coast if you plan on drafting a Raider. Holmes and Streater are likely to be the guys in my opinion. Streater is primed for a break out year as he has shown good improvement in each of his previous two seasons. The Raiders also upgraded their quarterback position by signing Matt Schaub. Streater is currently ranked 163rd with an ADP of 237th. You can take a flier on Streater late if you have the adequate depth at your other positions, but chances are he will go undrafted in many leagues. I recommend you keep an eye on him as one of your waiver wire targets. He could prove very valuable once we all see what Oakland's offense is going to look like.

By now, everyone has heard about the third year wide receivers and their breakout years. If you haven't, Troy would like to have a word with you. Over here at drinkfive, we've noticed that there's a lot of guys breaking out in their second season now. I'm not talking about guys who are just getting noticed, I mean guys who are fantasy relevant right now. For example, Alshon Jeffery, T.Y. Hilton, Michael Floyd and Josh Gordon were all second year guys last year. They, with Kendall Wright, all had over 1000 yards receiving in 2013. Here are six guys who you want to seriously consider drafting, and you will find that most, if not all of them, have great draft value as well.

Keenan Allen, SD

2013 Stats: 71 Rec, 1046 Yds, 8 TD's

2014 Projection: 85 Rec, 1250 Yds, 8 TD's

2014 Ranking/ADP: 30 Overall / 37 ADP

(Rankings and ADP from 8/14/14)

Allen was clearly the standout rookie from last season, being the only first year WR to put up over 1000 yards. Allen is definitely the beneficiary of injuries to people around him, but he made the most of it. Allen had only 12 targets in the first 3 games, so he even has room for his numbers to go up! Last year, Allen caught 71 of 105 targets, so Rivers is going to know he can rely on him when he throws it his way. Allen had 5 games over 100 yards receiving and 7 games over 10 points in a standard league. His current ADP at the end of the 4th round is great value for a guy that has a serious chance to be a WR1. Heck, we put him in our top 10 on a podcast in the offseason.

Cordarrelle Patterson, MIN

2013 Stats: 45 Rec, 469 Yds, 4 TD (+ 5 other TD's!)

2014 Projection: 60 Rec, 900 Total Yds, 10 Total TD's

2014 Ranking/ADP: 50 Overall / 51 ADP

(Rankings and ADP from 8/14/14)

Patterson is a fun player to watch. He's got the chance to score every time he touches the ball, and his 9 TD's in three different ways last year goes to prove that. Patterson will be given an increased role in Minnesota this season, and will not be held back by weak quarterbacks as much as his teammates. He has value as a runner and returner, which accounted for 5 of his TD's last year. Patterson was only targeted 77 times last year and I expect that number to go up to near 100. He's currently sitting at the end of the 5th/beginning of the 6th round. He's got a great nose for the end zone and he'll be a great WR3 or flex guy to throw in there this year. Touchdowns mean consistent week-to-week scoring, which is fantasy gold.

Markus Wheaton, PIT

2013 Stats: 6 Rec, 64 Yds

2014 Projection: 65 Rec, 900 Yds, 6 TD

2014 Ranking/ADP: 125 Overall / 174 ADP

(Rankings and ADP from 8/14/14)

Wheaton's 2013 campaign was severely hampered by not one, but two broken fingers - Ouch! Thus far in camp, that injury is showing no lingering effects of the injury. There is no lingering competition, either. Wheaton has the 'X' receiver spot all sewn up, and the 113 receptions that Sanders and Cotchery had need to go somewhere. Expect Wheaton's targets to be somewhere north of 100 and to be an important cog in the up-tempo offense that Pittsburgh will be running this year. Wheaton will definitely be the second guy behind Antonio Brown, but after that, there is really no competition for targets for Wheaton. He has all the talent needed to fill that role on the Steelers, it will just come down to staying healthy. Wheaton's ADP shows that he isn't even drafted in most 10 and 12 team leagues. Wheaton will be a HUGE pickup at the very end of the draft to add quality depth to your roster.

DeAndre Hopkins, HOU

2013 Stats: 52 Rec, 802 Yds, 2 TD's

2014 Projection:70 Rec, 950 Yds, 5 TD

2014 Ranking/ADP: 105 Overall / 126 ADP

(Rankings and ADP from 8/14/14)

Last year, Hopkins had a very respectable 802 yards, but didn't find the end zone enough to be a valuable fantasy player. Houston's awful QB situation last year did him no favors. The addition of Ryan Fitzpatrick is a steady hand that will assure that this does not happen two years in a row. Hopkins had a nice 15 yards per reception and should see increased targets and receptions this year. As long as he can find the end zone a few more times, he will be very worthy of spot starts and bye week replacement duty. His draft position shows he's a very late round flier - I'd suggest Wheaton first though.

Kenny Stills, NO

2013 Stats: 32 Rec, 641 Yds, 5 TD's

2014 Projection: 64 Rec, 1200 Yds, 8 TD

2014 Ranking/ADP: 130 Overall / 161 ADP

(Rankings and ADP from 8/14/14)

Stills is probably my favorite late round flier, and the guy who I will be taking as often as I can - at the end of the draft that is. Last year, Stills lead the league in yards per reception with 20 yards per catch. During the offseason, the Saints got rid of Lance Moore and Darren Sproles whom had a combined 143 targets. We all know that Drew Brees is going to sling the ball all over the place - he had 650 pass attempts last year, his lowest in 4 years (though still insanely high). The Saints are as pass-heavy as any team in the league and Stills is a burner who will catch the ball. Brees will trust him more in year two, and he should double his targets. Stills reminds me of a young DeSean Jackson, but with a better QB.

Terrance Williams, DAL

2013 Stats: 44 Rec, 736 Yds, 5 TD

2014 Projection: 70 Rec, 1000 Yds, 8 TD

2014 Ranking/ADP: 78 Overall / 92 ADP

(Rankings and ADP from 8/14/14)

Williams is in a similar situation to Markus Wheaton. They are both the unquestioned starter opposite a stud #1 receiver (Dez Bryant and Antonio Brown, respectively). They are also both moving up the line because the team got rid of an older receiver. Weird coincidences aside, Terrance Williams did get a lot more experience last year compared to Wheaton. Williams was good for almost 17 yards per catch last year, and won't slow down in his increased role with the high flying Dallas offense. Tony Romo also likes to throw the ball - maybe not as much as Drew Brees, but the Cowboys are certainly a pass first kind of team. Being drafted in the 10th round would be great value for him, but don't hesitate to reach for him in the 9th. That's where you draft WR4's and 5's and Williams is going to be a 3 for sure, with potential to be a WR2.

“Extra Point” takes a look at the league that the writer’s of drinkfive.com have upheld since the website’s inception. I will provide you with a situational glimpse into my team each week. You can take a more in-depth look at our league here: http://football.fantasysports.yahoo.com/f1/135498/7

Extra Point: Colonel Forbin

            Greetings from sunny southwest Florida! Apologies for my week one absence, I was only moving 1,417 miles! Regardless I’m here now, and Colonel Forbin’s ascent will begin from the depths of 9^th place with a week one loss.  My 78-point performance may be a blessing in disguise as it gives me 2^nd priority on the wavier wire and a chance to replace the now forever infamous Ray Rice. Owned in 88% of leagues, he was a great value pick for an RB3 this year, but now owners are left scrambling. The wavier wire is electric this week and I suggest you scoop up these #hashtag players.

Here’s my 2014 Roster (draft pick 5^th):

Drew Brees NO – QB

Vincent Jackson TB – WR

Michael Crabtree SF – WR

Julian Edelman NE – WR

Matt Forte Chi – RB

Le'Veon Bell Pit – RB

Jordan Reed Was – TE #Zach Ertz #Travis Kelce #Delanie Walker

Phil Dawson SF – K

Ray Rice Bal – RB #Terrance West #Justin Forsett #Chris Ivory

Mark Ingram NO - RB

DeSean Jackson Was – WR

Rueben Randle NYG – WR #Malcolm Floyd 

Dwayne Bowe KC – WR

Ben Roethlisberger Pit – QB

#waiver claims