In the era of high-octane, pass-first offenses, young players and rookies are now expected to contribute sooner than later. The 2012 NFL draft was one of the deepest in receivers in recent memory. Add the maturing, young wideouts already in the league, and I feel this will be one of the most high-scoring fantasy seasons ever. Staying up to date is imperative if any fantasy owner wants a legitimate opportunity to dominate his league.

Up-and-comers

Darrius Heyward-Bey, Raiders
Heyward-Bey was a “bad boy” and was arrested and charged with DUI. He’ll plead not guilty, and if he gets probation from the courts, he's looking at a potential one-game suspension. Heyward-Bey proved himself the team’s best wideout last year and, entering his fourth season, is primed to break out after showing dramatic improvement in 2011. He raises questions, playing in a new offense this year, and will fight for targets with unproven yet talented receivers, but he’s the team’s most complete receiver right now. He makes a quality lower-middle-round pick.

Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker, Broncos
Both Thomas and Decker are on the fantasy radar for 2012 as players ready to take their production to the next level. Decker was the first wideout to work with QB Peyton Manning this offseason and has developed some early chemistry with the veteran. The team plans on using Decker on 35-40 pass routes per game while moving him around. Thomas showed in 2011 that, when healthy, he’s the team’s most talented wideout. He plans on playing this season lighter than before — approximately 10 pounds lighter is his goal. If Manning is on his game, without any neck issues, both wide receivers are legitimate weekly fantasy starters.