The Next Miles Austin

Heading into 2009, Miles Austin was a guy with plenty of potential but hardly any production. His pro career consisted of 18 catches and three touchdowns over two seasons. A window of opportunity opened when Terrell Owens left town, but Austin still had to beat out Patrick Crayton for the starting role. It took a while for Austin to establish himself as the go-to guy in Dallas, and through four games he had just five catches, 81 yards and one touchdown. You know the rest.

Austin landed at the No. 3 spot when the season drew to a close, guaranteeing his draft stock soars in 2010. Which afterthought of a receiver could be the next to join Austin in the elite ranks? Let's look at a few candidates.

Josh Morgan -- The second-year receiver out of Virginia Tech took a small step forward in 2009, finishing the season with 527 receiving yards and three TDs, a 200-yard increase from his rookie season. After catching 46.5 percent of his targets in 2008, Morgan upped that percentage to 64 percent in 2009. The emergence of Vernon Davis and the signing of Michael Crabtree may have stunted his overall potential, but Morgan is well on his way to establishing himself as a reliable option for Alex Smith. Add to the fact that the 49ers are taking him off kick returns, and there could be big plans in store for Josh Morgan in his third year.

James Jones -- With Donald Driver recently celebrating his 35th birthday, he could be coming close to the end of his illustrious career. Coming off his sixth straight 1,000-yard season, Driver hasn't slowed down at all, but Green Bay may be ready to work the youngsters into a larger role in the rotation. Enter Jones, the 25-year-old who caught five TDs in 2009, a fine total considering he didn't catch more than four balls in any single game. He could be the long-shot of our group, but when Driver's ready to ride into the sunset, Jones will see a quick spike in value.

Brian Hartline -- The rookie had a nice debut last season, catching 31 balls for 506 yards and three TDs and got better as the season went on -- with 12 receptions in his first nine games and 19 in his last seven. His four total TDs (one rushing) were the best on the team at the WR position and could earn him a starting role next year. While the Dolphin offense isn't one to lend itself to big WR scoring, Hartline could be good enough to earn matchup starting privileges. Not quite the next Austin, but maybe the next Jerricho Cotchery?

Julian Edelman -- We've discussed Edelman's outlook already this offseason, and I won't both rehashing my opinions here. Still, keep him in mind as a huge potential breakout while playing the Wes Welker role of the Patriot offense.

Devin Aromashodu -- Here's my pick to take a huge leap forward next season. Devin Aromashodu received no love from the Chicago coaching staff early on in 2009. His first catch came in Week 10, and he totaled just two catches and 16 yards through Week 12. Week 13 gave Aromashodu the first chance to show his stuff, and he came through with eight catches on 12 targets, gaining 76 yards and scoring a touchdown. He received 10 targets the next week, but managed just two catches. He didn't disappoint in Week 16, with seven catches on nine targets for 150 yards and a touchdown. Aromashodu then capped the season off with a five-catch, 46-yard, two-TD performance against the Lions.

Now, Devin Hester should be focusing on his return skills, leaving a starting job open at the WR position. Mike Martz joins the team as the offensive coordinator, and his fantasy reputation precedes the man himself. Quarterback Jay Cutler showed no hesitation in targeting Aromashodu often over the last month of the season, and the emerging WR threat has a very high fantasy ceiling should he click with Cutler quickly in 2010. Finishing as the No. 3 WR may be a stretch to predict, but there's no reason he couldn't land in the top 10 at the position by the end of next season. Dynasty-league owners are acting quickly, as he went for a pretty steep price in both my leagues recently. I expect the same is happening around the fantasy nation, and the trend should continue into 2010 drafts.