Welcome to the research season.

Soon some 50 million fantasy maniacs will thumb through volumes of scouting reports, stats and trends to put themselves in a position to CRUSH the competition. Questions, some rhetorical and some not, will be bandied about in an attempt to separate the loved from the loathed. Can C.J. Anderson thrive in Gary Kubiak’s zone-blocking scheme? Is Tevin Coleman, battling Devonta Freeman and Antone Smith for the Falcons’ starting gig, worth the dice roll in the middle rounds? Was Martavis Bryant’s spectacular rookie stretch a mirage? Is it possible for Geno Smith to not royally suck?

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Dilemmas …

However, of all the characteristics weighed, none is more divisive than date-of-birth.

Every August, fantasy ageists seduced by ceilings purposely bypass the reliable services of elder statesman for the potential of pretty young things, this year an occurrence typically seen at wide receiver. In a game where unrealistic expectations are commonly placed on still developing commodities, these veteran misanthropes salivate at the mere mention of “upside,” an intoxicating and, often errant, reaction. Choosing to spend exorbitantly on a Kelvin Benjamin instead of conserving cash by drafting Steve Smith can, and often does, blow up in one’s face. Just ask those who chopped off a leg for Keenan Allen or Michael Floyd last year.

Though a few doddering geriatrics have slipped in recent years, a fair number continue to crank out useful production season after season, much to the dismay of their critics. What undervalued WR septuagenarians (Andre Johnson at his current 42.8 ADP doesn't count) are primed for profitable 2015s? Here are my top-five:

Steve Smith, Bal (Yahoo ADP 102.5, WR37) – Smith may have made a cameo as a grazing triceratops in "Jurassic World," but the 36-year-old is hardly fossilized. He slowed a bit down the stretch last season (WR45 from Week 10 on), but he still possesses the quickness and toughness to wreck havoc. Not to mention his stiff arm remains one of the league's most vicious. In an aerial aggressive Marc Trestman spread offense he could easily best his top-20 WR line from 2014 (79-1065-6). Recall the Bears under Trestman chucked the pill 60.6 percent of the time last year. Some within the "expert" community are gaga over Breshad Perriman. The rookie's muscular frame and fleet feet are certainly attractive. However, he struggled with drops in mini-camp and overall sports a green route tree. With the Torrey Smith roadshow of underachievement now playing in San Francisco and Owen Daniels also out of the picture, Smith Sr. and Justin Forsett are Joe Flacco's only reliable options. The trash-talking target, who ranked No. 13 in yards per route run in a more conservative scheme last year, is primed for another 125-plus looks.

Fearless Forecast: 73 receptions, 1,011 receiving yards, 5 touchdowns

Anquan Boldin, SF (120.8, WR50) – The disrespect Boldin has received in early drafts is criminal. In his first two seasons by the Bay, the Niner hauled in 168 receptions, 2,241 yards and 12 touchdowns. As a result, he finished inside the WR top-24 in consecutive seasons. Still, members of the fantasy community continue to voice their concerns. Colin Kaepernick's ongoing inconsistencies, Torrey Smith's arrival and San Fran's presumed return to the read-option have downgraded the receiver, a misguided viewpoint. He was teammates with Emmitt Smith his rookie season, a tie that shows how long he's been around, but the long-toothed target will again crack the WR3 ranks, at a minimum. He remains a gritty, savvy, greaseman who can brutalize defenses underneath and occasionally on the sidelines. Combine that with the "tremendous strides" Kaepernick has made mechanically this offseason and San Fran's issues on D, and he should again turn a tidy profit. Though the scheme has changed, look for the venerable weapon to rack appreciable numbers working mostly out of the slot, a position he posted a 73.2 catch percentage in last year. It's mind-blowing he and rookie project Dorial Green-Beckham share an almost identical ADP.

Fearless Forecast: 80 receptions, 1,006 receiving yards, 5 touchdowns

Marques Colston, NO (116.6, WR44) – The number of targets up for grabs in New Orleans this season: 263. That's what Jimmy Graham, Pierre Thomas and Kenny Stills, now establishing roots in new locales, accounted for last fall. Everyone anticipates Brandin Cooks, C.J. Spiller and Josh Hill to earn the majority of those looks, but Grandpa Colston will entice his fair share. Admittedly, he's slowed a bit, struggled with drops (No. 76 in drop rate in '14) and has been wildly undependable on a week-in, week-out basis in recent years, but he's missed only two games since 2012 and has finished inside the WR top-36 in nine-straight seasons. For his flaws, the dude is a rock. The veteran revealed last month his 2014 decline left a bitter taste. That chip combined with more managed practice reps should greatly assist him in rebooting his career. The Saints have expressed a desire to run the ball more, but the increased opportunities matched with Colston's red-zone usefulness imply he's a screaming good deal in the later rounds. Drew Brees is his quarterback for crying out loud.

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