In dynasty, guys with risk are rated lower.
Ok, let's talk about risk vs upside. On one hand you have a 25 year old who exploded onto the scene in his 2nd year (out of a small school no less) and looked dangerous pretty much all the time. On the other hand:17 WR Torrey Smith, BAL (never caught more than 50 balls, Shorts had 47 in last nine games) - fun with numbers
22 WR Antonio Brown, PIT (seven TDs in three years/141 catches - Shorts had 7 on first 57 recs) - this too
23 WR Justin Blackmon, JAX (Robinson, Koren) - his ability is much higher than Koren, the operative question is his head, and obviously a legit one, but he showed what he's capable of in the 2nd half too - higher ceiling
24 WR Jeremy Maclin, PHI (Shorts had more yards last year than Maclin has ever had in a season) - agreed
25 WR Greg Jennings, MIN (Christian Ponder) - Jennings does great work in the short/intermediate game, Ponder's issues are downfield, less concerned with Ponder hurting him than most
26 WR Wes Welker, DEN (32 year old system player in a new system) - I like him more for the next 2 years
28 WR DeAndre Hopkins, HOU (unproven rookie -- though I like him) - no argument, but I'd rather have Nuke
30 WR Josh Gordon, CLE (unproven player, terrible QB play, history with pot) - to do what he did last year with terrible coaching, poor QB play, so much youth around him, not playing in 2011, and missing most of preseason was very impressive, you're missing the boat here
31 WR Cordarrelle Patterson, MIN (unproven player, Christian Ponder, doubts about WR skill) - agreed
33 WR Kenny Britt, TEN (is it 50 days since last arrest yet?) - agreed
34 WR Danny Amendola, NE (injury concerns) - I'd rather have a guy like him, I feel comfortable knowing I have #2 production whenever he plays
37 WR DeSean Jackson, PHI (103-1661-6 -- in last two years) - I think you're under estimating his role with Chip Kelly
38 WR Mike Williams, TB (no upside) - agreed
39 WR Reggie Wayne, IND (35 years old) - same as Welker
40 WR Kendall Wright, TEN (terrible Y/C most likely kiss of death) - intermediate routes needed development out of school and deep ball capabilities neutralized with inaccurate Locker throwing the ball...too early to make a conclusion here
I'd probably take Shorts ahead of some guys not on this list as well, but IMO ranking him 41 on account of 'risk' is just plain silly given the landmines above. He's a 25 year old currently projected inside the top 25/30 for 2013 and unlike most of the guys ahead of him he's already shown he can produce in a bad situation.