Wednesday, August 31, 2011

My Top 10 Fantasy Wide Receivers

My goal with wide receivers is to always find the ones who are able to put up consistent numbers. Any wide receiver can have an amazing day, or more likely, a horrible one. So make sure when you draft your receivers to find the ones that are constantly targeted and have solid yardage totals. These receivers are bound to find the end zone at some point. Here are some suggestions. 




1. Andre Johnson
Andre Johnson may be the best receiver in the game. With a Texans team that's constantly improving around him, Johnson should again be the top fantasy receiver this year. Pick Johnson in your drafts if you want consistent week-in, week-out production


2. Greg Jennings
When Greg Jennings isn't running 99-yards with a broken leg, he can usually be found catching 20+ yard bombs from Aaron Rodgers. The Packers have the most high-flying offense in the NFL, and Greg Jennings will snag the most targets from Rodgers. Look for Jennings to find lots of targets, and quite a few touchdowns this year.


3. Calvin Johnson
Calvin Johnson could be the top fantasy receiver in fantasy football this year, and it wouldn't be a stretch to say so. Matt Stafford has been everything Detroit hoped him to be in the preseason, and Calvin Johnson has been more. Johnson could have the most physical talent out of these receivers here, and his ability to adjust to the ball is amazing. Johnson will easily be the top target from Stafford and real in lots of TD's this year.


4. Roddy White 
Don't think that Julio Jones is going to take too many receptions away from Roddy White. Jones is a great receiver, but White is one of the best, and already has great chemistry with Matt Ryan.  Look for Matt Ryan to target Roddy White on the plays that matter like 3rd downs and in the red zone.


5. Reggie Wayne
I can't believe that I have Reggie Wayne here still, but you just have to. Peyton will be healthy and ready to play this season, and that means the world to Reggie Wayne. Wayne is a premier route runner and has just as good chemistry with Peyton as any wide receiver / quarterback combo in the league. Look for Reggie Wayne to have a another solid year.


6. Vincent Jackson
This may be one of my reaches, but I expect big things from Vincent Jackson. When Jackson has been around and healthy he has easily been one of the best in fantasy. Phillip Rivers can throw the ball, and he loves to throw it Jackson's way. I fully expect Jackson to have 2009-like numbers and rise to the top once again.


7. Hakeem Nicks
Although he fought with injuries last year, Nicks is ready to go this season. Without Steve Smith around most of the throws will head Nicks' way. The issue with this also is that teams will be able to cheat a little bit more to Nicks' side. Consider Nicks a high-risk, high-reward player.


8. DeSean Jackson
Jackson is one of those players that won't put up consistent numbers week-to-week. One week you might get 30 points out of him, and the next he may not catch a ball. However, what Jackson does have going for him is his offense. His chemistry with Vick is great and he should be able to post solid totals this year


9. Larry Fitzgerald
I personally think that Larry Fitzgerald's value is over-hyped in fantasy this year. While Fitz is one of my favorite players in the entire NFL, I'm not sure if Kevin Kolb will be able to help Fitzgerald have the fantasy numbers he put up when Warner was around. Fitzgerald could be a top 5 receiver or a top 20 bust. Be careful drafting him this year.


10. Miles Austin
Miles Austin is in a similar situation as Hakeem Nicks with a fellow receiver leaving the team. However, Austin now has Romo back and healthy, and once again becomes a top-ten fantasy wide out. Austin may not have a 2009 season again, but his numbers will be better than last year.




Potential Sleepers


1. Lee Evans
There is no fantasy receiver out there with more upside than Lee Evans. The Ravens desperately needed a vertical receiver and got one. Evans has remained dormant at Buffalo for years, unable to find a quarterback capable of showcasing his talent. Now that he has one, be prepared to watch them put on a show. Expect Evans to be much more of a deep threat now and steal quite a few touchdowns from Anquan Boldin this year.


2. Nate Burleson
Burleson is another receiver ranked in the 40's who could finish in the 20's this year. Matt Stafford has done an awesome job of targeting him this preseason, and if not for a couple drops, Burleson could have some top-tier numbers thus far. There seems to be excellent chemistry between the two thus far, and I like this pickup.


3. Plaxico Burress
While I wasn't sold at all on Plaxico at first, I'm surprised at how well Sanchez was mixing him into the offense this preseason. Plaxico will definitely steal some touchdowns away from Santonio Holmes this year, and maybe even do a little more.




Potential Deep Sleepers


1. Donnie Avery
This may be as deep as a sleeper can get, but I like Donnie Avery's chances this year. Don't forget that before Avery's injury last year he was Bradford's favorite target. This preseason he's managed to snag a touchdown and some good yardage totals. Expect Avery to slip into the fantasy talks sooner or later.




Potential Busts


1. Mike Wallace
Don't think that I mean Wallace won't finish in the top twenty for fantasy receivers. I think he will. But I also think that being in the top five on most polls is way too high. Wallace is part of a deep receiving corp in Pittsburgh alongside guys like Hines Ward and Jericho Cotchery. I just don't see Wallace being able to put up consistent numbers and catches to make him a Number One receiver in any league. Don't draft him too high this year.


2. Chad Ochocinco
I have my doubts about Chad as a No. 2 option this year. Chad and Tom don't seem to be on the same page, and Mr. 85 is having some troubles learning the offense. I expect them to build some chemistry later on in the year, but have a tricky first half of the season. For that reason, and the numerous other targets in New England, I advise you to only look to Ochocinco as a 3rd or flex option.