Fantasy WR Rankings
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by Andygates23
Wide receiver is probably the trickiest position to draft. When do you start taking them? Do you take one before establishing your RBs or QB? In most cases receivers will start going in the late second round which means some owners draft a WR before establishing their RB core. This is a mistake. There are way too many receivers to take late and not nearly enough backs. I would even consider taking my starting QB before selecting my premier WR especially if one of the elite were on the board. The difference between the fifth best WR (Donald Driver) and the twentieth (Terry Glenn) was just thirty seven points which equals only 3 points a week. It’s better to hold off on your receiver selections. However, there are situations that come up where it’s necessary to bite the bullet and take that number one receiver that you know will produce. Here are my rankings to help you on your drafting journey.
1.Marvin Harrison: There isn’t a more consistent receiver in football than Harrison. He is the only WR in the NFL that has scored at least ten touchdowns the past seven years and don’t expect that trend to stop. He has the best QB in the game who knows how to get the ball in the endzone, a Pro Bowl counter part in Wayne who will encourage single coverage and a legitimate backfield threat.
2.Chad Johnson: Johnson says that he’s back to his old ways of just having fun. He says he’s even putting money aside for his inevitable fines that will come from the league after his new and improved touchdown celebrations. A happy Chad will equal a productive Ocho Cinco. Johnson says he’ll improve his 1,300 yards and 7 TDs stats from last year and I believe him. He has a lot of similarities to Harrison when it comes to his offense and his value will be similar as well.
3.Steve Smith: Smith is an NFL phenomenon. This five foot nine inch receiver continues to show he’s one of the best year after year. The reason Smith is so successful is his technique. Most receivers let the quarterback do the work by letting the ball come to them, not Smith. Steve attacks the ball at its highest point leaving defensive backs baffled and after he comes down with the ball his agility makes him a threat to take it for six every time. It doesn’t matter who his QB is, if he can throw it in the air Smith will go get it.
4.Roy Williams: I know what you’re thinking, “not a Lion.” But hear me out. Last year he finished in the top ten of fantasy WRs and this year he has reason for improvement. This will be Roy’s second year in Mike Martz’s famed offense and now Martz says he has the weapons to use his complete playbook. Rookie Calvin Johnson will take a lot of pressure off Williams which means more catches and touchdowns. This will be Roy’s best year of his young career.
5.Reggie Wayne: This offense is just too good. Manning will get the ball to both of his receivers at least seven times a game and with production like that Wayne will see the endzone a lot again this year.
6.Randy Moss: It seems Randy has his fire back and when he wants to play there’s few better. He has been struggling with injuries, but they’re not thought to be serious. Brady + Moss = big points.
7.Marques Colston: Last year’s standout rookie exploded on to the scene as one of fantasy’s big hitters. He had 8 TDs and over a thousand yards last year despite an injury that limited his play late last season. Well he’s healthy now and that 6’4’’ frame is a perfect redzone target. Safeties will have to play close to the line to defend the backfield duo of Bush and McAllister which will leave an overmatched DB for Brees to throw over. Result: touchdown Colston, expect to hear that phrase a lot this season.
8.Terrell Owens: Owens led the league in TDs last year, but had a bad case of the drops all season. Now the question in Dallas is Romo. Is he the real deal? He may not be Roger Staubach but he’ll get the job done. The aging T.O. is still one of the most feared targets in the game and will get his numbers. He is a strong #1 WR.
9.Larry Fitzgerald: Fitz has more pure talent than most at the WR position and he’ll prove it again this year. New head coach Ken Whisenhunt says he’s dedicated to the run, but a true running threat can only help the two deadly WRs in Arizona. Larry was fantasy’s #2 WR in ’05 and I expect him to return to those numbers this year.
10.Donald Driver: Driver surprised a lot of owners by snagging the fifth overall spot in fantasy last year among WRs, but he shouldn’t have. Driver has had over 14 yards per reception and 1,200 receiving yards the past three seasons. This year the Packers are looking to make a deep playoff run and I do not doubt them. Driver may have his best year of his career with Favre throwing with no fear.
11.Torry Holt: Holt is one of my favorite WRs in the game. His route running is superb and he has arguably the best hands in football. Usually he’d be in my top five easily especially with Marc Bulger and Steven Jackson on his side, but Holt has been bitten by the injury bug and it is showing lingering effects. Holt had offseason surgery to repair loose knee cartilage and rehab is moving slowly. Holt estimates he’s currently at 70-80 percent and that’s not good with the season starting in less than two weeks. What’s worse is Holt says he’s not sure if it’ll ever heal all the way. This could have a major role in his ability to get off the line and breakaway from the defender.
12.Javon Walker: With Plummer gone and the strong armed Jay Cutler in, I like the production possibilities of speedy Walker. When he’s healthy Walker’s one of the best in the game. Look out for a big season from him and his offense.
13.Andre Johnson: Johnson has always been a great commodity in points per reception leagues, but his lack of redzone touches made him a clear #2 in most leagues. Andre has never had more than 6 TDs in a season. I find that staggering with his size, hands and agility. With a new QB in Matt Schaub look for a new career high in TDs for Mr. Johnson.
14.Lee Evans: Evans has the ability to go deep at any moment in the game. I think I even saw him on defense running down the sideline a few times. The problem is his consistency. He had games where he had 19, 25 and 11 reception yards and no TDs which is just awful for a number one WR, but he also had a 265 yards with two TDs game last year. There’s no question he can breakout, but how often will he do it? I love him as a #2 but he will do alright as a #1.
15.Anquan Boldin: Whisenhunt plans to use Boldin much like he used Antwaan Randle El in Pittsburgh. Boldin was a high school QB and even started at QB for Florida State in the ’02 Sugar Bowl so there’s no doubt he will have a few trick plays for TDs this year. But that’s not why you should draft Boldin. This beast of a WR has great strength and runs routes with precision. He’s the quickest ever to catch 300 passes in his career so he will get his chances and he’ll do great things with them.
16.Reggie Brown: This all depends on Donovan McNabb’s health, but if he stays on the field Brown should have a solid year. Last year he emerged as Philly’s redzone threat with 8 TDs so expect that number to increase a little.
17.T.J. Houshmandzadeh: With Carson Palmer at the helm, Rudi Johnson in the backfield and Chad Johnson getting more attention T.J. will get single coverage, get his catches and have a prominent role in Cincy’s offense.
18.Laveranues Coles: Coles continues to prove he’s a fantasy force each year. The addition of Thomas Jones should help this offense and force safety coverage closer to the line which will give lightening quick Coles an advantage.
19.Plaxico Burress: Burress has great size and adequate hands. If his quarterback can avoid the pressure that’s sure to come with Tiki gone, he will have a decent year.
20.Joey Galloway: Galloway is the #1 WR in an offense that has disappeared. But the fans seem to be optimistic now that former Pro-Bowler Jeff Garcia has control of the ball. But this offense still needs a lot of work. With that being said, the Bucs had 14 passing touchdowns last year and Galloway caught half of them so he’ll get his endzone looks.
21.Mark Clayton: Clayton takes over the #1 WR spot in Baltimore this year and with Willis McGahee running the ball he will get open. It’s been reported that Steve McNair has lost a lot of his arm strength, but I’ll bet the former MVP still has enough to get the speedy wideout the ball down field.
22.Hines Ward: There’s a new era in Pittsburgh. Head coach Mike Tomlin says they will move from a Power I formation to a four wide scheme. Translation: a lot more throwing. The more they throw the better for Ward who’s by far the best WR on their roster.
23. Vincent Jackson: Look for a breakout year from Jackson. He’s the best WR in San Diego and Rivers has loved him in preseason games. He has every offensive tool a player prays for and if you select him a few of your prayers may be answered as well.
24.Bernard Berrian: Berrian is one of the best deep threats in the game and if Rex Grossman can get the ball from center and past the defenders Berrian will have a big year. But be warned, that’s a big if.
25.Darrell Jackson: Jackson is a big risk/high reward WR. The risk is his health. He’s been plagued by turf toe all during camp and now a hamstring injury has popped up. When healthy, he’s a top receiver but when will that be? If he does play, he’ll fit in nicely with Frank Gore and Alex Smith to form a solid offense.
26.Deion Branch: Branch is in an offense that should be very productive this year. Hasselbeck is a very underrated QB and Shaun Alexander is one of the best. Branch had clearly won the #1 spot at WR in fact reports out of camp said that he was "almost uncoverable.”
27.Braylon Edwards: Edwards has always had the talent, he’s just never had the quarterback. Now with Brady Quinn looking more impressive each time he plays, Edwards could finally have a guy to get him the ball on a regular basis.
28.Dante’ Stallworth: With Moss going down the sidelines pulling safeties towards him, Stallworth should have a nice season between the numbers.
29. Jerricho Cotchery: Cothery had a great season last year as a #2 in NY with 82 receptions, 960 yards and 6 touchdowns. This year should even be better with fully recovered Chad Pennington.
30. Chris Chambers: Chambers is listed as the #1 in Miami, but not by a wide margin. Trent Green needs to get protection from the line to give him time to throw the ball. I’d stay away from all Miami players unless you don’t have any other options.
Again be sure you look at bye weeks when you select your 2nd and 3rd WRs as well as backups. Good luck in your drafts and remember, preparation wins championships.
