Fantasy Rankings: Wide Receivers
by Josh Gaier
Yet again a Patriot tops the rankings, but can he can he hold off some of the league’s younger receivers this season?
1. Randy Moss, New England Patriots
You’d be hard-pressed not to put Randy Moss as your number one fantasy receiver after the monster year he accomplished last year. And, with Tom Brady still controlling the Patriots’ dynamic offense, we should expect numbers in roughly the same ballpark as last year. Once again, Moss appears to be motivated, which usually translates into high performance for this once disgruntled Oakland Raider. Moss may not be worth reaching in the first round, but he’d be a great addition to any team in the early second round.
2. Terrell Owens, Dallas Cowboys
TO and Tony Romo are the only quarterback/wide receiver combination that rivals that of Brady/Moss. Owens has been extremely productive since Romo took over the reigns as the Cowboys’ signal caller, and there is no reason to expect a drop off in production this upcoming season. The fact that the Cowboys offense is also arguably the most explosive in the NFC adds to the potential Owens possess this season. Owens will instantly provide your receiving corps with a legitimate number one wide out.
3. Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts
The once over shadowed Colts’ receiver surpassed teammate Marvin Harrison in the fantasy department. Wayne has quickly become a top five receiver in the league, although he’s had the statistics to prove this for quite some time now. Wayne is one of the most consistent receivers you’ll find in your fantasy draft pool. Amid an injury and Manning not being on the field, you can pencil Wayne in for at least 1,200 yards and double digit touchdowns.
4. Braylon Edwards, Cleveland Browns
As Derek Anderson emerged on the scene last year, Braylon Edwards emerged as an elite NFL wide receiver. Edwards showed he can do it all; catch the long ball, turn the short play into a touchdown, and constantly find the end zone. With Edwards and Anderson having another year of experience with each other, the chemistry should continue to grow. Edwards was drafted extremely high based on his raw skill set, and he’s starting to show fans he’s worthy of his top five selection.
5. Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers
Jake Delhomme is healthy and ready to go, which bodes well for Steve Smith. Over the years, the pattern has gone as Delhomme plays, the better off statistically Steve Smith is. Smith will always have the threat of hitting the homerun, regardless of the quarterback, and he’s a perennial top ten fantasy receiver. Smith’s threat to hit the long ball and turn something into nothing ensures that he’ll find you the end zone a number of times this upcoming season. Smith, especially with Delhomme at the helm, is undoubtedly a number one fantasy receiever.
6. Andre Johnson, Houston Texans
If Johnson was able to survive the injury bug last season, who knows how much it could’ve helped his fantasy stock. When healthy, Johnson in one word was a stud. Although he only played nine games, Johnson still eclipsed 850 receiving yards and racked in eight touchdowns. With Schaub now healthy as well, the duo of the Texans is poised to show the NFL what they’re capable of. As long as Johnson is able to remain on the field, the potential is as high as the sky. By the end of the year, Johnson might be able to put himself in the class of TO, Moss, and Wayne.
7. TJ Houshmandzadeh, Cincinnati Bengals
The Chad Johnson situation has bolted TJ up into the number one option for Bengals’ quarterback Carson Palmer. Although Johnson might have more skill, TJ has quickly become a favorite in the red zone and has been more consistent as a fantasy player throughout the course of the season. Double digit touchdowns are surely expected of TJ, as is at least 1,200 yards. The Bengals’ offense still remains explosive, and TJ is the center piece of their red zone attack. In addition, TJ will get you plenty of receptions, as he claimed 112 last season. He’s a pure number one fantasy receiver, although he might be listed as a number two on his team’s depth chart.
8. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals
Fitzgerald has the talent to be a guy to go in any situation for the Arizona Cardinals, the only problem is teammate Anquan Boldin does too. Fitzgerald has emerged as the greater of the two receivers over the years, and usually finds himself celebrating more in the end zone than Boldin. Fitzgerald is poised to get another double digit touchdown season, but it’s up in the air whether he’ll reach his total of 1,400 yards he surpassed last season. Nevertheless, Fitzergerald is a solid number one fantasy receiving option.
9. Plaxico Burress, New York Giants
Without question, Plax is the go to red zone guy in the Big Apple. Eli has shown he has no fear in lobbying the ball up to his 6′5 receiver and letting him do his magic. In addition, last season Plax showed he is just as effective as a short threat as a long threat. Despite never practicing last year because of injury, Plax was still able to put up staggering fantasy numbers. With an offseason to rest and his height and leaping skills still intact, Plax will get your team at least double digit touchdowns and 1,000 plus yards.
10) Marques Colston, New Orleans Saints
With the addition of Jeremy Shockey to the Saints’ offense, the rich got richer. The Saints pieces on the offensive side of the ball will leave defensive coordinators puzzling their way to find the best solution to slow down the high powered offense. Thus, Colston will be left with a lot of man-to-man coverage with pieces such as Reggie Bush, Deuce McAllister, and Jeremy Shockey also garnishing attention. Colston was hobbled by injuries in ‘07, which led to a decrease in numbers from his rookie campaign. Nonetheless, Brees started off slow and found his rhythm towards the end of the year, and that looks to continue into the ‘08 season. Colston has the size to remain the red zone target, although Schokey might take away some touches. Regardless, Colston is a low fantasy one receiver or an extremely high number two wide out.
11) Chad Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals
12) Anquan Boldin, Arizona Cardinals
13) Brandon Marshall, Denver Broncos
14) Wes Welker, New England Patriots
15) Torry Holt, St. Louis Rams
16) Greg Jenning, Green Bay Packers
17) Santonio Holmes, Pittsburgh Steelers
18) Roy Williams, Detroit Lions
19) Lee Evans, Buffalo Bills
20) Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis Colts
21) Hines Ward, Pittsburgh Steelers
22) Roddy White, Atlanta Falcons
23) Laveranues Coles, New York Jets
24) Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions
25) Jericho Cotchery, New York Jets
26) Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City Chiefs
27) Chris Chambers, San Diego Chargers
28) Donald Driver, Green Bay Packers
29) Santana Moss, Washington Redskins
30) Joey Gallaway, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
31) Bernard Berrian, Minnesota Vikings
32) Kevin Curtis, Philadelphia Eagles
33) Reggie Williams, Jacksonville Jaguars
34) Patrick Crayton, Dallas Cowboys
35) Donte Stallworth, Cleveland Browns
36) Bobby Engram, Seattle Seahawks
37) Anthony Gonzalez, Indianapolis Colts
38) Reggie Brown, Philadelphia Eagles
39) DJ Hackett, Carolina Panthers
40) Javon Walker, Oakland Raiders
41) Sideny Rice, Minnesota Vikings
42) Nate Burleson, Seattle Seahawks
43) Derrick Mason, Baltimore Ravens
44) Issac Bruce, San Francisco 49ers
45) Bryant Johnson, San Francisco 49ers