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Top Five Fantasy Picks—Pt. 5: NFC Wide Receivers

By (Correspondent) on June 30, 2009

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IRVING, TX - NOVEMBER 27:  Wide receiver Roy Williams #11 of the Dallas Cowboys is tackled by Julian Peterson #98 of the Seattle Seahawks at Texas Stadium on November 27, 2008 in Irving, Texas.  (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The wide receiver position is nearly as deep as the Pacific Ocean in the National Football Conference and just as perilous to dive into for fantasy owners.

Some notable receivers have changed teams (T.J. Houshmandzadeh), or coaches such as Calvin Johnson.

Others have a quarterback coming back from off-season surgery like Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald.

Then, in the case of Roy Williams (pictured), there are just too many question marks to make it worth gambling on him anywhere near the top of the draft.

There is much guesswork involved in forecasting this conferences receivers. The constants, facts, projections and a fantasy crystal ball have led to the unveiling of 2009's top five fantasy picks in the NFC. Make sure they are on your board.

5. Roddy White

ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 16:  Roddy White #84 of the Atlanta Falcons catches the pass during the game against the Denver Broncos at the Georgia Dome on November 16, 2008 in Atlanta, Georgia.  (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Roddy White had over 1,300 yards in receptions last season and seven touchdowns.

There is no reason to believe Matt Ryan will not produce again, inversely, so will White.

1,300 yards and nine touchdowns for the Falcon this year.

4. Steve Smith

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 08:  Steve Smith #89 of the Carolina Panthers celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 8, 2008 in Charlotte, North Carolina.  (Photo by Streeter

Steve Smith is a big play threat. In 2008 he led the league in receptions of 20 yards or more and accumulated 1,421 total yards of receiving.

The downside, Smith only caught six touchdown passes.

This season Smith will have 1,300 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.

3. Marques Colston

New Orleans Saints  wide receiver Marques Colston dashes for the end zone with a pass   against the Philadelphia Eagles in an NFL second-round playoff game on January 13, 2007 in the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.  (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty I

Marques Colston missed roughly a third of the 2008 season with a torn ligament in his thumb.

In the 10 games in which he had a reception he had a pedestrian 760 yards and five touchdowns.

He came on at the end of the season, though, with 306 yards and four of his five touchdowns in the last three games.

Drew Brees is going to have another huge year and Colston will be a benefactor now that he is healthy.

2. Larry Fitzgerald

TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 01:  Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals runs a pass patern against the Pittsburgh Steelers during Super Bowl XLIII on February 1, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.  (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Larry Fitzgerald was second in the league last season in receiving yardage and tied for first in touchdowns.

The question that begs asking, then, is why is he only second on the list?

Anquan Boldin and Kurt Warner's health are the reasons.

Boldin missed four games last season and still had over 1,000 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns. This is a system where there are essentially two, No. 1 receivers. Fitzgerald will get more touches so he makes the list and Boldin doesn't.

Warner has admitted there is still pain in his hip from the offseason surgery, but says he will be ready to go. If there are any lingering effects, Fitzgerald's numbers will be effected.

1. Calvin Johnson

DETROIT - NOVEMBER 23:  Wide receiver Calvin Johnson #84 of the Detroit Lions lines up during the NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ford Field on November 23, 2008 in Detroit, Michigan.  The Buccaneers defeated the Lions 38-20.  (Photo by Chris

The improvements in Detroit are well known. The team could not do anything but improve.

Brandon Pettigrew is the addition that most effects Calvin Johnson. Obviously, a solid blocker on the line results in more time for the QB to get Johnson the ball. More importantly, though, a short route threat draws defenders eyes and attentions inwards opening up seams for the star of the show.

In 2008, Johnson had the fifth most yards in the league and was tied for first in TD's. You can expect him to be at the top of these categories again in 2009.

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