NFL: Daily Fantasy Football 2015: Projecting Top DraftKings Performers at WR

It is never too early to start preparing for your DraftKings football contest and one way to analyze your team is by looking at the top performers at the wide receiver position. This is where you could win or lose your contest.

Each year, fantasy experts predict their top fantasy football players for the season. Although most of the players on the list look like guaranteed studs for your team, usually some of them do not pan out. Yahoo's 2014 preseason rankings and the actual stats from the ESPN fantasy leaders shows that only half of the predicted top 10 lived up to expectations. Injuries had a lot to do with their poor performance.

2014 Predictions vs. 2014 Actual Stats
Player	2014 Rank	2014 Finish
Calvin Johnson	1	14
Demaryius Thomas	2	2
Dez Bryant	3	4
A.J. Green	4	21
Brandon Marshall	5	30
Julio Jones	6	7
Antonio Brown	7	1
Jordy Nelson	8	3
Alshon Jeffery	9	12
Keenan Allen	10	48

There are always players who will come out of nowhere and become elite wide receivers. Last year, Odell Beckham Jr., Emmanuel Sanders and T.Y. Hilton lit up the score sheet. The key to daily fantasy sports is to find these hidden gems and pair them with the top performers at the wide receiver position. 

This season there are 10 wide receivers who stand out above the others. It is impossible to predict injuries, so as long as these players stay healthy they should be a fixture in you daily fantasy sports lineup.

Here are my top 10 wide receivers for the DraftKings contest in 2015. 

1. Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers (No Price Reported)

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Upside

Antonio Brown was the king of the wide receiver position last year and that should not change in 2015. He proved that you do not have to be 6’3” to be an elite wide receiver in the NFL. Brown is one of the quickest wide receivers in the game and a matchup nightmare for defensive coaches.

Brown can do it all. He is almost a lock to lead the league in receptions and score double-digit touchdowns. Brown will even return punts when Pittsburgh is in a close game. He has returned a punt for a touchdown in the past two seasons. This is a stat often overlooked in the DraftKings contest.

Downside

It is hard to find a downside with Brown in 2015, but if we need to nitpick the schedule could be a problem. According to CBSSports.com, the Steelers play the most difficult schedule in the NFL. They will play nine games against teams that made the playoffs in 2014.

Defenses will try to take Brown out of the game by double-teaming him for most of the game. That strategy did not stop Brown last season and I doubt it will in 2015.

Bottom Line

Everything is lining up for Brown to be the most dominant wide receiver in the NFL. The suspension of Le’Veon Bell for the first two weeks should make Brown the focal point of the Steelers game plan. Brown saw the second-most targets (181) in the NFL last season and he will probably see the most in 2015. Brown will be the best wide receiver in the DraftKings contest this season.

2014 DraftKings Points Per Game: 25.2

2015 DraftKings Prediction: 24.2

2. Demaryius Thomas, Denver Broncos ($9,100)

Stephan Savoia/Associated Press

Upside

Demaryius Thomas has finished the last three seasons as a top-five fantasy wide receiver. As long as Peyton Manning is his quarterback, Thomas should remain one of the elite pass-catchers in the game.

What separates Thomas from the other wide receivers is his ability to make plays in the red zone. Thomas has caught 35 touchdowns in the three seasons with Manning as his quarterback. With Julius Thomas and Wes Welker gone, Thomas should catch even more passes and score more touchdowns in 2015.

Downside

Two things that could slow down Thomas this year is the new coaching staff and the aging quarterback. Gary Kubiak commented at the scouting combine that he plans to run the ball more this season. Manning is also nowhere near his prime and a decline has to take place in the near future.

I doubt they will run the ball enough to eliminate Thomas from the offense and as long as Manning remains healthy, Thomas will be an elite wide receiver.

Bottom Line

Fantasy players know what they are getting when they select Thomas for their DraftKings contest. He is one of the most reliable receivers in the game. He consistently racks up catches (most targets in the NFL in 2014 with 184), yards and touchdowns. Thomas is my pick to lead the NFL in scores this season.

2014 DraftKings Points Per Game: 22.8

2015 DraftKings Prediction: 22.6

3. Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons ($9,300)

Marc Serota/Associated Press

Upside

Julio Jones could easily be the top wide receiver in fantasy football this season. Last year, Jones set career highs in targets (163), receptions (104) and yards (1,593). He played in 15 games and hobbled through oblique and hip injuries.

Jones should improve upon his career numbers with Mike Shanahan as the new offensive coordinator in Atlanta. Shanahan loves to feature the “X” receiver in his offense, the position that Jones will be playing in 2015.

Downside

The only downside to Jones is injuries. His rookie season in 2012 was the only year Jones was able to play a complete 16-game schedule. He has missed 12 games the past two seasons. If he can stay healthy in 2015 he could be the No. 1 wide receiver in the DraftKings contest.

Bottom Line

The 2015 season is looking like it could be a great one for Jones. He enters as healthy as he has been in two years. Jones will also be the focus of Atlanta’s passing game under Shanahan. He will be one of the best selections for the DraftKings contest no matter who the opponent is.

2014 DraftKings Points Per Game: 21.3

2015 DraftKings Prediction: 22.1

4. Odell Beckham Jr., NY Giants ($9,200)

Charlie Riedel/Associated Press

Upside

There has been a lot of talk this offseason about Odell Beckham Jr. as the No. 1 wide receiver in fantasy football. He is very good, but I am not ready to put him at the top of the list.

At this time last season Beckham was not even on most fantasy players' radars. When he got the chance to play he took full advantage of it. Beckham was one of the most reliable receivers in the game. He finished the last 10 games of the season with at least one touchdown and 90 yards. That is the king of consistency needed in daily fantasy sports.

Downside

Beckham enters the 2015 nursing a hamstring injury. Although he said it is no big deal, a hamstring injury could linger into the season.

The return of Victor Cruz and the addition of Shane Vereen could cut into the 130 targets Beckham saw last year. The two players could take the focus off of Beckham, but he should be the focus of most opposing defensive coordinators. It will be interesting to see how Beckham fares in the NFL after teams have an offseason to prepare for him.

Bottom Line

Beckham is one of the best young wide receivers in the NFL. He has the speed and shiftiness to consistently get open. He will be a great play in daily fantasy sports leagues each week because of the consistency he provides. Beckham will be a wide receiver you can build your contest around each week.

2014 DraftKings Points Per Game: 26.4

2015 DraftKings Prediction: 20.9

5. Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys ($8,700)

Mark Tenally/Associated Press

Upside

Dez Bryant in one of the elite wide receivers fantasy teams can rely on in 2015. He has three consecutive seasons with 88 receptions, 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns. Last year he led the NFL with 16 touchdowns. Bryant is a beast in the red zone and Tony Romo will throw it up to him no matter how many defenders are covering him.

Downside

Bryant could be No. 1 on this list if he had the ball thrown his way more. He has averaged 90.5 receptions the last two seasons. Antonio Brown (119.5 receptions) and Demaryius Thomas (101.5 receptions) cancel out Bryant’s touchdowns because DraftKings awards one point per reception.

Bottom Line

Bryant has the ability to be the best option at wide receiver for your DraftKings contest in 2015. Last season he had six receptions for 158 yards and two touchdowns again Jacksonville and six receptions for 114 yards and three touchdowns against Philadelphia. He should have more games like this in 2015 with the departure of DeMarco Murray and the team having to throw the ball more.

2014 DraftKings Points Per Game: 19.0

2015 DraftKings Prediction: 20.8

6. Jordy Nelson, Green Bay Packers ($8,400)

Brian Blanco/Associated Press

Upside

Jordy Nelson is one of the best wide receivers in the game, not only because he is the No. 1 target in the best offense in the NFL, but because he has all of the attributes that an elite pass-catcher should have. Nelson has great hands and the quickness to take a 10-yard curl rout 50 yards for a touchdown.

Nelson was the third-highest scoring wide receiver in fantasy football in 2014. He had career highs in receptions (98) and 100-yard games (seven). The Packers offense is not going to slow down any time soon, so expect the same results from Nelson in 2015.

Downside

The big red flag with Nelson is his offseason hip surgery. He insists it was a minor surgery, but is hip surgery to a player at the wide receiver position ever minor? If all systems are a go in the preseason, Nelson will be an elite pick for the DraftKings contest.

Bottom Line

The numbers were so good for Nelson last season (98 receptions, 1,519 yards and 13 touchdowns) that even if he does see a slight decline in 2015 he will still be a top-10 fantasy wide receiver. Green Bay will battle Indianapolis this year for the top scoring offense in the NFL. Nelson should have many Lambeau Leaps this year.

2014 DraftKings Points Per Game: 20.3

2015 DraftKings Prediction: 19.9

7. Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions ($8,500)

Matt Ludtke/Associated Press

Upside

Oh how the mighty have fallen. Calvin Johnson was the consensus No. 1 fantasy wide receiver last season after two dynamic seasons in the Lions offense. Now Megatron is not even talked about in the top five by most fantasy experts.

Johnson battled ankle injuries for most of the season. Instead of letting him fully recover, the Lions decided to use him as a decoy for multiple weeks. He is healthy now and should put up Megatron-like numbers in 2015. Johnson averaged 103 receptions, 1,728 yards and 8.5 touchdowns in 2012 and 2013. He will be the No. 1 wide receiver in football if he can get anywhere near these numbers.

Downside

Johnson needs to stay healthy in order to be affective. Last year was painful to see him used as a decoy. Johnson enters the 2015 season a year older (30 in September) but as healthy as he has been for awhile. The question is if he has lost a step. Even if his age has slowed him down he will be good enough to put up elite fantasy wide receiver numbers.

Bottom Line

Daily fantasy sports players should like Johnson this year because he is “Calvin Johnson.” It was not long ago that he was considered to be one of the top overall picks in fantasy football. He is still a freak and can make plays anywhere on the field. Detroit’s offense should be better this season and Johnson will see many targets.

2014 DraftKings Points Per Game: 18.2

2015 DraftKings Prediction: 18.4

8. A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals ($7,800)

David Richard/Associated Press

Upside

A.J. Green gets overlooked more often in daily fantasy sports than the other wide receivers on this list. Is it because he plays in Cincinnati or maybe because he is not a diva like the other players? That fact is that when Green is healthy he is one of the best pass-catchers in the game.

Last year was a down year for Green because he missed four games due to injury. He was still able to haul in 69 receptions for 1,041 yards and six touchdowns. Green is working on a new contract in Cincinnati so he will have all the motivation to put up big numbers in 2015.

Downside

If injuries were not a concern, Green would be higher on this list. He will also have more completion for passes from Andy Dalton this season. Marvin Jones (foot) and Tyler Eifert (elbow) both return from injuries. These two players are good playmakers as well and will most likely catch many passes in the Bengals offense.

Bottom Line

Green enters training camp healthy and poised for one of the best seasons of his career. The injury last year hurt his stats but it also dropped his price in the DraftKings contest. Fantasy players should take advantage of this before his price soars over the $8,000 range.

2014 DraftKings Points Per Game: 17.1

2015 DraftKings Prediction: 19.5

9. Alshon Jeffery, Chicago Bears ($8,300)

Jim Mone/Associated Press

Upside

Alshon Jeffery put up back-to-back solid seasons in the Bears offense. All of the signs point to him having his best season in 2015. Jeffery will be the focus of the Chicago passing game now that Brandon Marshall is out of town. He averaged 87 receptions, 1,277 yards and 8.5 touchdowns the last two seasons. I expect those numbers to increase as he becomes the No. 1 choice for Jay Cutler.

Downside

Marc Trestman is out and John Fox is in as coach of the Bears. This could mean more of a focus on the running game as they try to hide their erratic quarterback, Cutler. Jeffery also needs to stay healthy in 2015. Although he played in all 16 games the last two seasons, he was still banged up with a slight hamstring problem.

Bottom Line

Jeffery should post career-best numbers this season. He will play the same position in new offensive coordinator Adam Gase’s offense that Demaryius Thomas filled for the Broncos. Jeffery will be a great play in the DraftKings contest this year because he will be asked to carry the Bears offense.

2014 DraftKings Points Per Game: 16.9

2015 DraftKings Prediction: 18.4

10. Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers ($8,000)

Elaine Thompson/Associated Press

Upside

Many players were considered for the last spot on this list, but Cobb got the nod because he is a dynamic wide receiver playing on one of the best offenses in football. Although Cobb often plays second fiddle to Jordy Nelson, there are enough passes in the Green Bay offense to keep everyone happy.

Cobb played all 16 games for the first time last year and posted career highs in receptions (91), yards (1,287) and touchdowns (12). As long as the Packers fail to find a quality tight end, Cobb will remain the security blanket for Aaron Rodgers.

Downside

Cobb missed 11 games in his first two seasons in the NFL. It was great to see him play in all 16 games last year, but he will need another healthy season before the label “injury risk” is removed. Second-year wide receiver Davante Adams could take away some of Cobb’s receptions. This should not be a big concern because the Packers always find a way to get Cobb the ball even if it is through the running game.

Bottom Line

Cobb is more than a gadget receiver. He is an elite wide receiver who can do it all. He returns kicks, rushes the ball out of the backfield and lines up all over the field. It will be tough for Cobb to score 12 touchdowns again this year, but he will continue to flourish in the Packers offense.

2014 DraftKings Points Per Game: 19.6

2015 DraftKings Prediction: 18.1

Advanced stats courtesy FantasyData.com and ESPN.com.

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If you need any further advice with your DraftKings Contest, look for me on Twitter @MrFantasyNASCAR.