Again, this will shock some people, my rankings always do, but then again, they’re also the reason I take home first place every year haha.
- Terrell Owens, Cowboys – Owens is first on my list because of the coverages and down year I predict Randy Moss to face and have. The Cowboys still have the most overall talent and balance on offense and, with all the weapons, Owens should still put up huge numbers. Together, Witten and Owens are one of the scariest receiving tandems to try and defend, not to mention their two-headed monster at RB, and Romo’s ability to throw multiple TD passes a game. The opposing defenses having to worry about the run and Jason Witten, Owens will have plenty of opportunity to rack up catches, yards and touchdowns all season.
- Braylon Edwards, Browns – If last year was any indication of what the Browns’ offense is capable of, add WR Donte Stallworth to the mix and there should certainly be no drop off. With a solid running game, TE Kellen Winslow and WR’s Stallworth and Jurevicius on the other side, Edwards should have a great year. QB Derek Anderson showed that he has arrived and can put up fantasy numbers that rank him among the QB leaders. Edwards is also just a beast, period.
- Randy Moss, Patriots – Moss will see plenty of bump-and-run coverage with a safety over the top this year. Not to say he didn’t face that last year, because he did, but I think defenses figured out how to perfect covering Moss in the playoffs, and I expect that to continue. However, regardless of the possible drop in catches and yards that I predict for him this season, he still should have a ton of touchdowns. He will always be able to go up and grab that jump ball in the end-zone, no matter how many people will be covering him. I expect his numbers between the 20 yard lines to drop off, but his TD’s to still be there.
- Reggie Wayne, Colts – With Harrison coming off his injury, and his age, Wayne might actually become the number one threat that opposing defenses try to stop this season. They might double him, and see if Marvin has anything left in the tank to beat them on the other side. However, that doesn’t scare me enough from drafting Wayne. I expect Harrison to be back, a good balance on offense with Addai and Rhodes, TE Dallas Clark to be huge again, and, well, Peyton Manning is still his quarterback.
- Wes Welker, Patriots – I’ve ranked Welker ahead of Andre Johnson, Steve Smith, Larry Fitzgerald and others because I feel as though Welker is the safest bet out of that bunch to put up similar numbers as last year. I have to rank Moss ahead of Welker because of the possibility that he could put up numbers like last year, but, I actually think Welker will have better stats at the end of the year. You’ve got to take Moss first because of the potential he has, but don’t sleep on Welker. I think he will be the hardest for defenses to try and take away. There just doesn’t seem to be any CB or LB in this league that is shifty enough to stay with Welker in tight spaces. I expect many catches, reasonable yardage, and many touchdowns from Welker this year. As a defense, you’ve got to take away Moss first, which leaves… Wes Welker.
Best of the rest :
· Andre Johnson, Texans
· Steve Smith, Panthers
· Calvin Johnson, Lions
· Brandon Marshall, Broncos
· Marvin Harrison, Colts
Sleepers:
- Vincent Jackson, Chargers – Jackson really stepped his game up in the playoffs, showing that he could be a number one receiver capable of putting up big numbers. Hopefully he’ll be able to carry those numbers into this season, and not repeat the numbers of last.
- Sidney Rice, Vikings – Although the Vikings don’t have a defined QB, I think Rice will be a touchdown machine. He really came on towards the end of last year, and with Peterson taking up the attention of opposing defenses, Rice could get a lot of deep balls and red-zone touchdowns.
- James Hardy, Bills – Hardy is the missing red-zone threat the Bills offense lacked last year. All he has to do is jump, and I expect the Bills to use him in that area at the least this year. He could put up pretty good touchdown numbers.
- Drew Bennett, Rams – Bennett put up huge numbers in Tennessee, and now that Isaac Bruce has moved on, Bennett will be able to get the reps. Rookie WR Donnie Avery should play the slot, and if Bennett can put up numbers similar to a few years ago, I think he will be a steal.
Misconceptions/Warnings:
- Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals – Larry puts up consistent numbers each year, but I’ve never trusted his attitude. Now that he has his big contract, combined with the mini QB controversy there, I wouldn’t be surprised to see his numbers dip this season. Larry scares me.
- Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs – Bowe was an outstanding rookie last year for the Chiefs. The problem for me is, Gonzalez is a year older, they still don’t have a QB, the Larry Johnson is suspect, a young offensive line, and Bowe is still the only receiver worth mentioning that they have. I don’t expect him to put up the same numbers as last year.
By: Alex Boylhart
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about 1 month ago
Are you on crack, Randy moss is better than T.O. and Braylon Edwards.
from about 1 month ago
Yes.
from about 1 month ago
It's not so much who the best player is, it's who has to best weapons overall as a team.
Cowboys have TE Jason Witten, and a solid running game.
Browns have TE Kellen Winslow, WR Donte Stallworth with a solid running game in Lewis. So that should open up more opportunites for Edwards.
Pats, have Welker but he only runs short routes so he wont open up the field for moss, I personally like Ben watson though. But he isn't as good as winslow or witten. I like Maroney too but he's never rushed for over 1,000 yards.
THis is fantasy football not who the best reciever is because I agree Moss is better than TO and Edwards. But at least when TO isn't happy he plays harder and puts up even better stats (example, philly) but when moss is unhappy he just gives up and doesn't try anymore. (Radiers)
about 1 month ago
Nice list, but how can you put Calvin Johnson ahead of his own teamate Roy Williams.
about 1 month ago
I love your list! But Randy Moss on the #3Spot? Thanks!
from about 1 month ago
Sorry, I forgot that it was just a "FANTASY" ranking..Still I love it1
from about 1 month ago
Thank you Erica!
about 1 month ago
That's really high for Welker, but I agree that he should see more throws his direction with better coverage on Moss this year. Not sure that I would put him in the top 5 for stats though. Edwards/T.O. are my picks to top the rankings.
It's just the way it goes with fantasy football, but Steve Smith really isn't getting a lot of respect this year. I have to think Steve Smith will resurge this year now that Delhomme is under center again, and he can be a TD machine if someone can get him the ball -- ahem, not David Carr.
You're right to doubt Fitzgerald. He could be dangerous this year. He's going high, but if Leinart gets the starting job, I think he could much fewer passes coming his way. Arizona might utilize the running game more.
I'm keeping my eye on Bowe/Sidney Rice, but I haven't seen them fall to where I feel like they are a value in fantasy drafts just yet. Rice is definitely a sleeper who could have a good season or could be lost in a lacking Minnesota passing game. I'd only consider him late in the draft. Bowe is a rookie without a sure thing at QB. He could repeat or stagnate this year. I'd add Calvin Johnson to that list too. He hasn't shown a great deal just yet, and the Lions are going to rebuilding this year and next year. All of them worry me too much to consider drafting them unless they are a steal at the draft spot.
about 1 month ago
You say the cowboys have the most talent on offense, but then you put two Pats in the top five. You say stay away from Larry Fitzgerald because he puts up consistent numbers ever year, but really he was hurt two years ago and the year before and after he put up huge numbers...Calvin Johnson and Marvin Harrison round out your top ten??? Really?
from about 1 month ago
The Cowboys DO have more talent on offense, the Pats have more talent at WR. This isn't an "offense" ranking, its a "WR" ranking, and since the Pats have more talented WRs, there are more in there than Dallas. Its kinda simple logic if you ask me. As far as Calvin Johnson and Marvin Harrison, this is a prediction for the upcoming year, you need to stop living in the past years and start looking forward. Sure, last year that would be absolutely ridiculous, but that was last year. This how I think the stats will look for players at the end of the year.
from about 1 month ago
Thanks for clearing that up for me. I thought this was a recap of what happened last year.
about 1 month ago
I think the addition of James Hardy to the Bills will make Lee Evans even more valuable. He has the ability to put up big time numbers, and with another competent receiver he should be able to get open a lot more this year.
from about 1 month ago
I agree. The only thing I'm nervous with about Evans will be his touchdowns. Most of Evans' touchdowns in years past came off deep throws, and with teams around the league taking him away deep, his lack of height and size makes him ineffective in the red-zone. Now that they have their big target in Hardy, combined with the tough running of Lynch, I don't think Evans will get many throws his way in the red-zone.
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