Fantasy Football Rankings 2012: Projecting Top Playmaking Wide Receivers

Fantasy football isn't far off now, and the 2012 NFL season is going to feature a ton of game-breaking wide receivers to choose from.

I'm going to rank the top receivers you need to focus on when you put your team together at the beginning of the season.

These men are adept at going 80 yards in a flash, and they will headline the list of playmaking receivers for next year.

1. Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions

Megatron won the cover of Madden '13, but that won't stop him from having a monster year for the Lions. Matthew Stafford is starting to come into his own as an elite quarterback in the NFL, and last year's numbers will pale in comparison to the numbers this duo will drop on the rest of the league.

There isn't a cornerback who can cover Johnson one-on-one, and his speed, strength and size make him tough to stop even with two or three defenders.

Helping his cause is the emergence of Titus Young as a legitimate deep threat on the other side of the field.

Look for Johnson to threaten 2,000 yards this upcoming season, and there's an excellent chance he'll outdo his 2011 performance in the touchdown department.

2. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals helped Fitzgerald's cause a ton by drafting Michael Floyd in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft. 

Last year, Fitzgerald managed to be a productive fantasy player, despite the fact that teams constantly double- and triple-teamed him. He had no help whatsoever.

This year will be different. Floyd's size and speed make him a threat to take it to the house every time he catches the ball, and teams will be forced to cover both sides of the field equally, leading to a major uptick in production for Fitzgerald.

I expect him to get back to at least 1,500 yards and 10 touchdowns.

3. Jordy Nelson, Green Bay Packers

As Donald Driver's abilities have receded, Nelson has ascended up the depth chart in Green Bay until last year he burst forth with an impressive season whereupon he scored 15 touchdowns through the air.

Last year was his breakout year, having never caught more than two touchdowns previously in one season. Aaron Rodgers has started developing some insane chemistry with Nelson, and they are just getting started.

I expect Nelson to become even more involved in the passing game in 2012. Last year he caught 68 receptions, and I expect that number to rise closer to the 100-mark this year.

He will have a monster year for the Packers and become one of the top fantasy receivers in the NFL.

4. Victor Cruz, New York Giants

Cruz came on strong last year and broke the team's receiving record with 1,536 yards—breaking Amani Toomer's old mark by 193 yards (h/t pro-football-reference.com). He also caught nine touchdown passes.

Mario Manningham is gone now to the San Francisco 49ers, leaving more work for Cruz and Hakeem Nicks. The team did add Rueben Randle in the second round of the draft, but he won't be ready for much prime-time action right away.

Cruz is going to catch well over 100 balls this year for over 1,700 yards and 12-plus touchdowns. He will be unstoppable due to his insane quickness, and Eli Manning will definitely be looking his way down in the red zone.

5. Brandon Marshall, Chicago Bears

Marshall is going to explode with a huge year for the Bears. 

The last time he and Jay Cutler played together he went off for 104 catches and over 1,250 yards. He isn't the only threat in their passing game, too, which actually helps his cause rather than hurt it. 

Devin Hester is so fast that when he's in the game teams have to cover him with a safety over the top, essentially double-teaming him. The Bears also drafted Alshon Jeffery, a young receiver with tons of potential.

The Bears offense in general is going to be tough to stop next year, and Marshall is going to be a huge part of that.

I project him to catch over 100 passes for 1,400 yards and eight touchdowns.

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