Fantasy Football Week 1: Ranking the Top-10 Fantasy Receivers This Week

Is there a more fickle position in fantasy football than wide receiver?

The answer is yes, because kickers exist. But they don't count, leaving wide receivers as generally the hardest position to forecast. 

Will they be a major part of the game plan and see double-digit targets? Will the opposing defense make it a point to roll coverage to their side? Will they manage to catch that one bomb for a touchdown that by itself puts them in double-digit points? Will they suddenly be afflicted with the dropsies?

It's always hard to say. But for you, my dear readers, I have tried to cut through the haze of wide receiver projections to provide 10 players who I believe will have an excellent 2012 debut this week. From the usual suspects to those who will take advantage of a nice matchup, these are my 10 favorite receivers for Week 1.

10. Vincent Jackson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

I was pretty torn on who I wanted to rank 10th (Hakeem Nicks? Miles Austin? Jordy Nelson? Roddy White?), but I ultimately settled on Jackson.

Though he doesn't have the best matchup against the Carolina Panthers, he's been impressive in training camp, and I have a feeling the Bucs will take a few shots down the field to him to keep the Panthers defense honest against the run game.

Call it a gut feeling, but I think Jackson will have a very nice debut for the Bucs.

9. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals

Yes, I remain worried that John Skelton is throwing him passes. And the Seattle Seahawks have a good defense. Still, Fitzgerald had 27.3 fantasy points total in the two games he played against Seattle a year ago. Anything less than a double-digit performance would be surprising.

8. DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles

I know, I know, the Cleveland Browns were excellent against the pass last season and Jackson was a lackluster performer for owners in 2011. But there remains the possibility that Joe Haden will be suspended for this game, and if he is, the Eagles should have a lot of success throwing the ball. 

It only takes one Michael Vick bomb to Jackson for the speedy wide receiver to have a big week for fantasy owners. And with Jackson happy now that he's signed his contract extension, expect his effort to improve as well. Expect a big week for D-Jax.

7. Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons

Though it looks like Brandon Flowers will play, he'll likely be matched up against Roddy White on Sunday. Jones is a popular pick to have a breakout season, and I expect he'll have a big game to open the season against the Kansas City Chiefs.

6. Greg Jennings, Green Bay Packers

The San Francisco 49ers were unbelievable against the run last year, but ranked 15th in fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers. Somebody on this Green Bay team is going to have a very nice week other than Aaron Rodgers. My bet is on his favorite target, Jennings.

5. Andre Johnson, Houston Texans

The Miami Dolphins gave up an average of 23.4 fantasy points per game to wide receivers last season, and they traded away Vontae Davis in the offseason. In other words, the pickings will be really good for Johnson on Sunday.

4. Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys

Jason Witten shouldn't play, and even if he does, he will be limited. Miles Austin will play but has had hamstring issues this summer. And the New York Giants secondary just isn't that good.

That leaves Bryant as Tony Romo's go-to guy. In a game I expect to be a shootout, Bryant is in line to have a big night, just like the guy next on this list.

3. Victor Cruz, New York Giants

Improved secondary or not, the Dallas Cowboys are going to struggle against Cruz. His ability to work out of the slot makes him dangerous against any opponent, and you know the Giants and Eli Manning (who kills the Cowboys) will be throwing the ball around in this one.

For Cruz, it just takes one broken tackle and—BOOM!—he's streaking down the field for a touchdown. I don't expect Cruz to be a one-year bust, and he'll prove that in a big way on Wednesday night.

2. Brandon Marshall, Chicago Bears

Unless the Bears simply run the ball down the throats of the Indianapolis Colts, Marshall should have a huge Week 1 against one of the weaker defenses in the NFL. He generally racks up catches and yards, and a red zone score or two isn't out of the question either.

Jay Cutler and Marshall make magic together. The Colts will find that out the hard way on Sunday.

1. Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions

I don't care if the opposing team has Goliath roaming the field as a free safety. Until Johnson proves otherwise, he is not only a must-start each week, but he'll be atop these rankings as well.

Yes, Cortland Finnegan may annoy him at times on the field, but he won't stop him. Expect Megatron to tear apart the St. Louis Rams.

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