2012 Fantasy Football Week 6: Wide Receivers (WR) Rankings / Projections

How much faith should we have in Dwayne Bowe if Matt Cassel is out for a stretch (via Adam Teicher of the Kansas City Star), and Brady Quinn is starting?

History tells us, not much. Bowe struggled to find the end zone with Cassel down last year. Quinn has yet to show much in his career, and likely never will.

Not that the Chiefs had much of a vertical attack with Cassel starting, but with Quinn, we should anticipate a dink and dunk offense.

Bowe should continue to give you around 50 to 80 yards a game while Cassel is out. Because of the situation, he’s nothing more than a WR3 with Quinn throwing the football.

What Did We Learn From Week 5?

- James Jones continues to find the end zone and as long as Greg Jennings is out, we should consider him a weekly WR3 with upside.

- While Aaron Hernandez should be back soon, Wes Welker will be an active receiver in this offense going forward. What looked like a possible bust season to begin the year, now looks like business as usually for the Patriots' top possession receiver.

- After all the talk about Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas this offseason, we can officially label Thomas as the top fantasy option. Thomas may have some fumbling issues to clean up, but he’s already a WR1 option. He’s still learning the trade of playing wide receiver and working with Peyton Manning. He has top five upside, not just this season, but for as long as Manning is around.

- Domenik Hixon continued to play well filling in for Hakeem Nicks. Trouble for Hixon’s fantasy prospects last week was Victor Cruz hauling in all three of Eli Manning’s touchdowns and the running game ripping through the Browns defense.

Playing against the 49ers this week, the Giants will have to take to the air to win. Based on the 49ers play in recent weeks, we shouldn’t like Hixon’s odds of success, but he’s still a worthy WR3 option.

Sean’s Week 6 Watch List

- I’ve been telling fantasy owners to bench Jeremy Maclin in recent weeks. Not a hard sell since Maclin has struggled through most of the season. But if he doesn’t get it done against the Lions this week, we shouldn’t entertain the thought of starting him for awhile.

If you need to put him in the lineup because of bye weeks, he’s a good upside play against a floundering secondary. You have to think he will step up, but he’s mystified me before with poor production in good matchups.

- Stevie Johnson has struggled in recent weeks, but expect him to get back on track against the Cardinals. Arizona has struggled against the pass, so Johnson should be good for at least six receptions and a score.

- Sidney Rice has struggled to do much for fantasy owners. With that said, even Rice should have WR3 value against the Patriots defense this week.

1	Roddy White	Raiders
2	Julio Jones	Raiders
3	Calvin Johnson	@ Eagles
4	Larry Fitzgerald	Bills
5	DeSean Jackson	Lions
6	Andre Johnson	Packers
7	Demaryius Thomas	@ Chargers
8	A.J. Green	@ Browns
9	Percy Harvin	@ Redskins
10	Mike Wallace	@ Titans
11	Vincent Jackson	Chiefs
12	Victor Cruz	@ 49ers
13	Antonio Brown	@ Titans
14	Reggie Wayne	@ Jets
15	Jordy Nelson	@ Texans
16	Wes Welker	@ Seahawks
17	Eric Decker	@ Chargers
18	Stevie Johnson	@ Cardinals
19	Torrey Smith	Cowboys
20	Miles Austin	@ Ravens
21	Brandon Lloyd	@ Seahawks
22	Malcom Floyd	Broncos
23	James Jones	@ Texans
24	Dez Bryant	@ Ravens
25	Dwayne Bowe	@ Bucs
26	Denarius Moore	@ Falcons
27	Mike Williams	Chiefs
28	Pierre Garcon	Vikings
29	Jeremy Maclin	Lions
30	Brian Hartline	Rams
31	Andre Roberts	Bills
32	Anquan Boldin	Cowboys
33	Sidney Rice	Patriots
34	Michael Crabtree	Giants
35	Domenik Hixon	@ 49ers
36	Davone Bess	Rams
37	Donnie Avery	@ Jets
38	Randall Cobb	@ Texans
39	Nate Washington	Steelers

Week 6 Standard Rankings – QB | RB |  TE | K | D |