2012 Fantasy Football Week 16: Wide Receivers (WR) Rankings, Projections

While many have made the case for Michael Crabtree as a first-round bust, it appears the fourth-year receiver is starting to come into his own.

Early signs in the offseason suggested this could be a breakout year for Crabtree, if for no other reason than he finally overcame his chronic foot issues.

For the first time, Crabtree actually played in a preseason game last August, and thankfully his foot ailments appear to be a thing of the past.

The best thing that ever happened for Crabtree was Alex Smith’s demotion in the middle of the season. It’s not that Crabtree and Smith weren’t having success together, but more that Colin Kaepernick has the physical tools to allow Crabtree to work the full route tree and have a legitimate opportunity to catch a pass on any route.

Over the past three weeks Crabtree is clearly Kaepernick’s favorite receiver, with 34 targets (no fewer than 11 targets in a game during that span) giving the 49ers' No. 1 receiver 23 receptions for 301 yards and two scores.

With Kaepernick under center, Crabtree will likely be valued as a low-end WR2 come draft day next year. He should be viewed as such through the final weeks of his season. Keep a close eye on the availability of Richard Sherman this week as he faces a possible suspension on Friday.

If Sherman is out, the Seahawks will have trouble slowing down Crabtree in this game as backup corners Walter Thurmond and Marcus Trufant are battling hamstring ailments.

What Did We Learn From Week 15?

If there is one thing we can say for sure in Buffalo, it’s that when Fred Jackson is out of the lineup it equals Steve Johnson in the end zone. A Week 1 injury held Jackson out until Week 4, and Johnson had a touchdown in all three games

Last week, Jackson was out of the lineup again and surprise, Johnson scored his sixth touchdown of the season. It’s a shame that Ryan Fitzpatrick is so limited as a passer because Johnson’s play and involvement in the offense suggest his numbers should be better than they are.

Look to Johnson as a low-end WR2 this week as the Bills will continue to lean on Johnson and C.J. Spiller with Jackson out of the lineup.

Hakeem Nicks continues to be hobbled by a knee injury. Who knows if Nicks' knee injury is a result form returning from his foot injury this summer too soon, but what we do know is Nicks clearly has an issue with nagging health problems over his four years in the NFL. Assuming Nicks plays this weekend, he will remain a WR3 play with upside.

Sean’s Week 16 Watch List

If you had Danario Alexander in your lineup, I feel your pain as the second-half breakout receiver was held without a catch against the Panthers. After such a promising six-game run, and coming off his best performance as a pro against the Steelers, it appeared as if Alexander was a shoo-in for WR1 production last week against a banged-up Panthers secondary.

That was not the case and now Alexander will face the Jets and Antonio Cromartie this weekend. If Malcom Floyd is headed to injured reserve, it could be another frustrating performance for Alexander this weekend. View him as a WR3 play with upside.

Same old song and dance for Steve Smith, as he’s only as good as the quarterback play he has to work with. Before Cam Newton came to town, Smith labored through some bad years. With Newton struggling through most of this season, Smith was a disappointing option for fantasy owners.

With Newton back to playing at a Pro Bowl level over the past four weeks, Smith has returned to producing as a steady WR2 play with upside. Playing against a shaky Raiders secondary, I like Smith as a top five option this week.

1	Calvin Johnson	Falcons
2	Andre Johnson	Vikings
3	Julio Jones	@ Lions
4	Steve Smith	Raiders
5	Victor Cruz	@ Ravens
6	Brandon Marshall	@ Cardinals
7	A.J. Green	@ Steelers
8	Vincent Jackson	Rams
9	Randall Cobb	Titans
10	Dez Bryant  (I)	Saints
11	Roddy White	@ Lions
12	Mike Wallace	Bengals
13	Demaryius Thomas	Browns
14	Michael Crabtree	@ Seahawks
15	Eric Decker	Browns
16	Wes Welker	@ Jaguars
17	Miles Austin	Saints
18	Steve Johnson	@ Dolphins
19	Brandon Lloyd	@ Jaguars
20	Marques Colston	@ Cowboys
21	Pierre Garcon	@ Eagles
22	Sidney Rice	49ers
23	Reggie Wayne	@ Chiefs
24	Cecil Shorts	Patriots
25	Torrey Smith	Giants
26	Danario Alexander	@ Jets
27	Antonio Brown	Bengals
28	Hakeem Nicks (I)	@ Ravens
29	T.Y. Hilton	@ Chiefs
30	Mike Williams	Rams
31	Jeremy Maclin	Redskins
32	Anquan Boldin	Giants
33	Lance Moore	@ Cowboys
34	Justin Blackmon	Patriots
35	Josh Gordon	@ Broncos
36	Danny Amendola	@ Buccaneers
37	James Jones	Titans
38	Brandon Gibson	@ Buccaneers
39	Jason Avant	Redskins
40	Kenny Britt	@ Packers
41	Rod Streater	@ Panthers
42	Greg Jennings	Titans
43	Denarius Moore	@ Panthers
44	Chris Givens	@ Buccaneers
45	Golden Tate	49ers

Week 16 Standard Rankings – QB | RB |  TE | K | D |