Fantasy Football: A Plan For Drafting Wide Receivers In 2009

Hey guys, hope you're all having a fine day as I am.  In my most recent articles, I have highlighted a quarterback plan and also an overall plan for drafting successfully.  Here, I will highlight a plan for drafting wide receivers.

Although they are gaining popularity, wide receivers still remain relatively overlooked in favor of their more nitty-gritty counterparts, (running backs), and flashy commanders, (quarterbacks).

Now, (I believe), more than ever, is the year that wide receivers have reached an even level of importance with running backs. 

With the number of injuries, and perhaps more notably- time-shares, that running backs are encountering, the value of the position has taken a turn for the worse. Out to balance out the scales are the wide receivers.

Let's look at some stats.

First five running backs selected in fantasy drafts in 2008:

1.  LaDanian Tomlinson—finished as the No. 6 RB

2.  Adrian Peterson—finished as the No. 3 RB

3.  Brian Westbrook—finished as the No. 8 RB

4.  Joseph Addai—finished as the No. 36 RB

5.  Steven Jackson—finished as the No. 13 RB

Not much consistency I see. Only one running back selected in the top five actually remained in the top five come season's end.

Now, let's look at the first five wide receivers selected in fantasy drafts in 2008:

1.  Randy Moss—finished as the No. 10 WR

2.  Terrell Owens—finished as the No. 9 WR

3.  Reggie Wayne—finished as the No. 13 WR

4.  Braylon Edwards—finished as the No. 33 WR

5.  Larry Fitzgerald—finished as the No. 1 WR

Just as inconsistent. Again, only one of the players drafted as a top five receiver actually remained in the top five when the season was over.

However, let's look a little further than what the initial numbers indicate. 

The bottom dwellers of each group, Edwards and Addai, ranked the No. 33 WR and No. 36 RB, put up 102 and 107 fantasy points respectively, thus indicating that wide receivers and running backs of the same ranking score about the same points give or take a dozen or so. 

This eliminates the notion that top running backs are more valuable than top wide receivers and should be looked upon as equal.

In my draft strategy I looked at some potential scenarios where drafting two wide receivers within the first three rounds would be a good idea. This should re-enforce that plan.

Wide Receivers who I have my eye on for the upcoming year include: Santonio Holmes, DeSean Jackson, Roy Williams, Ochocinco, Anthony Gonzalez, Dominique Hixon, and Laverneus Coles. 

All of these players could potentially be had after the fourth round, and each of them is capable of putting together a season worthy of a No. 2 WR.

I'm Taylor Rummel, (The Fantasy Football Wonder), and that's been Fantasy Football:  A Plan For Drafting Wide Receivers In 2009.