Fantasy Football: NFC Wide Receiver Preview

(Above: Can Roy Williams Step Up?)

One of the most difficult things to guess is a team's starting receiving line-up, especially this early in the season. Rookies can gain huge strides due to injuries or poor performances from veterans, while lackluster efforts from the corps can cause the front office to panic and sign someone off the street, or even try to pull a trade.

There are a lot of questions regarding Plaxico Burress, Matt Jones, Marvin Harrison, and now even Brandon Marshall.

With the AFC out of the way, here's a look at each NFC team's current receivers that could make an impact, both in your fantasy league, and in reality.

NFC East

New York Giants—Domenik Hixon, Steve Smith, Sinorice Moss, Hakeem Nicks, Ramses Barden, Mario Manningham

This is as clustered and confusing as it gets in the NFL.

With the departures of Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer, the Giants have four hold-overs (five if you really want to include David Tyree) from last season, and they also spent two early picks on a pair of potential-ridden receivers.

Both of their new receivers are fairly raw, but arguably are already upgrades over their predecessors.

In the interim, Hixon and Smith appear to be the starters, with Moss taking over duties in the slot. Smith is probably the best receiver suited for slot duties on the team, while Moss is a constant example of what a bust looks like.

In the long-term, it's going to be Nicks and Barden, but when they take over remains very much up in the air. It's safe to say that none of these guys should be drafted in your league before the 10th round.

Dallas Cowboys—Roy Williams, Patrick Crayton, Miles Austin

We know Williams has talent and can inconsistently dominate secondaries, but it's also clear that he hasn't quite put it all together, and if last year is any evidence, we should be prepared for the possibility that he never will.

Patrick Crayton, despite the hype from Dallas assistants, is no better than a slot option, and shouldn't be targeted as heavy as Miles Austin in fantasy drafts. Austin has electric, game-breaking abilities, and if he can develop quickly enough, could bypass Crayton permanently for the number two spot.

Realistically, though, Dallas will be a run-first team, with Jason Witten being the first receiving option, and the looks will then trickle down the line. Williams is probably the only receiver with true fantasy value.

Washington Redskins—Santana Moss, Antwaan Randle El, Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly

Much like Dallas, Washington figures to rely heavily on their running game, but it's not because they don't have receiving options.

Moss can be an elite receiver when healthy, and after producing another 1,000-yard season, could still be a solid WR2 in most leagues. Randle El is still a dynamic threat and sparingly drops in performances worthy of being regarded as a low WR3, but doesn't score much, and isn't very consistent.

The main thing holding them both back, along with the two second year receivers, is the slow development of quarterback Jason Campbell.

If Campbell can take that next step, the winner of the slot duel between Thomas and Kelly could have some decent value.

Philadelphia Eagles—Kevin Curtis, DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Jason Avant

Philly's offense has always been about throwing the ball to set up the run, and it's never been good for creating a great fantasy receiver. That is, outside of Terrell Owens' stint in the city of brotherly love.

I still like both Kevin Curtis and DeSean Jackson as solid WR3 receivers (Jackson a little more), with Maclin more than likely emerging over Jason Avant for slot duties.

Don't be shocked to see Curtis demoted to slot duties at tome point, while Maclin takes over at split end. It's not written in stone, but after 10 mock drafts, and seeing Curtis still on the board by round 12 in every one, something is clearly not right.

NFC North

Green Bay Packers—Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, Jordy Nelson, James Jones

Aaron Rodgers is only going to get more comfortable with the offense and with his receivers, so look for Jennings and Driver to continue their success, while Jennings most likely even improves on his.

Jordy Nelson is an intriguing option that we didn't get to see a ton of, due to a poor rush offense, and Rodgers settling on Jennings or Driver, usually executing on his early reads.

Nelson was utilized in the slot more than he should be last season, when he's actually more of a split end receiver. He'll be battling James Jones for the third spot for when Green Bay lines three wide, with the loser having no fantasy value.

Minnesota Vikings—Bernard Berrian, Sidney Rice, Percy Harvin

Congratulations, Minnesota, your receiving corps' stock just went up.

That is, if Brett Favre does indeed sign.

It's looking that way, and if it happens, Bernard Berrian's deep-threat abilities only get scarier. He averaged over 20 yards per catch last season, almost turning a meager 48 catches into 1,000 yards (964). With Favre around, Berrian could easily be a top-flight WR2 option.

Favre's presence is likely to affect everyone, and despite the popular opinion going the other way, it should all be positive.

Sidney Rice should rise from his sophomore slump, and could close in on 600 yards as the second receiver. Percy Harvin, who was already getting people excited on his own merit, could be even more dynamic in the slot and out of the backfield, due to his other teammate's stepping up.

Chicago Bears—Devin Hester, Earl Bennett, Juaquin Iglesias, Rashied Davis, Johnny Knox

Kyle Orton threw 18 touchdowns and almost 3,000 yards with the same options that Chicago has this year, minus the two rookies.

How do you think Jay Cutler will fare? Probably a lot better.

Cutler may not approach 4,500 yards in the Bears' usually conservative offense, but he'll definitely make his receivers better, and his presence will open things up for the entire offense.

Hester isn't a true number one receiver, and may never be one, but for now, he'll do. He projects as a low-end WR3 to start the season, and simply based on his speed and athleticism, could rise to a WR2 by mid-season.

I'm not high on Earl Bennett, and would like to see Juaqin Iglesias steal the number two job. He hasn't been doing well in camp, though, so if you can steal Bennett late in your draft, I suggest you do so.

Detroit Lions—Calvin Johnson, Bryant Johnson, Ronald Curry

Regardless of who ends up playing behind center, there doesn't look to be much value here outside of Calvin Johnson. Bryant Johnson is a solid veteran who is best suited for the slot, so if he's their number two, he probably won't deliver the production you're craving.

Ronald Curry is an interesting player in the slot, and it wouldn't be surprising for him and Bryant Johnson to switch places.

If you aim to win in your league, however, I wouldn't take anyone other than Calvin Johnson or Kevin Smith from this team.

NFC South

New Orleans Saints—Marques Colston, Lance Moore, Devery Henderson, Robert Meachem

Despite nagging injuries stopping his string of 1,000-yard seasons to start his career at two, Colston is still a WR1, and should be on your listed of "must-have's."

Drew Brees may not throw for over 5,000 yards again (then again, maybe he will), but he'll surely come close. That offense, Brees, and the talent surrounding him is too good for him to not perform well.

Lance Moore, no matter where he is listed, is very dangerous, and is an elite WR3. Devery Henderson is officially listed as the No. 2 above Moore, but he will see less looks, and has less value.

However, both he and Robert Meachem are worthy owning in deep leagues, because the Saints throw the ball a ton, and also spread the ball out extremely well.

Atlanta Falcons—Roddy White, Michael Jenkins, Harry Douglas

Matt Ryan will be handed the keys to the "real" Atlanta offense, as Mike Smith and co. will finally see what they really have in the former Boston College star. What we've seen out of Ryan has been great, but with the addition of Tony Gonzalez and a second year with this new offense jelling together, great things are in the stars.

Roddy White is an easy call as a top-end WR1, with Jenkins falling into a low-end WR3 label—and that's being kind. He had a good year last year, but Ryan figures to spread things out even more with Harry Douglas emerging, as well as with the addition of the future Hall of Famer, Gonzalez.

Carolina Panthers—Steve Smith, Muhsin Muhammad, Dwayne Jarrett

Smith is still a top 10 receiver-top five, depending on who you talk to—and is probably the only reason Jake Delhomme is still starting for Carolina.

Still, Delhomme is serviceable, and does a fantastic job of helping to keep Smith as an elite WR1 in fantasy football.

Muhsin Muhammad, while clearly aging and slowing down a bit, isn't a terrible WR3, as he has found a comfortable niche as the second option behind Smith.

Jarrett is almost unusable as Carolina's third receiver, though, both in fantasy and reality. Don't draft him.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers—Antonio Bryant, Michael Clayton, Sammie Stroughter

I don't know what's more depressing; that Michael Clayton is still struggling to find his way back to a 1,000-yard season, or the rookie (Stroughter) might stop him from doing it.

Antonio Bryant made it clear last year that he's a viable WR1, so long as he doesn't have T.J. Rubley throwing him the ball. Unfortunately, with Luke McCown, Byron Leftwich, and Josh Freeman battling for the starting duties, his worst fear may come to life.

If Michael Clayton can hold onto the second spot, an approaching of his rookie numbers isn't out of the question. However, the Buccaneers are bound to go slow with whoever is the quarterback, especially if it's Freeman, and will more than likely depend on Derrick Ward and the running game.

This fact realistically only leaves Antonio Bryant as a good fantasy option.

NFC West

Arizona Cardinals—Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, Steve Breaston, Jerheme Urban

As long as Kurt Warner stays healthy and the line protects him, all four of these receivers will be solid additions to any fantasy team.

Fitzgerald has the Madden Curse working against him, and if you're superstitious, draft Andre Johnson or Randy Moss instead.

Boldin is also a risk due to his contract/trade demands. Still, both guys are immensely talented, and are the key cogs that make one of the league's best offenses roll.

I don't see Breaston hitting 1,000 yards again, but both he and Urban could crack 600 yards.

San Francisco 49ers—Michael Crabtree, Josh Morgan, Isaac Bruce, Jason Hill

Considering the team doesn't even know who their quarterback is, it's probably asking a bit much to draft a receiver from a team without two clear-cut starters at the position.

Crabtree is likely a front-runner for the No. 1 spot, but even he hasn't been cemented into a role, yet.

If Bruce is healthy and playing, he could get back to the 800-1,000 yard range like last season. He can still run well, and the Niners need all the speed and play-making they can get.

Josh Morgan and Jason Hill will probably battle out for the "our role doesn't matter" award.

Seattle Seahawks—T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Nate Burleson, Deion Branch

Are Seattle's receiving problems finally over, or will Housh' just be another contractual failure, much like Burleson and Branch?

If you're going for good receiver talent that won't mess with your head, stay away from Seattle.

If you're going for a steal that could pay huge dividends, draft both Burleson and Branch.

Matt Hasselbeck is back and healthy, so we could see a return to his 2007 form. If not, it could be ugly again.

St. Louis Rams—Donnie Avery, Keenan Burton, Laurent Robinson

I'm high on Avery, but there is a dramatic drop-off as far as fantasy relevancy in St. Louis receivers after him.

Both Burton and Robinson have good speed and ball skills, but both are fairly raw, and still have Marc Bulger throwing to them.

Avery looks like a younger, more athletic Torry Holt, but even he needs to refine his route-running and work on his hands a bit.

This team still looks years away from turning this thing around, and it all starts at the quarterback position.