Fantasy Football: 5 Wide Receivers with Rising Stock

We can't overreact too much after Week 1 of the NFL season, but there were certainly some interesting occurrences that are worth a closer look.

Wide receiver is arguably the most consistent position in fantasy football, but that doesn't mean it isn't tricky to find two or three useful guys for you to start every week.

These five players' stocks are on the rise. If you have them, be prepared to sell high soon, or just ride them out to victories. They're also good trade targets for those of you looking for a potential bargain. 

Cordarrelle Patterson

L.G. Patterson/Associated Press

Oh man, what a week for Cordarrelle Patterson. Three catches for 26 yards on five targets isn't anything special, but he supplemented that with 102 rushing yards and a touchdown on three carries.

We all know what a special talent Patterson is, but there were some question marks about his potential production and consistency in Minnesota's offense.

But new offensive coordinator Norv Turner clearly showed that he is willing to be creative with his young star receiver, and that's great news for fantasy owners.

Michael Floyd

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The Arizona Cardinals are Larry Fitzgerald's team no more. Many people (including myself) had that inkling before the season, but it was very much confirmed in Week 1.

Fitzgerald had just one catch on four targets for 22 yards. Floyd, meanwhile, had seven targets, five catches, 119 yards and a touchdown.

I'm dead serious when I say that Floyd could end the season as a top-eight receiver in fantasy. He's the No. 1 guy in Arizona's offense now.

Andrew Hawkins

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For some reason, Hawkins had been flying way under the radar before the season. With Josh Gordon suspended, somebody had to catch those passes in Cleveland.

After a solid stint with the Bengals, Hawkins is emerging as the lead guy in Gordon's absence. He was targeted 10 times on Sunday, finishing with eight catches for 87 yards.

Those aren't insane numbers, but it's his potential volume that makes him seem like an ideal and consistent WR3 this season.

DeAndre Hopkins

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Hopkins really proved a lot this Sunday. Similar to Patterson, nobody was questioning Hopkins' talent, but the second-year receiver needed more opportunity.

While he still got only five targets in comparison to Andre Johnson's 10, he turned it into 89 yards and a touchdown, which should prove to coach Bill O'Brien that he deserves a higher workload.

The quarterback situation isn't ideal, but Hopkins' upside is still high. 

Hakeem Nicks

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Could this finally be the year for Nicks? After disappointing fantasy owners (and Giants fans) over and over again, Nicks is now paired with Andrew Luck in Indianapolis, and things certainly looked good in Week 1.

Luck seems to have a good chemistry already with Nicks. The 26-year-old wideout caught all five of his targets, gaining 36 yards and scoring a touchdown.

His upside is probably more limited than the rest on this list, but if he stays healthy, he will be a great flex/WR3 option this season, which is better than anyone expected this summer.