Four Fantasy Wide Receivers to Avoid in the Early Rounds

It's fantasy football time again!

You know what that means.

Everyone is scrambling to put together their draft boards. Which quarterback should you take? Which running back fits your backfield best?

Today, I want to take a look at the wide receiver position.

Here are four wide receivers due for a drop off from last season.

1. Sidney Rice,Vikings

The Vikings wide receiver had a monster season last year. He was thrust into the national spotlight with over 1,300 yards and 8 TD's. This season Rice deserves a place on your bench. Rice has been battling hip problems all summer and is likely to miss significant action this season after surgery. Rice is a late round pick at best.

2. Vincent Jackson, Chargers

Vincent Jackson wants out of San Diego. The Chargers GM snubbed him on a contract deal and Jackson is mad. Jackson plans to play in the minimum amount of games needed to become a free agent. A disgruntled underpaid wide receiver is not a good fit for your starting lineup.

3. Hines Ward, Steelers

I am not suggesting that you don't draft Hines Ward but there are much better options available at the No. 1 position. Ward will miss speedster Santonio Holmes lining up opposite him. Holmes was a big play receiver that gave Ward the space to operate underneath. His quarterbacks for the first four to six games of the season are Byron Leftwich and Dennis Dixon. Those guys aren't exactly Big Ben. Ward is 34 years old this season. The chances of a significant drop off in play are great.

4. Derrick Mason, Ravens
Mason had another quiet 1,000 yard season last year. He has been the Ravens and Titans No. 1 option for years. Now Mason is relegated to No. 2 status with Anquan Boldin coming to town. The Ravens will likely spread the ball around among Boldin, Donte' Stallworth, Todd Heap, Mark Clayton, Ray Rice, and Willis McGahee. The chances of Mason having another season like last year are very slim.

Tomorrow, we will have a live Fantasy Football chat at 2pm.