Calvin Johnson Snags the Top Spot in Week Five's Receiver Rankings

These rankings are reflective of how I believe NFL players will perform, from a fantasy (ESPN) standard scoring perspective, in their current situations and Week Five Matchups.

1. Calvin Johnson, DET(vs CHI). The Bears have already surrendered over 1,000 yards in the air this year and have allowed a pair of individual 10-catch efforts. The Lions also will be starting veteran Rudi Johnson at running back, which can take some defensive pressure off of the pass. If Jon Kitna can stay upright and accurate, CJ will torch the Bears.
2. Greg Jennings, GB (vs ATL). Jennings’ success depends largely on the playing status of Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers intends to play Sunday, so Jennings remains prominent in this weeks rankings against a Falcons defense still recovering from allowing 14 catches, 243 yards, and two touchdowns to Muhsin Muhammad and Steve Smith last week.
3. Terrell Owens, DAL (vs CIN). He’ll get the ball.
4. Steve Smith, CAR (vs KC). Steve and Moose host Kansas City in Week 5, after the Chiefs let up 181 yards last week against a far less experienced (albeit very talented) duo in Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal
5. Larry Fitzgerald, ARI(vs BUF). Fitzgerald will clearly be Kurt Warner’s number one target this week after Anquan Boldin got shipped out on a stretcher late Week 4, even if Boldin plays.
6. Reggie Wayne, IND(at HOU). The Texans just gave up 307 yards through the air against the Jaguars. The Colts’ passing game is much more developed.
7. Brandon Marshall, DEN (vs TB). Marshall is has the second-highest target total in the league with 44 (Dwayne Bowe, 46) through three games.
8. Randy Moss, NE(at SF). You have to think that the Patriots’ coaching staff has been working diligently over their bye week to develop a gameplan that better suits Matt Cassel, so Moss and Welker should benefit from that against the 49ers. Moss and Welker helping Casselout will be the opposite look for the Niners versus last week, where star Drew Brees got 200 yards and 3 TDs via Robert Meachem and Lance Moore.
9. Dwayne Bowe, KC (at CAR). This guy gets looked at the most throughout the league. Once he starts hauling in more than the 47% (46 targets, 22 receptions) of balls thrown his way, Bowe could be considered a No. 1 option on a weekly basis.
10. Wes Welker, NE (at SF). See: Moss, Randy
11. Chris Chambers, SD (at MIA). Chambers goes back to the MIA, where his opponents’ pass defense has allowed six touchdowns against one interception on the year (three games).
12. Santana Moss, WAS(at PHI). Santana Moss is looking for a top-10 receiver spot, and he’s on pace for 108 catches, 1,684 yards, and 12 TDs. That’s easily top-10 numbers. Problem is: he’s facing the Eagles this week, who will undoubtedly get pressure on his quarterback.
13. Amani Toomer, NYG (vs SEA). Plaxico Burress will be missing this game via suspension, meaning more looks for Toomer.
14. DeSean Jackson, PHI (vs WAS). Jackson is on pace for 88 catches, 1308 yards, and 8 (I mean four) touchdowns himself. Scary numbers for a rook.
15. Marvin Harrison, IND(at HOU). See: Wayne, Reggie.

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Rank	Name	Team	Opponent
16	Andre Johnson	HOU	IND
17	Donald Driver	GB	ATL
18	Muhsin Muhammad	CAR	KC
19	Lee Evans	BUF	at ARI
20	Antonio Bryant	TB	at DEN
21	Santonio Holmes	PIT	at JAX
22	Lance Moore	NO	MIN
23	Steve Breaston	ARI	BUF
24	Eddie Royal	DEN	TB
25	Ted Ginn Jr.	MIA	SD
26	Hines Ward	PIT	at JAX
27	Josh Reed	BUF	at ARI
28	Patrick Crayton	DAL	CIN
29	TJ Houshmandzadeh	CIN	at DAL
30	Roy Williams	DET	CHI
31	Kevin Walter	HOU	IND
32	Steve Smith	NYG	SEA
33	Isaac Bruce	SF	NE
34	Justin Gage	TEN	at BAL
35	Antwaan Randle El	WAS	at PHI
36	Arnaz Battle	SF	NE
37	Roddy White	ATL	at GB
38	Bernard Berrian	MIN	at NO
39	Brandon Lloyd	CHI	at DET
40	David Patten	NO	MIN
41	Reggie Brown	PHI	WAS
42	Derek Hagan	MIA	SD
43	Chad Johnson	CIN	at DAL
44	DJ Hackett	CAR	KC
45	Ike Hilliard	TB	at DEN
46	Bobby Wade	MIN	at NO
47	Anthony Gonzalez	IND	at HOU
48	Matt Jones	JAX	PIT
49	Devery Henderson	NO	MIN
50	Miles Austin	DAL	CIN
51	Bryant Johnson	SF	NE
52	Vincent Jackson	SD	at MIA
53	Justin McCareins	TEN	at BAL
54	Reggie Williams	JAX	PIT
55	James Hardy	BUF	at ARI
56	Will Franklin	KC	at CAR
57	Sidney Rice	MIN	at NO
58	Derrick Mason	BAL	TEN
59	Chris Henry	CIN	at DAL
60	Jabar Gaffney	NE	at SF
61	Billy McMullen	SEA	at NYG
62	Michael Jenkins	ATL	at GB

Week 5 Quarterbacks

Week 5 Running Backs