Fantasy Football Week 3 Rankings: Top 50 Wide Receivers

How do all the injuries shake up the wide receiver rankings?  Who should we expect to rise to the occasion?  Whom should we steer away from?  Let’s take a look at how everything currently shakes out.

1. Calvin Johnson—Detroit Lions—at Minnesota
2. Andre Johnson—Houston Texans—at New Orleans
3. Vincent Jackson—San Diego Chargers—vs. Kansas City
4. Larry Fitzgerald—Arizona Cardinals—at Seattle
5. Greg Jennings—Green Bay Packers—at Chicago
6. DeSean Jackson—Philadelphia Eagles—vs. New York Giants
7. Kenny Britt—Tennessee Titans—vs. Denver
8. Roddy White—Atlanta Falcons—at Tampa Bay
9. Mike Wallace—Pittsburgh Steelers—at Indianapolis
10. Wes Welker—New England Patriots—at Buffalo
11. Brandon Marshall—Miami Dolphins—at Cleveland
12. Dez Bryant—Dallas Cowboys—vs. Washington
13. Stevie Johnson—Buffalo Bills—vs. New England
14. Steve Smith—Carolina Panthers—vs. Jacksonville
15. Mike Williams—Tampa Bay Buccaneers—vs. Atlanta
16. Brandon Lloyd—Denver Broncos—at Tennessee
17. Jeremy Maclin—Philadelphia Eagles—vs. New York Giants
18. Santana Moss—Washington Redskins—at Dallas
19. Hakeem Nicks—New York Giants—at Philadelphia
20. Reggie Wayne—Indianapolis Colts—vs. Pittsburgh
21. Anquan Boldin—Baltimore Ravens—at St. Louis
22. Dwayne Bowe—Kansas City Chiefs—at San Diego
23. Nate Burleson—Detroit Lions—at Minnesota
24. Santonio Holmes—New York Jets—at Oakland
25. Deion Branch—New England Patriots—at Buffalo
26. Mike Thomas—Jacksonville Jaguars—at Carolina
27. Devery Henderson—New Orleans Saints—vs. Houston
28. A.J. Green—Cincinnati Bengals—vs. San Francisco
29. Mike Sims-Walker—St. Louis Cardinals—vs. Baltimore
30. Percy Harvin—Minnesota Vikings—vs. Detroit
31. Jerome Simpson—Cincinnati Bengals—vs. San Francisco
32. Eric Decker—Denver Broncos—at Tennessee
33. Jordy Nelson—Green Bay Packers—at Chicago
34. Robert Meachem—New Orleans Saints—vs. Houston
35. Mario Manningham—New York Giants—at Philadelphia
36. Dexter McCluster—Kansas City Chiefs—at San Diego
37. Plaxico Burress—New York Jets—at Oakland
38. Julio Jones—Atlanta Falcons—at Tampa Bay
39. Johnny Knox—Chicago Bears—vs. Green Bay
40. Nate Washington—Tennessee Titans—vs. Denver
41. David Nelson—Buffalo Bills—vs. New England
42. Malcolm Floyd—San Diego Chargers—vs. Kansas City
43. Lance Moore—New Orleans Saints—vs. Houston
44. Denarius Moore—Oakland Raiders—vs. New York Jets
45. Jabar Gaffney—Washington Redskins—at Dallas
46. Davone Bess—Miami Dolphins—at Cleveland
47. Mohamed Massquoi—Cleveland Browns—vs. Miami
48. Jacoby Jones—Houston Texans—at New Orleans
49. Devin Hester—Chicago Bears—vs. Green Bay
50. Emmanuel Sanders—Pittsburgh Steelers—at Indianapolis

Thoughts:

• The performance of Kenny Britt this season has been astounding.  After dropping down draft boards due to the fears of an impending suspension (he had numerous indiscretions this offseason), all he has done is catch 14 passes for 271 yards and three TD.  It’s impossible not to consider him a WR1 this week.
• The Green Bay Packers (400.0 yards/game) and New England Patriots (381.0 yards/game) are the two worst passing defenses in the league over the first two weeks.  That’s because everyone feels the need to open things up and throw the ball around the field in order to keep up with them.  If healthy, that really tells us all we need to know about Steve Johnson, who should be considered a solid WR2 with the potential to post WR1 type numbers.
• With Miles Austin expected to miss the next few weeks, the focus will shift to Dez Bryant…Well, assuming he is healthy as well.  As long as he is, Bryant will have the potential to post solid numbers.  If he’s dressing, consider him a must use option.
• The New York Giants have struggled against the pass this season, allowing 283.0/yards per game (ninth worst in the league) and failing to intercept a ball.  Of course, the Eagles offense has a lot of questions surrounding it heading into their Week 3 match up.  If Michael Vick plays…AND If DeSean Jackson plays (which is likely), the numbers could be huge.  If Vick is out, however, you will have to downgrade Jackson slightly, though he will remain an extremely good option in all formats.
• So much for Mike Wallace being a deep threat and nothing more, huh?  He has already been targeted 20 times over the first two weeks, producing a pair of 100-plus yard games.  It’s hard to imagine a seemingly lifeless Colts team slowing him down, doesn’t it?
• A healthy Hakeem Nicks would probably be a WR2 against the talented Eagles secondary.  One that is banged up and managed just three receptions for 15 yards and a TD in Week 2?  He’s a definite WR2, though don’t expect to see that very often.
• You may not think that Steve Smith can continue his torrid start to the season.  The truth is, it’s impossible that he will.  However, we can’t overlook his league leading 334 yards or his seven receptions for 20 plus yards or his two receptions for 40 plus yards.  He clearly has quickly developed an excellent rapport with Cam Newton and has to be considered a good play in all formats.
• Mike Williams (TB) had a pretty poor Week 1 performance, but do not get too down on him over one game.  He gets a Falcons team that is sixth worst against the pass in 2011 (301.5 yards/game) and should still be considered a good option in all formats.
• Assuming Brandon Lloyd plays he is going to be a very good option.  Just be sure to monitor the news to be 100 percent sure.
• Devery Henderson is the epitome of a big play receiver, with nine receptions for 203 yards and two TD.  Obviously, with Drew Brees slinging the ball there is a good chance he continues to pile up the numbers.  Still, it’s hard to count on him.
• The Rams need a go to receiver and Mike Sims-Walker looks like he is trying to rise to the occasion.  After struggling in Week 1 he was targeted 11 times in Week 2 and delivered six receptions for 92 yards.  We’ve all seen him go Jekyll and Hyde before, so don’t consider it a given that he continues to produce, but as a WR3 he is well worth it.
• Mike Thomas has been getting plenty of opportunities and faces a Panthers defense that has allowed 295.0 receiving yards/game as well as 4 TD without an interception.  How can you not like him for the coming week?  He’s a borderline WR2 for me, but a must use as a WR3.
• Mario Manningham is a risk because of his concussion, as well as the matchup.  Monitor the news and hope for the best.

Make sure to check out the rest of Rotoprofessor’s Week 3 information:

• Top 25 Quarterbacks
• Top 40 Running Backs
• Waiver Worthy
• Target Trends