Fantasy Football NFL Week 3: Andre Johnson and Top 10 Must-Start Wide Receivers

Will Houston Texans star wide receiver Andre Johnson have his way with the New Orleans Saints defense? Is Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace looking at a big day against a struggling Indianapolis Colts defense?

NFL fantasy owners are searching to try and find the right players for their team this season, as several notable injuries have occurred, as well as young talents stepping up and making names for themselves.

The 2011-2012 NFL season is just two weeks underway and has already provided as much surprise and excitement as any season in the last decade.

This week features favorable matchups for several of the league's top-notch receivers. Here are the 10 must-start wide receivers this week in the NFL, based on their particular matchups in Week 3.

No. 10: Wes Welker, New England Patriots

With Tom Brady on your team, it's hard to get much recognition, yet Wes Welker is arguably the most reliable wide receiver that Brady has in his arsenal.

Welker has been just short of sensational for the Patriots this season, with 241 yards and two touchdowns on 15 receptions in the first two weeks of the season.

Talk about some numbers.

Against the Buffalo Bills, expect Welker to be a big-time factor for Brady despite the production coming from the two second-year tight ends in Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski.

Considering the Bills gave up 35 points to the Oakland Raiders in last week's shootout, expect Brady and the Patriots to score at least 30 in this game, making Welker a promising start in Week 3.

No. 9: Roddy White, Atlanta Falcons

Roddy White is due for a big Week 3 performance. In the first two weeks of the season, the Atlanta Falcons have started out slow and as a result, White's numbers have taken a hit.

With just 84 yards and one touchdown on the season, White has been putting up average numbers. Yet there is no question White is ready to unleash some significant numbers, as he is as athletic and skilled a receiver as there is in the NFL.

Not to mention, squaring off against a tough Bears defense and Eagles defense in the first two weeks are not the most favorable matchups either. Against the 19th-ranked pass defense in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, expect White to have his best game of the season through three weeks.

No. 8: Kenny Britt, Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans' stud wide receiver is heating up, as Kenny Britt has posted a whopping 271 yards in the first two games of the season, a mark that ranks No. 2 in the league.

Britt will be a good receiver to look at this week, going against the Denver Broncos and their middle-of-the-pack type passing defense.

His hamstring injury makes him the No. 8 receiver this week, yet it is not certain it will take a toll on his numbers.

No. 7: Greg Jennings, Green Bay Packers

When you have a quarterback like Aaron Rodgers throwing the ball to your starting wide receiver, big things are to be expected.

Greg Jennings is a receiver that should consistently make noise throughout this season. In two games, Jennings has posted a solid 144 yards and two touchdowns on nine receptions.

On a weekly basis, it seems as though Rodgers has been looking to find Jennings on deep balls. Granted, they play against a Chicago Bears defense that has proven to be tough through the first two games. Nonetheless, expect solid numbers from Jennings as Rodgers will look to put pressure on the Bears' secondary early.

No. 6: Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers

Rookie quarterback Cam Newton has shown he will be a force to reckon with in the league, putting up over 400 yards in both of his first two games. Newton has Steve Smith to thank for his jaw-dropping numbers.

Smith is the league leader with 334 receiving yards and ranks sixth in the league with two touchdowns. After dropping out of the talks as one of the better receivers in the league the last couple of seasons, Smith is back and putting up solid numbers.

Against the Jacksonville Jaguars, expect Smith to have his way against an average secondary.

No. 5: Mike Wallace, Pittsburgh Steelers

Through the first two games of the season, it is apparent that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and wide receiver Mike Wallace are on the same page.

Wallace ranks No. 4 in the league with 244 yards on 16 receptions and has one touchdown on the season.

Wallace put together impressive games against the defenses of both the Seattle Seahawks and Baltimore Ravens. This week, facing the weakest defense the Steelers have seen all season, Wallace should continue his early season success and put up significant fantasy numbers.

No. 4: Vincent Jackson, San Diego Chargers

An exciting player to watch to say the least.

San Diego Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson turned heads around the league with his Week 2 performance, exploding for 172 yards and two touchdowns in the loss to the New England Patriots.

Jackson is now just 46 yards away from breaking his total for all of last season, as he has recorded 203 yards in the first two weeks of the season. Now healthy and proving his worth, Jackson is arguably as big of a surprise at the wide receiver position as any this year.

Expect Jackson to have another 100-yard performance in Week 3, as the team takes on the Kansas City Chiefs at home.

No. 3: Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals

Some might consider his 195 yards on 10 receptions to be underachieving, yet Larry Fitzgerald is only going to continue to improve his numbers as the season continues.

Last week against the Washington Redskins it seemed as though Fitzgerald got to picking up his game, going for 133 yards receiving and a touchdown in the loss.

Fitzgerald is still arguably the best wide receiver in the league, despite the doubters he has picked up through the first two weeks. Starting Fitzgerald on the fantasy team carries no doubt; it is a must.

Expect a convincing performance on the road against Seattle.

No. 2: Andre Johnson, Houston Texans

To some this may be a "knock" on Houston Texans Pro Bowl receiver Andre Johnson, yet coming in at the No. 2 spot makes for a promising week for Johnson.

Johnson and the Texans will go up against the New Orleans Saints defense, an average passing defense with plenty to improve upon in the secondary. Johnson will be a big factor for the team should the Texans keep up with the point-scoring ability of quarterback Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints.

If the Texans will be forced to score points, fantasy owners can count on Johnson having a big Week 3. On the season, Johnson has 188 yards and two touchdowns on 14 receptions.

No. 1: Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions

Matching arguably the best receiver in the league against one of the weaker pass defenses in the league makes for a whole lot of promise for the guy wearing blue and white.

Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson is making a name for himself through the first two weeks, as he has 117 yards and four touchdowns on the year. His yardage is not up there with the best receivers in the league, yet he has also given up a lot of yards to Nate Burleson on the other side of the field.

When it comes to the touchdowns, Johnson is the guy that gets it done for fantasy owners. Through the first two weeks of the season, Johnson has gone up against two decent pass defenses in Kansas City and Tampa Bay. This week, Johnson takes on a struggling Minnesota Vikings team that now ranks No. 23 in the league against the pass.

Johnson will have the most favorable matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, as he will more than likely add several touchdowns to his total in this game.