NFL Predictions Week 5: Wes Welker and the 5 Top Receivers

When trying to predict which receivers will top the fantasy rankings on a given week, it's best to pick a couple of the studs and a pair of underrated guys.

Take last week for example. The top five receivers in Week 4 were as follows: Pierre Garcon, Hakeem Nicks, Wes Welker, Calvin Johnson and Steve Smith. The final four were guessable, but Garcon was a complete wildcard.

Let's try our hand at guessing the top five in Week 5.

Calvin Johnson, Lions

It simply doesn't matter how many players you stick on Megatron, he's coming down with the football. His triple-teamed touchdown catch against the Cowboys could be made by probably three or four athletes playing in the NFL today. In the world's biggest understatement, Lions quarterback Matt Stafford must love having that luxury in the red zone. Here's the big question: Can Johnson make it five-for-five in games with two receiving touchdowns Monday night against the Bears?

Wes Welker, Patriots

The Jets have been good against the pass in 2011, but who's to think anyone, even Darrelle Revis for that matter, can stop Welker from getting the football? He's been the best receiver in football outside of Johnson through four weeks. Welker has games with 160, 81, 217 and 158 yards, respectively, plus five scores. He'll eclipse his seven catches a game he averages against the Jets this weekend. 

Jordy Nelson, Packers

Here's our wild card pick of the week. The Packers gave Nelson a new contract on Friday of last week, but it was just announced as official following Green Bay's win over Denver. Now, Nelson will be out to show the money was worth it. The Packers scorched Atlanta to the ground during the playoffs last season, and Aaron Rodgers is playing better football than anyone right now. This game has shootout written all over it. Nelson will make the most of it. 

Brandon Lloyd, Broncos

Does any receiver in the game have as sticky of hands as Lloyd? Anything thrown within his catching radius is a reception. The only hope the Broncos have on Sunday against the Chargers is if Kyle Orton finds Lloyd with big plays, which he made in abundance against the Packers last week. He also looks completely over a groin injury that held him down in weeks prior. 

Hakeem Nicks, Giants

Probably the most underrated receiver in the game, Nicks continues to post huge numbers for the Giants. Did anyone even notice his 10-catch, 162-yard week against the Cards? Eli Manning is always looking his way and for good reason. Nicks gets the Seahawks this weekend, which should be a good matchup. They struggled last week against big, physical receivers in Julio Jones and Roddy White.