2011 NFL Fantasy Football Week 8: Wide Receivers (WR) Rankings / Projections

Stevie Johnson vs Redskins

The Bills passing game started out hot the first three weeks of the season but has cooled off heading into their Week 7 bye. While Stevie Johnson has been practicing in full over recent weeks, since a groin injury gave him problems in September, he hasn’t been the same receiver we saw a year ago.

Look for that to change soon as he appears to be running more deep routes. While quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick doesn’t have the strongest arm, we saw these two hook up on long touchdowns a year ago. Last week the Redskins secondary was torched by Steve Smith for 143 yards, so look for the Bills to get Johnson on the right track this week.

Antonio Brown vs Patriots

With Hines Ward suffering an ankle sprain against the Cardinals, Antonio Brown stepped up for seven receptions on nine targets for over 100 yards. While the Steelers will wait and see how Ward’s ankle feels before deciding whether he will play this week, expect Brown to be a sneaky WR-2 play against a Patriot secondary that is ranked dead last in the league against the pass.

Brown is an explosive talent as we watched him break loose for two long touchdown receptions in a preseason game against the Falcons this summer. The main reasons for Brown’s lack of production before this week had to do with the Steelers' early season pass protection and Ward staying in the lineup.

Even if Ward suits up this week, don’t be surprised if he’s limited on the field, and I expect Brown to have a solid game in this contest. Consider him the future No. 2 receiver on this team and he makes for a terrific hold in dynasty leagues.

Demaryius Thomas vs Lions

The Broncos traded away Brandon Lloyd last week to make room for Demaryius Thomas as he returned from his Achilles injury suffered back in January. While Tim Tebow struggled to get much done in the passing game, he did find Thomas for a touchdown late in the game. While Thomas likely isn’t ready to make a fantasy splash this year, he can be an option to use during the bye weeks, as he has a respectable matchup against the Lions this week.

More Wk 8 Rankings – QB | RB | WR | TE | Flex | K/D | Waivers | Start/Sit |

1	Calvin Johnson	@ Broncos
2	Wes Welker	@ Steelers
3	Mike Wallace	Patriots
4	Steve Smith (Carolina)	Vikings
5	Dwayne Bowe	Chargers
6	Marques Colston	@ Rams
7	Hakeem Nicks	Dolphins
8	Dez Bryant	Eagles
9	Vincent Jackson (I)	@ Chiefs
10	A.J. Green	@ Seahawks
11	Jeremy Maclin	@ Cowboys
12	Anquan Boldin	Cardinals
13	DeSean Jackson	@ Cowboys
14	Stevie Johnson	Redskins
15	Larry Fitzgerald	@ Ravens
16	Miles Austin	Eagles
17	Antonio Brown	Patriots
18	Michael Crabtree	Browns
19	Torrey Smith	Cardinals
20	Percy Harvin (I)	@ Panthers
21	Brandon Lloyd	Saints
22	Brandon Marshall	@ Giants
23	Eric Decker	Lions
24	Reggie Wayne	@ Titans
25	Steve Breaston	Chargers
26	Mario Manningham	Dolphins
27	David Nelson	Redskins
28	Greg Little	@ 49ers
29	Sidney Rice	Bengals
30	Deion Branch	@ Steelers
31	Pierre Garcon	@ Titans
32	Emmanuel Sanders	Patriots
33	Early Doucet	@ Ravens
34	Demaryius Thomas	Lions
35	Victor Cruz	Dolphins
36	Nate Washington	Colts
37	Kevin Walter	Jaguars
38	Hines Ward	Patriots
39	Mike Thomas	@ Texans
40	Davone Bess	@ Giants
41	Titus Young	@ Broncos