Week 12 Fantasy Football Rankings: Ranking the Riskiest WR Plays

Each week at every position there are risky plays. However, perhaps the receiver position even more so because of the pass-happy movement.

Sure their odds are increased to dominate but then again, it's also hit/miss since a defense can lock on one guy and force the less-established targets to make plays. That being said, here are the Top four riskiest WR starts for Week 12 in fantasy football.

4. Wes Welker, Patriots (at Eagles)

Ever since Week 8 Wes Welker's production has significantly slowed down. The Steelers figured out how to stop him and a few times thereafter he was limited quite well.

Therefore, although he should start this week it is a risk being that Philadelphia's secondary is really good. Expect Welker to be double-teamed quite often because other than TE Rob Gronkowski, no one is as much of a threat to Philly.

Plus, the Eagles do have a solid pass rush to Tom Brady's time will be limited in the pocket.

3. AJ Green, Bengals (vs Browns)

According to StripeHype.com, AJ Green's status for Sunday is still uncertain:

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“We are just going to take it day by day and see how it goes.”

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With that said, it's still a concern to start Green even if he plays, because although he scored a TD against Cleveland in Week 1, it was his only catch on four targets. Plus, Cleveland has the No. 1 ranks pass defense and the No. 29 ranks rush defense, so Cincy will run the ball quite a bit.

Nonetheless, be sure to keep a monitor on Green's status as the week progresses, because this is an important game for the Bengals as they're currently in a two-game skid.

2. Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs (vs Steelers)

Against the NFL's weakest pass defense last week Dwayne Bowe caught seven passes for 87 yards. In terms of fantasy not bad, but against Pittsburgh this week that won't happen.

For one, the Steelers ranks No. 3 against the pass and have a sick pass rush so not only will Bowe be blanketed, but his QB (either Tyler Palko or Kyle Orton) won't have any time to throw.

Kansas City's best shot to move the ball will be on the ground, but the battle for the trenches should be a limited success for the Chiefs. Pittsburgh also ranks No. 6 against the rush so, don't expect any ball movement until garbage time. And by game's end, Bowe will be lucky to compile 50 receiving yards.

1. Steve Johnson, Bills (at Jets)

In his last three games Steve Johnson has just seven receptions for 108 yards and no TDs. Now, 84 of those yards did come against the Jets a few weeks ago however, that was just the beginning of Buffalo's skid.

Now, the Bills have lost three straight and Johnson hasn't scored in over a month. He also has just four TDs on the year anyway. 

With this in mind, Johnson is Week 12's riskiest start because with some damaging offensive injuries, he will be blanked by the Jets solid pass defense. And for as bad as Ryan Fitzpatrick has played recently, he'll be lucky to gain 50 yards.

Johnson doesn't have a good matchup and it's not a safe bet that he'll produce. So in case you do give him the nod, just be aware that the odds are against him.

Follow John Rozum on Twitter @ Sportswriter27