Week 12 Fantasy Rankings: The Top 5 Wide Receivers

A trio of top fantasy wideouts were already in action this week, and while Greg Jennings of the Green Bay Packers and Calvin Johnson of the Detroit Lions reeled in touchdown passes on Thanksgiving, Dez Bryant of the Dallas Cowboys was next to invisible.

However, any number of big names have yet to slap on the pads this week, and here's a quick look at the top handful of fantasy wide receivers yet to play in Week 12.

5. Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants (at NO)

The New York Giants will almost certainly have to throw early and often to keep up with the New Orleans Saints on Monday night, which should mean a significant number of targets and a productive fantasy outing from wide receiver Hakeem Nicks.

4. DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. NE)

The beleaguered New England Patriots secondary surrenders the most fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers, and with Eagles wideout Jeremy Maclin unlikely to play, a big game from fellow Philadelphia wide receiver DeSean Jackson is a very real possibility.

3. Mike Wallace, Pittsburgh Steelers (at KC)

An average receiving day from Mike Wallace of the Pittsburgh Steelers will put the third-year pro over 1,000 yards for the season, and you can expect a fair bit better than average against a Kansas City Chiefs team that's middle of the pack against the pass.

2. Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers (at IND)

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has locked onto wide receiver Steve Smith big time, and fantasy football's fourth-ranked player in points at his position this season will see a ton of targets against the woeful Colts this week.

1. Wes Welker, New England Patriots (at PHI)

Wide receiver Wes Welker of the New England Patriots has been held in check the past two weeks, with only eight catches for 68 yards over that span, but the eighth-year veteran is set to rebound against a Philadelphia Eagles secondary that's suddenly in disarray.