Mud Bowl Football: WR Rankings

Onto the wide receivers. This is always the deepest position in fantasy and where players can be found on the waiver wire each week who contribute.

1. Andre Johnson Texans: Over 100 receptions and 1500 yards year in and year out. He fights for the ball when it is in the air and usually gets it. When he gets the ball in space he makes huge plays. Expect him to have another 100 catches and 1500 yards and ten tds.

2. Larry Fitzgerald Cardinals: Fitzgerald will suffer from the losses of Kurt Warner and Anquan Boldin. Warner and Fitzgerald had great chemistry and Fitzgerald knew where Warner was going with the ball and where to go. Also by teaming with Boldin it was tough for teams to put the double team on Fitzgerald. With a question mark at qb qith either Derek Anderson or Matt Leinhart and more double teams Fitzgerald could have a difficult year. That being said Fitzgerald still has great hands and is a receiver who goes to the ball. Though he may have a slow year for his standards Fitzgerald will still have at least 80 catches for 1000 yards and 8 tds.

3. Reggie Wayne Colts: How can Peyton Manning’s favorite target not be in the top 5? Wayne had 100 catches and over 1200 yards last year and 10 tds. Wayne was slowed in the playoffs by a knee injury but he should be fine come opening day. Add in the fact that the Colts have other weapons at receiver and tight end it will allow Wayne to avoid double teams.

4. Miles Austin Cowboys: Austin exploded onto the scene last year and had a huge year. It took awhile before defenses started to plan for him but once they did he still had 81 catches over 1300 yards and 11 tds. With the addition of Dez Bryant and the other weapons the Cowboys have on offense I expect Austin to have another big year in which he will make fantasy owners very happy.

5. Randy Moss Patriots: Moss had another big year with 83 receptions over 1200 yards and 13 tds. That being said Moss may suffer with the loss of Wes Welker for the first few months of the season. Moss is also another year older and he did seem to slow a little. Add in this is the last year of his contract and he is not happy that the Patriots have not tried to extend him and it could be trouble for Moss and the Patriots. Since Moss is so consistent I have him at number 5 but I would be very wary of taking him too early. It could be a long year for Moss.

6. Brandon Marshall Dolphins: Marshall had a big year with Kyle Orton as qb last year. He caught over 100 balls and 10 tds. When Marshall is on he is a top receiver but he hurts himself with his antics. Marshall is playing in Miami where there is nicer weather and a qb who has a cannon for an arm. Barring a set back from the hip surgery Marshall had this offseason he should be at about 100 receptions over 1000 yards and 10 tds.

7. Calvin Johnson Lions: Johnson missed two games last year and played injured in a couple of other and he still managed 67 receptions, over 950 yards in receiving and 5 tds. Add in he was the only offense in Detroit. Matt Stafford should be better in year two and the Lions have surrounded the offense with better playmakers. If Johnson is healthy he should get about 80 catches, over1000 yards, and 10 tds.

8. Roddy White Falcons: White the last few seasons is living up to expectations and has proven to be a top 10 receiver. His speed helps him get open and make big plays. White should have another 80 plus catch season, over 1100 yards and 10 tds. Add in that Matt Ryan and the Falcons offense is better. White has the potential to be a top 5 receiver this year.

9. Sidney Rice Vikings: Rice had a breakout season with Brett Favre at qb. No one knows for sure if Favre is returning (though all signs are that he is) but if he does Rice will have another big year of 80 plus catches, over 1200 yards and 10 tds. Much like Roddy White Rice with Favre has the potential to be a top 5 receiver this season.

10. DeSean Jackson Eagles: Playmaker, playmaker, playmaker. That is DeSean Jackson. Get him the ball and he can score from anywhere. His blazing speed and the moves he has he is a joy to watch. Last year Jackson had 62 receptions and over 1100 yards and 9 tds. Another year of development and I expect bigger and better things from him. The one fear of Jackson this year is the fact that Kevin Kolb will be starting but Kolb should be fine and Jackson will still put up his numbers.

11. Marques Colston Saints: Colston would be ranked higher but he only had 70 receptions last year. He did have over 1000 yards and 9 tds. Colston is the number one option with the Saints so he is a good receiving option. You just hope his receptions go up. As good as the Saints offense is they do hurt you from a fantasy standpoint because Drew Brees is so good at throwing to everyone and that is what hurts Closton.

12. Greg Jennings Packers: Looking at Jennings numbers it surprises me how few receptions and tds he had last year. In every game Jennings did something spectacular to make you think he had more receptions and tds. He finished with 68 catches, over 1100 yards and only 4 tds. His receptions and tds hurt him in fantasy but if he improves on those he could be a top 10 receiver.

13. Anquan Boldin Ravens: Boldin is ready to prove he is a number one receiver and can be good without Larry Fitzgerald. Boldin will have a big year in Baltimore. There are many reasons for this. One Baltimore has a great running game and running back. Because of this teams will have to put players in the box allowing Boldin to have one on one coverage. In 15 games last year Boldin had 84 receptions, over 1000 yards and 4 tds. He should have the same numbers this season. One worry about Boldin is that he plays an aggressive game and because of that he gets nicked and is injured often. That is the one thing to be cautious of with Boldin.

14. Steve Smith Giants: Smith has proven over his first three seasons that he has great hands and he runs great routes. He might not be the quickest player or the receiver that breaks a big play but he is a security blanket for Eli Manning and catches everything that is thrown his way. Smith should have another big reception year. He should grab between 90 and 100 balls for over 1100 yards and 10 tds.

15. Steve Smith Panthers: Smith is a great receiver who is quick and goes to the ball. The last few years his numbers have been down because of injury and qb changes. It looks like do not have a qb who is injury prone this year so if Smith has the continuity he could return to top 5 form and have 80 plus receptions for over 1000 yards and 10 tds.

16. Chad Ochocinco Bengals: Ochocinco bounced back last year after a tough 2009 season. He proved again to be a top receiver and this year should be no different. With the addition of Antonio Bryant and Jermaine Gresham to the Bengals offense it will allow for less double teams for Ochocinco and he should be able to put up 80 plus catches over 1000 yards and 10 tds.

The next group of receivers are just as good but questions due to injuries, suspensions and qb issues, etc makes them not as good as the top 16.

17. Mike Sims-Walker Jaguars: In 14 games last year Sims-Walker put up 63 receptions 800 yards plus and 7 tds. Each week he got better and made for some very happy owners when they picked him up on waivers. I expect him to continue on his break out year and have 80 plus receptions, over 1000 yards and 10 tds.

18. Vincent Jackson: Jackson would be higher but he is suspended for the 1^st four games of the year. That hurts him and add in a contract dispute and I would be leery to select Jackson. At some point he will be sitting on a draft board and in the right position he could be a steal and really help a fantasy team in the second part of the season.

19. Dwayne Bowe Chiefs: When Bowe played last year he was great. He was suspended due to a positive steroids test and him and Todd Haley did not always see eye to eye which is a concern. That being said when Bowe was on he is a top receiver. Could be a nice mid round selection that helps a team over the top.

20. Percy Harvin Vikings: Harvin played great for the Vikings last year and was a threat whenever he got the ball. Harvin was nicked at times last year and suffers from migraines which hurt him as well. If Harvin is healthy he could put up similar stats to DeSean Jackson and that would be a great year for him.

21. Wes Welker Patriots: So the latest report is that he can participate in training camp. The Patriots are sneaky when it comes to injuries. If Welker does play as of week 1 and is 100 % he is a top 10 receiver. That being said I do not think he will be back to himself until at least October so he gets knocked down a little. If he is healthy as of week one someone will have a mid round steal.

22. Hakeem Nicks Giants: Nicks had 47 receptions and close to 800 yards and 6 tds last year. He showed flashes last year and should be relied more heavily this year. Much like the last few receivers Nicks has the potential to have a huge year and help carry a fantasy team deep into the playoffs if he produces what he is capable of.

23. Pierre Garcon Colts: Garcon broke onto the scene last year and had a great season. He should continue to excel and have another great season in the Peyton Manning pass first offense.

The list below are other top receivers that could help your fantasy team.

24. Mike Wallace Pittsburgh

25. Robert Meachem New Orleans

26. Santana Moss Washington

27. Jeremy Maclin Philadelphia

28. T.J. Houshmandzadeh Seattle

29. Steve Breaston Arizona

30. Donald Driver Green Bay

31. Derrick Mason Baltimore

32. Lee Evans Buffalo

33. Devin Aromashodu Chicago

34. Malcom Floyd San Diego