Fantasy WR rankings
In case you've missed earlier rankings, here's what we've had:
And today, the wide receivers:
1. Randy Moss, Patriots
It's impossible not to have him ranked first after Moss scored 23 touchdowns last season. He's a big-play threat and a red-zone threat. A repeat of last year might be unrealistic, but expect around 15 TDs for the top-ranked wide receiver.
2. Terrell Owens, Cowboys
He's had 13-plus touchdowns in six of the past eight seasons. Look for T.O. to get there again this season. As Tony Romo's favorite target, Owens set a career high, averaging 16.7 yards per catch last season.
3. Reggie Wayne, Colts
Wayne led all wideouts with 1,510 yards last season. He's averaged nine touchdowns over the past four seasons and is a lock to be a top-five receiver, barring injury.
4. Braylon Edwards, Browns
His 16 touchdowns last year trailed only Moss among wide receivers. Edwards didn't go consecutive games without a score all season and set career highs across the board with 80 catches for 1,289 yards.
5. Andre Johnson, Texans
When healthy, Johnson was a fantasy beast last year, averaging 94.6 yards per game, tops in the NFL. He also scored eight touchdowns. If he stays on the field for all 16 games, Johnson could put up numbers comparable to anyone on this list.
6. Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals
Hard to believe this guy's only 24-years-old. Fitzgerald signed a big contract after catching 100 balls (sixth-best) for 1,409 yards (fourth-best) and 10 touchdowns last season. One of these years he will finish the season as the top-ranked fantasy receiver.
7. Marques Colston, Saints
Colston's piled up 2,240 yards and 19 touchdowns in his first two NFL seasons. Those numbers are unlikely to drop off for the New Orleans receiver, especially considering the Saints threw the ball more than any other team in the league last year.
8. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Bengals
He tied for the NFL lead with 112 catches a year ago, also posting career highs in yards (1,143) and touchdowns (12). Houshmandzadeh faded in the second half, with no 100-yard games after Week 6 and just one touchdown in his final six games.
9. Plaxico Burress, Giants
Burress has 29 touchdowns in three seasons with the Giants. Last year he set a career high with 12 scores to go along with 1,025 yards.
10. Torry Holt, Rams
He's had no fewer than 1,188 yards in the past eight seasons, and has only missed two games in that span. Holt managed seven touchdowns with a Rams offense that was one of the league's worst. Holt's no longer an elite receiver, but don't let him slip too far.
11. Chad Johnson, Bengals
After trade rumors in the offseason, Johnson is back with the Bengals. He set a career high last season with 1,440 yards, good enough for third-best among all receivers. Johnson did suffered shoulder injury in the preseason, but if healthy, pencil him in for 90 catches, 1,300 yards and eight touchdowns
12. Wes Welker, Patriots
He tied for the NFL lead with 112 catches last year, breaking out with 1,175 yards and eight touchdowns. There's no reason to think he can't match those numbers in 2008.
13. Brandon Marshall, Broncos
Marshall was tremendous last year, with 102 catches for 1,325 yards and seven touchdowns. He finished strong with 100-yard games in three of the season's final four weeks. However, a three-game suspension to start the season prevents Marshall from being ranked higher.
14. Steve Smith, Panthers
Smith will miss the first two games after punching teammate Ken Lucas in practice. He got off to a great start last season before Jake Delhomme went down but ended up with 1,002 yards and seven touchdowns.
15. Anquan Boldin, Cardinals
Boldin's not happy with his contract situation, but that should have little effect on the fantasy front. He set a career high with nine touchdowns last season, but managed just 853 yards in 12 games.
16. Greg Jennings, Packers
Jennings averaged 17.4 yards per catch last season, fourth-best in the NFL. And he scored 12 touchdowns in 13 games; only three receivers had more. Jennings has shown he can pick up big-time yards after the catch. That shouldn't change just because Aaron Rodgers is the quarterback.
17. Roy Williams, Lions
After offseason trade rumors, Williams returns to Detroit. Surprise, surprise. He followed up a strong 2006 season with a disappointing 2007, managing 836 yards and five touchdowns in 12 games. Williams has missed at least two games in three of his four NFL seasons.
18. Santonio Holmes, Steelers
Many like Holmes to make the "third-year leap" in 2008. He only had 52 catches a year ago, but he led the NFL, averaging 18.1 yards per reception to go along with eight touchdowns.
19. Marvin Harrison, Colts
Probably the hardest receiver to project. After putting together eight straight seasons of at least 1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns, Harrison fell off the map last year, appearing in just five games because of injury. He was the focus of offseason controversy but appears to be healthy in preseason action.
20. Roddy White, Falcons
White broke out in his third season, catching 83 balls for 1,202 yards. I know what you're thinking: the Falcons could be starting a rookie at quarterback. But they didn't exactly have Peyton Manning behind center in 2007, and White still put up big numbers.
21. Jerricho Cotchery, Jets
Cotchery has had 82 catches in each of the last two seasons. In 2007, he set a career high 1,130 yards but scored only two touchdowns. Expect that number to increase with Brett Favre under center.
22. Donald Driver, Packers
He's another year older, and Driver's touchdowns dropped off big-time last year, as he found the end zone just twice. Still, Driver has had at least 80 catches and over 1,000 yards in four straight seasons.
23. Hines Ward, Steelers
He's one of those players who's much better in real life than in fantasy. Ward has posted fewer than 1,000 yards in three straight seasons. Ward didn't have a single 100-yard game last season, but he did score seven times.
24. Calvin Johnson, Lions
Johnson had a solid rookie season, catching 48 balls for 756 yards and four touchdowns. The all-world talent figures to improve on those numbers in 2008 and could be ranked as a top-10 receiver at this time next year.
25. Chris Chambers, Chargers
Chambers was traded from Miami to San Diego in the middle of last season. Overall, he caught 66 balls for 970 yards and a pair of touchdowns, but Chambers came on strong during the real-life playoffs. He's averaged better than seven scores during the past five seasons.
26. Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs
Bowe surprised during his rookie season, catching 70 balls for 995 yards and five touchdowns. If not for a shaky quarterback situation in Kansas City, I'd have him ranked higher.
27. Joey Galloway, Bucs
He'll kill you some weeks, but carry you in others. Galloway has put together three straight seasons of at least 1,000 yards and six touchdowns. He averaged 17.8 yards per catch in 2007, second-best in the NFL.
28. Santana Moss, Redskins
Moss had just three touchdowns last season, the lowest output since his rookie season. He's averaged fewer than 800 yards over the past two years. Can new head coach Jim Zorn resurrect his fantasy career?
29. Lee Evans, Bills
After putting up impressive numbers in 2006, Evans came back down to earth in 2007, catching 55 balls for 849 yards and five touchdowns. Inconsistent quarterback play was a major factor, and likely will continue to be in 2008.
30. Laveranues Coles, Jets
He's still not happy that Chad Pennington is gone, but the hope here is that Coles' fantasy value will increase with Favre behind center. He had just 646 yards last season, the lowest output since his rookie season. Coles also missed four games.
Others to consider:
Nate Burleson, Seahawks
Reggie Williams, Jaguars
Anthony Gonzalez, Colts
Derrick Mason, Ravens
Jerry Porter, Jaguars
Donte' Stallworth, Browns
Patrick Crayton, Cowboys