Top 10 Fantasy Wide Receivers

Receivers are the trickiest position to draft because the passing game's production can be so random at times. Things to look for when looking for good Wide Receivers are the quality of their QB, the overall skill set and the strength of their team's defense.

...

What?

No, really. If a WR plays on a team that has a lousy defense, he can put up some excellent games. The same rule can apply to QBs, although you run the risk of turnovers more with QBs. For example: Calvin Johnson put up some fantastic numbers last year, but his team was the worst in history. This is because he got production in "garbage time" and has excellent skills, plus his team was throwing to try to get back in the game quickly. "Megatron" will likely put up similar numbers with a good QB this year, so target him before the fourth round of your draft.

Now, the rankings!

1. Larry Fitzgerald, ARI - After the incredible post-season he had last year (basically carrying the Cardinals on his back to the Super Bowl (and nearly winning that game on his own), Fitz has momentum and will continue to be among the safest and best values at WR. He is a consistency KING and has at least one score or 100 yards just about every week. He should be taken in the first round, especially in PPR leagues. The only thing you have to worry about is the "Madden Curse," which will hopefully be broken now that he's retired from broadcasting!
Projection: 100 catches, 1,500 yards, 12 TDs.

2. Randy Moss, NE - Without the services of elite QB Tom Brady last year, Moss still managed to get over 1,000 yards and 11 TDs. Brady is back. You do the math. Moss should have at least one or two more monster years before he begins a serious decline. He was among the most valuable players when Brady was healthy, so I see no reason why he wouldn't be right near the top now.
Projection: 93 catches, 1,300 yards, 15 TDs.

3. Andre Johnson, HOU - I've already based several rules on this guy's production. When he's healthy, he's practically unstoppable. He showed that last year with 115 catches, 1,575 yards and 8 TDs. He makes other players better, too. He would likely be the number one receiver in PPR leagues, but his injury issues still remain a question. Still, he'll be gone before the end of the second round in almost all leagues.
Projection: 98 catches, 1,400 yards, 10 TDs.

4. Roddy White, ATL - A few years back when Roddy White was drafted, Atlanta knew something that maybe no one else did. "Rowdy" Roddy White is a PLAYER. Matt Ryan loves him, and he had more 100-yard games than any other player last year. If you get bonus points for 100+ yard games, target White. He didn't score very many TDs, but as I've mentioned before, TDs fluctuate a lot in fantasy. Luckily for you, people still don't really know about him, for whatever reason, so he'll likely slip past the second round after guys like Calvin Johnson, Steve Smith and Anquan Boldin are gone. You could wind up with a steal if you can get him in the third round.
Projection: 91 catches, 1,350 yards, 9 TDs.

5. Steve Smith, CAR - Maybe no player in the NFL can draw attention like Steve Smith. And maybe no other player can continue to get the ball in spite of all the attention. Smith is a lock to score big points when he's healthy and he doesn't rely just on long plays. He catches swing passes, screens, bombs, and even occasionally runs the ball. He's a focal point of the Panther's offense and he gets the ball. Period.
Projection: 85 catches, 1,300 yards, 9 TDs.

6. Calvin Johnson, DET - Just about everything you want in a WR you can find in CJ. He's got great measurables, he's the focal point of his team's offense, and he's got a lousy defense backing him up, meaning more throws and more opportunity for Johnson. I love Johnson, but I don't trust him as much as I do the other 5 receivers listed ahead of him. It might be best to let him go for a while and only target him if he becomes available late in the second round and you can get another complimentary player not long after him.
Projection: 80 catches, 1,200 yards, 10 TDs.

7. Reggie Wayne, IND - He's the number one receiver with an uber-talented QB in Peyton Manning. He's money no matter the format but he may be more heavily covered than in years past with the departure of Marvin Harrison and a lack-luster running game. Plus, with a new coach in Indy, the offensive strategy may change. Obviously, he's an elite talent, so he's gonna be drafted high, but don't reach for him too early in the second round. If he's still available when you pick in the third round and you have a great RB and another WR already, he's an exceptional number two.
Projection: 85 catches, 1,200 yards, 8 TDs.

8. Anquan Boldin, ARI - The Cardinals have among the best offenses in the NFL with Kurt Warner at the helm. Boldin would have been almost as good as Larry Fitzgerald last year if he hadn't missed a few games with a broken jaw. Even without a few starts, he still topped 1,000 yards and 11 TDs. He lost a few fumbles last year but he should have a monster year again.
Projection: 80 catches, 1,200 yards 9 TDs.

9. Terrell Owens, BUF - T.O. = T.D. We've all heard it before. T.O. has skills and usually in his first year with a new team he's usually quiet and productive. I'm not really sure what to make of his potential draft situation this year. He's a big name, which means he'll be gone early, but he's also working with an unproven QB, which tends to diminish even a star receiver's value. Draft him late in the second round... or don't. It doesn't matter. If you are lost for a number one receiver and the talent pool is beginning to dwindle, he's still going to get number one receiver statistics.
Projection: 80 catches, 1,100 yards, 10 TDs.

10. Dwayne Bowe, KC - Bowe is super. I love him. You'll love him. He's a great combo of skill and opportunity that everyone is seeking. But he's never played with a legit QB. Enter Matt Cassel. He was in a bit of trouble early this offseason with the coaching staff, but don't worry, he'll be in the starting lineup from week 1 and he'll be more productive than ever with Cassel at the helm.
Projection: 75 catches, 1,100 yards, 9 TDs.

Depending on your league's format there are some receivers that should be on this list. Greg Jennings is great for long-scoring bonus point leagues, as is DeSean Jackson. Wes Welker, Hines Ward and T. J. Houshmandzadeh are excellent options for PPR leagues.

Breakout candidates at receiver tend to include third year players, but here's my list of some with potential:
1. Santonio Holmes, PIT - He did it already in the Super Bowl. A thousand yard season is likely.
2. Anthony Gonzalez, IND - Marvin Harrison is gone, Peyton Manning is still great. He's got an opportunity to excel this season.
3. Nate Washington, TEN - He's a starter now, and he's a burner. He could impress.
4. Ted Ginn, MIA - It's his third year and this former first-rounder needs to put up or shut up. He could be big this year.
5. Mark Clayton, BAL - Joe Flacco's potentially best receiver. And the defense isn't going to be quite as good this year, meaning more opportunities for him to develop with Flacco.