Week 1 Lineup calls: Wide Receiver's top starts, sleepers and flops

Lineup calls: QB | RB | WR | TE | K | D/ST

I’m pulling down the spreadsheets and hunkering down on the depth charts to product the first run of “Lineup Calls: Wide Receiver Edition.”

Top 10 Wide Receivers

(exclude Larry Fitzgerald, Randy Moss, Andre Johnson, Marques Colston, DeSean Jackson, Brandon Marshall, Roddy White, Miles Austin and Reggie Wayne)

Chad Ochocinco at New England

Let the madness begin. The Cincinnati offense has weapons to spare, and I expect Carson Palmer to find success downfield in this one against the inexperienced New England cornerbacks. Terrell Owens is also on the radar for what could be a big day from the passing attack.

Bernard Berrian at New Orleans

The Vikings will run Berrian opposite second-year man Percy Harvin. He quietly caught 55 passes last season and has reportedly put last season’s injuries behind him. The Saints make their living on big plays, but they also give up their fair share of big plays as well. Berrian will be targeted 6-to-8 times by Brett Favre under the spotlight, and I expect the veterans to connect.

Malcom Floyd at Kansas City

Floyd assumes the No. 1 role with Vincent Jackson holding firm to his holdout. He caught multiple passes in 12 straight games to close out last season, including a season-ending run of eight games with at least three receptions. Floyd scored his only touchdown of the year in Week 7 against Kansas City, and then posted a three-catch, 85-yard effort in Week 12. I expect to see some improvement from the Kansas City defense under Romeo Crennel, but they’re not stopping Philip Rivers.

Johnny Knox vs. Detroit

Knox has clearly established himself as the No. 1 receiver for Jay Cutler, as evidenced by their frequent hookups in the preseason. Knox takes aim at a reconstituted Detroit secondary, a defensive unit that ranked dead-last against the pass last year (surprise, surprise). If the questionable Chicago offensive line affords Cutler any time at all, Knox will find paydirt.

Pierre Garcon at Houston

Garcon retains his No. 2 slot opposite Reggie Wayne in the high-octane Indianapolis offense and appears to be past whatever ailment sidelined him earlier in camp. He returned to the lineup and scored in the third preseason game. Garcon recorded five catches in each game against the Texans last season and scored in the second contest. The season just might open with a shootout.

Steve Smith at New York Giants

Like everyone, I’m a tad frightened by the lack of production from the Carolina offense in the preseason. Smith returns from a twice-broken arm and remains the sole option for Matt Moore (I like Brandon LaFell and Armanti Edwards as long-term prospects). I expect a slight rebound from the New York pass defense with the arrivals of Antrel Rolle and Deon Grant to aid the secondary, but the frequently-targeted Smith will still get his opportunities in his dozen looks.

Wes Welker vs. Cincinnati

Welker is ready to return to the field for Week 1, a remarkable recovery from his ACL injury. He doesn’t open the season on the “exclusion” list above, but he’s one or two seven-catch games from doing so. Tom Brady and Randy Moss are already displaying the deep connection, and the presence of Rob Gronkowski (a beast this preseason) over the middle clears routes for Welker. The machine rolls forward.

Dwayne Bowe vs. San Diego

I might be the only one, but I’m excited to see how the Kansas City offense runs in Matt Cassel’s second season under center. Bowe has had a strong camp and has acclimated well to Charlie Weis’ system. He’s performed well in his career against San Diego (he was suspended for the second game between the teams last year) and will benefit from the presence of Chris Chambers across the field.

Michael Crabtree at Seattle

Crabtree’s absence from preseason games has been a bit of a mystery, and his training camp demeanor finally forced team captain Vernon Davis to pop off in practice. Unless there’s an injury issue that hasn’t been disclosed, I expect to see Crabtree to perform against the Seahawks. He’ll make a statement to quiet the critics (the “diva” word is creeping up again). Crabtree caught six passes for 60 yards in his first game against Seattle last season.

Santana Moss vs. Dallas

Moss continues to slip on draft boards and opens the season as a late third or early fourth option. He’s still the No. 1 option on the board for Donovan McNabb, who expects to be ready for Week 1 after missing time because of an ankle injury. For whatever reason, Moss always seems to bring his best to the table against the Cowboys. Moss has averaged 7.1 receptions and 90 receiving yards per game in his past six appearances against their division rival and comes to 2010 with a better playmaker under center.

Wide Receiver Sleepers

Nate Burleson at Chicago

The Bears will do everything possible to try and slow top option Calvin Johnson, thereby giving Burleson and opportunity to work in one-on-one coverage. He should see quality targets from Matthew Stafford against a questionable secondary and a Chicago defense that may be without both Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs.

Jacoby Jones vs. Indianapolis

My “Man-Crush” on Jones goes back to his preseason heroics as a rookie in 2007. Now in his fourth year, Jones is expected to take on a much bigger role in the passing game. Jones scored one of his six touchdowns against the Colts last year. I expect this game to be a shootout, and for the speedster out of Lane to make an impact downfield.

Mohamed Massaquoi at Tampa Bay

Massaquoi stands as the top option for Jake Delhomme, who has looked sharp in the preseason, against a pedestrian, youthful Tampa Bay defense. Aquib Talib is suspended for the first game, leaving the back-seven more exposed.

Laurent Robinson vs. Arizona

Robinson started last season well, posting 13 receptions in his first three games before sustaining a season-ending injury against the Packers in Week 3. He’s set to take on an expanded role following the injury to top option Donnie Avery opposite Danny Amendola. Sam Bradford has looked strong in the past two preseason games, and I expect to see him rack up a high number of looks against Arizona.

Jabar Gaffney at Jacksonville

Gaffney has emerged as the top option for Kyle Orton, and I expect to see that connection carry forward into the regular season. The Jaguars made some changes to the defense, but this isn’t a team vaulting to the top of the rankings. Gaffney sees 8-10 looks from Orton as Eddie Royal, Brandon Lloyd and rookie Eric Decker (10 catches in the preseason finale) vie for attention.

Wide Receiver Flops

DeSean Jackson vs. Green Bay

Some might think that I’m harboring hatred for the Eagles, but that’s hardly the case. Jackson is one of my favorite young receivers to watch, and my curiosity has been piqued by the changes in the Philadelphia offense. This is a matchup issue with Jackson drawing coverage from Charles Woodson. He may burst free for a long gain, but I’m not banking on fireworks in this one. Start him, for sure. Just temper your expectations.

Steve Breaston at St. Louis

Breaston acquitted himself nicely as a No. 2 option in Kurt Warner’s offense, but we have no idea what to expect from Derek Anderson (I’ll assume he starts). He was pushed up early draft boards following Anquan Boldin’s exit, but currently sits as a shaky third option, even with the St. Louis defense on tap for the opener.

Mike Sims-Walker vs. Denver

Sims-Walker is another player that should be started in Week 1, drafted as a mid-level WR2, but where the matchup makes us take a step back. Whatever you think of the Denver defense overall (and we like Robert Ayers a lot), you can’t deny Champ Bailey’s impact. Sims-Walker will be targeted frequently by David Garrard. I’m not anticipation the big play.

Anquan Boldin at New York Jets

Boldin owners weren’t overly thrilled about the opener against the Jets, but at least they could point to the ongoing negotiations with Darrelle Revis and find some comfort that the all-world cornerback appeared to be entrenched in his holdout position. Instead, Revis and the team agreed on a new deal, and he'll be ready for Week 1. Boldin had already been tabbed as a potential flop with the resurgent Antonio Cromartie slated to take him. I can’t place him as better than a low-end WR2 or WR3 against the Jets with the return of Revis.