WR preview: Moss rolls into first, followed by Owens
FOX Fantasy Football
 |
Free FOX Fantasy Football:
- The Right Choice
It's free, easy to use and reliable.
Create or join a league today! - Draft Guide
Transform draft day into a title! - Front Office
Receive analysis year-round!
Rankings:
- Rotter: Fantasy Fifty | Top 500
- Rotter: QB | RB | WR | TE | K | D/ST
- Harmon: Roundup
- Harmon: QB | RB | WR | TE | K | D/ST
Analysis:
- Player previews (Rotter):
QB | RB | WR | TE | K | D/ST - Strategy tips (Rotter):
Draft | Managing | Diligence - Sleepers (Harmon):
QB | RB | WR - Flops (Harmon):
QB | RB | WR | TE-K-D/ST - NFL Draft (Rotter): Round 1 | 2 | 3-7
- Team previews (Juhasz):
AFC: East | North | South | West
NFC: East | North | South | West - Free agency: Movers | RB | WR | TE
1. Randy Moss, New England: After catching 98 passes for 1,493 yards and an NFL-record 23 touchdowns, Moss holds the lofty No. 1 spot among wide receivers. Returning to New England with Tom Brady as his quarterback bodes well for his 11th season. He played in 16 games for the seventh time, showing his excellent durability. He also showed why he's the game's most dangerous receiver, scoring at the goal-line by grabbing high passes over the outstretched hands of smaller cornerbacks or outrunning them to catch long throws. He led the NFL with nine catches of 40 yards or more. Simply put, Moss owns the talent, quarterback, skilled teammates and history of success and durability to post another great fantasy year.
2. Terrell Owens, Dallas: As long as he's the favorite wide receiver for Tony Romo, Owens will keep posting excellent fantasy seasons like 2007 when he caught 81 passes for 1,355 yards and 15 touchdowns. While he's already age 34, Owens remains healthy by staying in excellent shape and has missed only one game in the past two seasons. He is still one of the league's most explosive and dangerous big-play receivers, ranking third in the league in receptions of 20 or more yards (22) and fourth in catches of 40 or more yards (six). Owens is supported by a strong offense in which he can avoid double teams when defenses focus on stopping the running game. Still, he struggled at the end of the season by totaling just 10 passes for 106 yards and one score in the final three games. Some of that could be attributed to coach Wade Phillips' lackadaisical approach to conditioning, resulting in tired legs at the end of the season. Expect Dallas to figure out ways for Owens to avoid the double teams he faced toward the end of the season.
3. Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis: Despite teammate Marvin Harrison missing 11 games last year, Wayne still achieved career highs of 104 receptions and 1,510 receiving yards. Though he was the focal point of pass defenses, Wayne still scored 10 touchdowns. Having claimed the status of Indy's No. 1 wideout, Wayne has been remarkably durable, playing in all 16 games for five straight seasons. As long as Peyton Manning is the quarterback, Wayne remains one of fantasy's top wideouts. He has the skills, hands, size and speed to catch passes deep, intermediate and short and will run go routes as well as crossing patterns. Wayne finished second last year in receptions of 20 or more yards (25) and was fifth in catches of 40 or more yards (five).
4. Braylon Edwards, Cleveland: All he did in his breakout season was score the league's second-most receiving touchdowns with 16. He also added career highs of 80 receptions and 1,289 yards. Simply put, Edwards' excellent height (6-3), athleticism, speed and receiving ability was no match for many smaller cornerbacks. He finished fourth in the league in catches for 20 yards or more (21). Indeed, he displayed the ability to snare the football at the top of his leap past the outstretched arms of multiple defensive backs for numerous big plays. With the addition of speedster Donte' Stallworth to an already impressive cache of big-play performers on offense, Edwards will take advantage of more single coverages to produce long gains. The best may be yet to come for this fourth-year talent.
5. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona: Remarkably, this fifth-year star posted numbers nearly identical to his 2005 season. In '07, he caught 100 passes for 1,409 yards and 10 scores; in '05, he had 103 receptions for the same number of yards and scores. He's still relatively durable, too, missing only game last year. Few wideouts offer his rare combination of size (6-3 and 226 pounds), speed, hands and receiving ability. This makes him a big-play threat, a touchdown-maker and a clutch possession receiver all rolled into one. While Arizona's quarterback situation remains unsettled, with both Kurt Warner and Matt Leinart receiving significant playing time, Fitzgerald has proven he can perform well with either. In addition, teammate Anquan Boldin relieves some of the constant double teams, drawing away defenders to let Fitzgerald defeat one-on-one coverage.
6. Wes Welker, New England: Give an overachiever a chance to be featured, and watch him have an incredible season like Welker did in 2007. He tied for the league lead in receptions with 112, gained 1,175 yards and scored eight touchdowns. Of course, it helps to have one of the game's best quarterbacks, Tom Brady, using his pinpoint accuracy and superb vision to find Welker darting between defenders in close range. Welker's stock also increases in reception leagues, as he's a frequent safety valve for Brady. Despite being only 5-9 and 185 pounds and absorbing punishing blows by powerfully built linebackers and safeties, Welker has played all 16 games for three straight seasons. So much attention is focused on Moss that defenses let Welker roam free without double coverages. Last year's move to New England ensures he'll be a very productive receiver in fantasy for the second straight season.
7. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Cincinnati: While controversy swirls around Chad Johnson, Houshmandzadeh was Carson Palmer's favorite receiver and top touchdown target for the second straight season. He tied for the league lead in receptions (112) and scored 12 times, gaining a career-high 1,143 yards. As long as Palmer is his quarterback, his fantasy value will remain high. Cincinnati's passing attack has been one of the most consistent and effective for several years. In addition, the defense has struggled, forcing the offense to pass frequently to keep up with the high scoring. This bodes well for Houshmandzadeh's fantasy value next season.
8. Andre Johnson, Houston: He raced to the top of the fantasy charts in the first two games, totaling 14 receptions for 262 yards and three touchdowns. Johnson showed why he is the total package, outdueling smaller cornerbacks with his great size (6-3 and 219 pounds), outrunning the secondary with his excellent speed and catching passes in traffic with his solid receiving skills. However, after the great start, he missed the next seven games with a knee injury. Yet he returned to score in four straight games and still finished with eight touchdowns, along with 60 receptions for 851 yards. This projects to 107 receptions, 1,513 yards and 16 touchdowns for a full season, which would have made him one of fantasy's top wideouts last year. Johnson's production rose sharply because of stability at quarterback with the addition of Matt Schaub and steady veteran play of Sage Rosenfels, as well as improved offensive line play. Though he was injured last year, Johnson has been durable, missing only three games in his first four seasons while playing all 16 in three of those years. In addition, if Houston strengthens its running game, Johnson has even better chance of great success by taking advantage of safeties playing close on deep passes. His underwhelming 2007 total stats may cause him to be overlooked in drafts, but he will be extremely productive and one of fantasy's top wideouts if he can stay healthy as he's done previously.
9. Plaxico Burress, New York Giants: Despite being tagged as questionable with an ankle injury on the weekly injury report, Burress played every game and responded with 70 receptions for 1,025 yards and an NFL fourth-most 12 receiving touchdowns. He showed his dominance as a receiver by scoring eight touchdowns in the season's first six games. He plays in a well-balanced, talented offense, allowing him to avoid constant double teams, and has an excellent quarterback, Eli Manning, who consistently delivers accurate passes. Burress will achieve more 100-yard receiving days (than his three last season) with improved health and more practice time during the week to establish better rapport and timing with Manning. He's scored in double digits in consecutive seasons, so he remains Manning's top scoring threat at receiver.
 |
| Steve Smith's fantasy production largely depends on the health of veteran quarterback Jake Delhomme. (Al Messerschmidt / Getty Images) |
10. Steve Smith, Carolina: After finishing as fantasy's top receiver in 2005 by leading the NFL in receptions (103), yards (1,563) and touchdowns (12), Smith has posted consecutive disappointing seasons. He battled injuries in 2006 and dealt with the loss of starting quarterback Jake Delhomme to a season-ending injury after only three games. He still compiled 1,000-yard seasons in 2006 and '07, but he was drafted among the top receivers with the expectation that he'd finish among the league leaders. A full season of health from Delhomme will help Smith achieve elite fantasy status. In his favor, the Panthers bolstered their No. 2 wideout with the additions of Muhsin Muhammad (who re-joins the team) and D.J. Hackett. If either succeeds, Smith will deal with fewer double teams and post better stats. But if Delhomme becomes injured again or Smith battles injures for another season, then he'll fall short of expectations for the third straight year.
11. Brandon Marshall, Denver: Though he may be sidelined until August with a forearm injury from a freak accident, Marshall has the size, speed, talent and receiving skills to be one of fantasy's top receivers. He had his breakout season in only his second year after emerging as Denver's No. 1 wideout when Javon Walker was sidelined with knee injuries. Marshall finished with 102 receptions for 1,325 yards and seven touchdowns last season and should improve on those stats with a full season as Denver's No. 1 wideout. In addition, he showed the ability to be durable, playing in all 16 games despite a heavy workload. As quarterback Jay Cutler matures, he will keep making better passes to Marshall and create more scoring chances.
12. Marques Colston, New Orleans: After posting a surprising rookie season in which he was plucked from the waiver wire in many fantasy leagues, Colston improved his stats in his second year to post career highs of 98 receptions for 1,202 yards and 11 touchdowns. He showed his rookie year was no fluke and enters his third year with sights set even higher. This No. 1 wideout plays with one of the league's top quarterbacks, Drew Brees, and their excellent rapport leads to many passing connections. In fact, Brees led the league in pass attempts last season, and he'll continue to throw frequently if a suspect Saints defense continues to allow high point totals. Colston offers a unique blend of great size (6-4, 231 pounds) and speed; he's built like a tight end but can move like a running back. This enables him to catch the tough passes in traffic while converting deep passes by outrunning defenders. After having offseason surgery to repair a bothersome knee, Colston is aiming for even bigger numbers.
13. Torry Holt, St. Louis: Though he endured a frustrating season of injuries and offensive ineptness, Holt still played every game and accumulated his second straight season of 93 receptions. He totaled 1,189 yards to gain one more yard than in 2006, and scored seven touchdowns after clinching 10 two years ago. Injuries to Marc Bulger downgraded Holt's value last year, causing him to post fewer than 80 yards in eight games. He had six 100-yard games in 2005 but totaled just three last year. In Holt's possible favor, he's reunited with new offensive coordinator Al Saunders, who served as wide receivers and assistant head coach with St. Louis in 1999 and 2000. Holt had a superb fantasy season in 2000, his second year in the league, with 82 catches for 1,635 yards and six scores. Still, Saunders failed to produce prodigious fantasy receivers with ensuing stints in Kansas City and Washington. So the jury's still out on whether he will boost Holt's stats. Regardless, once the darling of the league, St. Louis has regressed to retread status on offense. Questions remain as to whether Holt can jumpstart his stats to rank among the very best again.
14. Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis: Is this the beginning of the end for Harrison? He was one of fantasy's biggest disappointments last year, playing only five games because of knee injuries. His string of eight straight 1,000-yard seasons and double-digit touchdowns was snapped. If he can rebound, he'll provide excellent value on draft day based on his excellent track record and previous good health. He had missed only two games in the previous eight seasons. As long as Peyton Manning is throwing him passes, Harrison can still be a solid fantasy receiver.
15. Chad Johnson, Cincinnati: Rambunctious on and off the field, this malcontent talent ceded his role as Cincy's No. 1 wideout to T.J. Houshmandzadeh last season. Still, Johnson was very productive, finishing third in receiving yards(1,440) and 12th in receptions (93), and scoring eight touchdoiwns. He remains one of the game's top big-play threats, leading the NFL in receptions of at least 20 or more yards with 27. However, what's disconcerting is that he only scored in four games and in only two of the last 14 contests. If he can be productive again without any off-the-field issues affecting his play, then Johnson will provide solid value in drafts. But he is a riskier pick than many established fantasy wideouts, dropping his standing in fantasy drafts.
16. Greg Jennings, Green Bay: Though Donald Driver may be better known, fantasy owners realize Jennings was Brett Favre's big-play receiver last year. He finished fourth in receiving touchdowns (12) in only his second season and accomplished this despite missing three games. Otherwise, Jennings might have recorded his first 1,000-yard season, as he gained 920 yards on 53 receptions. Jennings scored in all but three of his 14 contests and ranked third in catches of 40 yards or more (seven). Whether new quarterback Aaron Rodgers can effectively provide Jennings with more big-play receptions is the big question. If Rodgers succeeds this season, then Jennings will finish as one of fantasy's best draft-day values. 17. Anquan Boldin, Arizona: Though he missed four games with hip and toe injuries, Boldin still caught nine touchdowns, along with 71 catches for 853 yards. Projected over a full season, those stats translate to an excellent fantasy season of 95 receptions for 1,137 yards and 12 scores. Only 27, Boldin is entering just his sixth season, so he still has the potential to be one of fantasy's top receivers. He played in all 16 games two years ago, catching 83 passes for 1,203 yards and four scores. Paired with a great receiver like Fitzgerald, Boldin has the chance to produce big games against single coverages. As he's one of the league's most physical receivers, Boldin just needs to stay healthy.
 |
| Despite being highly touted, Detroit's Roy Williams has underperformed with inconsistent play. (Harry How / Getty Images) |
18. Roy Williams, Detroit: Despite much hoopla about his talent, Williams has produced only one 1,000-yard season in four years. He's disappointed many with his lackluster production, especially last season when he caught just 64 passes for 838 yards and five scores. His season ended after only 12 games because of a knee injury, and he scored in only one game in his final nine contests. However, he has the ability to match or exceed his 2006 career fantasy season of 82 receptions for 1,310 yards and seven scores. The Lions are expected to run a more balanced offense, which could lead to more chances for Williams to defeat single coverage with only the cornerback in the way. Still, the departure of pass-happy Mike Martz and maturation of Calvin Johnson may reduce Williams' chance for great fantasy success.
19. Santonio Holmes, Pittsburgh: While Hines Ward is the possession receiver for the shorter routes, Holmes serves as Ben Roethlisberger's big-play receiver downfield, having led the league in average yards per catch (18.1). Despite missing three games, Holmes nearly produced his first 1,000-yard season by catching 52 passes for 942 yards and eight scores in only his second season. His stats will improve in his third year as he should surpass 1,000 yards and score double-digit touchdowns, assuming he's healthy. What bodes well for his future is that Roethlisberger will continue to improve and their rapport will only become better.
20. Hines Ward, Pittsburgh: Though Roethlisberger wished he had taller wideouts in the past, he will find little to complain about Ward's proficiency as a receiver. Utilizing his great hands, Ward is a reliable target in the heavily trafficked middle of the field and makes the tough catch. However, now in his 11th season, he's no longer a top-10 fantasy wideout. He's not a big-play receiver as his teammate Holmes assumes that role downfield. Ward's stats have steadily declined in the last three seasons as he's failed to record 1,000 yards during that span, and in '07 he posted the lowest yardage total (732) of his past seven seasons. In addition, he scored only seven and six touchdowns, respectively, in the last two seasons after registering 13 in 2005. Ward also become injury-prone recently, missing three games last year and two games in 2006. He'll be a reliable No. 2 fantasy wideout, but he's no longer able to achieve 100-yard receiving days on a regular basis.
21. Bernard Berrian, Minnesota: After signing a huge contract in joining the Vikings, Berrain faces high expectations. This speedy, big-play receiver is entering the right offense to utilize his skills as a deep threat. Minnesota runs frequently with gamebreaker Adrian Peterson forcing safeties to move close, freeing outside receivers like Berrian to outrun cornerbacks for deep passes. Minnesota's biggest question mark is inexperienced quarterback Tavaris Jackson. He has the strong arm to connect with Berrian in stride, but he must improve his accuracy and command of the offense. Berrian is looking to clinch his first 1,000-yard season and has never had double-digit scores. Of note, he posted career highs of 71 catches for 951 yards last season with Chicago and scored a career-best six scores in 2006.
22. Kevin Curtis, Philadelphia: The Eagles were in the market in the off-season to find a new No. 1 wideout. Curtis had mixed results as Philly's top receiver last season. He clinching a career-high 77 catches for 1,110 yards, highlighted by Week 3's 11 receptions for 221 yards and three scores. He also showed durability, playing in all 16 games last season, impressive for a light receiver. But he had only three games with at least 100 receiving yards and endured a six-game scoreless streak. In addition, Donovan McNabb regressed last season, putting Philadelphia's passing game in doubt.
23. Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City: Despite instability and poor play at quarterback, Bowe was fantasy's top rookie wideout last season, catching 70 passes, nearly gaining 1,000 yards (995) and scoring five touchdowns. With great size (6-2 and 221 pounds), athleticism and speed, Bowe outran cornerbacks on deep routes and outjumped them to pluck catches high. Once Kansas City's quarterbacking improves, Bowe will regularly produce big games of 100-plus yards and/or multiple touchdowns.
24. Chris Chambers, San Diego: He caught a big break being traded from Miami's lowly squad to one of the NFL's top offenses (San Diego) last season. Chambers finished strong, scoring in three of the last five games, including the playoffs. He also averaged 80 yards during that span. Those stats project to 1,280 yards and 10 touchdowns for 16 games . As the No. 1 wideout, a full season and a stronger rapport with the improving Philip Rivers in San Diego's well-balanced, explosive offense will ensure Chambers can approach those lofty numbers.
25. Lee Evans, Buffalo: Instability at quarterback and a run-focused offense contributed heavily to Evans' stats decline last season. He failed to reach 1,000 receiving yards for the third time in four seasons and scored a career-low five touchdowns. If Trent Edwards can improve significantly in his second season, he will help Evans approach his career bests of 82 receptions, 1,292 yards and eight scores. Evans has yet to miss a game in four seasons.
26. Bobby Engram, Seattle: One of fantasy's most underrated wideouts is Matt Hasselbeck's most reliable receiver. Impressively, Engram had his best year in his 12th season, clinching career highs of 94 receptions, 1,147 yards and six touchdowns. After battling injuries and missing nine games in 2006, Engram played in all 16 games for the sixth time in his career. The departure of D.J. Hackett ensures Engram will remain an integral part of Seattle's passing attack as he has tremendous rapport with Hasselbeck. Seattle's West Coast offense lends itself well to Engram's skills as a possession receiver on underneath and short routes.
27. Roddy White, Atlanta: Despite poor play and shuffling at quarterback last season, White had a breakout season with career highs of 83 receptions, 1,202 yards and six touchdowns. The Falcons defense will be shaky again, forcing the offense to pass frequently in order to catch up scoring. White has the ability to compile big fantasy days, achieving five 100-yard receiving games and scoring in four of the last six games last year. Atlanta will have more stability at quarterback with rookie Matt Ryan and a new coaching staff in place, so look for White to be a potent No. 3 fantasy receiver.
28. Jerry Porter, Jacksonville: Though he's never achieved a 1,000-yard season or double-digit scores, Porter has come close to clinching those receiving benchmarks. He twice gained 900-plus yards (2004 and '05) and nine touchdowns (2002 and '04). In fairness to Porter, he accomplished his best seasons with competent quarterbacks like Rich Gannon ('02) and Kerry Collins ('04 and '05) as opposed to playing with shaky quarterbacks for the last two seasons. He's now placed in a positive situation with improving David Garrard at quarterback, a strong offensive line and one of the league's top running games, Porter has all the right pieces in place to achieve 1,000 yards or double-digit touchdowns for the first time. He owns the speed, size, athleticism and receiving skills to accomplish those feats.
29. Donald Driver, Green Bay: After achieving four straight seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards, Driver's best fantasy days are behind him. The transition to Aaron Rodgers leaves Driver without the great rapport he had with Brett Favre. Entering his 10th season, Driver will be hard-pressed to produce a prodigious fantasy season. He slumped to a measly two touchdown catches last year and is no longer Green Bay's top receiving threat.
30. Joey Galloway, Tampa Bay: Despite turning age 37 next November and entering his 14th season, Galloway still remains a legitimate No. 3 fantasy receiver. He clinched his third straight 1,000-yard season last year, catching 57 passes for 1,014 yards and six touchdowns. He would have likely played all 16 games for the third straight season if the Bucs didn't rest him for the playoffs. Impressively, Galloway had the NFL's second-highest average per catch (17.8). His biggest drawbacks are his age and lack of proven complementary receivers to draw double teams away from him. If he remains among the league's fastest wideouts, he'll keep contributing to fantasy squads.
31. Laveranues Coles, New York Jets: After starting all 16 games in the previous six seasons, Coles endured an injury-riddled 2007. He missed five games with an ankle injury, including the last three contests. Instability at quarterback also contributed to Coles' poor production; he only caught 55 passes for 646 yards. While he had six touchdown receptions to tie his career high, Coles remains a lesser scoring threat than most No. 1 wideouts. He simply lacks the straight-line speed to outrun the secondary for touchdowns and the height (5-11) to be a dominant scoring threat inside the red zone. At age 30, his physical skills could also decline rapidly. Combined with his higher injury risk and lesser physical skills, Coles is only a No. 3 fantasy receiver. He will need better health and improvement at the quarterback spot in order to achieve a 1,000-yard season again.
32. Santana Moss, Washington: He once was one of fantasy's top receivers in 2005 when he caught 84 passes for 1,483 yards and nine touchdowns. However, he's slumped significantly in the past two seasons, averaging only 58 receptions for 799 yards and totaling nine touchdowns. His difficulties could be tracked to an assortment of injuries (hamstring, groin and heel) and an inexperienced quarterback (Jason Campbell), affecting his productivity for the past two seasons. In his favor, he still showed he can produce a big game when he finished the regular season with eight catches for 115 yards and a score against Dallas. However, with a young quarterback still developing, a change in coaches, a new offense and recent injury history, Moss is no longer a bona fide fantasy starter.
Quick tip: Unlike rookie running backs, avoid rookie wide receivers: Only six in the last 17 seasons have reached 1,000 receiving yards.
advertisement
