2009 Fantasy Football WR Rankings – A Double Take

Rustyn Rose | August 24, 2009 2:32 pm

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El returno de Ocho?

2009 Fantasy Football Top 50 WR Rankings – Updated

The 2009 fantasy season is the year of the wide receiver. It’s a wide-out love-fest. The long standing tradition of RB/RB as the first two picks–over. This draft you don’t want to go past round three without at least one high-end receiver and preferably two. If you’re in a PPR league this is even more relevant. Here are our most updated rankings for standard leagues. ADP rankings were taken from ESPN, and based on 12 team leagues. Adjust accordingly.

IDP

Top 100

Andre Johnson, HOU ~ I could make a valid argument to take Andre first regardless, many drafters are, but he moves up to number one simply because of Fitzgerald’s QB concerns. Current ADP 13.5, 2nd round.
Larry Fitzgerald, ARI ~ Hard to imagine Larry not being THE top WR this season. I still feel he is, but Kurt Warner is going to be dealing with season long hip issues which could impact his ability to through the ball down field. Current ADP 8.9, 1st round.
Randy Moss, NEP ~ Moss will be churning and burning this season. Brady is already looking like he’s 100% and that can only mean good things for his favorite endzone target. Current ADP 15.7, 2nd round.
Calvin Johnson, DET ~ I anticipated big things for Calvin this season, but less than a few weeks from games that matter, and he still doesn’t have a stable QB situation, and the team gave him no worthwhile number two WR to help. Current ADP 17.7, 2nd round.
Steve Smith, CAR ~ Smith is the man in Carolina. He put up solid numbers in 2008 despite missing his first two games, and his wide receiver two, is the aging Mushin Muhammad. Expect another top performing season. Current ADP 22.6, 3rd round.
Greg Jennings, GBP ~ Favre left cheesetown and Jennings reaped the rewards, having a career year onder new QB Aaron Rodgers. I expect even better in their second year together. Current ADP 25.1, start third round.
Reggie Wayne, IND ~ His three year averages; 91 receptions, 1322 yards, and 8 TDs. As long as he has Manning he’ll remain productive. Current ADP 24.2, end 2nd round.
Roddy White, ATL ~ He keeps progressing each year, and now he has Tony G. to take some of the heat off. Expect him top put up similar receptions and yardage, and near double digits in TDs. Current ADP 27.9, 3rd round.
Anquan Boldin, ARI ~ This is where the drop off to the second tier of WRs starts, and Boldin tops that list by a good bit. He’d be any other team’s WR1, but he plays with Fitzgerald. I have similar concerns about his QBs health, but I still wouldn’t drop him lower than those already beneath him.
Marques Colston, NOS ~ Colston missed a lot of time last season, but if he’s healthy he’s the number one receiver on a team that passes more than any other. He’d be ranked higher, but Drew Brees really spreads the wealth around. Current ADP 34.9 late third round.
Wes Welker, NEP ~ He averages over 100 receptions every season. The only thing keeping him out of the top five is he doesn’t get into the endzone like his partner, Moss. But opportunity is always there as he is Brady’s most used target. Current ADP 40.1, third round.
Dwayne Bowe, KCC ~ Bowe’s stock is really dropping. He showed up for camp overweight. He quickly found himself relegated to the second team practice squad. Though he’s looked better of late, he is off to a very slow start this season. There’s no telling how he will mesh with new QB Matt Cassell, who likes to dip and dunk. I’m passing Bowe over this season unless he drops a couple of rounds below his current ADP. Current ADP 38.4, fourth round.
Roy Williams, DAL ~ He didn’t look great in his brief appearance next to T.O. last season, but this year he replaces T.O. and he and Tony Romo have already developed chemistry. Current ADP 44.2, 4th round.
T.J. Houshmanzedah, SEA ~ I’ve never been on the Housh bandwagon, but something tells me he’s going to thrive as the defacto number one in Seattle. Hassleback connected with him in the team’s second preseason game, so I’m moving him up. Current ADP 44.9, 4th round.
Brandon Marshall, DEN ~ His hip is hurt and his mouth is running more than he is. His ego is getting in the way of his value. My guess is he’ll get traded, perhaps even before the season starts. When the games count he’ll settle down, but he’s always part of a distraction. I’d pass him by unless he drops to round five. Current ADP 43.9, 4th round.
Chad Ochocinco, CIN ~ I think we’ll see a resurgent vintage Chad this year. He’ll probably end up higher than this by season’s end, but Palmer will spread the ball around, and Coles and Henry will steal some thunder. Current ADP 50.7, 4th round.
Terrell Owens, BUF ~ T.O. still has mad skills but he hates cold weather and he has a toe injury. If it’s turf toe it will slow him all season. Third round is just too high for Owens this season, injury worry or not. Current ADP 31.4, 3rd round.
Braylon Edwards, CLE ~ Edwards has a lot to prove this season and I suspect he will. Kellen Winslow is gone, leaving Edwards as the teams only legitimate receiving threat until someone else emerges. Current ADP 54.2, 5th round.
Vincent Jackson, SDG ~ Jackson finally came into his own last season and I see no reason why he won’t maintain those numbers or progress. Current ADP 58.3, 5th round.
Anthony Gonzalez, IND ~ I’m expecting huge things from A-Gonz this year. Close to Reggie Wayne type production three to four rounds later. Marvin Harrison is gone. It’s his time to shine. Current ADP 79.7, 7th round.
Lee Evans, BUF ~ The presence of even a hurt T.O. will open up more lanes for the great receiving talents of Evans. I expect his best season yet. I’m going to go out on a weak limb here and project better fantasy production than T.O. Current ADP 70.1, 6th round.
Eddie Royal, DEN ~ This is the kid to watch. He is a dynamic talent and his play ability suits the skills (or lack thereof), of new QB Kyle Orton. Royal is better than Brandon Marshall. IMHO. Current ADP 80, 7th round.
DeSean Jackson, PHI ~ McNabb’s favorite target not named Westbrook. Jackson was not meant to be McNabb’s top receiver, but he’s quickly become just that. He’s explosive. Current ADP 61.5, 6th round.
Antonio Bryant, TBB ~ I can’t stand this guy, but he was a stud in Tampa last season, and there is no reason, other than history to think he can’t do it again. That said I’d still avoid him and let someone else take the risk. Current ADP 81.3, 7th round.
Hines Ward, PIT ~ Each season Ward and that big smile of his are all over the field being Big Ben’s most productive and efficient wideout. He still seems to have gas left in the tank, so expect another 800-1000 yard season. Current ADP 67.4, 6th round.
Bernard Berrian, MIN ~ Berrian got a bump last week with the signing of the unretired Favre. Home much value Favre adds remains to be seen, but Berrian is always a deep threat and Favre likes to throw deep. His value on ADP charts has spiked close to 20% this last week. Current ADP 61.6, 6th round.
Is this the year?

Santonio Holmes, PIT ~ This is the season the team expects Holmes to take strides in becoming the team’s #1 guy. Hines Ward is another season older, and it’s time for Holmes to take over. Current ADP 76.6, 7th round.
Santana Moss, WAS ~ Moss is not a flashy or feel good pick, yet he always seems to be relatively fantasy productive as a number three WR. Current ADP 77.7, 7th round.
Kevin Walter, HOU ~ Walter seems to fall off most people’s radar. He’s not a big flashy name, but he was quietly the 23rd best receiver last season. Outscoring a few of the guys listed above him. Current ADP 93.9, 8th round.
Donnie Avery, STL ~ He is almost back from his camp injury and should be ready for game one. He drops down only because he has to catch up with the team after missing preseason. He is the Rams top receiver and should have a solid campaign. Current ADP 129.4, 11th round.
Chris Henry, CIN ~ Henry has been on fire this preseason, and looks to have a breakout campaign. I’d label him a sleeper, but he’s not going unnoticed by most savvy owners. Still he could be a solid value pick. Current ADP 172, 13th round.
Steve Breaston, ARI ~ Arizona’s third WR put up fantasy numbers that would have made him a low end WR1, or high end WR2 on other teams. Again the Warner hip worries me, but Breaston produces. He’s got more value in leagues awarding return points. Current ADP 109.6, 10th round.
Donald Driver, GBP ~ Is this guy still playing? Yes, and he’s still producing. Rodgers was a top 5 QB in 2008 and Jennings and Driver were his go to guys. Current ADP 91.5, 8th round.
Devin Hester, CHI ~ Hester’s value took a steep rise with Cutler’s trade to the windy city. It is now up to Hester to capitalize on this windfall. So far he’s struggles to find his niche as the team’s prime receiver. Current ADP 102, 9th round.
Jerricho Cotchery, NYJ ~ Cotch is now the team’s top receiver, unless of course the Jets trade for Brandon Marshall. He should see good fantasy production especially if rookie Mark Sanchez gets the nod at QB. Current ADP 95.6, 8th round.
Laveranues Coles, CIN ~ He’s Cincy’s WR2, but expect Ocho and Henry to be more valuable. Coles will see a lot of short passes through the middle and open deep routes for the other two. Current ADP 106, 9th round.
Torry Holt, JAX ~ Holt leaves his longtime home in St. Louis for a last hurrah in Florida. Some would argue that QB Marc Bulger suits Holt better, but I think David Garrard will surprise both Holt and fantasy owners, giving Holt a quasi-respectable fantasy season. Current ADP 102.6, round 9.
Ted Ginn, Jr, MIA ~ The team’s number one receiver. Expect another year of growth. Current ADP 115.7, 10th round.
Percy Harvin, CHI ~ Percy could be a steal this late. He has mad wheels, and Favre in the pocket. This could be a recipe for a breakout rookie season. Current ADP 116.6, 10th round.
Domenik Hixon, NYG ~ With Plaxico Burress out of the picture, no one is quite sure which receiver will step up to fill that void, but Hixon has shown flashes of that type of big play ability. Current ADP 123, round 11.
Patrick Crayton, DAL ~ The Cowboy’s #2 is primed for a big season, and has no had return duties added to his list for leagues that count them. His value should be higher than this ranking by mid-season. Current ADP 132, 11th round.
Michael who?

Josh Morgan, SFO ~ With rookie Michael Crabtree’s primadonna holdout, Morgan is the top WR in SF. Even if Crabtree eventually signs, Morgan is the better fantasy play in 2009. Current ADP 125, round 11.
Derrick Mason, BAL ~ Mason un-retired, and good thing for the Ravens because they really have no other receiving threats. He’d be ranked higher, but the team is definitely run first. Current ADP 112, round 10.
Jerry Maclin, PHI ~ Rookie wide receivers seldom have big seasons, but Maclin could surprise in that Eagles offense. Current ADP 146, 13th round.
Lance Moore, NOS ~ Moore led Saints receivers last season with Colston hurt, but Brees likes to spread the ball around, and with a healthy Colston and the emergence of Robert Meachem, I expect more to regress. Curnnet ADP 105, 9th round.
Steve Smith, NYG ~ See Hixon above. Current ADP 157.3, 14th round.
Nate Burleson, SEA ~ Housh won’t be the only receiver on Hassleback’s radar this year, and Nate has shown a penchant for producing fantasy gold. Current ADP 156.6,14th round.
Nate Washington, TEN ~ The team brought him in to be their go to guy. So he should get lots of opportunity. How he handles it remains to be seen. Current ADP 151, 13th round.
Earl Bennett, CHI ~ Hester is the man in Chicago, but Bennett could be the surprise fantasy star. His connection with QB Cutler from their Vanderbilt days may pay fantasy dividends. Current ADP 157.6, 14th round.
Mushin Muhammad, CAR ~ He’s quietly productive every season, and makes a great 4th/5th WR. Current ADP 142, 12th round.