2010 Fantasy Football WR Rankings

Posted by Kurt on Jun 5, 2010 in Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football Rankings

Fantasy GM's wait to see where T.O. pops up in 2010.

UPDATED: September 6, 2010

Perhaps no position in fantasy football has had more attrition in the last couple of years than wide receiver. Other than a couple of names at the top, some of the biggest, Terrell Owens, Torry Holt, are all but gone, while other big names like Randy Moss and Steve Smith (CAR) are more speculative than in years past. Add to that quarterback changes, and schedule variations, and ranking the receivers is arguably the most difficult of all positions and the one that has the most room for error.

Last season new names exploded into fantasy relevance like Sidney Rice and Miles Austin. Will they be fluke performers or are they the next generation of top 10 WR studs?

That said, the days of drafting running backs with those first two picks have all but vanished. Now not taking a top wide receiver with one of your top two picks can prove to be a fatal fantasy blow.

With all this in mind let’s take an early look at where we see these fantasy studs landing in 2010.

( ) = previous ranking

= significant climb

= significant drop

Tier One ~ Best Bets

RANK	PLAYER	TEAM	BYE	ONE LINER
1	Andre Johnson	HOU	7	171 targets in 2009 and over 1500 yards. Nuff said.
2 (4)	Brandon Marshall	MIA	5	Only 5 WRs had better per game fantasy numbers in 2009. He’ll have a better year in 2010.
3	Roddy White	ATL	8	Only Andre Johnson was targeted more in 2009.
4 (5)	Randy Moss	NE	5	His second half wasn’t a good sign in 2009, but he should have one good year left.
5 (2)	Reggie Wayne	IND	7	He is a consistent guy, but team has many receiving threats

Tier Two ~ Relatively safe bets

RANK	PLAYER	TEAM	BYE	ONE LINER
6 (4)	Calvin Johnson	DET	7	Top 5 talent on a bad, bad team
7 (12)	Greg Jennings	GB	10	The Rodgers/Jennings connection is going to be huge in 2010.
8	Miles Austin	DAL	4	Others rank him higher, but I want to see him for a full season. The upside is there though.
9 (10)	Larry Fitsgerald	ARI	6	Losing Warner is painful, and now he misses the pre-season
10 (9)	DeSean Jackson	PHI	8	Some worry about Kolb at QB but I see it as a boon for Jackson.
11	Marques Colston	NOS	10	A soft schedule can only help his fantasy consistency at WR.
12 (15)	Steve Smith	NYG	9	The 4th most targeted WR in the NFL in 2009.
13	Anquan Boldin	BAL	8	He gets to be the go-to-guy with one of the league’s most underrated QBs.
14	Steve Smith	CAR	4	A down year in 2009, but still has top 5 receiver skills
15 (18)	Wes Welker	NE	5	Consistent as they come. Should be ready week 1.

Tier Three ~ Getting speculative

RANK	PLAYER	TEAM	BYE	ONE LINER
16	Michael Crabtree	SFO	8	Perhaps a few picks high but his upside is worth it.
17	Hakeem Nicks	NYG	9	The homerun threat. Could be the best of NY’s receivers.
18	Mike Sims-Walker	JAX	9	He surprised everyone in 2009 and he’s the #1 guy in 2010 for the Jags.
19	Chad OchoCinco	CIN	6	Still the man in Tigerland.
20	Dwayne Bowe	KC	4	He’d be higher if he used his hands more than his mouth, but still capable of top 15 numbers
21	Jeremy Maclin	PHI	8	Look for him to expand on his solid rookie campaign.
22	Mike Wallace	PIT	5	This is his chance to shine. Holmes is gone.
23 (26)	Hines Ward	PIT	5	Ward’s about as consistent as they come. Still WR1.
24	Percy Harvin	MIN	4	Constant injuries keep him out of top 20, but Rice out helps.
25	Malcolm Floyd	SDC	10	He is now the #1 WR in SD with Jackson out.

Tier Four ~ Looking for upside and sleepers

RANK	PLAYER	TEAM	BYE	ONE LINER
26	Pierre Garcon	IND	7	Garcon is Peyton’s WR2 for a reason
27	Terrell Owens	CIN	6	Already showing chemistry for the Bengals
28	Johnny Knox	CHI	8	Looks to be the favorite target in Chicago
29	Mike Williams	SEA	5	T.J. is gone and Williams is now #1
30	Devin Aromashodu	CHI	8	He should be pretty neck and neck with Knox this season.
31 (36)	Jabar Gaffney	DEN	9	Still not the love he deserves in drafts this year
32	Mike Williams	TB	9	He is the Bucs’ #1 WR in 2010
33	Donald Driver	GBP	10	His age and knees worry me in 2010.
34	Santonio Holmes	NYJ	7	He will be best Jets receiver when he gets in line up
35	Lee Evans	BUF	6	No QB, but he’ll still pull in his share of balls for the Bills.

Tier Five ~ Last of the Brohicans and the deep sleep

RANK	PLAYER	TEAM	BYE	ONE LINER
36	Devery Henderson	NO	10	Henderson, not Meachum is #2 this year
37	Bernard Berrian	MIN	4	With Rice out, Berrian has a chance to regain his dominance.
38	Dez Bryant	DAL	4	He seems to have moved into the #2 role ahead of Roy Williams
39	Devin Hester	CHI	8	He’s still trying to prove his value.
40	Laurent Robinson	STL	9	Team’s #1 with Avery out
41	Mario Manningham	NYG	9	Was as productive as Nicks last season
42	Steve Breaston	ARI	6	Not a big fan.
43	Derrick Mason	BAL	8	Boldin should get the old man open. 1000 yards? It could happen.
44	Nate Burleson	DET	7	Megatron will help get this stealth bomber open
45	Santana Moss	WAS	9	Don’t like him, never will.
46	Braylon Edwards	NYJ	7	Once Holmes returns, he’s toast for production
47	Nate Washington	TEN	9	Is pressing Britt for the #1 WR slot for the Titans
48	Robert Meachum	NO	10	Injuries have cost him his WR2 role
49	TJ Houshmandzadeh	BAL	8	Gets new life with Ravens
50	Dexter McCluster	KCC	4	Mini-Welker is my deep sleeper this season.

Tier Six ~ Throw it against the wall and see what sticks

RANK	PLAYER	TEAM	BYE	ONE LINER
51	Eddie Royal	DEN	9	Has big upside this year
52	Louis Murphy	OAK	10	The Raiders WR1
53	Mohammed Massaquoi	CLE	8	The best on a bad team
54	Austin Collie	IND	7	Showed sparks of greatness last season
55	Roy Williams	DAL	4	Former WR1 now forgotten man in Big D?
56	Devin Thomas	WAS	9	He could become McNabb’s fave target
57	Jacoby Jones	HOU	7	Will be the 2nd best WR in Houston this season
58	Davonne Bess	MIA	6	Someone has to take the heat off Marshall
59	Chris Chambers	KC	4	Should have quietly viable season
60	James Jones	GB	6	Firmly won WR3 for Pack
61	Legedu Naanee	SD	8	Team’s WR2
62	Brian Robiskie	CLE	8	Looking for a breakout
63	Jerricho Cotchery	NYJ	7	Great slot receiver
64	Joshua Cribbs	CLE	8	Browns all purpose threat
65 (14)	Sidney Rice	MIN	4	Out at least 8 weeks. Best to pass on him.
66 (11)	Vincent Jackson	SDC	10	Out until at least week 11
67	Jordan Shipley	CIN	6	Should be a great slot receiver for Palmer
68	Mike Thomas	JAX	9	This kid has huge upside
69	Deon Butler	SEA	5	You could put Deion Branch but I like Butler’s upside
70	Julian Edelman	NEP	5	With Welker not 100% he could be a great late pick