Welcome to my 2012 Week 3 WR Rankings. This week I’ve added a few new names to the list that I believe have solid situations for fantasy owners to take advantage of. Last week was another roller coaster ride for fantasy owners. Falcons receiver Julio Jones had a terrible day (some his own undoing) but Chiefs receiver Dwayne Bowe excelled in garbage time.
We also saw some unexpected performances from Brandon Gibson (Rams), Jon Baldwin (Chiefs) and a few other players that may just be on this list.
You’ll have to read further to find out, and when you’re done here, be sure to take a look at all of our other weekly fantasy football rankings as we try to help you dominate your league each week
Let’s get right to this week’s rankings.
|
Rank |
Player |
Vs. |
Comment |
| 1. | Calvin Johnson – DET | TEN | He’s still the best receiver around despite a shaky Detroit start. He should have a field day against the Titans. |
| 2. | Dwayne Bowe – KC | NO | Last week Dwayne Bowe caught 8 balls for 102 yards and two TDs on 15 targets against Buffalo, and fantasy owners should expect a similar outing against New Orleans this week.Bowe’s production was due to the fact that the Chiefs were down by 30 plus points at the half, but fantasy owners don’t care HOW they get their points, just that they get them.
The Chiefs could find themselves in a similar situation since they are facing Drew Brees and company, or they could wind up in a shootout, but either way, all signs point toward Dwayne Bowe having yet another stellar outing this week.
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| 3. | Victor Cruz – NYGThursday Night | CAR | This game will be a gunslinger’s paradise and Cruz is sure to benefit the most. |
| 4. | Andre Johnson – HOU | DEN | Even though it’s Andre Johnson, the Broncos are probably going to let a few single coverage lanes open up for Johnson. He has a nice matchup on tap here. |
| 5. | Julio Jones – ATL | SD | He didn’t have a good game last week despite the favorable matchup, but he’ll bounce back this week. |
| 6. | Steve Smith – CAR | NYG | The Giants secondary won’t have any answers for Smith. |
| 7. | Antonio Brown – PIT | OAK | Brown faces a terrible Raiders’ secondary that is likely to focus more on Wallace than him. |
| 8. | A. J. Green – CIN | WSH | The Redskins are banged up and Green will benefit early, until Cincy begins to play clock control. |
| 9. | Mike Wallace – PIT | OAK | Should have a nice day as well, but may see a lot of looks with an additional safety over top. |
| 10. | Reggie Wayne – IND | JAX | The Jags flat out stink and Wayne is primed for one helluva day here, mark my words. |
| 11. | Miles Austin – DAL | TB | It’s a very good matchup to take advantage of, but be aware that Tony Romo is likely to spread the love around or Austin would be higher. |
| 12. | Brandon Marshall – CHI | STL | |
| 13. | Hakeem Nicks – NYG | CAR | Don’t expect a repeat of Week 2. |
| 14. | Vincent Jackson – TB | DAL | |
| 15. | Stevie Johnson – BUF | CLEV | No Joe Haden! |
| 16. | Dez Bryant – DAL | TB | |
| 17. | Roddy White – ATL | SD | |
| 18. | Jordy Nelson – GB | SEA | Faces a very tough Seahawks defense. |
| 19. | Eric Decker – DEN | HOU | |
| 20. | Brandon Lloyd – NE | BAL | |
| 21. | Percy Harvin – MIN | 49ers | The 49ers have proven that they are among the elite when it comes to defense, so starting anyone against them always requires caution.Last week the 49ers kept their safeties deep to help counter Calvin Johnson’s presence which prevented him from tearing them apart and scoring—a situation that WILL NOT happen this week.
The 49ers absolutely have to respect RB Adrian Peterson’s presence and that means shallow safeties to help those LBs deal with Peterson, but that still won’t necessarily “solve for X” when Harvin himself is also in the backfield out of those Minnesota “wishbone” packages.
In other words Harvin does have a tough matchup, but he will have his opportunities too, so don’t be so afraid of those pesky 49ers. |
| 22. | Greg Jennings – GB | SEA | |
| 23. | Larry Fitzgerald - ARI | PHI | |
| 24. | Pierre Garcon – WSH | CIN | |
| 25. | Brandon LaFell – CAR | NYG | Starting to come into his own this year, which is good news. |
| 26. | Demaryius Thomas – DEN | HOU | |
| 27. | DeSean Jackson – PHI | ARI | |
| 28. | Marques Colston – NO | KC | |
| 29. | Malcom Floyd – SD | ATL | |
| 30. | Torrey Smith – BAL | NE | |
| 31. | Wes Welker – NE | BAL | |
| 32. | Michael Crabtree – SF | MIN | Should see some early success. |
| 33. | Danny Amendola – STL | CHI | |
| 34. | Kevin Ogletree – DAL | TB | |
| 35. | Donnie Avery – IND
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JAX | Austin Collie has been touch and go all year, and if Collie isn’t a go, I really like Avery as a sneaky play. Our own Tom Digliani, FK’s resident die-hard Colts fan, had this to say in one of our staff discussions: “I love my Colts but this Collie thing is going to be week to week and to be honest I do not know if he will last the year once he comes back anyhow.
Avery saw the most targets and was easily the preferred option in that game.
They also played a larger amount of 3-wide sets compared to their usual 2-TE sets and if they are going to continue down that path Avery may be on the field a lot on the outside where he looked pretty darn comfortable
Make no mistake, I think Collie can be an absolute stud with Luck, but I am growing more and more nervous about his availability long-term this year and Avery (not a pillar of health during his career either) has looked better than advertised so far.”
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| 36. | Kenny Britt – TEN | DET | His role will expand this week after coming away from WK 2 unscathed. |
| 37. | Greg Little – CEL | BUF | |
| 38. | Anquan Boldin – BAL | NE | |
| 39. | Mike Williams – TB | DAL | |
| 40. | Jeremy Maclin – PHI | ARI | Will probably play hurt, limiting his potential. |
| 41. | Lance Moore – NO | KC | |
| 42. | Titus Young – DET | TEN | |
| 43. | Randy Moss – SF | MIN | He goes against his old team which will either make for a sneaky play, or great headline fodder…my guess is the latter. |
| 44. | Mohamed Massaquoi – CLE | BUF | Yes, this is not a typo; Massaquoi is in the Top 50. He is also my highlighted player of the week. (Coming Thursday) |
| 45. | Jon Baldwin – KC | NO | Yes, this is also not a typo; the guy who hasn’t done much at all in KC has made the Top 50. He has a solid matchup against a team that can’t cover a bed with a blanket.Use him if you need him. |
| 46. | DHB – OAK | PIT | |
| 47. | Brandon Gibson – STL | CHI | Gibson isn’t targeted all that much which makes him a poor play in PPR leagues, but the Rams do target him when they are looking to score. He could be worth the gamble this week if you’re in a pinch. |
| 48. | Alshon Jeffery - CHI | STL | |
| 49. | Sidney Rice – SEA | GB | |
| 50. | Andrew Hawkins – CIN | WSH | Andrew who? May be the next hot topic moving forward. Should have a modest day if Washington keeps things close. |
