The Top 10 Wide Receivers in the 2013 Fantasy Football Draft is always a hot topic regardless the month at hand.
We as fantasy competitors always seem to have our pulse on the latest Top 10 wide receivers rankings for very good reason.
But with so many new and emerging stars, it often becomes difficult to decide, on our own, just who is going to be the best of the best.
Well, this is why we’re here.
Today we’re going to take a look at the Top 10 wide receivers in fantasy football and examine just why the rankings fall as such.
As always, please keep in mind that all rankings are not final. There will be plenty of situations and unforeseen events between now and September that could alter these rankings, so please check back often for updates.
Alright. Is everyone ready?
Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions:
Every year, Megatron always seems to grace the number one spot, and he does so with good reason.
What we have to remember here is Calvin Johnson is not only an above average talent, but he is also the model of consistency in fantasy football.
Consistency equals success.
No matter how you dice things up, Calvin Johnson is still the top receiver in the NFL and the top receiving option in fantasy football.
A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals:
If there is one player who could challenge Megatron for the top spot, it’s gotta be A.J. Green, but he does have a ways to go.
In two short years, A.J. Green has totaled 162 receptions for 2,407 yards and 18 TDs which is miles away from the current king of the mountain.
This season, however, should be even better for the young man. Upgrades all over the offense will certainly help, and a new focus on the passing game should enhance what we saw in 2012.
The only knock here? Green will have to cut down on his drops.
Demaryius Thomas, Denver Broncos:
DO NOT underestimate this kid, and if you think this ranking is too high, you may want to rethink how evaluate receivers in fantasy football.
Thomas exploded in 2012 registering 94 catches for 1,434 yards and 10 TDs, and those numbers only stand to get better.
Why?
Peyton Manning and Wes Welker.
Thomas is sure to benefit from another year of training with Manning under his belt, and he is certainly expected to benefit from the presence of Wes Welker in the slot.
You may not see it in the early goings, but I expect this prediction to rapidly take shape, ergo, you would be wise to keep him No. 3.
Brandon Marshall, Chicago Bears:
No matter where the man plays he always produces, even from a fantasy standpoint.
Brandon Marshall out produced my number three in 2012, yes, but I expect his numbers to potentially take a small dip if the Bears plan on spreading the ball around more as anticipated.
Even with a projected dip in numbers, Marshall will still be a Top 10 Wide Receiver in fantasy football who most likely will NOT fall out of the Top 5.
Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons:
It’s clear that Julio Jones is slowly taking over as the prime target in Atlanta.
Last season, Jones finished off as the No. 9 overall fantasy WR, but I think this season he definitely finishes in the Top 5.
With Atlanta enjoying a vigorous pass-first approach, Jones is in line to put on a better show than he did in 2012.
The only question here is just how much defenses will focus on him which keeps him at No. 5.
Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys:
I love the talent level of Dez Bryant. The problem I have is you don’t always know which Bryant you’re gonna get in any given year.
The good news is, however, Dez Bryant should be featured much more in 2013.
QB Tony Romo now has more control over the offense, and Miles Davis has half-proved he isn’t as reliable as he initially appeared to be.
This could work for, or against Bryant in the end but I believe he’ll flirt with the Top 5 or outside, and I also believe he is capable of better numbers in 2013 than last season.
So long as he shows up for a full 16 that is.
Vincent Jackson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
It’s hard to rank Vincent Jackson at No. 7, but in reality, there’s too many variables to rank him ahead of the aforementioned receivers.
- If fellow receiver Mike Williams plays just as good—or better—than 2012, one has to expect a dip in Jackson’s targets.
- If the Bucs’ defense improves as expected, this team will play from behind LESS than they did in 2012—also a situation that could have a negative effect on Jackson’s output.
- The Bucs do want to run more in 2013, and with a guy like Doug Martin in the backfield, you can easily expect them to do so which could help AND hurt Jackson’s output.
In the end, he’s still a Top 10 Wide Receiver in fantasy football, but no better right now than No. 7.
Andre Johnson, Houston Texans:
Even at 31 Andre Johnson is still one of the best receivers in the game, but is he any better than this No.8 ranking?
I’m afraid the answer may be no.
The Texans are tickled pink with rookie DeAndre Hopkins, and his presence will eventually cut into Johnson’s targets.
This is a good thing for Houston, but a bad thing for fantasy owners.
Don’t worry, Andre Johnson was the league’s top targeted receiver in 2012 (58.1%) and if the rookie can’t get things together, the Texans will continue to feature Johnson as they always do.
One other note to consider, Johnson has just 14 TDs in the past three years which hurts his ranking here.
Percy Harvin, Seattle Seahawks:
Here’s an interesting fella to discuss, eh?
We all know that Percy Harvin has a world of talent to offer, but we also know he sort of floats in the Boom or Bust category.
Harvin should enjoy more opportunities in Seattle’s offense; opportunities that should benefit fantasy owners.
But there is a lot of love that will be spread around in that offense, and we still need to see if Harvin can stay healthy.
A No. 9 ranking is more than fair.
Roddy White, Atlanta Falcons:
Six straight years of being a 1,000 plus yard receiver has made the name Roddy White a staple in the Top 10 Wide Receiver rankings over the years.
And even though White is 31, and even though his role is diminishing ever so slightly, we all know he has a few good Top 10 years left in him.
The problem here is the continued rise of Julio Jones, and the addition of what appears to be a better ground assault than Michael Turner (Steven Jackson).
White will go down as one of the greats, but in regard to fantasy, you’d be hard pressed to prove to me why he should be ranked higher.
Perhaps over Harvin, but nothing more than that.
