It’s Week 1 of the regular season which means it’s time for Week 1 WR rankings—will Calvin Johnson or Larry Fitzgerald be number 1?
Make sure you look at the rest of our Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 1.
Week 1 WR rankings are usually a dicey topic. This year we have a few lingering injuries that could hinder a few players and some interesting match-ups that have never occurred (Julio Jones will face Kansas City for the first time as an example).
Let’s get right into the thick of things and see who’s who in my Week 1 WR rankings.
|
Rank |
Player |
Versus |
Comment |
| 1. | Calvin Johnson – DET | STL | Obvious mention here. Detroit should throw often and early. |
| 2. |
Larry Fitzgerald – ARI |
SEA | Last year Fitz proved that it really doesn’t matter who throws the ball, because he produces regardless. This year should be no different, especially since the Cardinals are expected to once again rely on him heavily. The other interesting point for fantasy owners is this: Fitzgerald has had more success against the Seattle Seahawks in his career than any other NFL team (102 - 1,371 – 11) so this Week 1 start is an absolute must. |
| 3. | Andre Johnson – HOU | MIA | Johnson’s ribs are fine so everyone is aware. Start Johnson with confidence. |
| 4. | Julio Jones – ATL | KC | And so we begin the expected breakout season for Jones. He may be slowed early in this one, but will eventually pick up steam by the fourth. |
| 5. | Marques Colston – NO | WSH | Great matchup for Colston owners. Washington should wind up focusing their attention on TE Jimmy Graham, so Colston’s lanes should be wide open…enjoy the start. |
| 6. | Victor Cruz – NYGWednesday night | DAL | Hakeem Nicks is still bothered by that foot; can ya guess who will benefit in NY? |
| 7. | Brandon Marshall – CHI | IND | There should be plenty of mismatches for Marshall, but that O-Line has me concerned or he’d be higher. |
| 8. | Percy Harvin – MIN | JAX | Good start for Harvin. |
| 9. | Wes Welker – NE | TEN | The Pats will try to find a rhythm early, and they should do so out of the slot with Welker. |
| 10. | Dez Bryant – DALWednesday night | NYG | Bryant will be a go Wednesday evening, but his patella tendinitis may slow him just a bit which is why he isn’t higher than 10. |
| 11. | Antonio Brown – PIT | DEN | Brown has really showed up this offseason and is projected as the No. 1 receiver in Week 1. |
| 12. | Steve Smith – CAR | TB | No health issues. Smith is a go. |
| 13. | Roddy White – ATL | KC | |
| 14. | Jordy Nelson – GB | SF | GB may run more than expected in this contest. |
| 15. | Jeremy Maclin – PHI | CLEV | Sleeper matchup of the week. |
| 16. | DeSean Jackson – PHI | CLEV | |
| 17. | Vincent Jackson – TB | CAR | Needs better outside isolation, and better play from fellow teammates to be ranked higher. |
| 18. | A.J. Green – CIN | BAL | |
| 19. | Greg Jennings – GB | SF | |
| 20. | Torrey Smith – BAL | CIN | Baltimore is basically running a no-huddle offense with a lot focus downfield; Smith is setup for a lot of Week 1 success. |
| 21. | Brandon Lloyd – NE | TEN | Should see some deep looks, might take a few weeks to really come into his own as a Patriot. |
| 22. | Nate Washington – TEN | NE | |
| 23. | Eric Decker – DEN | PIT | |
| 24. | Demaryius Thomas - DEN | PIT | |
| 25. | Hakeem Nicks – NYGWednesday night | DAL | I don’t like the news surrounding Nicks’ surgically repaired foot. Nicks is still experiencing pain and it has caused him to miss some time this preseason. Nicks is going to play, but I really don’t believe he will be all that effective. The Giants will obviously lean heavily on Victor Cruz, but be aware they have a secret weapon in TE Martellus Bennett that may be exposed Wednesday night. If you have to start Nicks, then do so. Just don’t expect the world from him. |
| 26. | Mike Wallace – PIT | DEN | |
| 27. | Titus Young - DET | STL | Don’t sleep on Young |
| 28. | Reggie Wayne – IND | CHI | |
| 29. | Dwayne Bowe – KC | ATL | If Atlanta jumps out early on KC, the Falcons defense will expect Bowe to be targeted often making it easier to defend against him. I don’t like the scenario, or the time he missed in a new offense. |
| 30. | Justin Blackmon – JAX | MIN | |
| 31. | Michael Crabtree – SF | GB | |
| 32. | Miles Austin – DALWednesday night | NYG | His hammy is a concern right now. |
| 33. | DHB – OAK | SD | |
| 34. | Pierre Garcon – WSH | NO | |
| 35. | Michael Floyd – SD | OAK | |
| 36. | Stevie Johnson – BUF | NYJ | Swears he has Revis’ number…we’ll see. |
| 37. | Anquan Boldin – BAL | CIN | Not a bad WR 3 option at all. |
| 38. | Santonio Holmes – NYJ | BUF | |
| 39. | Kendall Wright – TEN | NE | |
| 40. | Robert Meachem – SD | OAK | With Brown out, Meachem gets a boost in his value. |
| 41. | Davone Bess – MIA | HOU | |
| 42. | Nate Burleson – DET | STL | |
| 43. | Danny Amendola – STL | DET | |
| 44. | Greg Little – CLEV | PHI | Only if you have to kids. |
| 45. | Lance Moore – NO | WSH | |
| 46. | Santana Moss – WSH | NO | |
| 47. | Laurent Robinson – JAX | MIN | |
| 48. | Randy Moss – SF | GB | As a Packers fan, I hate the fact he’s back playing against Green Bay. As a fantasy fan, I can’t rule the man out. |
| 49. | Denarius Moore – OAK | SD | His hamstring is really giving him trouble, but he is expected to start in Week 1. He won’t be that much of a factor, but once he heals he will be. You can substitute Chiefs WR Jon Baldwin here if Moore is a no go, or if you don’t wanna risk the start. Baldwin just misses the Top 50 at 51. |
| 50. | Randall Cobb – GB | SF | Cobb IS NOT considered a starting WR for GB—let’s get that out of the way. He will, however, substitute here and there and could have an impact when he does so. Cobb has to do more to cut himself out a starting gig. He does have tremendous upside for leagues that award return points, though, which is why he is 50. |
