NFL Fantasy Preview: Wide Receivers

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Randy Moss looks to duplicate his record-setting 2007 campaign [PHOTO BY ICON SMI]

BY MICHAEL GANCI
UPDATE! Writer

TOP 15

1.    Randy Moss

New England Patriots

2007: 98 CATCH, 1,493 YDS, 15.2 AVG, 23 TD

Comments: Saying that last season was a comeback year for Moss would be an understatement. He was unbelievable in a near-perfect season for New England. Although we don’t expect his numbers to be quite as explosive this season, he should still be the top wideout in fantasy.

2.    Chad Johnson

Cincinnati Bengals

2007: 93 CATCH, 1,440 YDS, 15.5 AVG, 8 TD

Comments: Johnson’s year was very much overshadowed by the dynamic year that Randy Moss had in New England, but Chad was just as good. People may have initially been nervous about Ocho Cinco in the offseason, but as expected, Johnson showed up to camp and he is expected to be on a mission to prove his worth. Expect similar numbers to last season and probably more touchdowns.

3.    Braylon Edwards

Cleveland Browns

2007: 80 CATCH, 1,289 YDS, 16.1 AVG, 16 TD

Comments: Edwards is coming off of a career year in which he caught 16 TDs. Derek Anderson’s emergence is a huge reason why he had such a successful season. As long as he can stay healthy, he should remain an elite fantasy option in all formats. Expect him to be drafted around round three or four.

4.    Terrell Owens

Dallas Cowboys

2007: 81 CATCH, 1,355 YDS, 16.7 AVG, 15 TD

Comments: Despite the negatives that Terrell Owens brings with him, he is still one of the top receivers to play this game. He is honest and speaks his mind, which the Cowboys would rather he didn’t. Either way, he still remains Tony Romo’s favorite target, and is a top receiver in all formats.

5.    Larry Fitzgerald

Arizona Cardinals

2007: 100 CATCH, 1,409 YDS, 14.1 AVG, 10 TD

Comments: Fitzgerald has been excellent every other season thus far, but I expect that streak to break. In 2007, he had pretty much the same numbers as he did in 2005. With Matt Leinart on a mission to prove himself as an able starting quarterback, Fitzgerald will continue to be a top target. Expect him to duplicate his numbers of last season. 

6.    Marques Colston

New Orleans Saints

2007: 98 CATCH, 1,202 YDS, 12.3 AVG, 11 TD

Comments: Colston might have been the biggest beneficiary of the arrival of Drew Brees in New Orleans. He has only played two seasons and has been very productive. I expect this to be his best season, and he, like Braylon Edwards, will be drafted in the third or fourth round.

7.    Torry Holt

St. Louis Rams

2007: 93 CATCH, 1,189 YDS, 12.8 AVG, 7 TD

Comments: Holt is coming off of a season in which his knee was sore, so that has to be counted on for his production being a little bit down. Despite the fact that he is on the downside of his career, he is still capable of putting up good numbers. Look for another 7 TD, 1,000 yard season for Marc Bulger’s favorite target.

8.    Wes Welker

New England Patriots

2007: 112 CATCH, 1,175 YDS, 10.5 AVG, 8 TD

Comments: No one has benefitted more from the New England Patriots’ system than Wes Welker, Before 2007, he never had more than 67 catches in a season, but he nearly doubled that number in 2007. Look for him to be a low number one or a high end number two wide receiver who will go sometime around round three or four.

9.    Calvin Johnson

Detroit Lions

2007: 48 CATCH, 756 YDS, 15.8 AVG, 4 TD

Comments: Jonson was bothered by a back injury last season which hampered his performance. Although he has been bothered early on by a sore leg, his upside is tremendous. He has the potential for 70 catches and 1,000 yards. Give him a chance in round six to eight.

10.Andre Johnson

Houston Texans

2007: 60 CATCH, 851 YDS, 14.2 AVG, 8 TD

Comments: Johnson’s numbers are unbelievable, considering the fact that he only played in nine games in 2007. If you scale that to a 16-game season, he would have accumulated 15 TDs and 1,000-plus yards. He may be an injury risk, but who isn’t? Give him a chance in round four or five.

11.Jerricho Cotchery

New York Jets

2007: 82 CATCH, 1,130 YDS, 13.8 AVG, 2 TD

Comments: After having his breakthrough season in 2006, Cotchery did not disappoint in 2007. With Brett Favre as his new quarterback, his numbers stand to increase even more, making him a solid number two receiver option in all formats.

12.Reggie Brown

Philadelphia Eagles

2007: 61 CATCH, 780 YDS, 12.8 AVG, 4 TD

Comments: Brown has yet to have that really big season, but I am looking for 2008 to be that year for him. It is known that Donovan McNabb loves throwing to him, so that makes him a plus option. He is another guy who has been hampered by injury in the pre season, so his health will be the ultimate determinant.

13.Derrick Mason

Baltimore Ravens

2007: 103 CATCH, 1,087 YDS, 10.6 AVG, 5 TD

Comments: You’d think that with these numbers, I would be a major advocate for putting Mason higher in the top 15,. But that isn’t so. I am too uncomfortable with the quarterback situation in Baltimore to give him that kind of endorsement. Who is the starter? Will it be Joe Flacco or Kyle Boller? Either way, I expect Mason to have a good season. But don’t expect thestats he put up during last year’s campaign.

14.Santonio Holmes

Pittsburgh Steelers

2007: 52 CATCH, 942 YDS, 18.2 AVG, 8 TD

Comments: While those numbers aren’t exactly jumping off of the page, you have to remember that Holmes was limited to only 13 games last season. If you add three more games of production, his numbers would obviously be much better. With a great young quarterback and a good young receiver core, there is no reason that Holmes will be a let down this season.

15.Anquan Boldin

Arizona Cardinals

2007: 71 CATCH, 853 YDS, 12.0 AVG 9 TD

Comments: Boldin missed four games because of injuries last season but still tallied 71 receptions for 853 yards and a career-high nine touchdowns. His hamstring is a little bit tender, and with his injury track record, I wouldn’t take that lightly. He has the potential to be a nice high end number two receiver in mixed leagues.

JUST SAY NO

1.    Donald Driver

Green Bay Packers

2007: 82 CATCH, 1,048 YDS, 12.8 AVG, 2 TD

Comments: Driver only managed two touchdowns in the regular season, and that is despicable, considering the fact that he was Brett Favre’s favorite target when Favre was a Packer. Greg Jennings has surpassed him as the go-to guy in Green Bay. Driver is a low end number two fantasy wide receiver, but I expect 2008 to be a year of decline for him.

2.    Bobby Engram

Seattle Seahawks

2007: 94 CATCH, 1,147 YDS, 12.2 AVG, 6 TD

Comments: Before last season, Engram had never surpassed 987 yards receiving, and that was in 1998 when he was a member of the Chicago Bears. The unpleasant news that he has a cracked shoulder makes him a bad option because he will be out for six to eight weeks, and who knows how long it will take him to regain form.