Fantasy Football 2006: Top 10 Fantasy WRs
We’ll have receivers who are mainstays for their franchises. You’ll be introduced to an elite list, including a lightning rod for attention with his eyes on a fresh start in “Big D.” But these 10 wide receivers represent the cream of the crop in terms of NFL wide receivers.
Top 10 Fantasy Wide Receivers
10.) Santana Moss, Washington Redskins
2005 Stats: 84 rec., 1,483 yards, 17.7 yard avg., 9 TDs
Notes: Santana Moss made an immediate impact for the Redskins last season, being the team’s number one option in the passing game and leading his team to a playoff appearance after a wear 2004 campaign for the ‘Skins. Moss was a home-run threat every time the ball was snapped. He managed to have quite the effect on Mark Brunell and the Redskin offense last season, just ask the Dallas Cowboys about his impact. Santana is of the mold of the “smaller, faster” receivers which are once again becoming the chic trend in the NFL thanks to him and guys like Carolina’s Steve Smith, who I guarantee we will be seeing late on in this ranking. He might be a step below the elite receivers who are listed higher, but it’s a safe prospect to expect a 1,000 yard season from Moss, even with the WR pickups Washington made with (Randle El and Lloyd) and with Clinton Portis still demanding the ball with offensive coordinator Al Saunders.
9.) Chris Chambers, Miami Dolphins
2005 Stats: 82 rec., 1,118 yards, 13.6 yard avg., 11 TDs
Notes: Considering the problems that Miami had with the quarterback position last season and all of the other distractions like Randy McMichael’s legal issues and the return ot Ricky Williams, it was a wonder the type of season that Chambers had. He provides the Dolphins with a solid, consistent scoring threat and a average sized receiver who plays like a bigger one. The breakout season everyone was expecting from him for about two seasons finally came. Nick Saban did him a huge favor by opening up the offense for the Dolphins, and now with Daunte Culpepper potentially hooking up with Chambers, he’s ready to take yet another step up this ranking and getting up higher into the next few seasons. He’s not quite there yet but he’s looking to get better and has the ability and the support to do so. Keep an eye on him just in case a run on receivers begins to take place in your draft.
8.) Anquan Boldin, Arizona Cardinals
2005 Stats: 102 rec., 1,402 yards, 13.7 yard avg., 7 TDs
Notes: Take a look at those numbers and consider that Boldin missed two games with an injury. Pretty impressive, huh? Boldin might be one of the strongest receivers in the game today, rivaling those bulky guys like Terrell Owens who are very strong and use that strength in order to position themselves. The problem I have, and why he is lower on my list than other receivers, is not with Boldin himself but with the weapons that he has around him. His receiving partner Larry Fitzgerald is stronger as a scoring option, and with Edgerrin James in the backfield, you have a legitimate back who can rush for well over 1,000 yards and control the pace of hte game, moreso than either Marcel Shipp or J.J. Arrington did last season. I also don’t believe that they’ll throw at him with as much frequency as they did last year as they are a lot stronger with the addition of James. Still look for awesome numbers from him and his partner.
7.) Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals
2005 Stats: 103 rec., 1,409 yards, 13.7 yard avg., 10 TDs
Notes: With Fitzgerald and Boldin, the Cardinals got 205 receptions for nearly 3,000 yards from just those two. With Kurt Wanrer, who has experience running a high-powered offense with a strong, versatile running back flanked by two premier receivers, you have to expect much more of the same coming into this season, especially against the NFC West. Fitz gets the slight edge over Boldin to me because of his bigger body and ability to just out-leap opponents inside the end zone. That would make him the more-obvious scoring threat inside the red zone. He, like his partner in crime Boldin, drops in the rankings with the edition of James. It will help their team as a whole, but it does a little to effect their fantasy values. Still, don’t expect Fitzgerald to last long in the tradition draft leagues as people will be high on reaching for both of the Arizona receivers. He’ll do you good in your leagues no matter where you get him.
6.) Randy Moss, Oakland Raiders
2005 Stats: 60 rec., 1,005 yards., 16.8 yard avg., 8 TDs
Notes: Some would consider the numbers that Randy Moss put up last season with a new team and a new quarterback as a good season. Throw into the mix that the receiver was All-Pro Randy Moss, and there’s a bit of a different reaction. He admitted as much after last season. Injuries did a lot to hamper his first season in the silver and black, but a healthy and refocused Moss will be stronger for the Raiders. Most of the injuries he suffered kept him from being at full speed, which is detrimental to his game and takes away his prospects as a deep threat. With Aaron Brooks coming in and the Raiders looking to go down the field, as long as he can stay healthy I expect a beautiful return to norm for Moss. He’s still very yound and has quite a few years in front of him, and if the Raiders are to compete in their division they need Moss.
5.) Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis Colts
2005 Stats: 82 rec., 1,146 yards, 14.0 yard avg., 12 TDs
Notes: in the NFL, 11 years is a long time. But Marvin Harrison is, like the old addage, getting better with age. Harrison saw a little bit of drop in production last season which may cause some fantasy owners to shy away, but you have to believe that Harrison is still one of the best receivers in the league. His touchdown production and the other weapons on the Colts give him the advantage of not seeing double coverage. Reggie Wayne is a top receiver and Dallas Clark is a very underrated tight end. Harrison has scored at least 10 touchdowns in each of the past seven seasons, with at least 80 receptions and 1,000 yards in those years to boot. Harrison makes the catches that you need and the catches you expect. He’ll work inside a crowded area and make the catch, runs precise routes, and most importantly, has a relationship with one of the best quarterbacks in the game today and possibly ever to play. Peyton Manning makes Marvin Harrison a top 10 receiver, and Harrison in turn makes Manning a top 10 quarterback.
4.) Chad Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals
2005 Stats: 97 rec., 1,432 yards, 14.8 yard avg., 9 TDs
Notes: In my opinion the most dynamic quarterback-receiver duo in the league was Chad Johnson, complete with his gold fronts, and Carson Palmer. Of course, that strong offensive team was derailed by the eventual Super Bowl champions and
a serious knee injury to Palmer. For all of his talking and showboating and end zone antics, Johnson has never let you down with his play or his ability. He’s as strong on the field as his words are off of it. Johnson has now hit 90 receptions three straight seasons and I think that they should have little problem reaching that number in 2006. Some people are worried about how he’ll produce without Carson Palmer, but those of you forget that even though Palmer had a breakout year last season, Chad Johnson had been very solid even before Palmer became the quarterback that he was. If Anthony Wright starts the season he may suffer a bit to begin the season, but Palmer will be back this season and will make Johnson an elite target.
3.) Terrell Owens, Dallas Cowboys
2005 Stats: (with Philadelphia Eagles) 47 rec., 763 yards, 16.2 yard avg., 6 TDs
Notes: Owens played only 7 games last season before being suspended by the Eagles… oh, well, you all know the story, I don’t think I need to waste time re-hashing old wounds. Owens is in Dallas now and looking to contribute to Bill Parcell’s system in Dallas. For all of the problems off the field, Owens is a difference maker on the field who will give Drew Bledsoe a dynamic option anywhere on the field. What doesn’t he have? He’s big, strong, fast, and have good hands. Some questioned his ability early in his career but those have long since gone out the window. My one concern is whether or not he can last the entire season. One big loss, one bad game, and I hope to goodness that he doesn’t attack Drew Bledsoe, Bill Parcell, Jerry Jones… or anyone else with the organization. They won’t deal with it. This could be a case of selling their souls to the devil, but it is very high-risk, high-reward. You should approach his fantasy value in the same light. He will produce as long as he’s on the field and happy.
2.) Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers
2005 Stats: 103 rec., 1,563 yards, 15.2 yard avg., 12 TDs
Notes: He was easily the best receiver in football last season. A threat in every aspect of the game, from anywhere on the field, Smith is so dynamic he’s going to make a team pay anyway they cover him. If you play zone, he’ll find the perfect opening and probably turn and run away from you. Play him man and he will probably head downfield cause most corners wouldn’t be able to keep up with him. He’s hard to get a hand on, and once you do, he’s still hard to bring down. A tough matchup problem exists with Smith. And now that Keyshawn has joined the fray, look for Smith to open up even more. Johnson will give the Panthers a second receiver you have to be aware of at all times, and will make defenses respect the second receiver in the Panther offense. He can also contribute in special teams, which is an added bonus for fantasy owners.
1.) Torry Holt, St. Louis Rams
2005 Stats: 102 rec., 1,331 yards, 13.0 yard avg., 9 TDs
Notes: He gets my top spot because of consistency. He’s as close to a sure thing as a receiver as there is in the NFL over the past 5 years. Six straight seasons with 80 catches as 1,300 yards can have the effect on the game. Even having missed two games last season, his numbers last season were amazing. Don’t expect a let down from him anytime soon. Marc Bulger is looking injury-free and is returning to his form slowly. New coach Scott Linehan did work with one of the best receivers in the game in Minnesota in Randy Moss, so don’t expect Holt to get lost in the new offense. With every other option in their offense, Holt is still the undisputed number one option for Bugler and the Rams’ chances in the NFC West and in general rest on that combination and the establishing of a running game. The former is made a whole lot easier with Holt in the mix.
Quick Risers
-Javon Walker, Denver Broncos
Walker escaped the turmoil and controversy in Green Bay on that faithful first day of the 2006 NFL Draft. Walker was one of the best receivers two years ago, and an injury in the first game of the season in 2005 and the insuing disputes with team management and quarterback Brett Favre led Walker to want a trade out of there. Enter the Broncos, who were more than willing to give up their 2nd round pick to get Walker in a Bronco uniform. With Walker pairing up with the ageless wonder Rod Smith, he gives Plummer another option in the passing game. With the loss of Mike Anderson, the pressure on Plummer to deliver and Walker will make the task easier to do.
-Andre Johnson, Houston Texans
His situation mirrors that of Rod Smith. He’s the established receiver on a team adding a veteran to help with the passing game. Houston took Mario Williams, I’m sure everyone knows, instead of Reggie Bush, so the pressure on the Texan offense is huge. Johnson is one of the best young receivers in the NFL and if there is any improvement in the Texans’ offensive line and protection to Carr, Johnson should have more opportunities to produce for them and give them more scores. This could very well be the year he breaks into NFL stardom.
Fool’s Gold
-Lee Evans, Buffalo Bills
Nothing against Evans, I believe he’s one of the better young receivers in the league. This isn’t a commentary on Evans or his talent, it’s a commentary on the Bills offense in general and their lack of production, protection, and a quarterback situation that is a muddled as any in the league. Losman or Holcomb, I think that question still hasn’t been fully answered by Dick Jauron. Until it is, I would shy away from Evans.
-Terry Glenn, Dallas Cowboys
Unlike his new partner Terrell Owens, there is much to be worried about with Glenn in terms ot production on the field. He’ll give you yards, sure, but has never really had double-digit TDs in any season during his career. With the addition of Owens and the presence of Pro Bowler Jason Witten, he might be relegated to the third or fourth option on his own team. People will reach to get him, but he’s not worth that reach for you. He’ll be decent, but not enough to warrant a selection.
