Fantasy WRs for Fantasy American Football!

Fantasy WRs for Fantasy American Football!

By Mike Brody
Inspin.com
Contributing Writer

Wide receiver is the deepest position in the NFL and in fantasy football. Every team has a receiver who can help a fantasy team, but there are 10 guys who are bona-fide studs who can make a good fantasy team a championship one.

The Top 10

Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers -- Smith is coming off of a monster season where he finished either was first or tied for first in receptions (103), receiving yards (1,563) and touchdown catches (13). He was even better in the playoffs, grabbing an NFL postseason record 27 passes and scoring 5 TDs. The Panthers added Keyshawn Johnson, who should be a perfect complement to Smith. Carolina is the one of the favorites to win the NFC (WagerWeb.com's odds on the Panthers to win the NFC are +$500). Look for Smith to have another huge year as Carolina makes another Super Bowl push.

Torry Holt, St. Louis Rams -- Holt sometimes gets overlooked as an elite receiver, but his numbers say he is one of the best in the league. He finished with 102 catches for 1,331 yards and 9 TDs last season despite missing two games because of a knee injury. The Rams' new head coach, Scott Linehan, is an offensive guru who believes having a go-to receiver is necessary for an offense to work. Big Game Torry Holt will be that guy.

Terrell Owens, Dallas Cowboys -- Owens' off-the-field antics have been well-documented, but there's no denying he's one of the best receivers in the NFL, if not the best. In the five seasons prior to last year, when he played just seven games, T.O. averaged nearly 1,300 yards, 90 catches and 13 TDs. If anyone can keep Owens in line it's Bill Parcells. When T.O. was introduced as a Cowboy he proclaimed, "I am a star among stars now." If he buys into Parcells' system, that prediction will come true and he will post huge numbers once again.

Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals -- Fitzgerald is the exception to the theory that wideouts break out in their third season as a pro because young receivers need a year or two before they get a chance to get into the flow of the pro game. He busted out last year – his second season – posting monster numbers (103-1,409-10). The only thing that may hold Fitzgerald back is getting enough catches with fellow stud receiver Anquan Boldin and newly acquired RB Edgerrin James taking touches away as the Cardinals look to be legitimate contenders in the NFC West (WagerWeb.com has Arizona as the second favorite in the West at +$350).

Randy Moss, Oakland Raiders -- Moss was averaging 24.5 yards per reception until suffering rib, pelvis and groin injuries against San Diego last October. He is still capable of putting up a 100-catch, 1,500-yard season, and with new coach Art Shell reportedly enamored with Moss, this season could be a return to glory for Moss and the Raiders. Moss believes new QB Aaron Brooks will be able to get him the deep ball more often, and Brooks couldn't be happier having Moss on the other end of his passes. "Being a quarterback and being on the same team and in the same offense as he is, it just brings a smile to your face," Brooks said. "To have an opportunity to play with a receiver who's as talented as he is, you've just got to embrace it and try to do everything you can to get him the ball."

Chad Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals -- Johnson has posted three straight seasons of 90-plus receptions and four straight campaigns with more than 1,000 receiving yards. Johnson might be even higher on the list if Carson Palmer hadn't suffered a devastating knee injury during last season's playoffs. The Bengals say Palmer is coming along ahead of schedule and are optimistic he will start the season. That still seems like wishful thinking at this point. Johnson will still be solid no matter who starts the season at QB in Cincinnati.

Anquan Boldin, Arizona Cardinals -- Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald last season became only the second receiving tandem in NFL history to each have 100 catches and more than 1,400 yards. Boldin burst onto the scene as a rookie in 2003 with 101 catches for 1,377 yards and 8 TDs. After an injury-plagued '04 season, he bounced back with another big season (102-1,402-7) last year. If Boldin can increase his TD production, he could be the best receiver in the game.

Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis Colts -- The 11-year veteran is still one of the most dangerous receivers in the game. He caught an NFL-record 143 passes in 2002, and has had at least 82 catches, 1,113 yards and 10 TDs in each of the past seven seasons. The Colts don't look to be slowing down and are the No. 2 Super Bowl favorites (+600 on WagerWeb.com). With James in Arizona now, Peyton Manning and company should be throwing quite a bit this season.

Santana Moss, Washington Redskins -- The other Moss is coming off his best season as a pro (84-1,483-9). Washington added Antwaan Randle El and Brandon Lloyd to take some pressure off of Moss, who accounted for 73 percent of all yardage gained by Redskins receivers last season. While they may take some catches away from Moss, the additional help should make him more consistent, as last season Moss had much of his production in five games, when he tallied 33 catches, 720 yards and 8 TDs.

Chris Chambers, Miami Dolphins -- Chambers is also coming off career-best numbers (82-1,118-11). He's a streaky receiver as evidenced by a three-week stretch last season when he had 29 catches for 460 yards and 3 TDs. Chambers is hoping to have an even bigger year with Daunte Culpepper throwing to him and Mike Mularkey calling the plays. "I have no problem with that, as long as we're putting up points," Chambers said His fantasy owners undoubtedly feel the same.

Best Of The Rest

If you don't go for a receiver early, you could still get a receiver who puts up No. 1-like numbers. These guys fit that bill.

Joey Galloway, Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- Galloway returned to form last season (83-1,287-10). The 12-year veteran is still one of the fastest guys in the league.

Plaxico Burress, New York Giants -- Burress

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