Top 8 Wide Receivers
Things haven’t changed much over the last few years at Wide Receiver. The usual suspects are still at the top. Although a couple of Players that have taken the next step, or found themselves in Fantasy favourable positions have cracked my Top 8 for the first time.
Antonio Brown
Is Antonio Brown the best Wide Receiver in the NFL? The simple answer is yes. Not as physically gifted as the majority of other Wide Receivers on this list. Antonio Brown makes up for his lack of size with impeccable route running, and impressive quickness. His ability to create separation from defenders is second to none. He also happens to be on one of the most explosive offences in the league. It doesn’t hurt to have Ben Roethlisberger throwing him the ball. Especially when the two of them are so in tune with one another, that you’d swear that they have a psychic connection.
Now this is where things can sometimes cause a problem. Roethlisberger has been pretty banged up over the years. When he isn’t playing at 100%, or at all. Antonio Brown’s numbers will take a hit. Because he isn’t a tall Wide Receiver, the Quarterback can’t just throw jump balls at him. Quite a few passes require perfect timing in to space. Roethlisberger has perfected that timing. His Backup hasn’t. All in all though Antonio Brown won’t disappoint. No matter who ends up under center.
Odell Beckham Jr.
Young, brash, cocky, and talented. He’s been criticized for being a bit of a hot head, but that hasn’t affected his overall numbers. OBJ could become the best Receiver in Fantasy Football if he continues to refine his skills. Highlight catches have been his specialty, but I believe a 1500 yard Season with 12 touchdowns is in the near future.
There has been some concern about his Touchdown numbers regressing. The popular opinion is that the addition of Brandon Marshall will limit the number of looks OBJ will get in the Red zone. Well in 2015 Eric Decker still managed to haul in 12 touchdowns with Brandon Marshall playing opposite him. Eric Decker! Brandon Marshall hauled in 14 touchdowns of his own that Season. I’m sure all of you would consider OBJ to be a far more talented Receiver than Eric Decker. What that Season proved is that it’s going to impossible to shift the Defence to either side of the field when OBJ and Brandon Marshall are on opposite sides. One on one coverage will create opportunities OBJ hasn’t had before.
Julio Jones
Considered by most to be the most talented, and physically gifted Wide Receiver in the league. I agree by the way. Julio Jones is borderline unstoppable. In my opinion he is the Randy Moss of this generation. If it wasn’t for the Atlanta Falcons having so many Weapons on Offence. Julio Jones could potentially break 2000 yards receiving in a single Season.
What boggles me, and many other Fantasy Managers is why Matt Ryan seems to forget he’s on the field in the Red zone. Honestly Julio Jones should be catching double digit touchdowns every Season. It’s only happened once. I don’t know if Atlanta thinks they are being clever. Maybe using Jones to draw coverages away from the intended Receiver. Whatever the reason somebody needs to remind them that Julio Jones would probably score if you told the men covering him that he’s the intended receiver. After his ridiculous catch in last year’s Superbowl I think the Falcons might look his way in the end zone more often.
Mike Evans
Every year Evans gets a little better. He’s definitely Jameis Winston’s favourite target. He’s physically imposing, and incredibly athletic. Year after year he’s battled against double teams and won. Well things are about to change. The addition of DeSean Jackson will help stretch the field, and prevent safeties from doubling Evans. This could be the year that Mike Evans finishes as the number one Wide Receiver in Fantasy. Tampa Bay is in a perfect situation to establish themselves as the team to beat in NFC South. Looking to build off a 9 Win 2016. The Bucs will put the ball in Winston’s hands to get them to the playoffs. I expect his trust in Evans will be showcased early and often.
Jordy Nelson
Life is good when you are Aaron Rodgers favourite target. But there are so many targets in Green Bay? I hear that said all the time. Watch a Green Bay Packers game. Pay special attention to third down plays, and Red zone plays. Sometimes it seems like Jordy Nelson is the only Receiver on the field. But he’s getting old, and suffered that torn ACL? Did anyone notice him slowing down last year? I sure as hell didn’t. The 14 touchdowns he hauled in would prove otherwise as well. Do yourself a favour, and draft Nelson with confidence.
A. J. Green
Take one look at A.J. Green, and it makes complete sense that he is such a successful Wide Receiver. At six foot four inches tall, and two hundred ten pounds on a long lean frame he’s created to catch balls. A.J. Green poses a serious problem for Defensive Backs. If not for missing six games last season due to a hamstring tear. A.J. Green would have undoubtedly kept his 1000+ yards per season streak alive. Last season was A.J. Green’s first sub 1000 yards season. His rapport with Quarterback Andy Dalton has been perfect from the very beginning. They are truly one of the best Quarterback – Wide Receiver tandems in football.
This off season the Cincinnati Bengals added new offensive weapons John Ross, and Joe Mixon in the draft. I don’t see A.J. Green losing many targets to either one of them. Actually the addition of John Ross should stretch the field. Safety’s will be forced to stay deep to prevent the big play potential of Ross. Leaving Green with one on one coverage against Cornerbacks on the outside. A battle that he’s proven time, and again that he can win.
Michael Thomas
Talk about a great Rookie Season. 92 Receptions for 1137 yards, and 9 touchdowns. As a reward the New Orleans Saints let Brandin Cooks go, and made Thomas the number one Receiver. What remains to be seen is whether Thomas can handle the increased pressure of being number one. I believe that he will handle it well. With Drew Brees throwing him the ball in the Saints high scoring Offence. The sky is the limit for Michael Thomas.
Doug Baldwin
This could very well be the year that Baldwin is considered among the elite Wide Receivers in the NFL. What I am actually expecting is a mixture of his 2015 & 2016 seasons. A stat line of something like 95 catches for 1100 yards, and 11 touchdowns is highly probable. I believe that he could actually exceed those numbers. It will depend on the production of recently acquired Running Back Eddy Lacy though.
Without question Doug Baldwin is a WR1. I would draft him over Fantasy favourites like DeAndre Hopkins, T.Y. Hilton, and Demaryius Thomas. With a healthy Russell Wilson back in the huddle. Look for Doug Baldwin to find lots of room on the outside, and down field. Another year in the Seattle Seahawks system has Jimmy Graham keeping defences honest so Baldwin won’t have to face too many double coverages.
