Wide Receiver rankings for 2009

Here is our wide receiver cheat sheet for this season:

  1. Randy Moss, NE – With Brady back, expect mucho touchdowns again
  2. Andre Johnson, HOU – He’s a reception machine and racks up the yards as well.
  3. Larry Fitzgerald, ARI – The age of his quarterback scares me a bit, but Fitz is a monster and would probably produce even with Matt Leinart in the lineup
  4. Calvin Johnson, DET – The team HAS to do better this year and Megatron should see a boost in his stats
  5. Steve Smith, CAR – Injury scare seems to have passed.
  6. Reggie Wayne, IND – Should be one of the more consistent options on this list.
  7. Roddy White, ATL – He got his money over the weekend and immediately made an impact in the first preseason game. Any scare about White missing practices can be erased now.
  8. Greg Jennings, GB – He’ll be Rodgers top target all season long.
  9. Anquan Boldin, ARI – Saying all the right things and claims to be focused on helping the team win…not on getting more money.
  10. Terrell Owens, BUF – DOWNGRADE! As much as I think he would put up great numbers if healthy all year, I’m wondering if he’ll be able to stay on the field, as he’s already missing practices with a “bum toe.”
  11. Dwayne Bowe, KC – After being demoted to third string recently for attitude/weight issues, he had a huge preseason game and there’s no reason to move him down at this point.
  12. Marques Colston, NO – In this high-flying, pass-friendly offense, Colston should see the most passes.
  13. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, SEA – UPGRADE! Braylon Edwards and Brandon Marshall just keep making the guys right below them on the list look a whole lot more appealing!
  14. Chad Ochocinco, CIN – UPGRADE! He’s healthy this year and Housh is gone. I’m optimistic he can make the best out of the situation. Apparently he can even kick extra points!
  15. Wes Welker, NE – Last time Brady was at QB, Welker was a Pro Bowler with eight TD’s and almost 1,200 yards.

  16. Eddie Royal, DEN – UPGRADE! You have to boost Royal a bit with the Brandon Marshall fiasco in full swing.
  17. DeSean Jackson, PHI – He’s fighting to avoid the sophomore slump with an outstanding preseason so far.
  18. Roy Williams, DAL – DOWNGRADE! Another injury to worry about puts him in the downward direction on this list.
  19. Vincent Jackson, SD
  20. Braylon Edwards, CLE – Played in the first preseason game, but line read: 0 catches, 1 drop…not a good way to start the year
  21. Antonio Bryant, TB
  22. Santonio Holmes, PIT
  23. Bernard Berrian, MIN – With Brett Favre at the helm, Berrian should put up even better numbers than last season.
  24. Hines Ward, PIT
  25. Lee Evans, BUF – It’s only the preseason, but Trent Edwards looked good, huh?
  26. Santana Moss, WAS
  27. Anthony Gonzalez, IND – Will see tons of passes with Reggie Wayne demanding double coverage.
  28. Lance Moore, NO
  29. Devin Hester, CHI – While they weren’t pretty, the fact that Cutler was forcing throws to Hester under pressure is a good sign.
  30. Torry Holt, JAX – He’s getting old, but he’s the best the Jags got
  31. Jerricho Cotchery, NYJ – Mark Sanchez seems to be taking a liking to J-Cho already, so hopefully it equates to some good fantasy numbers when the season starts.
  32. Brandon Marshall, DEN – DOWNGRADE! Pending suspension, lack of knowledge of the playbook, strong desire NOT to play in Denver…not a good sign for a former top ranked receiver.
  33. Josh Morgan, SF – With Crabtree holding out, Morgan should benefit.
  34. Derrick Mason, BAL – Back from his brief retirement stint, he should get most of Joe Flacco’s attention in the passing game.
  35. Patrick Crayton, DAL – Looks like he’ll be the #2 receiver alongside Roy Williams, but needs to work on his consistency.
  36. Chris Henry, CIN – UPGRADE! He’s looked great in the preseason so far.
  37. Donnie Avery, STL – A stress fracture will force Avery to miss the entire preseason and potentially the first two games of the regular season.
  38. Kevin Walter, HOU
  39. Laveranues Coles, CIN
  40. Donald Driver, GB
  41. Steve Breaston, ARI – As long as Kurt Warner is healthy, Breaston will put up some good numbers with Fitz and Boldin demanding constant attention from defenses.
  42. Chris Chambers, SD
  43. Ted Ginn, Jr., MIA
  44. Domenik Hixon, NYG
  45. Percy Harvin, MIN – Looks like the Vikings will try to use the rookie in a number of formations this year. Worth a look as your 4th receiver or flex spot, and a definite for keeper leagues.
  46. Brandon Stokley, DEN – UPGRADE! Along with Royal, Stokley will get a boost from Brandon Marshall’s expected absence.
  47. Kevin Curtis, PHI – DOWNGRADE! Knee swelling could cause him to lose starting job…
  48. Muhsin Muhammad, CAR
  49. Deion Branch, SEA – He’s already having knee issues and the preseason hasn’t even started!
  50. Mark Bradley, KC
  51. Davone Bess, MIA
  52. Michael Jenkins, ATL
  53. Mark Clayton, BAL
  54. Nate Burleson, SEA
  55. Robert Meachem, NO – Having a great preseason already, but can he carry it into the regular season?
  56. Joe Galloway, NE – He’ll have to make the most of his receptions, with Moss/Welker in the lineup, but Brady will make good use of the veteran.
  57. Miles Austin, DAL
  58. Sidney Rice, MIN
  59. Jeremy Maclin, PHI – Rookie
  60. Earl Bennett, CHI – Played with Cutler at Vanderbilt, so hopefully they still have a connection.
  61. Chaz Schillens, OAK – Out 4-6 weeks with an injury, but hopefully he can resume his spot as JaMarcus Russell’s favorite target in the offense once he comes back. Worth a late round pick based on his upside, especially in keeper leagues.
  62. Michael Crabtree, SF – DOWNGRADE! More threats of sitting out this season.
  63. Hakeem Nicks, NYG
  64. Isaac Bruce, SF – Not getting any younger, but still producing. The longer Crabtree holds out, the better Bruce is looking.
  65. Darrius Heyward-Bey, OAK – Worth a late round flier in drafts (and higher in keeper leagues), but he’s too much of a wildcard at this point to warrant any serious consideration as a starter on your team.
  66. Michael Clayton, TB
  67. Justin Gage, TEN
  68. Devery Henderson, NO
  69. Steve Smith, NYG
  70. Ronald Curry, STL
  71. Nate Washington, TEN
  72. Bryant Johnson, DET
  73. Brian Robiskie, CLE – Rookie
  74. Greg Camarillo, MIA – Looks like he might not even be the number three receiver on the team.