Top 10 Wide Receivers for Season-Long Fantasy Drafts
In this article I will count down the 10 best wide receiver options in season-long fantasy leagues. In parentheses is the range of overall draft positions I recommend taking a given player.
1. Calvin Johnson, Lions (Pick 1 – 5)
Megatron operates on a plane of existence higher than other, mere mortal, receivers. Double and even triple teams seem to have no effect on him. He has topped 1,400 yards receiving in each of the past three past seasons, and there is no reason to think he won’t surpass that mark again this year.
2. Demaryius Thomas, Broncos (Pick 5 – 10)
If you’re picking in the latter half of the first round, there is a good chance all the elite running backs are off the board. Consider building your team around of the best wide receivers: Demaryius Thomas, Julio Jones, and A.J. Green are all lined up to have excellent seasons in 2014 and should be available in picks 5 – 10.
Thomas has the benefit of catching passes thrown by Peyton Manning. Also, Emmanuel Sanders represents a significant downgrade from Eric Decker at No. 2 outside receiver, so Thomas will see less competition for targets.
3. Julio Jones, Falcons (Pick 5 – 10)
Jones has been electric for Atlanta since he entered the NFL in 2011. Unfortunately, he was only able to play in 5 games last year due to injury. Look for him to bounce back in a big way in 2014.
4. A.J. Green, Bengals (Pick 5 – 10)
Like Julio, Green was also selected at the top of the 2011 draft. Cincinnati fans frustrated by the consistently inconsistent play of Andy Dalton should be soothed by the always excellent A.J. Green, who has topped 1,000 yards receiving in each of his three years in the league and celebrated career-highs in yards receiving (1,426) and touchdowns (11) in 2013. If this trend continues, Green is entirely worth a first-round pick.
5. Antonio Brown, Steelers (Pick 10 – 20)
The Steelers administration looked like geniuses in hindsight for allowing Mike Wallace to leave Pittsburgh as a free agent. In 2013, Wallace was underwhelming in Miami, while Brown stepped up and provided Big Ben with one of the best receiving weapons league-wide.
6. Brandon Marshall, Bears (Pick 10 – 20)
Alshon Jeffery emerged as a true threat last year, but make no mistake: Marshall is still the clear No. 1 receiver in Chicago. Cutler tends to lock on to Marshall in desperate situations, and if the Bears defense is not drastically improved from last year, the Bears will find themselves in desperate situations frequently.
7. Jordy Nelson, Packers (Pick 10 – 20)
Nelson is Aaron Rodgers’ No. 1 outside receiver and at 29 years old with 6 seasons of NFL experience; he is still in his prime. That’s well worth a late first or early 2nd round selection.
8. Alshon Jeffery, Bears (Pick 20 – 30)
Jeffery was a sensation in his sophomore year in the NFL, racking up 1,421 yards receiving and 7 touchdowns in 2013. At just 24 years old, there is no reason to think he won’t sustain or even improve his play in 2014.
9. Keenan Allen, Chargers (Pick 20 – 30)
This third-round pick turned out to be the best of all receivers, maybe even all offensive players, to enter the NFL from the 2013 rookie class. He topped 1,000 yards receiving last year, and with the durable and accurate Philip Rivers throwing him the football, he should be able to that and more this year.
10. Randall Cobb, Packers (Pick 20 – 30)
Cobb’s 2013 season was hindered by injury, and his diminutive size does make him vulnerable to more injury in the future. But if he can stay healthy, he can be a productive underneath receiver for Rodgers.
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