Fantasy Football Top Tens: Wide Receivers

By Joey Figueroa on July 22, 2014

Over the past few seasons, there has been no position deeper in the NFL than wide receiver, especially in fantasy football. As a new guard of elite receivers has emerged, names like Larry Fitzgerald, Andre Johnson and Wes Welker are dropping into the middle rounds of most fantasy drafts.

Because of the immense depth, receiver is definitely not a position you need to jump the gun on this season. There are a few elite guys that can carry a fantasy team, and then there’s a large pool of players that can potentially all put up similar numbers.

So, in the first few rounds, here are the top 10 receivers you should be targeting to be in the top spot on your depth chart.

1. Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions

[Photo Credit: CBS Sports]

Who else? Megatron is one of the few players in the NFL that needs words to back him up. He’s in the prime of his career, he still has Matthew Stafford refiling the ball to him, and he may be enjoying the best depth around him in his career. Johnson is a no-brainer to take in the back-end of the first round when the first four or five elite running backs are off the board.

2. A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals 

[Photo Credit: Fansided]

As far as consistency goes, A.J. Green is the closest it comes to Megatron. The 6-foot-4 Georgia product has put up almost identical stats the past few seasons, and as he enters his prime years, the numbers should only climb. You can bank on Green providing 80-90 catches, 1,200-1,400 yards, and double digit scores as an easy second round pick.

3. Demaryius Thomas, Denver Broncos

[Photo Credit: NFL]

Demaryius Thomas is another receiving stud who has been nothing if not consistent the past couple seasons. The only thing that makes his numbers less impressive is that fact he’s catching passes from that one guy named Peyton Manning.

Well, Thomas and Manning will be teaming up again in 2014, but this time without Eric Decker poaching away end zone looks from Thomas. I’m predicting 100-plus catches and double digit scoring for Thomas, another surefire second rounder.

4. Brandon Marshall, Chicago Bears

[Photo Credit: Sun Times]

The overwhelming theme of this piece thus far has been consistency and Brandon Marshall may be the best model of that yet. He has eclipsed the 1,000 receiving yard mark for six consecutive seasons, has had at least 100 receptions in all but two of those six seasons, and has had double digit receiving TDs in each of the past two seasons.

Those two seasons when Marshall didn’t manage 100 receptions were his only two away from best buddy Jay Cutler, so as long as these two stay on the field together it’s going to be a show.

Marshall is the oldest of the elite crop of receivers and there are plenty of other capable options surrounding him on the Bears’ offense, but Cutler will continue to find his favorite target, which will allow Marshall to continue to please his fantasy owners.

 5. Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys

[Photo Credit: CPS Sports]

It looks like Dez Bryant has finally calmed down and tapped into the massive amount of potential he possesses. He has turned into Tony Romo’s favorite target the past couple of seasons, gaining over 90 catches, 1,200 yards, and 12 touchdowns in 2012 and 2013.

He has a slightly disturbing way of not showing for a few games here and there, but he’s an elite option nonetheless and won’t be on most draft boards come the third round.

6. Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons

[Photo Credit: Atlanta Bird Gang]

Before his season-ending injury just five games into the 2013 campaign, Julio Jones was putting up a ridiculous 12 target-8 catch-115 yard average stat line. Following Roddy White’s significant decline, Jones will be the undoubted No. 1 in Atlanta and owners should expect great things.

With all of the other great receivers, Jones could be lost in the shuffle because of his year-long absence, so nab him in the back-end of the second round or the beginning of the third. Beware of his foot, though; he’s broken it twice now.

7. Alshon Jeffery, Chicago Bears

[Photo Credit: The Sports Quotient]

Alshon Jeffery made spectacular catch after spectacular catch on his way to a dazzling 89 catch-1,421 yard-seven touchdown 2013 campaign that has him close to household name material.

However, he did most of his damage catching passes from former Bears backup extraordinaire, Josh McCown, so we’ll see how well Cutler can share the love between his BFFL Marshall and the new kid Jeffery.

Nevertheless, it looks like Jeffery is an absolute stud in the making.

8. Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers

[Photo Credit: 2 Dope Boyz]

Following the departure of former number one target, Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown broke out for 110 catches and almost 1,500 yards through the air. The 5-foot-10, 186 pound speedster is used all over the field, and has become Ben Roethlisberger’s obvious go-to guy.

And now with Emmanuel Sanders packing his bags for Denver, Brown’s role may be even larger. Hopefully that will include some more redzone looks, as only 8 of Brown’s 110 catches in 2013 were for touchdowns. He still maintains elite status, though, especially in PPR formats.

9. Jordy Nelson, Green Bay Packers

[Photo Credit: ESPN]

Even after catching passes from the likes of Seneca Wallace and Matt Flynn for about half of the 2013 season, Jordy Nelson still put up elite numbers and proved once again that he’s a top-10 receiver. He’s big enough to catch passes over the middle and fast enough to go down field and get it, so Nelson will remain a favorite target of Aaron Rodgers.

However, the Packers drafted a bunch of promising receivers and are still trying to get Randall Cobb to play a full season at receiver, so Nelson has plenty of competition for targets. He’s never needed a high volume of looks to be productive, though, as his 126 targets last season was a career-high. Take Nelson as your No. 1 receiver with confidence.

10. Pierre Garcon, Washington Redksins

[Photo Credit: Foot Basket

Pierre Garcon quietly led the NFL in catches and targets in 2013, which was due in large part to the complete lack of another reliable receiver around him. The Redskins were also playing from behind in many games, which saw RG3 chucking it up to Garcon a whole lot. One hundred and thirteen catches and only five touchdowns is also a bit concerning.

There’s still no denying Garcon’s success in Washington, as he has become a very reliable receiver for RG3 and will be pivitol for this Washington team to get back on track. Desean Jackson’s arrival will eat into his targets, but should be a nice compliment to Garcon. Jackson will see a lot of looks downfield, allowing Garcon to be more of a possession receiver and boost his PPR numbers.

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