The Wide Receiver position in fantasy football in a lot of ways is like former pop star Madonna. Though it might not be the biggest position in the fantasy football gridiron, it has definitely solitified it’s role in the fantasy football jungle by having it’s own created image and sticking with it. Though some Receivers will be reaches, like Madonna and JT’s Four Minutes, you know what you are getting for the most part. Madonna will never be the pop star that Michael Jackson was. Larry Fitzgerald will never bring as much fantasy value to the table as Adrian Peterson. Not at least in the near future.
When drafting, it is key to find the best value for the current pick, with all bias set aside. In the middle rounds, the wide receivers have proven over the last few years, that they are more valuable. After the top ten running backs are off the board, you have to make some very tough choices going into the middle second round and throughout the fifth. Over the past few seasons, middle round running backs have been just as productive as the late rounders. With that being said, the top notch wide receivers over the years have shown consistent production. You can almost surely bet the top notch receivers will get their numbers.
That is why it is so important to ink a star go-to-receiver for your team, whether it be PPR or any other format of league. Here are your top sixty wide receivers for the 2009 fantasy football season:
The Big Names, With Big Game-
We all know the big name receivers. Larry Fitzgerald, Andre Johnson, Calvin Johnson, Randy Moss, and Steve Smith. Most of this group is going in the late first to early second rounds. As expected, many are taking Randy Moss really high, because of what he did with Tom Brady in 2007. Larry Fitzgerald has been the first receiver off the board in most and for some reason not all drafts. He is number one on our boards becuase of the threat he brings to the table.
When looking at the number two wide receiver in fantasy, I differ a bit from many 0ther analyst’s thoughts. Not Andre, but Calvin “Megatron” Johnson is second on our board. He has one more year of experience, less than three different quarterbacks that will throw to him in 2009, and a defense that is going to force the offense into a lot of throwing situations. Let’s face it, the Lions are not going to lose all of their games, but losing twelve isn’t out of question. With Randy Moss connecting with his favorite tosser, he could be very valuable in 2009, and Steve Smith is small in size, but makes up for it with his heart and determination to get to the ball. Smith is the darkhorse of this group, and if you can get him in the late second round, it could be the biggest acquisition of the draft. Many are taking Greg Jennings before him, and I think that is just plain silly. Steve Smith belongs in the upper echelon of fantasy wide receivers.
The Secondary Receiver-
Unless you are have a superstud running back lineup, it is going to be key to get that secondary receiver to add more points to your weekly totals. Superstar Camera Lovin’ Ball catchin’ Chad Ocho Cinco and Terrell Owens could have major bounce back years. Especially Terrell Owens. Despite his current lower than 5 AM Fresh Prince of Bel Air ratings on the T.O. Show, I am hooked. I’m also hooked on bringing in Owens for 2009. This comes from the same guy who had enough of him at the end of the 2008 fantasy season. This is a new role though, and T.O. is the go to guy. If he is around when you are looking secondary recevier, he could be a solid option. Another favorite is Roddy White, who alongside Michael Turner, showed he belonged in the starting lineup of the National Fantasy Football league. Will White produce like he did last season? Most likely not, but he will keep his yardage. Many think Tony Gonzalez is the go to receiver, but Matt ryan could build a special bond with White that extends back to 2008 in spring training.
On of my favorite secondary receivers, that has number one ability is Dewayne Bowe. In a logjam of upcoming fantasy starts, Bowe is one of those types that has consistently increased all offensive numbers and can offer even more to an offense now losing one of the best tight ends in the game. Matt Cassel isn’t going to help increase touchdown receptions, but expect ten touchdowns and a healthy amount of yards per game in 2009 from Bowe. Bowe has that to offer, unlike a Greg Jennings, because receiving wise, Bowe is the only threat in Kansas City.
Sleepers-
In the bottom half of these rankings are some real talented receivers that could translate into stolen talent in the end of drafts. Devin Hester and Earl Bennett of the Chicago Bears are of extreme interest to me. Someone is going to step up as the man threat for Jay Cutler. We all know that Greg Olson will have a major part in the offense, but Bennett is a big deep threat that Cutler is comfortable with, and well Hester…. he can make defenses look ugly. If you are in a special teams happy league, then Hester is the no brainer. Otherwise, I think Earl Bennett is on top. Hester dropped a lot of balls this weekend, but he will also get better with time in training camp.
Rookies Darius Heyward-Bey, Percy Harvin, Jeremy Maclin, Kenny Britt, and Brian Robiskie round out the bottom of the rankings. At least one of these rookies will have a breakout year. My bet is on either Harvin or Robiskie.
(To Hear more about wide receivers to draft, listen to Fantasy CPR Live on the Fantasy Sports Channel every Saturday from 12 PM ET-1 PM ET.)
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FanSided
Zach Thompson
