Next up in line for our NFL Fantasy Football Top 10 lists heading into the 2016 season is the wide receivers crop.
With a sport that has evolved into such a pass heavy game, the wide receiver position has become one of the most popular and important roster spots in fantasy football.Points per reception has also become vastly more fun in leagues and increases the challenge as well as draft strategies across the board.
One of the deepest positions in the league is easily wide receiver and most teams have begun to drive fantasy owners crazy due to the fact that any given day a number two or number three receiver will outplay the number ones.
As we all know, fantasy football is definitely a game of skill, but more so luck and chance. Being that I can not and never will be able to predict the future, I won’t be able to tell you who exactly will win you your league.
What I can do is give you 10 players that will definitely better your chances to finish at the top. Let’s take a look at who they are.
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10. Demaryius Thomas (DEN)
Fresh off his Super Bowl win and fourth consecutive season of 1,300 plus yards receiving, Demaryius sadly slips down the rankings of top wide receivers in the league.
Hopefully Thomas will surprise us all, but there is one enormous factor that will seriously work against him, Peyton Manning is now retired. Oh yeah! Brock Osweiler, who was expected to take the reins after Manning’s retirement, decided to pack his bags and move to Houston to quarterback the Texans.
Mark Sanchez will now be who everyone is relying on to keep up Thomas’ numbers. Yes, it is perfectly normal to let out a sigh of concern because Sanchez is not going to wow anyone with his performance. I’m sure Broncos fans everywhere are still crossing their fingers for a Ryan Fitzpatrick signing or a Colin Kaepernick trade before training camps begin.
Demaryius’ talent could very well overshadow the fact that Sanchez is only a low-level or average quarterback at best. Of course he can always blow away secondaries and leave them in the dust on his way to big touchdowns or his incredible route running ability. He has also been incredibly reliable having not missed a game in four straight seasons.
In six seasons, Thomas has compiled 6,621 yards on 546 catches and 47 touchdowns. The only issue is that his first two seasons were not highly impressive. The reason for that may be the fact that it was a mixture of Kyle Orton and the ever so “impressive” Tim Tebow.
As soon as The Sheriff came to town in 2012, though, it was a different story. Peyton Manning seems to make any receiver better, but what he did with Demaryius was insane. Catching 92, 94, 111, and 105 balls in those four seasons while gaining 5,787 yards and hauling in 41 touchdowns is what fantasy owners love.
Until the Broncos make that trade, succumb to Fitzpatrick’s contract demands, or Paxton Lynch becomes a Godsend, Thomas will be planted at the number 10 spot for the foreseeable future.
Prediction: 80 Catches – 975 Yards – 7 Touchdowns
9. Amari Cooper (OAK)
With rising star Derek Carr in serious need of some weapons, the Raiders went ahead and used a top pick (fourth overall) on what most considered the most pro ready player in the draft, Amari Cooper.
In Cooper’s JR year at Alabama he had an unreal 127 catches for 1,727 yards and 16 touchdowns. To be able to put those numbers up against SEC defenses is a pretty remarkable feat.
It didn’t take long for Cooper to make everyone that hopped on the hype train glad they did. In his second and third game as a pro he became the Raiders first receiver to have back-to-back 100 yard receiving games since Randy Moss way back in 2005.
Cooper finished the year with some more than impressive numbers for a rookie receiver on a still rebuilding team by hauling in 72 passes for 1,070 yards and six touchdowns.
Cooper would have had even better numbers had he not slowed down drastically in his last five games. He had one game of 120 yards in those five and only managed 219 total, where he had a big goose egg against the Broncos. Granted, the Broncos had a ridiculous defense and shut many players down throughout the season.
Still, this team is looking a lot better and that should only mean even better seasons for the second year wide receiver.
Prediction: 93 Catches – 1,200 Yards – 7 Touchdowns
8. Jordy Nelson (GB)
Last year couldn’t have had more football and fantasy football fans pleading for the NFL preseason to be shortened to two games when top receiver Jordy Nelson went down with a torn ACL and missed the entire 2015 season.
That is the last injury that any fantasy owner wants to see to a player that they more than likely spent a first or second round pick on. Especially when it is a player that has the production Nelson has had when healthy.
When Jordy manages to stay on the field, he is an absolute fantasy monster and very tough receiver for defenses to cover. He has very nice breakaway speed and incredible hands. He is also Aaron Rodgers favorite target (151 targets compared to Cobb’s 126 in 2015), which is a very good person to pick you as his favorite.
Since 2011 Nelson has managed more than 1,250 yards, barring 2012 when he had a hamstring injury that caused him to miss four games (yet still managed seven touchdowns) and nagged at him throughout the season.
2014 was his career year amassing 1,519 yards on 98 catches and hauling in a ridiculous 13 touchdowns to go along with those already eye-popping numbers.
I expect more of the same for the Kansas State product, but for a guy coming into his age 31 season and off of a torn ACL I can’t help but imagine a slight decline in his production. Although, Adrian Peterson proved us all wrong when he came back from his ACL injury and almost broke the rushing record. Let’s hope that Nelson can do the same for his respective position.
Prediction: 90 Catches – 1,150 Yards – 9 Touchdowns
7. Brandon Marshall (NYJ)
Has anyone been more consistent throughout their career lately than Brandon Marshall? 10 seasons with 4 different teams, and only had less than 1,000 yards receiving in two of those seasons; his rookie year and 2014 where he missed three games and only came up 279 yards shy of 1,000. Very likely that he would have surpassed the century mark for the ninth time had he suited up for those three and been healthy the others.
Marshall has been known to have some slight stone hands due to the fact that he likes to drop a lot of passes, but when he does make the catch, he makes it count.
His touchdown numbers are a bit hard to predict as he has been all over the place in touchdown receptions throughout his career, but PPR leagues make that a little less worrisome since he is good for anywhere between 80-100 catches.
He enjoyed his best season as a pro in his 10th season with his new team, the New York Jets, where he helped Ryan Fitzpatrick enjoy his best season and fellow wide receiver Eric Decker who also surpassed 1,000 yards and brought in 12 touchdowns of his own.
With the team currently in limbo over who is going to be their starting quarterback for the 2015-16 season, Marshall’s fantasy status is in flux. Currently the Jets QB options consist of Geno Smith, second year Bryce Petty, and rookie Christian Hackenberg.
If Fitzpatrick swallows his pride or the Jets decide to meet his demands Marshall belongs higher on the list, but until then it’s hard to see him having another great season with one of those three at the helm.
Prediction: 89 Catches – 1,200 Yards – 9 Touchdowns
6. Alshon Jeffery (CHI)
Alshon Jeffery, drafted in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft, was expected to be an offensive threat in a Chicago Bears offense that already had former teammate Brandon Marshall. Sadly, Jeffery broke his hand in week five and returned in week 11 only to injure his knee and miss more time.
2013 Jeffery managed to stay healthy all year and appear in all 16 games. In that season, he caught 89 passes for 1,421 yards and seven touchdowns. He followed that up with another full season in 2014 with 85 receptions, 1,133yards, and 10 touchdowns.
Coming into the 2015 season Jeffery had cemented himself as a top fantasy receiver and most either used their keeper pick on him or took him with a first, second, or third round pick. Yet again, he dealt with injuries and managed to see the field for nine games due to a hamstring injury. Most of those games he was slowed by the hamstring and wasn’t himself.
Still in only nine games Alshon managed 54 catches (led the team), 807 yards, and four touchdowns.
At 6’3″ 216 pounds, decent speed, leaping ability, and great hands Alshon is a threat at all times when the Bears have the ball. As long as he stays on the field and keeps himself healthy, he will definitely make it worth it to spend a high pick on him.
Prediction: 98 Catches – 1,300 Yards – 10 Touchdowns
5. Odell Beckham Jr. (NYG)
Crazy hair, wild antics, and cry-baby ways aside, Odell Beckham Jr. is a phenomenal wide receiver and damn-near impossible to cover. Hell, even when you stick to him like velcro, the guy makes catches with three fingers, i.e. “The Catch”.
In 12 games his rookie year, Beckham Jr. caught 91 passes for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns. IN 12 GAMES! On top of that made one of the most incredible catches in the history of the NFL and multiple others that made top 10’s throughout the season.
Blazing speed, superior athleticism, and remarkable catching ability, Beckham makes defenses look like they aren’t even there.
Many expected a drop-off due to the Giants having a lacking receiving corps and defenses keying on Beckham, but it didn’t phase him at all. Still, with everyone knowing who the offense runs through and where almost every pass is headed, Odell had 96 catches, broke 1,000 again with 1,450 yards, and pulled in 14 touchdowns.
Aside from being one of the best fantasy options in football, the guy is just flat-out amazing to watch. Whether it is his circus catches or his childish acts on the field when Josh Norman shut him down through the first half and caused him to commit four penalties, three of which were personal fouls.
Love him or hate him the guy is a rare talent that everyone should appreciate having the opportunity to watch play the game. He may be a “diva”, but the guy clearly loves the game and leaves it all on the field.
Prediction: 102 Catches – 1,650 Yards – 13 Touchdowns
4. Julio Jones (ATL)
No one is ever curious who Matt Ryan is going to try to use to win the game, 100% of the time it is Julio Jones. An almost unstoppable receiver that the Falcons traded up for to grab in the 2011 draft, Jones can make any defense pay at any given time.
With the emergence of Davonta Freeman, extra pressure is off of Julio and makes him an even more dangerous threat.
Aside from his 2013 season where he was limited to just five games because of a foot injury, Jones has been an absolute beast. 2015 one of the best seasons from a receiver you will see; 1,871 yards on 136 catches, and eight touchdowns.
With 204 targets last season, Jones is sure to continue and get his looks from Matt Ryan. The only concerning thing is, was Freeman a flash in the pan, can Ryan be consistent enough to help Julio put up big numbers, and can the defense do enough to help the offense stay on the field more?
If all of those things work out Julio has every chance to be the best receiver in the league, but the Falcons have been an inconsistent mess over the years and are starting to waste away a tremendous talent in Jones.
Even with a Falcons team that doesn’t seem to give any reason to fear them, Julio Jones remains the constant player to fear every single game.
Prediction: 115 Catches – 1680 Yards – 9 Touchdowns
3. Allen Robinson (JAX)
Jacksonville has one of the most promising teams in the upcoming season, and one of the quickest rising receivers in the game in Allen Robinson.
His rookie season in 2014 didn’t show much to get anyone excited, as he only appeared in 10 games and caught two touchdowns with 548 yards receiving.
In his defense, Blake Bortles was in his first year and the Jaguars still didn’t have an identity, as they were an awful team where no one really succeeded.
2015 was a different story as Bortles seemed to find his groove and had an incredible season, whereas Robinson also reaped the benefits of a team finding their way into the talks of a playoff contender. Compiling 1,400 yards on 80 receptions and 14 touchdowns on his way to his first Pro Bowl nod, Robinson is quickly becoming a well-loved fantasy receiver.
He is the first Jaguars wideout to have 1,000+ yards in a single season since Jimmy Smith and also broke the record for most touchdown receptions in a season for a Jaguar.
The Jaguars might be the most improved team this offseason with their off-season acquisitions and great draft picks. They boosted an already stingy defense mightily, which should translate into more appearances for the up and coming young offense.
If Bortles continues his progression Robinson will also grow right along with him and will make Jaguar fans, as well as many fantasy owners incredibly ecstatic.
Prediction: 115 Catches – 1750 Yards – 14 Touchdowns
2. DeAndre Hopkins (HOU)
The Houston Texans may not be the most imposing offense that defenses will face in games, but they will definitely know who DeAndre Hopkins is when the game is over.
Obviously it is insane to include two AFC South players in the top three, but the division is currently building some solid teams that are going to change things up this coming season or the season to follow.
Hopkins, even on a bad Texans team that squeaked into the playoffs last season, is only getting better going into his fourth season and is working his way into elite status.
2015 saw the Texans run a quarterback carousel with four different starters, and countless swaps throughout the season at the position. DeAndre still managed to light up the stat sheet with 111 catches for 1,521 yards, and 11 touchdowns. Not one of those quarterbacks was known for being that great either (Hoyer, Mallet, Weeden, and Yates).
The Texans went out and signed top free agent signal-caller Brock Osweiler in the offseason in hopes that it would solve their QB dilemma and enhance the offense at the same time. DeAndre has to be excited to have someone who more than held his own in his games with the Broncos, come over and throw him the ball in Houston.
Hopkins can clearly put up the numbers when he is on the field regardless of who throws him the ball. The guy has a ridiculously high ceiling and will only continue to get better. If Osweiler can pan out and be what the Texans are paying him to be, Hopkins should see even more of a spike in his offensive output.
Prediction: 125 Catches – 1,875 Yards – 13 Touchdowns
1. Antonio Brown (PIT)
Obvious choice here. Antonio Brown has been hands-down the best receiver in the game, as well as the owner of the best super-kick. Talking about the straight kick Brown issued to then-Browns’ punter Spencer Lanning in 2014.
The most consistent and reliable receiver in the game, it is no wonder that Big Ben is always finding a way to get the ball into Brown’s hands. He can not only beat a secondary without the ball, he can take the ball all the way with his elusiveness and incredible route running ability.
2015 saw nine of Brown’s 16 games result in 100 yards or more, two of which 195 and 284. The 284 game Brown managed an unimpressive 17 catches as well.
Obviously joking about that being unimpressive.
Not only is Brown the best receiver, he is in the argument for best punt returner as well. It may not be an argument though, because he is a tremendous returner. He is the first player in NFL history to have 1,000 yards returning and 1,000 yards receiving in a single season.
As long as Roethlisberger can stay healthy Brown should have zero issues with piling up more ridiculous stats and keeping his place at the top of the list for fantasy wide receivers in the NFL.
Allen Robinson over OBJ and Julio? Ok bud, ok....lol.