By Zack Cimini

notjustagame23@gmail.com

Wide receivers consume the most starting spots and typically depth on your bench as well. The field too solidify a solid trio of receivers is just as difficult in fantasy as it is for NFL teams. Receivers tend to be the best area to find super sleepers that emerge with statistical breakout games no one expected. A day after every owner is bug eyed at their waiver wire position to see if they have a shot at picking that guy up. Miles Austin, Sidney Rice, Steve Smith, Mike Sims-Walker and Pierre Garcon went from being near Mr. Irrelevant fantasy picks to being top twenty fantasy receivers this year. Maybe this is why owners still choose to go after every running back possible before drafting a wide receiver.

This years receiver mix has a lot of differentially. A lot of youth and players aforementioned that came out of nowhere create an interesting way to rank these receivers. Veterans are still abound of course. Take a look at where we have your targets ranked.

1. Andre Johnson- Contract issues aside, Johnson will be worth every penny of a late first round pick for fantasy owners.

2. Calvin Johnson- We expect Stafford to show great improvement from his rookie season. This will finally bring Johnson to the level we all need to see. He has never came close to 100 receptions in his career. He should eclipse the 78 catch mark he had in 2008. That will mean huge numbers to keep you grinning all season.

3. Brandon Marshall- If he can have as great a year as he did with Kyle Orton throwing the football than Chad Henne will have him at career high levels. It’s hard to believe that Marshall is only 26.

4. Greg Jennings- Last year was definitely a downer for Jennings. Green Bay has so much talent that Jennings had a hard time getting the necessary looks when it came to red zone scores. A player with as much talent as Jennings will not be out of the fold two years in a row. Look for similar touchdown totals we saw from Jennings in years past.

5. Larry Fitzgerald- No worries with Leinart in the fold. Leinart is entering his fifth year with the Cardinals and will be ready to answer the call.

6. Reggie Wayne- Played with Marvin Harrison and now will put up similar numbers year after year until he is 36 just like Harrison did. After Manning’s career is done and he is in the Hall of Fame, it wouldn’t be shocking to see a Harrison/Wayne thank you in his speech. Even if Manning did not have an off the field relationship with Harrison.

7. Randy Moss- The pressure is mounting in New England. The running game looks like it will be near dead last in the league and that Patriots are likely going to be without Wes Welker most of the year. Moss is going to have to show for the first time since he was a Raider how he can handle the intense focus of defenses. Welker took a ton of weight off his shoulders and now his second receiver is a former college quarterback.

8. Vincent Jackson- It’s amazing he does not catch more footballs than he does. It sure seems like Rivers and Jackson connect a heck of a lot more than the statistics show. Jackson may miss a few games for off the field conduct. That is the reason he is not a top five receiver.

9. Anquan Boldin- Boldin is a perfect Joe Flacco target. He put a lot of damage on his body as a Cardinal. If he can stay away from injuries, Boldin and the Ravens look headed for an AFC Championship game against the Colts.

10. DeSean Jackson- When the Eagles are on a national televised game you expect Jackson to make at least one or two big plays a game. He is a the “Prime Time” athlete of the NFL today. We do believe Jackson will have a bit more difficulty scoring touchdowns compared to last year, but his special teams play and yardage will help alleviate that.

11. Roddy White

12. Miles Austin

13. Steve Smith Carolina

14. Marques Colston

15. Sidney Rice

16. Michael Crabtree

17. Steve Smith NYG

18. Donald Driver

19. Jeremy Maclin

20. Chad Ochocinco

21. Dwayne Bowe

22. Hakeem Nicks

23. Santana Moss

24. Mike Sims-Walker

25. Pierre Garcon

26. Hines Ward

27. Chaz Schilens

28. Dez Bryant

29. Braylon Edwards

30. Robert Meachem

31. Percy Harvin

32. Mike Wallace

33. TJ Houshmandzadeh

34. Derrick Mason

35. Steve Breaston

36. Santonio Holmes

37. Kenny Britt

38. Lee Evans

39. Devery Henderson

40. Antonio Bryant

41. Mike Williams

42. Devin Aromashodu

43. Mario Manningham

44. Julian Edelman

45. Golden Tate

46. Austin Collie

47. Bernard Berrian

48. Donnie Avery

49. Chris Chambers

50. Kevin Walter

51. Arrelious Benn

52. Devin Hester

53. Josh Morgan

54. Demaryius Thomas

55. Jerricho Cotchery

56. Early Doucet

57. Louis Murphy

58. Eddie Royal

59. Anthony Gonzalez

60. Malcolm Floyd

61. Earl Bennett

62. Roy Williams

63. Devin Thomas

64. Laurent Robinson

65. Davone Bess

66. Nate Washington

67. Mohamed Massaquoi

68. Johnny Knox

69. James Jones

70. Terrell Owens