Wide Receivers
August 20, 2005
Prior to the weekly rankings, here is the third in a series of pre-season rankings for the 2005 season. The schedule for the remaining positions would be:
Quarterbacks -- Thursday, Aug. 18
Running Backs -- Friday, Aug. 19
Wide Receivers -- Saturday, Aug. 20
Tight Ends -- Monday, Aug. 22
Kickers and Defenses -- Tuesday, Aug. 23
Individual Defensive Players -- Wednesday, Aug. 24
1 Randy Moss, OAK -- The move to the West Coast for Moss should be fairly seamless. A possible boost for Moss is that he's playing across from Jerry Porter, who is his best receiving partner since he played with Cris Carter early in his career. One concern is the nagging injuries such as the hamstring injury that cost him a few games last season. Nevertheless, he's the top receiver, period.
2 Chad Johnson, CIN -- Johnson has produced solid numbers for the last two seasons, and as long as Carson Palmer continues to improve, Johnson's numbers will continue to soar.
3 Torry Holt, STL -- Holt isn't the big TD threat as Moss, Harrison or Johnson, but he gets 100 receptions and at least 1,300 yards a season. He's dangerous and explosive, and plays off Isaac Bruce very well. With an improved line, and the strong emergence of Mark Bulger, Holt remains entrenched as a top-five WR.
4 Marvin Harrison, IND -- If you want security, Harrison is your man. He has only missed one game in the last six years and he's a shoe-in for 1,000+ yards and 12+ TDs. There are a lot of weapons in Indy and his opportunities are diminishing, but his skills aren't.
5 Terrell Owens, PHI -- You know about TO's "troubles". If he plays this season, he's definitely a top-five WR. Who knows how this mess will turn out, but I just know I'd rather have any of the above four WRs and sleep at night than to deal with this roller coaster. But, if they are gone, you just can't pass him up.
6 Joe Horn, NO -- After the big five, Horn is the best of the rest, despite his age of 33. He's had over 1,200 yards receiving in four of the last five seasons, and had double digits in TDs the last two seasons. There are no big changes in store for the Saints' offense, so expect the usual from Horn.
7 Javon Walker, GB -- It appears that Walker will not continue his contract troubles into the season, so expect him to build on his breakout season of 2004. With the troubles on defense and the decline of the Packers' running game, Favre will have to go to the air more often this year and Walker will reap the benefits.
8 Andre Johnson, HOU -- Johnson is a Pro-Bowl quality WR, but on the Texans, his ceiling is limited. With a horrible offensive line, Carr can't expect to get the ball to Johnson from his back (49 sacks). Don't know when Johnson will reach double figures in TDs -- probably once there's some improvement in the line and the Texans find him a No. 2 WR to play off of. Nevertheless, he's still a No. 1 fantasy WR.
9 Reggie Wayne, IND -- It seems illogical to have a No. 2 WR crack the top 10, but the Indy offense defies logic. He has shown steady improvement over the last four seasons. You can't expect 1,200 yards/12 TDs again, but just a notch below that is No. 1-WR quality stuff.
10 Darrell Jackson, SEA -- This is the season Jackson makes the final step into the top 10. Without the erratic Koren Robinson around (attempting) to vulture catches, Jackson is the go-to guy in Seattle. Dropped balls have haunted his short career, but making that adjustment would keep him in the top 10 for years to come.
11 Michael Clayton, TB -- Clayton broke out in a big way last season as a rookie. With the improvement that is expected from Brian Griese, it is possible that Clayton might crack the top 10. The addition of Cadillac Williams boosts the running game, and the team added a pair of tight ends, so the weapons around him are growing.
12 Hines Ward, PIT -- If things fall into place for Ward, this may be a couple of spots too low for him. With Burress out of town, Ward is the prime target for Roethlisberger. It is expected that the Steelers will open up the passing game this season; and with Duce Staley hurt and Bettis not wanting the full running load, there will be less focus on the running game. If all of that plays out, Ward is in for a solid season. If not, he still makes for a good No. 1 or 2 WR.
13 Nate Burleson, MIN -- There's a bit of a gap here, but Burleson's potential allows him to rise to the top of the rest of the pack. He won’t be able to step into Moss' shoes, but he's the guy to take over the No. 1 duties. Troy Williamson Marcus Robinson and Travis Taylor will see increased roles as well, but Burleson should remain on top. Unless you can get another top-15 WR with your next pick, it may be tough going into the season with Burleson as your No. 1, but he would make a great No. 2.
14 Steve Smith, CAR -- Smith is a hard guy to predict this season. He's now the No.1 guy at Carolina. If you use his 2003 season as a measurement, he is in for a big season. But there are so many unknowns, such as the status of the Panther running game, or how much will they miss Muhammad, or whether he is 100% after the broken leg. He could be a top-10 WR, or he could bust. A solid No. 2 WR is a safe bet.
15 Roy Williams, DET -- Williams had a brilliant rookie season developing when he was hobbled by ankle problems. He's the top guy in Detroit, and takes part in a potentially amazing quartet of receivers, Charles Rogers and Mike Williams, and tight end Marcus Pollard. Add in Kevin Jones on the ground and will there be enough opportunity for everyone to produce? The one good thing about the QB situation for the Lions is if Joey Harrington is erratic, there won't be a drop off to Jeff Garcia -- a veteran touch may help, in fact.
16 Anquan Boldin, ARI -- Another impressive rookie from last season, Boldin bounced back from an early knee injury. If Kurt Warner gets some decent blocking, Boldin will be the big benefactor. He will be the focus of the Cardinal offense.
17 Laveranues Coles, NYJ -- Coles played most of last season with a foot injury -- which leads one to question how healthy he really is. If healthy, his move back to the Jets and Chad Pennington places a big plus on his value. He was a top-15 WR is his last two seasons in New York.
18 Drew Bennett, TEN -- Bennett is a tough call, because his value isn't based on his ability or health, but on who the quarterback is. Yes, with the departure of Derrick Mason, Bennett is the Titans' No. 1 WR. But as long as Steve McNair is the QB, he is not a fantasy No. 1 -- maybe just an average No. 2. But once Billy Volek hits the field, watch out! There will be those that reach for him, expecting No. 1 numbers from the outset. Those owners will be disappointed -- be prepared to pounce before McNair gets hurt.
19 Donald Driver, GB -- Driver proved his worth last season, and is in position to reap the benefits if Javon Walker's hold out extends into the season. A solid No. 2 WR with No. 1 possibilities.
20 Larry Fitzgerald, ARI -- Fitzgerald is a coveted WR prospect, but he isn't in a situation where he will thrive at this time. A healthy Boldin will limit his receptions, and the arrival of Arrington is a boost to the ground game. But Fitz is a QB favorite, as his eight TDs show (compared to one each by Boldin and Bryant Johnson). If you can take him as your No. 3, that is great value. But there will be someone expecting No. 1-value from him, so don't wait too long.
21 Chris Chambers, MIA -- Chambers is one of the more impressive WRs in the league, but he has had worthless QBs throwing to him during his career. Jay Fiedler is gone, but A.J. Feeley is still in town. Gus Frerotte is not the answer, but he would be a slight improvement. Still, Chambers makes for a decent No. 2 WR pick.
22 Isaac Bruce, STL -- Mr Reliable. He's not a No. 1-quality WR anymore, but he plays off of Torry Holt in one of the most potent offenses in the league.
23 Ashley Lelie, DEN -- Wow! Another young stud WR. It's time to hand the torch from Rod Smith to Lelie, who is developing into one of the game's best deep threats. He should improve on last season's numbers.
24 Jerry Porter, OAK -- I'm hesitant to go all out of Porter this season. Yes, Moss will take a lot of coverage off of him, but Porter. as the No. 1 WR last season, was just a top-20 WR fantasy-wise. Can he really improve on that from the No. 2 spot, WITH Moss? I don't know. And that doesn't take into consideration the upgrade in the running game with Jordan. In addition, 2/3 of his TDs last season came in two games. I just don't see him being a top-15-18 WR like a lot of others do.
25 Jimmy Smith, JAX -- I've always loved Jimmy Smith, but at 36, his time is nearing the end. I still slide him in as a No. 2 due to the development of Reggie Williams, the drafting of Matt Jones and the arrival of a new offensive coordinator that vows to put up the ball more. Smith just might have one more 1,000-yard season left in that body.
26 Derrick Mason, BAL -- A great WR. However, there isn't a worse place to waste a top WR than Baltimore. A team that doesn't pass with a QB that can't pass isn't a good situation. A No. 3 WR at best.
27 Deion Branch, NE -- Branch was worthless last season until it counted -- for him at least -- in the Super Bowl, where it doesn't help us. People will draft him too early based on his SB performance, forgetting how horribly inconsistent he is. Let someone else take him in the top 20.
28 Rod Smith, DEN -- It may be time for Smith to hand the torch to Lelie, but Smith is not gone and forgotten. He has shown no signs of slowing down, so you can't dismiss him. If you chose to pass on Lelie, don’t let Smith go too far, or you'll miss him, too. He can still get you 1,000 yards and half dozen scores.
29 Muhsin Muhammad, CHI -- What a season Muhammad had last year! What a free-agent deal he got in the off-season! What is he doing in Chicago??? He'll be the No. 1 choice of whatever QB survives in the Windy City, so he will be a great No. 3 fantasy WR, but not much more than that.
30 Eric Moulds, BUF -- As much as I love Jimmy Smith, I've hated Eric Moulds. He has just never produced when I've had him, and I'm glad I passed on him last year (only two TDs in his final 13 games). There's potential there, with a new QB, and the development of Lee Evans and McGahee, but I'll pass.
31 Eddie Kennison, KC -- Kennison always lingers deep in a draft. He's on a team that features the RB and TE, so he gets overlooked. He gets his stats quietly, so let someone take the flashy guys and take him here for a nice value. He'll be a steal wherever you draft him.
32 Lee Evans, BUF -- I actually like Evans a lot more than Moulds, but Moulds is the No. 1 WR. Evans, though, showed in his rookie year the impressive combination of clutch possession skills with great downfield speed and open-field running ability. There will be struggles with a new QB, but Evans is a rising star.
33 Plaxico Burress, NYG -- The Giants WRs, as a group, only had two TD receptions last season. They desperately need a playmaker like Burress. He's talented, but inconsistent. He's had 1,000-yard seasons with poor QBs, so he's used to a trying situation QB-wise. But the focus probably will remain with Tiki Barber and Jeremy Shockey, so it's hard to project Burress any higher than a No. 3 fantasy WR.
34 Santana Moss, WAS -- It may be an unfair comparison, but Laveranues Coles (who was battling an injury) went from the Jets to the Redskins and was horrible. Moss disappointed a lot of owners last season, but there's no doubting his talent. The big problem is that he's gone from having an accurate passer in Pennington to an erratic one in Ramsey (or whomever the 'Skins decide to go with). He's the go-to guy, but don't risk taking him too high.
35 Keyshawn Johnson, DAL -- Loudmouth or not, Johnson is still one of the best possession WRs around, and teamed up with Drew Bledsoe, he should have a slightly better season in 2005. Even though he's one of the worst No. 1s in the league, you can't let him drop any further.
36 Brandon Stokley, IND -- It's odd talking about a No. 3 WR when there are still No. 1 guys on the board, but this is no ordinary No. 3. He's the most talented slot receiver on the most prolific offense in football. There are too many weapons on the team to consider him consistently, but when he has a big game, it's a huge one. His health is a concern, and the chances that the Colts will have three WRs with 1,000 yards and 10+ TDs again is highly unlikely. But Stokely would make an occasional No. 3 or a great backup WR on a squad.
37 T.J. Houshmandzadeh, CIN -- Houshmandzadeh is a talented young receiver that broke out in a big way last year, thanks to an injury to Peter Warrick. He seemed to have a good rapport with Palmer and, with the effective ground game manned by Rudi Johnson, and the attention drawn by Chad Johnson, Houshmandzadeh should at least match last season's output. Plus, I like the challenge of trying to type “Houshmandzadeh”.
38 Donte Stallworth, NO -- Immensely talently, but painfully inconsistent, Stallworth is entering his fourth season with a talented offense to work with. It's difficult to gage how effective he will be with the trio of Brooks, McAllister and Horn garnering most of the attention, but his success is up to him. If he steps up his game with increased focus, he would be a bargain at this spot. That's a big "if" for right now.
39 Amani Toomer, NYG -- Last year was a disaster for Toomer, having been shut out of the end zone. Things are looking up for him, though -- Manning has to be improved, he has a deep-threat running mate now, and Shockey is healthy for the short stuff. That leaves a lot of open area in the middle for a steady performer like Toomer. Look for a season more the norm for him, at least yardage-wise.
40 Charles Rogers, DET -- Rogers should be motivated to prove that his injury-plagued first two seasons were a fluke. It's hard to gamble on a guy in his third season with only five games under his belt, but if the offense lives up to the hype, Rogers will shine and may turn into a quality No. 2 WR.
41 Keary Colbert, CAR -- Colbert stepped in for Steve Smith and had a solid rookie campaign. It's unclear whether he will start out as the No. 2 or 3 WR, but with the good chance that Smith will miss time, Colbert is in a good position to outplay this draft spot.
42 Keenan McCardell, SD -- McCardell won't give you powerhouse numbers, but he can give you a bye-week or emergency-replacement boost as your backup.
43 Brandon Lloyd, SF -- Lloyd is now the No. 1 WR in SF, but there are a lot of questions regarding the QB position. Lloyd had a five-week run of averaging 70 yards and a score, but other than that, he was non-existent. Now is the time for him to step up. This is a nice spot to pick up a talented No. 1 WR as your backup. Don't let him slip by you.
44 Justin McCareins, NYJ -- McCareins had a slightly disappointing first season with the Jets. He's a talented receiver in an offense that is supposed to open it up this season, and if Coles continues to have trouble with his foot, McCareins will quickly be the go-to guy.
45 David Givens, NE -- Givens had a great first half, and a lousy second half, so which guy is the real thing? It is a plus that David Patten is gone, so there's room for Givens to continue his steady improvement each year
46 Antonio Bryant, CLE -- Edwards' effectiveness will determine Bryant's output. He had a solid second half after the trade from Dallas, but needs to be more consistent.
47 Braylon Edwards, CLE -- A must-pick for a dynasty league, Edwards will struggle in his rookie season. He is on a squad that has two other good young receivers, and has a run-oriented offense that boasts Trent Dilfer as their QB.
48 Antwaan Randle El, PIT -- The versatile Randle-El is now the No. 2 WR for the Steelers. A playmaker that can really move in the open field, he will play well off of Ward.
49 Mike Williams, DET -- This may be low for Williams, but it's hard to go much higher on a rookie No. 3 WR in an unproven offense. But with the injury history of Williams and Rogers, his value could really soar if he adapts to the NFL quickly. He's a monster that should develop into a Pro-Bowl caliber player, but expect a slow start to his career.
50 Reggie Williams, JAX -- He had a poor rookie campaign, but, across from Jimmy Smith, his sophomore outing should be more productive as he should thrive in the new vertical passing game.
51 Joey Galloway, TB -- Once he got over the injury bug last season, Galloway was very productive, scoring at least one TD in four of his last five games. He has a great young receiver opposite him in Clayton, but you have to temper your expectations with his injury history.
52 Travis Taylor, MIN -- Taylor received the start as the Vikings' No. 2 in their most recent game. He should be considered a possible No. 2 or 3 for Minnesota going into the season.
53 Terry Glenn, DAL -- If healthy, Glenn is in a good spot opposite Johnson and is reuniting with former teammate Bledsoe. Bledsoe knows how to get the deep ball to Glenn.
54 Michael Jenkins, ATL -- Jenkins had already taken the No. 1 job from Peerless Price before Price was released; now, he has even less competition from whomever wins out the No. 2 job; finished with four catches for 35 yards and two TDs against the Jaguars.
55 Tyrone Calico, TEN -- Calico could make an impact with the Titans with the departure of Mason, but he's coming off a knee injury.
56 David Patten, WAS -- Patten did well at times last season on a part-time basis. Now, he is a starter that must jell with a new quarterback.
57 Troy Williamson, MIN -- Moss is gone, and Burleson moves up to No. 1. That leaves some room for Williamson. It is rare, however, for a rookie WR to make a significant impact. Marcus Robinson or Travis Taylor will probably get the early nod as No. 2, but as the season wears on Williamson should get some time at No. 2 and 3. A solid dynasty pick.
58 Mark Clayton, BAL -- Clayton holds every major receiving record at the University of Oklahoma -- which, honestly, isn't saying a whole lot. He is a superb all-around athlete, a great leaper, and a receiver with a big-play mentality. But, like with Mason, he unfortunately has Boller throwing the ball to (near) him.
59 Reche Caldwell, SD -- Caldwell is a playmaker, but is coming off his second season-ending injury. He has good size and speed and plans to take back his No. 2 WR spot for the Chargers.
60 Rod Gardner, CAR -- Once a top-20 WR, Gardner will step into the No. 3 role for the Panthers.
61 Marcus Robinson, MIN
62 Bobby Engram, SEA
63 Greg Lewis, PHI
64 Ronald Curry, OAK
65 Marty Booker, MIA
66 Kevin Curtis, STL
67 Samie Parker, KC
68 Eric Parker, SD
69 Dennis Northcutt, CLE
70 Jabar Gaffney, HOU
71 Bryant Johnson, ARI
72 Andre Davis, NE
73 Reggie Brown, PHI
74 Johnnie Morton, SF
75 Jerome Pathon, SEA
76 Cedrick Wilson, PIT
77 David Terrell, NE
78 Robert Ferguson, GB
79 David Boston, MIA
80 Matt Jones, JAX
Fantasy Football 
You're dead on accurate with the first 5. I especially LOVE Chad Johnson at #2. I couldn't agree with you more. And if WR's were as important as RB's, then maybe I'd make a big arguement, but I only have two disagreements.
First off, Horn at 6? Have you been drinking already?
Nice job though....I tend to agree on most everything else.
LC is a little high for me too....(he didnt get a boost because hes on one of your fantasy teams eh?) *Cough* *Cough*
There are several small tics up and down, but here are the bigger ones:
UP:
Roy Williams, DET -- Has been at full strength, full speed and Mariucci has been impressed with his toughness.
Antonio Bryant, CLE -- Has emerged as a potential playmaker; Davis' departure opens the door a little bit further; had three receptions for 78 yards, including a 51-yard TD, against Detroit.
Travis Taylor, MIN -- Has a stronger hold on the No. 2 job, but will continue to share time with Williamson and Robinson.
Bobby Engram, SEA -- Proving more and more to be the Seahawks' No. 2 WR.
Greg Lewis, PHI -- Did well as team's No. 1 in TO's absence; ready to settle into No. 2 role.
Bryant Johnson, ARI -- Drawing a lot of attention from Warner; still only No. 3, but Arizona will run a lot of three- and four-WR sets.
Dennis Northcutt, CLE -- Also a slight rise due to the departure of Davis.
DOWN:
David Givens, NE and Andre Davis, NE -- Davis' acquisition only further complicates matters in NE; on top of that, Tim Dwight is doing a good job fighting for a roster spot.
Marcus Robinson, MIN -- Still in the picture as No. 2, but fading; probably more likely the No. 3.
Ronald Curry, OAK -- Doug Gabriel has been doing well in Curry's absence, but Curry hits the field this weekend for the first time since December.
DROPPED OUT:
Joe Jurevicius, SEA
David Boston, MIA
There are several small tics up and down, but here are the bigger ones:
UP:
Steve Smith, CAR -- Smith has showed that has has the same ol' quickness and burst of speed now that he's at 100%.
Charles Rogers, DET -- Rogers only had one catch for eight yards against the Rams and while he slipped and fell on a potential TD pass on the opening play, he is obviously going to be a big part of the vertical game.
Keary Colbert, CAR -- Colbert will be the starter opposite Smith and has received praise from the coaching staff about his crisp routes.
Antonio Bryant, CLE -- The trade of Andre Davis opens the door for Bryant in the starting lineup. He has stood out from the rest of his WR teammates due to his speed and crispness of his routes.
Travis Taylor, MIN -- Taylor caught four passes for 51 yards against the Chargers; remains the leader for the No. 2 spot opposite Burleson.
David Patten, WAS -- No Redskin WR caught three or more 30+ yard passes last season, with only nine completed all year; Patten already has three in preseason; Patten caught four balls for 37 yards against the Steelers.
Michael Jenkins, ATL -- Jenkins had already taken the No. 1 job from Peerless Price before Price was released; now, he has even less competition from whomever wins out the No. 2 job; finished with four catches for 35 yards and two TDs against the Jaguars.
Greg Lewis, PHI -- Lewis caught 4 balls for 72 yards including a 27-yard TD against the Bengals; has settled into the No. 2 WR role, where he will rarely see a double-team playting opposite Terrell Owens.
Ronald Curry, OAK -- Curry played for the first time since tearing his right Achilles' tendon last December; caught three passes for 24 yards.
Kevin Curtis, STL -- Curtis is tearing it up in camp, and has Martz stating that Curtis is playing at a level consistent with his top two WRs, Holt and Bruce; may be this season's Brandon Stokley.
Dennis Northcutt, CLE -- The trade of Andre Davis also allows Northcutt to likely play in the slot for the Browns; turned in a solid performance, catching four passes for 58 yards against the Panthers.
Johnnie Morton, SF -- Morton figures to be the team’s No. 3 receiver; caught two passes for 21 yards in his last game.
Shaun McDonald, STL -- McDonald caught four passes for 46 yards and also had a 44-yard punt return against the Lions.
DOWN:
Braylon Edwards, CLE -- Edwards sustained a sore shoulder against Carolina; underwent X-rays and he expects to be fine; not to miss any practice time; remains very inconsistent and has shown that he still has a lot to learn.
Mike Williams, DET -- Williams caught two passes for 42 yards out of the slot against the Rams; what is disconcerting is that he got open a lot but either the ball just wasn't thrown his way, or the QB couldn't get free enough to throw to him.
Tyrone Calico, TEN -- Tyrone Calico returned to game action Friday night for the first time since his knee injury, catching one pass for seven yards; quotes attributed to Calico make him sound like he's very unsure about making cuts out on the field -- something that is tough to work through during an NFL season.
Troy Williamson, MIN and Marcus Robinson, MIN -- Williamson is making great plays, including a 36-yard reception Friday night against the Chargers; the Vikings are taking things slow with him, though;. Robinson had two catches for 19 yards and was an end zone target twice in the game; both continue to drop as Taylor takes a stronger hold of the No. 2 job.
DROPPED OUT:
Peerless Price, FA -- Released.
Darius Watts, DEN -- Inconsistent; dropped to fourth string.
Greg Lewis...solid, definitely solid. I would take him as my #3 fantasy receiver in the late rounds.
There are several small tics up and down, but here are the bigger ones:
UP:
Muhsin Muhammad, CHI -- Muhammad and Orton hooked up on a big 47-yard completion to start Friday's game that was very impressive and gives a little (tiny bit) of hope for the Bear offense.
Mike Williams, DET -- Continues to show improvement dealing with a tough playbook; had six catches for 96 yards in the preseason.
Matt Jones, JAX -- Jimmy Smith has been dropping a few balls of late -- not enough to decrease his value significantly, but enough to warrant coach Jack Del Rio to say that his WR situation is deep enough that "we may rotate guys more freely"; that means more time for Jones.
DROPPED OUT:
Joe Jurevicius, SEA -- He will take a little hit with the Seahawks' acquisition of Peter Warrick.