2006 Fantasy Football Tiered Rankings: Wide Receivers
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Stud wide receivers can be just as productive as good running backs, so it’s important to consider the position early on draft day. This year, there is no consensus #1 WR; instead, there are four or five guys that could be the first receiver taken.
Steve Smith was All World last year, leading the league with 1,563 yards while reaching paydirt a dozen times. In an eight-week stretch, Smith notched six 100-yard games, including four in a row at one point, with monster games of 170 yards/3 TD and 201 yards/1TD highlighting his run. Chad Johnson was nearly as good as Smith (though he'd probably say he was better), rolling up 1,432 yards and nine touchdowns. Assuming Carson Palmer fully recovers from his knee injury, CJ could wind up the #1 receiver on this list next season. In fact, there are several wideouts who could make that claim, including the always-reliable Torry Holt, Larry Fitzgerald, Randy Moss and, of course, Terrell Owens.
One thing you'll notice when you scan this list is just how deep the receiver position is. It's a good idea to grab a true #1 early on but, beyond that, there's no real formula to filling out your receiving corps. Marvin Harrison, Anquan Boldin and Reggie Wayne are good, but so are Hines Ward, Santana Moss and (assuming he's healthy) Darrell Jackson. Chris Chambers enjoyed a breakout season last year and could be even better now that Daunte Culpepper's lobbing him the ball downfield. Want sleepers? Try Reggie Brown, Nate Burleson and Brandon Lloyd on for size. And we haven't even talked about Javon Walker, who looks to regain his pre-injury form in Denver, and Andre Johnson, who has all the tools to be a top-15 guy and now, with Eric Moulds in Houston, may have the help he needs to do it.
But don't let this crazy depth fool you; just because there are bargains to be had later in the draft doesn't mean you can ignore the position in the middle rounds. Take chances on your bench receivers if you want but try to get two or three steady guys to anchor the position.
NOTE: Numbers in parentheses represent Average Draft Position (ADP) from AntSports.com for drafts conducted 7/1-7/17. Any player rankings based on AntSports.com's High Performance Scoring system.
SUPER STUDS
Steve Smith, CAR (2.01)
16 games, 103 rec, 1,563 rec yards, 12 TD; 25 rushing yards, 1 TD
The "Mighty Mite" returned from his knee injury and put up spectacular numbers, finishing as the #1 WR in 2005...has a great rapport with Jake Delhomme and should have a very strong year with Keyshawn Johnson on the opposite side of the field...track his training-camp hamstring injury. (MORE: BE's athlete profile)
Chad Johnson, CIN (2.05)
16 games, 97 rec, 1,432 rec yards, 9 TD
Johnson is one of the most talented wideouts in the league...the only question mark is the health of his quarterback after a serious knee injury ended the Bengals’ playoff run.
Torry Holt, STL (2.06)
14 games, 102 rec, 1,431 rec yards, 9 TD
Holt is one of the most consistent WRs in the game, but will the departure of Mike Martz help him or hurt him? He and Mark Bulger have good chemistry, so he should be a shoe-in for the top 10.
NEXT BEST THING
Larry Fitzgerald, ARI (2.08)
16 games, 103 rec, 1,409 rec yards, 10 TD
Fitzgerald finished as the #2 WR last season, but with the arrival of Edgerrin James, the Arizona offense shouldn’t be in catch-up mode the entire season...extremely talented and should continue to improve his game.
Marvin Harrison, IND (2.10)
15 games, 82 rec, 1,146 rec yards, 12 TD
Harrison has been the most dependable WR over the past several years, but age is starting to catch up with him...he was a top 10 WR last year and the Colts will probably throw a little more without Edge in the backfield, but they’ll also see more nickel and dime coverage.
Anquan Boldin, ARI (2.12)
14 games, 102 rec, 1,402 rec yards, 7 TD
Boldin benefited from the presence of Larry Fitzgerald and was the #1 WR over the last half of the season...the Cards should be better this season, which means they shouldn’t have to throw quite as much.
Terrell Owens, DAL (2.01)
7 games, 47 rec, 763 rec yards, 6 TD
The biggest name to change teams in the offseason, TO should be the centerpiece of the Cowboys’ attack...has the pure talent to be taken as the #1 WR, but there’s always a decent chance that his relationship with Bill Parcells will implode. (MORE: BE's athlete profile)
Reggie Wayne, IND (3.06)
16 games, 83 rec, 1,055 rec yards, 5 TD;
Wayne is slowly overtaking Marvin Harrison as the Colts #1 option...his stats should increase a bit with the departure of Edgerrin James.
Randy Moss, OAK (2.10)
16 games, 60 rec, 1,005 rec yards, 8 TD
Moss is a tough one to figure out...has all the physical tools to be the #1 WR, but hasn’t played that well in the last couple of seasons...will the arrival of Aaron Brooks lead to a big season? It’s tough to take that kind of gamble with such an early pick. (MORE: BE's athlete profile)
CAPABLE #1’s
Hines Ward, PIT (3.10)
15 games, 69 rec, 975 rec yards, 11 TD
Ward is a pretty consistent threat and is a safe pick in the third round....doesn’t have huge upside, but he’s a very solid #1, assuming there aren’t any lingering health questions surrounding Ben Roethlisberger.
Santana Moss, WAS (4.03)
16 games, 84 rec, 1,483 rec yards, 9 TD
Moss was a big surprise last year, finishing as the #6 WR despite an ADP in the 8th round...Al Saunders is in town to coach the offense, so if they don’t change his role too much, Moss should have a big year.
Chris Chambers, MIA (3.06)
16 games, 82 rec, 1,118 rec yards, 11 TD
Chambers was the #2 WR over the last half of 2005, so he’s poised for a big year...it all depends on how well he and Daunte Culpepper click.
Plaxico Burress, PIT (4.06)
16 games, 76 rec, 1,214 rec yards, 7 TD
Burress had a great season after joining the Giants, finishing as the #11 WR...a weak second half is cause for concern, as is Plax’s questionable work ethic.
Darrell Jackson, SEA (3.11)
6 games, 38 rec, 482 rec yards, 3 TD
D-Jax would be higher if not for that knee injury that forced him to miss most of 2005...if he’s fully back, he’s a top 10 wideout.
Roy Williams, DET (3.12)
13 games, 45 rec, 687 rec yards, 8 TD
It’s tough to take any Lion this early, but there have been nothing but raves about Williams this offseason...new OC Mike Martz and QB Jon Kitna should improve Detroit’s attack, and Williams stands to benefit.
Donald Driver, GB (4.06)
16 games, 86 rec, 1,221 rec yards, 5 TD
With the departure of Javon Walker, Driver is the only dependable WR in Green Bay...as always, he’ll outperform his draft position.
T.J. Houshmandzadeh , CIN (5.06)
14 games, 78 rec, 956 rec yards, 7 TD; 62 rushing yards, 1 TD
Housh was the #14 WR and finished #9 over the last half...the only thing standing in the way of another big year is Carson Palmer’s knee.
CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC
Andre Johnson, HOU (4.09)
13 games, 63 rec, 688 rec yards, 2 TD
After a very slow start, AJ finished strong and was the #15 WR over the last half of the season...the arrival of Eric Moulds gives him the opportunity to make that leap to top 10-15 status.
Javon Walker, DEN (4.11)
1 games, 4 rec, 27 rec yards, 0 TD
After a well publicized falling out with the Packers, Walker got his wish and was traded to a Denver team that will utilize his talents...two questions: is he fully back from his knee injury, and how quickly does he jive with Jake Plummer?
Joey Galloway, TB (6.01)
16 games, 83 rec, 1,287 rec yards, 10 TD
Galloway was a big surprise last season, finishing as the #7 WR...should have another good season and is a great value in the fifth or sixth round.
POSITIVE CHANGES
Deion Branch, NE (5.07)
16 games, 78 rec, 998 rec yards, 5 TD
Branch’s role should grow with the departure of David Givens...not a true #1, but New England’s scheme keeps him effective...he’s currently holding out, so follow his status closely.
Derrick Mason, BAL (5.08)
16 games, 86 rec, 1,073 rec yards, 3 TD
Will the arrival of Steve McNair signal Mason’s return to top-10 status? Probably not, but the top 15 is a distinct possibility.
Lee Evans, BUF (6.09)
16 games, 48 rec, 743 rec yards, 7 TD
With Eric Moulds gone, Evans’ role will increase, but so will the attention that defenses give him...after a couple of top-30 appearances, Evans will crack the top 20 if he gets consistent play from his QB.
RISK & REWARD
Joe Horn, NO (5.02)
13 games, 49 rec, 654 rec yards, 1 TD
Not long ago, Horn was a top-five WR...Drew Brees is a big upgrade at QB - does that mean that Horn has a chance to crack the top 10 again?
Michael Clayton, TB (6.11)
14 games, 32 rec, 372 rec yards, 0 TD
Suffered through a miserable sophomore season and his ADP has dropped almost three rounds as a result...if he’s healthy, we could see a repeat of his rookie season.
Drew Bennett, TEN (7.05)
13 games, 58 rec, 738 rec yards, 4 TD
Bennett blew up two years ago when Billy Volek played QB for the injured Steve McNair...McNair is gone, and Bennett should be quite productive -- until Vince Young takes over.
Reggie Brown, PHI (7.10)
16 games, 43 rec, 571 rec yards, 4 TD
Brown started to show some flashes in the second half of the season, putting up #26 WR numbers in the process...with T.O. gone, he’ll be the #1 wideout in Philly.
Nate Burleson, SEA (7.08)
12 games, 30 rec, 328 rec yards, 1 TD
Due to a knee injury and a pretty miserable season, Burleson’s ADP has dropped four rounds since last year...the news out of Seattle has been positive - he should be a good fit for Mike Holmgren’s offense.
Matt Jones, JAX (8.08)
16 games, 36 rec, 432 rec yards, 5 TD
Taking over Jimmy Smith’s role for the Jaguars...he’s an athlete and should have a breakout year.
STEADY YET UNSPECTACULAR
Eddie Kennison, KC (8.06)
16 games, 68 rec, 1,102 rec yards, 5 TD
Another year goes by, and Kennison is still undervalued...was the #18 WR last year and the only negative change is the departure of offensive coordinator Al Saunders.
Rod Smith, DEN (6.12)
16 games, 85 rec, 1,105 rec yards, 6 TD
Sure, Javon Walker is going to see more throws than Ashley Lelie did, but Smith will still have a productive year...will be hard-pressed to match last year’s #13 WR numbers, however.
Keenan McCardell, SD (11.07)
16 games, 70 rec, 917 rec yards, 9 TD
McCardell was the #17 WR last season, but has to deal with a new QB...how well he jives with Rivers will be key.
Laveranues Coles, NYJ (8.02)
16 games, 73 rec, 845 rec yards, 5 TD
Needs consistent play from the QB position to get back into the top 20, but the top 30-35 is a safe bet.
Mushin Muhammad, CHI (7.12)
15 games, 64 rec, 750 rec yards, 4 TD
While he’ll never match the stellar season he had in Carolina, Muhammad will benefit if Rex Grossman can make it through an entire season.
Terry Glenn, DAL (9.04)
16 games, 62 rec, 1,136 rec yards, 7 TD
Glenn was a big surprise last season, putting up #15 WR numbers when nothing much was expected of him...even with T.O. in town, Drew Bledsoe will still look his way enough so that Glenn can stay in the top 30 or so.
ALL KINDS OF TALENT
Donte Stallworth, NO (8.12)
16 games, 70 rec, 945 rec yards, 7 TD
Stallworth was boom or bust in 2005, but finished as the #23 WR...pretty good value for the eighth round...how quickly can he and Drew Brees can get in synch?
Jerry Porter, OAK (9.03)
16 games, 76 rec yards, 942 rec yards, 5 TD
Porter should benefit from the arrival of Aaron Brooks...was the #24 WR last season and should be in the top 30 again, assuming he gets the trade he wants or he works out his differences with Art Shell.
Eric Moulds, HOU (10.09)
15 games, 81 rec, 816 rec yards, 4 TD
Moulds put up #7 WR numbers in the second half of 2005, but now has to get in synch with David Carr while playing opposite Andre Johnson.
Antonio Bryant, SF (11.03)
16 games, 69 rec, 1,009 rec yards, 4 TD
Bryant and Alex Smith have a chance to be a dynamic duo, but it will probably happen next year...still has a decent shot of finishing in the top 25 as San Francisco will likely be throwing a lot this season.
Braylon Edwards, CLE (10.09)
10 games, 32 rec, 512 rec yards, 3 TD
Edwards is recovering from a devastating ACL injury and it’s unclear if he’ll even be ready for the beginning of the season...he is, however, practicing with the team so there is reason for some tempered optimism.
Koren Robinson, MIN (8.08)
14 games, 22 rec, 347 rec yards, 1 TD
This knucklehead started to show some signs of life towards the end of the season...with Nate Burleson gone, his role should increase...has all of the physical talent in the world, but hasn’t yet taken advantage.
Mark Clayton, BAL (11.05)
14 games, 44 rec, 471 rec yards, 2 TD
A season under his belt and Steve McNair’s arrival should help the Baltimore passing game...had some good games towards the end of 2005.
STEADY YET UNSPECTACULAR, PART II
Kevin Curtis, STL (10.09)
16 games, 60 rec, 801 rec yards, 6 TD
He was the second best WR on the team for most of the year, but he petered out towards the end.
Keyshawn Johnson, CAR (10.10)
16 games, 71 rec, 839 rec yards, 6 TD
KJ was brought in to take some of the pressure off of Steve Smith, but I don’t think he’ll vulture too many targets.
Ernest Wilford, JAX (11.06)
16 games, 41 rec, 681 rec yards, 7 TD
The Jags like Wilford in the slot, where his size is a distinct advantage...he’ll be their #3 WR behind Jones and Reggie Williams.
David Givens, TEN (11.11)
13 games, 59 rec, 738 rec yards, 2 TD
New team with a new QB? That’s a tough sell, which is why Givens is going in the 11th round.
Isaac Bruce, STL (12.04)
11 games, 36 rec, 525 rec yards, 3 TD
Bruce’s numbers have been declining for some time...now he has Kevin Curtis stealing touches.
Amani Toomer, NYG (14.01)
16 games, 60 rec, 684 rec yards, 7 TD
Toomer picked up when Plaxico Burress fell off - he was the #14 WR over the last half of 2005...should be a great fourth or fifth WR.
Joe Jurevicius, CLE (12.11)
16 games, 55 rec, 694 rec yards, 10 TD
Jurevicius isn’t going to set the world on fire, but he’s a good possession receiver and is great down by the goal line.
THE REST
Roddy White, ATL (12.10)
16 games, 29 rec, 446 rec yards, 3 TD
White is Atlanta’s best hope to be a threat at wideout, but with Michael Vick slinging the ball all over the place, it’s not a given that he’ll put up good numbers.
Eric Parker, SD (14.04)
16 games, 57 rec, 725 rec yards, 3 TD
Parker was pretty good towards the end of last year, but he’ll have to learn to play with a new QB.
Brandon Lloyd, WAS (12.11)
16 games, 48 rec, 733 rec yards, 5 TD
Lloyd had pretty high expectations going into last season, but his own inconsistency and inexperienced play at the QB position led to a disappointing year.
Reggie Williams, JAX (13.07)
16 games, 35 rec, 445 rec yards, 0 TD
The Jags will use him as their #2, but he’s yet to deliver on the field...Ernest Wilford will probably put up better numbers.
Chad Jackson, NE (14.09)
No Stats
He’s got lots of athletic ability, but the Pats spread it around so much that it’ll be tough for him to get a lot of targets.
Sinorice Moss, NYG (14.07)
No Stats
One of this year’s most talented rookie WRs, but he may have trouble getting on the field with Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer ahead of him.
Brandon Stokley, IND (14.08)
15 games, 41 rec, 543 rec yards, 1 TD
Stokely was a big disappointment last season, and we doubt the loss of Edgerrin James will help him too much.
Antwaan Randle El, WAS (15.04)
16 games, 35 rec, 558 rec yards, 1 TD
He’ll probably be playing behind Santana Moss and Brandon Lloyd, meaning it’s hard to expect much from Randle El this season.
Ashley Lelie, DEN (15.05)
16 games, 42 rec, 770 rec yards, 1 TD
He’s been demoted to the team’s #3 WR and isn’t happy about it...a change of scenery would probably do him good.
Bobby Engram, SEA (15.08)
13 games, 67 rec, 778 rec yards, 3 TD
Engram will almost certainly outplay his draft position in point per reception leagues.