2009 WR Rankings

To follow my QB Rankings, here’s what we have to look forward to this year in the WR department.

*I’m going by basic fantasy scoring settings

1. Larry Fitzgerald

2008: 1431 Receiving Yards, 12 TD’s

Nothing to not like about back to back 1400-yard receiving seasons and double-digit TD’s.

2. Randy Moss

2008: 1008 Receiving Yards, 11 TD’s, 2 Fumbles Lost

2008: Still had a good year without Brady. Now that the star QB is back, Moss is in for another big year.

3. Calvin Johnson

2008: 1331 Receiving Yards, 12 TD’s, 2 Fumbles Lost

Caught 12 of the 18 TD’s thrown last year by the Lions’ misery of QB’s (Orlovsky, Culpepper, Kitna, and Stanton). Owners need not fear, CJ will throw the ball to himself if he has to.

4. Andre Johnson

2008: 1575 Receiving Yards, 8 TD’s, 1 Fumble Lost

The fact that Schaub has trouble staying healthy puts a harness on all of the chaos Johson could really cause. Nonetheless, he’s still one of the best in the game and should reach the end zone at least 10 times for the first time in his career.

5. Greg Jennings

2008: 1292 Receiving Yards, 9 TD’s

Yards and receptions have increased during each of his three seasons in the league. Rodgers proved to be an upgrade from Favre in his first year as a starter, and that bodes well for Jennings.

6. Reggie Wayne

2008: 1145 Receiving Yards, 6 TD’s

Some feel this is a little high for Wayne. However, Marvin is fully out of the picture and Manning is healthy. I also love reliability and Wayne is just that. He’s now logged 5 straight 1000-yard seasons and the only time he didn’t play all 16 games was during his rookie year in 2001.

7. Steve Smith

2008: 1421 Receiving Yards, 6 TD’s, 1 Fumble Lost

I love Steve Smith but I don’t love his quarterback. For that reason I hold off on placing him higher.

8. Roddy White

2008: 1382 Receiving Yards, 7 TD’s, 1 Fumble Lost

With a solid past two seasons (80+ catches and 1200+ yards), White has made himself a top 10 WR. His QB should be more comfortable in his second year in the league which means you’ll be hearing a lot of Ryan to White on ESPN this year.

9. Roy Williams

2008: 430 Receiving Yards, 2 TD’s

A shock for some to see Williams this high. I expect a big year, though. Owens is gone and Williams takes over as the new number one.

10. Chad Ochocinco

2008: 540 Receiving Yards, 4 TD’s

Another shock for some. Ochocinco doesn’t have to compete with Housh for passes anymore and Palmer is back. The two should rebound with big seasons.

11. Anquan Boldin

2008: 1038 Receiving Yards, 11 TD’s, 3 Fumbles Lost

I keep Boldin this low for injury reasons, and not just his. He’s only played 12 games in each of the past two season and his QB is pushing 40 with a nagging hip.

12. Marques Colston

2008: 760 Receiving Yards, 5 TD’s

Colston should have a big year. His thumb is good so he shouldn’t drop as many balls. He also gets the bulk of the Red Zone looks in a very potent Saints offense.

13. T.J. Houshmandzadeh

2008: 904 Receiving Yards, 4 TD’s

Seattle was decimated by injuries at the WR position a year ago and didn’t have a QB to throw to any of the replacements (Hasselbeck was banged up and only played 7 games). Housh fills a major void and Hasselbeck has liked what he’s seen from him during camp.

14. Wes Welker

2008: 1165 Receiving Yards, 3 TD’s, 1 Fumble Lost

Welker should get back to what we saw two years ago with Brady. So long three TD’s.

15. Dwayne Bowe

2008: 1022 Receiving Yards, 7 TD’s

Bowe is entering his third season and should continue to build upon the nice seasons he already has under his belt. Bowe and Cassel sounds a lot better than Bowe and Thigpen/Huard/Croyle.

16. Vincent Jackson

2008: 1098 Receiving Yards, 7 TD’s, 1 Fumble Lost

Another guy that has increased his catch and yard totals each of the past three years. Rivers went and called Jackson the team’s number one WR. Oh, and it’s a contract year.

17. Anthony Gonzalez

2008: 664 Receiving Yards, 4 TD’s

Gonzo should benefit from finally having Marv fully out of the picture. He’s entering the infamous third year. Could this be the breakout season?

18. Terrell Owens

2008: 1052 Receiving Yards, 10 TD’s, 1 Fumble Lost

I admit, I’m a fan of TO. Not so much from a fantasy perspective, however. The only good thing about his game last year was the 10 TD’s, which you shouldn’t expect in Buffalo this year. I don’t like his 10 dropped passes, age (35), and QB (Edwards).

19. Brandon Marshall

2008: 1265 Receiving Yards, 6 TD’s, 3 Fumbles Lost

He only caught 6 TD’s last year and that was with Cutler. I don’t see him having the same year with LOL Orton. Three picks in a preseason game?! Come on mannnn!

20. Braylon Edwards

873 Receiving Yards, 3 TD’s

He can’t lead the league in drops again can he?

21. Santonio Holmes

2008: 821 Receiving Yards, 5 TD’s, 1 Fumble Lost

Super Bowl MVP should build on that performance. A better year from his QB during the regular season wouldn’t hurt either.

22. Hines Ward

2008: 1043 Receiving Yards, 7 TD’s

Ward is getting up there in age but you have to like that he was in the top 10 in Red Zone looks with 19.

23. Laveranues Coles

2008: 850 Receiving Yards, 7 TD’s

Coles replaces Housh and like I keep saying, I expect a nice Bengals offense this year.

24. DeSean Jackson

2008: 912 Receiving Yards, 2 TD’s

Eagles WR’s aren’t known to be good fantasy options. However, maybe Jackson can change that. He set an Eagles’ rookie record with 912 receiving yards and also led the team in receptions with 62.

25. Torry Holt

2008: 796 Receiving Yards, 3 TD’s

A healthy Holt should put up some nice numbers with Garrard and a revamped offensive line.