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News-Herald Assistant Sports Editor Kevin Kleps doesn’t just write headlines and stories. He also checks on his fantasy sports teams. A lot. See if the moves and news from the world of sports affect your fantasy teams.

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

2012 fantasy football rankings: Wide receivers

Maybe you believe, and News-Herald Browns beat writer Jeff Schudel agrees with you, the Browns got the better of the Falcons in a blockbuster draft-day trade in 2011.

When the dust settled after the 2012 draft, the Browns had netted Phil Taylor, Greg Little and Brandon Weeden from the swap. And one of the picks they received from Atlanta, a fourth-rounder in 2012, was used in a trade with Minnesota in which Cleveland moved up to select Trent Richardson.

It's not difficult to see why that trade could be viewed as a good one for Tom Heckert.

The Falcons' haul in the deal: Wide receiver Julio Jones.

Jones, selected sixth overall by Atlanta in 2011, had 27 receptions for 457 yards and six touchdowns in the final five games of last season. If you project those numbers over a 16-game season, you get 86 catches for 1,462 yards and 19 TDs.

I wouldn't expect Jones to score 19 TDs this season, but 86 catches for more than 1,400 yards is certainly within reach.

This is a long way of saying I like Jones quite a bit this season. We have him ranked eighth at wide receiver, but I wouldn't be surprised if he was better than any wideout not named Calvin Johnson in fantasy this season.

If Weeden is the answer to the Browns' annual quarterback problem, they will have made out on the deal. For fantasy purposes, however, Atlanta has the best player -- and we know that's what really matters.

On to the wide receiver rankings ...

Rank, player, team (bye week): GP, Receptions-Yards-Avg, TD
1. Calvin Johnson,  Det (5): 16, 96-1,681-17.5, 16
2. Larry Fitzgerald, Ari (10): 7, 80-1,411-17.6, 8
3. Roddy White, Atl (7): 16, 100-1,296-13.0, 8
4. Andre Johnson, Hou (8): 16, 33-492-14.9, 2
5. Greg Jennings, GB (10): 13, 67-949-14.2, 9
6. Wes Welker, NE (9): 16, 122-1,569-12.9, 9
7. A.J. Green, Cin (8): 15, 65-1,057-16.3, 7
8. Julio Jones, Atl (7): 13, 54-959-17.8, 8
9. Mike Wallace, Pit (4): 16, 72-1,193-16.6, 8
10. Victor Cruz, NYG (11): 16, 82-1,536-18.7, 9
11. Hakeem Nicks, NYG (11): 15, 76-1,192-15.7, 7
12. Jordy Nelson, GB (10): 16, 68-1,263-18.6, 15
13. Brandon Marshall, Chi (6): 16, 81-1,214-15.0, 6
14. Steve Smith, Car (6): 16, 79-1,394-17.6, 7
15. Marques Colston, NO (6): 14, 80-1,143-14.3, 8
16. Dez Bryant, Dal (5): 15, 63-928-14.7, 9
17. Miles Austin, Dal (5): 10, 43-579-13.5, 7
18. Demaryius Thomas, Den (7): 11, 32-551-17.2, 4
19. Vincent Jackson, TB (5): 16, 60-1,106-18.4, 9
20. Brandon Lloyd, NE (9): 11, 51-683-13.4, 5
21. Antonio Brown, Pit (4): 16, 69-1,108-16.1, 2
22. Dwayne Bowe, KC (7): 16, 81-1,159-14.3,  5
23. Steve Johnson, Buf (7): 16, 76-1,004-13.2, 7
24. Percy Harvin, Min (11): 16, 87-967-11.1, 6
25. DeSean Jackson, Phi (7): 15, 58-961-16.6, 4
26. Reggie Wayne, Ind (4): 16, 75-960-12.8, 4
27. Torrey Smith, Bal (8): 16, 50-841-16.8, 7
28. Jeremy Maclin, Phi (7): 13, 63-859-13.6, 5
29. Eric Decker, Den (7): 16, 44-612-13.9, 8
30. Pierre Garcon, Was (10): 16, 70-947-13.5, 6
31. Malcom Floyd, SD (7): 12, 43-856-19.9, 5
32. Anquan Boldin, Bal (8): 14, 57-887-15.6, 3
33. Santonio Holmes, NYJ (9): 16, 51-654-12.8, 8
34. Greg Little, Cle (10): 16, 61-709-11.6, 2
35. Robert Meachem, SD (7): 16, 40-620-15.5, 6
36. Titus Young, Det (5): 16, 48-607-12.6, 6
37. Denarius Moore, Oak (5): 13, 33-618-18.7, 5
38. Nate Washington, Ten (11): 16, 74-1,023-13.8, 7
39. Santana Moss, Was (10): 12, 46-584-12.7, 4
40. Darrius Heyward-Bey, Oak (5): 15, 64-975-15.2, 4
41. Lance Moore, NO (6): 14, 52-627-12.1, 8
42. Mike Williams, TB (5): 16, 65-771-11.9, 3
43. Michael Crabtree, SF (9): 15, 72-874-12.1, 4
44. Mario Manningham, SF (9): 12, 39-523-13.4, 4
45. Nate Burleson, Det (5): 16, 73-757-10.4, 3
46. Jonathan Baldwin, KC (7): 11, 21-254-12.1, 1
47. Kenny Britt, Ten (11): 3, 17-289-17.0, 3
48. Sidney Rice, Sea (11): 9, 32-484-15.1, 2
49. Justin Blackmon, Jac (6): Rookie
50. Brandon LaFell, Car (6): 16, 36-613-17.0, 3
51. Laurent Robinson, Jac (6): 14, 54-858-15.9, 11
52. Randy Moss, SF (9): Didn’t play
53. Austin Collie, Ind (4): 16, 54-514-9.5, 1
54. Danny Amendola, StL (9): 1, 5-45-9.0, 0
55. Emmanuel Sanders, Pit (4): 11, 22-288-13.1, 2
56. Doug Baldwin, Sea (11): 16, 51-788-15.5, 4
57. Rueben Randle, NYG (11): Rookie
58. Leonard Hankerson, Was (10): 4, 13-163-12.5, 0
59. Davone Bess, Mia (7): 16, 51-537-10.5, 3
60. Kendall Wright, Ten (11): Rookie

NOTE: All statistics are from the 2011 season.

QUICK SLANTS: Calvin Johnson has averaged 87 receptions for 1,401 yards and 14 TDs the last two seasons. ... Fitzgerald has played all 16 games in each of the last four seasons and has missed only one contest since 2007. He averaged 12 TDs per season from 2007 to '09, but has a norm of "only" seven scores the last two years. ...Jones' Falcons teammate, Roddy White, has averaged 100 catches for 1,279 yards and 10 TDs the last three years. ... I'd be a little leery of Andre Johnson, who is already struggling with an injury in training camp (hamstring) and has missed a combined 12 games the last two seasons. ... Welker is a reception and yardage machine, but his nine TDs last season were a career high. ... The Steelers' Wallace is expected to end his contract holdout before the start of the regular season. He has averaged 1,232 yards and nine TDs since 2010. ... With Jay Cutler in Denver in 2007 and '08, Marshall had norms of 103 catches for 1,295 yards and seven TDs. ... The Broncos' Thomas could be the biggest beneficiary of Peyton Manning landing in Denver. He caught 10 passes for 297 yards and a TD in the Broncos' two playoff games last season, including a memorable four-catch, 204-yard, one-winning-TD performance in a wild-card win over the Steelers during the height of Tebowmania. ... In two seasons with the Jets, Holmes has averaged only 52 catches for 700 yards and seven TDs. In 2009 with the Steelers, he had 79 receptions for 1,248 yards and five scores.

PREVIOUS RANKINGS: Quarterbacks, running backs

NEXT: Tight ends

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Thursday, September 1, 2011

2011 fantasy football rankings: Wide receivers and tight ends

A few quick notes before the rankings:

-- We updated our running back rankings with the news Wednesday night that Arian Foster's hamstring injury might be more serious than we originally thought. The first round -- after Adrian Peterson -- is as dicey as ever.

-- We'll break down three of the biggest issues owners will face early in the draft -- Foster's injury, Chris Johnson's holdout and Peyton Manning trying to recover from neck surgery -- in a column this weekend in the print editions of The News-Herald and at www.news-herald.com.

-- For the quarterback rankings, click here. For the running backs, go here.

On to the wideouts and tight ends:

WIDE RECEIVERS
Rank, player, team GP-Rec-Yds-TD
1. Andre Johnson, Hou 13-86-1,216-8
2. Roddy White, Atl 16-115-1,389-10
3. Calvin Johnson, Det 15-77-1,120-12
4. Larry Fitzgerald, Ari 16-90-1,137-6
5. Greg Jennings, GB 16-76-1,265-12
6. Hakeem Nicks, NYG 13-79-1,052-11
7. Reggie Wayne, Ind 16-111-1,355-6
8. Mike Wallace, Pit 16-60-1,257-10
9. Miles Austin, Dal 16-69-1,041-7
10. Vincent Jackson, SD 5-14-248-3
11. DeSean Jackson, Phi 14-47-1,056-6
12. Dez Bryant, Dal 12-45-561-6
13. Dwayne Bowe, KC 16-72-1,162-15
14. Brandon Lloyd, Den 16-77-1,448-11
15. Mike Williams, TB 16-65-964-11
16. Brandon Marshall, Mia 14-86-1,014-3
17. Wes Welker, NE 15-86-848-7
18. Marques Colston, NO 15-84-1,023-7
19. Steve Johnson, Buf 16-82-1,073-10
20. Santonio Holmes, NYJ 12-52-746-6
21. Anquan Boldin, Bal 16-64-837-7
22. Jeremy Maclin, Phi 16-70-964-10
23. Percy Harvin, Min 14-71-868-5
24. Mario Manningham, NYG 16-60-944-9
25. Santana Moss, Was 16-93-1,115-6
26. Chad Ochocinco, NE 14-67-831-4
27. Austin Collie, Ind 9-58-649-8
28. Sidney Rice, Sea 6-17-280-2
29. Pierre Garcon, Ind 14-67-784-6
30. Steve Smith, Car 14-46-554-2
31. Kenny Britt, Ten 12-42-775-9
32. Mike Thomas, Jac 16-66-820-4
33. Julio Jones, Atl ROOKIE
34. Malcom Floyd, SD 11-37-717-6
35. Lance Moore, NO 16-66-763-8
36. Braylon Edwards, SF 16-53-904-7
37. Johnny Knox, Chi 16-51-960-5
38. Hines Ward, Pit 16-59-755-5
39. A.J. Green, Cin ROOKIE
40. Danny Amendola, StL 16-85-689-3
41. Mike Sims-Walker, StL 14-43-562-7
42. Davone Bess, Mia 16-79-820-5
43. Michael Crabtree, SF 16-55-741-6
44. Plaxico Burress, NYJ DID NOT PLAY
45. Jordy Nelson, GB 16-45-582-2
46. Jacoby Ford, Oak 16-25-470-2
47. Jerome Simpson, Cin 5-20-277-3
48. Mike Williams, Sea 14-65-751-2
49. Nate Burleson, Det 14-55-625-6
50. Steve Breaston, KC 13-47-718-1
51. James Jones, GB 16-50-679-5
52. Deion Branch, NE 15-61-818-6
53. Roy Williams, Chi 15-37-530-5
54. Lee Evans, Bal 13-37-578-4
55. Robert Meachem, NO 16-44-638-5
56. Donald Driver, GB 15-51-565-4
57. Emmanuel Sanders, Pit 13-28-376-2
58. Derrick Mason, NYJ 16-61-802-7
59. Danario Alexander, StL 8-20-306-1
60. Antonio Brown, Pit 9-16-167-0

Note: Statistics are from the 2010 season.

Quick slants: Andre Johnson had a "down" 2010 after averaging 108 receptions for 1,572 yards and eight TDs in 2008 and '09. ... White has had at least 83 receptions for 1,153 yards or more in each of the last four years. ... Jennings had a big season after totaling only 13 TDs in '08 and '09. ... Calvin Johnson had big 2008 and '10 seasons, but had a combined nine TDs in '07 and '09. Hopefully, it's not an odd-year thing. ... Prior to last year, Fitzgerald had three consecutive seasons with at least 96 receptions and 10 TDs. ... The Colts' Wayne seems underrated, if that's possible, on some websites. He has had 100 catches or more in three straight seasons, and he has seven consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns. ... In 2009, the Chargers' Jackson had 68 receptions for 1,167 yards and nine TDs. ... The Dolphins' Marshall could provide huge value as a No. 2 fantasy receiver if he returns to his form from 2007-09, in which he had 101 catches or more and 1,120 yards or more each year. He had 23 combined TDs in that span.

TIGHT ENDS
Rank, player, team GP-Rec-Yds-TD
1. Antonio Gates, SD 10-50-782-10
2. Dallas Clark, Ind 6-37-347-3
3. Jason Witten, Dal 16-94-1,002-9
4. Vernon Davis, SF 16-56-914-7
5. Jermichael Finley, GB 5-21-301-1
6. Owen Daniels, Hou 11-38-471-2
7. Kellen Winslow, TB 16-66-730-5
8. Jimmy Graham, NO 15-31-356-5
9. Tony Gonzalez, Atl 16-70-656-6
10. Brandon Pettigrew, Det 16-71-722-4
11. Marcedes Lewis, Jac 16-58-700-10
12. Zach Miller, Sea 15-60-685-5
13. Rob Gronkowski, NE 16-42-546-10
14. Dustin Keller, NYJ 16-55-687-5
15. Chris Cooley, Was 16-77-849-3
16. Greg Olsen, Car 16-41-404-5
17. Tony Moeaki, KC 15-47-556-3
18. Brent Celek, Phi 16-42-511-4
19. Aaron Hernandez, NE 14-45-563-6
20. Todd Heap, Ari 13-40-599-5

Quick slants: Gates played all 64 games between 2006 and '09, and had ridiculous numbers in 2010, considering he played 10 games. ... Clark, the No. 2 tight end, is also coming off an injury-plagued year. He had a monster 2009 (100 receptions for 1,106 yards and 10 TDs). ... You shouldn't have to worry about injury if you take Witten, who has played in all 64 games the last four years and posted at least 81 receptions and 952 yards each season. The drawback: He has averaged 5.5 TDs per season in that span. ... The Packers' Finley is an injury risk (18 games played since 2009), but he is very good when healthy (76 receptions for 977 yards and six TDs in that span). ... The 49ers' Davis had 78 catches for 965 yards and 13 TDs in 2009. ... After Davis, there is a pretty big drop. The Texans' Daniels -- the consensus No. 6 tight end in fantasy -- has all of 17 TDs in five years. ... The Falcons' Gonzalez could provide late-round value at age 35. He's ranked as a backup tight end on some sites, but he's much better than the likes of Greg Olsen. Though Gonzo had his lowest yardage total since 1998, his second NFL season, he still had 70 catches and six TDs. ... Don't overrate the Jaguars' Lewis, who, prior to his breakout 2010, had seven TDs in four years and had never had more than 41 receptions or 518 yards.

NEXT: Kickers and defenses/special teams

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Thursday, October 15, 2009

Fantasy football: No-huddle offense for Week 6

Have the first five weeks been crazy enough for you?

Saturday, we'll do an expanded buy and sell, with five trends I believe in, and five I don't. That column will be posted on the Sports section of the News-Herald's Web site.

Let's address two more disappointments here.

The Packers' Greg Jennings, a consensus top-five fantasy receiver entering the season, and the Panthers' DeAngelo Williams, a top-five running back on many boards, have many owners wondering if their slow starts will instead be a season-long start-or-sit dilemma.

Jennings, who had 80 receptions for 1,292 yards and nine touchdowns last season, was productive in Week 1 (six receptions for 106 yards and a TD). In Week 2, he was shut out; in Week 3, he had two catches, and in Week 4, he had three -- good (bad?) for a three-game total of five receptions for 134 yards and no TDs.

In that same span, teammate Donald Driver has 14 catches for 249 yards and two TDs. For the season, Driver has seven more catches than Jennings (18 to 11), 48 more yards (288-240) and one more score (2-1).

Before you decide to sit Jennings, consider that a primary reason for his struggles likely is the Packers' offensive line, which might as well have Browns right tackle John St. Clair manning all five positions. Aaron Rodgers has been sacked 20 times, and his best deep threat (Jennings) has been boom (three receptions of 50-plus yards) or bust (every other snap).

The good news for fantasy owners: The Packers' next two games are Sunday at home against the Lions (No. 27 vs. the pass at 244.6 yards per game and a league-worst 15 TD passes allowed) and next week at the Browns.

If Jennings isn't productive the next two weeks, then it's time to worry.

Same goes for Williams, who has rushed for only 220 yards, averaging 3.7 yards per carry, and two TDs in four games. The same back who ran for 1,515 yards and scored 20 times last season has 104 yards and zero scores in his last two games. And Williams can't even blame Jonathan Stewart, who has only 33 attempts in four games, for having a big impact on his workload.

Your ire instead you should be directed at Jake Delhomme, whose eight interceptions have sabotaged the running game faster than Justin Bobby can kill a relationship (wait, you don't watch "The Hills"?).

The Panthers' next two games are Sunday at Tampa Bay (No. 28 vs. the run at 152.6 yards per game) and next week at home vs. Buffalo (No. 29, 154.6 rushing yards per game allowed).

Start Williams and hope Delhomme doesn't get in the way.

On to the no-huddle ...

-- Having a ball: Congratulations to Greg Kuhlman of Perry, who was one of six Week 1 winners of a Larry Fitzgerald autographed football in an ESPN.com contest. The Web site and the Cardinals wide receiver are giving away an autographed ball for every pass the Pro Bowler catches this year, and Kuhlman was one of the lucky recipients for the opening weekend.

Click here for more information on the contest.

-- Grand Royal?:
Wide receiver Eddie Royal, who had eight receptions for 58 yards in the Broncos' first four games, had 10 catches for 90 yards against the Patriots last week.

Before you put him back in your starting lineup, here's a stat: Denver QB Kyle Orton threw 50 times on Sunday, and five players caught four or more passes. If you have four solid receivers and you play in yardage- and TD-heavy scoring formats, you might want to make Royal prove Week 5 was legit, since Sunday's opponent, San Diego, ranks sixth against the pass. In PPR leagues, however, Royal -- who has yet to score a touchdown in 2009 and had only five among his 91 catches as a rookie last season -- should be a safe start.

-- Running in place: Guess we should have seen this coming. Seattle's Julius Jones, one of the more pleasant surprises of the first three weeks, has rushed for 59 yards and zero TDs on 23 carries the last two games. Sunday, the Seahawks face the Cardinals, the league's top-ranked run defense at 71.0 yards per game (Arizona is allowing just 2.9 yards per carry; I checked the stats twice to make sure I had those numbers right). You don't need me to tell you that doesn't bode well for Thomas Jones' kid brother.

-- By now, you're sitting Larry Johnson. At what point do you drop him?

-- Here's hoping you have dropped Lee Evans and/or Laveranues Coles, who have combined for 22 catches and one TD in nine games.

-- We'll be back Saturday with the aforementioned column, which will also include our weekly audiocast. This week, Mark Podolski and I redraft for Round 1. We'll also have the "big blog" for Week 6, with start-and-sit advice, an expanded playlist and the usual injury updates. That will be posted in this space and on the N-H's Sports site.

Good luck and remember to thank the owner ahead of you in your draft who selected Domenik Hixon over Steve Smith (the one who doesn't have Delhomme as his quarterback).

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Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Fantasy football rankings: Wide receivers

You already know Braylon Edwards struggled for much of the 2008 season.

You already know about the 16 dropped passes and the Browns receiver’s huge dropoff from 2007 (his receptions plummeted from 80 to 55, his yards receiving from 1,289 to 873 and his touchdowns from 16 to three last season).

You might not know exactly how bad some of Edwards’ other numbers were.

-- He had three 100-yard games: 154 against the Giants in Week 6, 104 at Buffalo in Week 11 and 102 at Philadelphia in Week 15. In his other 13 games, he caught 37 passes for 513 yards and two TDs.

-- He had three receptions or fewer in 10 of 16 games.

-- He had 58 yards or fewer in 10 games.

-- He had 38 yards or fewer nine times.

-- He didn’t score in the Browns’ last eight games.

And you’re supposed to spend a fifth-round pick on Edwards in a 12-team league?

I wouldn’t, even if he did go 50th overall (the 17th wide receiver selected) in a mock draft by ESPN.com’s fantasy staff.

I’d consider Edwards a low-end No. 2 receiver or a high-end No. 3, one I wouldn’t take a chance on until the sixth round or later.

If you draft him as your No. 3 wideout, there is much less of a chance he will disappointment you — well, except when you don your brown and orange Sunday best.

On the to the rankings.

Rank, player, team GP-Rec-Yds-Avg-TD
1. Larry Fitzgerald, Ari 16-96-1,431-14.9-12
2. Andre Johnson, Hou 16-115-1,575-13.7-8
3. Randy Moss, NE 16-69-1,008-14.6-11
4. Greg Jennings, GB 16-80-1,292-16.2-9
5. Reggie Wayne, Ind 16-82-1,145-14.0-6
6. Calvin Johnson, Det 16-78-1,331-17.1-12
7. Steve Smith, Car 14-78-1,421-18.2-6
8. Roddy White, Atl 16-88-1,382-15.7-7
9. Anquan Boldin, Ari 12-89-1,038-11.7-11
10. Marques Colston, NO 11-47-760-16.2-5
11. Wes Welker, NE 16-111-1,165-10.5-3
12. Brandon Marshall, Den 15-104-1,265-12.2-6
13. Dwayne Bowe, KC 16-86-1,022-11.9-7
14. Terrell Owens, Buf 16-69-1,052-15.2-10
15. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Sea 15-92-904-9.8-4
16. DeSean Jackson, Phi 16-62-912-14.7-2
17. Eddie Royal, Den 15-91-980-10.8-5
18. Chad Ochocinco, Cin 13-53-540-10.2-4
19. Vincent Jackson, SD 16-59-1,098-18.6-7
20. Antonio Bryant, TB 16-83-1,248-15.0-7
21. Anthony Gonzalez, Ind 16-57-64-11.6-4
22. Hines Ward, Pit 16-81-1,043-12.9-7
23. Santonio Holmes, Pit 15-55-821-14.9-5
24. Braylon Edwards, Cle 16-55-873-15.9-3
25. Santana Moss, Was 16-79-1,044-13.2-6
26. Bernard Berrian, Min 16-48-964-20.1-7
27. Lance Moore, NO 16-79-928-11.7-10
28. Roy Williams, Dal 15-36-430-11.9-2
29. Lee Evans, Buf 16-63-1,017-16.1-3
30. Derrick Mason, Buf 16-80-1,037-13.0-5
31. Jerricho Cotchery, NYJ 16-71-858-12.1-5
32. Donald Driver, GB 16-74-1,012-13.7-5
33. Laveranues Coles, Cin 16-70-850-12.1-7
34. Torry Holt, Jac 16-64-796-12.4-3
35. Devin Hester, Chi 15-51-665-13.0-3
36. Kevin Walter, Hou 16-60-899-15.0-8
37. Steve Breaston, Ari 16-77-1,006-13.1-3
38. Domenix Hixon, NYG 16-43-596-13.9-2
39. Ted Ginn Jr., Mia 16-56-790-14.1-2
40. Donnie Avery, StL 15-53-674-12.7-3
41. Steve Smith, NYG 16-57-574-10.1-1
42. Chris Chambers, SD 14-33-462-14.0-5
43. Nate Burleson, Sea 1-5-60-12.0-1
44. Nate Washington, Ten 16-40-631-15.8-3
45. Patrick Crayton, Dal 16-39-550-14.1-4
46. Muhsin Muhammad, Car 16-65-923-14.2-5
47. Isaac Bruce, SF 16-61-835-13.7-7
48. Kevin Curtis, Phi 9-33-390-11.8-2
49. Percy Harvin, Min ROOKIE
50. Justin Gage, Ten 12-34-651-19.1-6
51. Jeremy Maclin, Phi ROOKIE
52. Josh Morgan, SF 12-20-319-16.0-3
53. Mark Clayton, Bal 16-41-695-17.0-3
54. Michael Crabtree, SF ROOKIE
55. Michael Jenkins, Atl 16-50-777-15.5-3
56. Bobby Engram, KC 13-47-489-10.4-0
57. Davone Bess, Mia 16-54-554-10.3-1
58. Greg Camarillo, Mia 11-55-613-11.1-2
59. Mark Bradley, KC 12-30-380-12.7-3
60. Earl Bennett, Chi 10-0-0-0.0-0

QUICK SLANTS

The brilliant Fitzgerald has a combined 196 receptions for 2,840 yards and 22 touchdowns the last two seasons. ... Johnson is worth considering as a late first-round pick in 12-team, point-per-reception leagues. ... The Packers’ Jennings had 12 TDs in 13 games two years ago. ... Don’t let Wayne’s "down" 2008 overshadow his 2006-07 stats (a combined 190 catches for 2,820 yards and 19 TDs). ... The Panthers’ Smith, whose TD total has slipped from eight to seven to six the last three seasons, has an injured shoulder but is expected to be ready for the regular season. ... Colston had 98 catches for 1,202 yards and 11 TDs in 2007. ... Welker’s stats the last two seasons are almost identical (112 and 111 catches, 1,175 and 1,165 yards), but his TD total dropped from eight to three with Tom Brady hurt last season. ... Ochocinco, who had five straight seasons of at least 87 receptions and 1,274 yards from 2003-07 (when he scored a combined 43 TDs), could provide huge value as a No. 2 receiver. ... Houshmandzadeh had a combined 202 catches and 21 TDs in 2006 and ’07. ... The Packers’ Driver is a PPR asset, but has only scored seven times in the last two seasons combined. ... Holt’s subpar 2008 ended a run of eight straight seasons with at least 81 catches and 1,188 yards. ... The 49ers’ Crabtree is still holding out for a better contract, likely negating his chance of making a meaningful impact as a rookie.

Next: Kickers

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