2008 Fantasy Football Wide Receivers

A look at the top WRs in Fantasy Football 2008

Wide receiver depth is a good way to separate your team from the pack. There are about 10 can’t miss wide outs, and then a generous drop-off. A good way to choose receivers is to take one can’t miss WR, and look for two others that either are #1s, or #2s on a strong offensive team. The second round is the perfect opportunity to take a wide receiver such as Terrell Owens, Larry Fitzgerald, or Braylon Edwards.

If you can’t select one of the above WRs, try Andre Johnson, Reggie Wayne, Marques Colston or TJ Houshmandzadeh. If you see Hines Ward towards the top of your draft board come the 7 th or 8 th round, I would take him. In the two drafts I have done, once Ward was selected, the pool of WRs became very thin.

Wide receivers usually gain one point for every 10 or 20 yards, depending on the league. Receiving touchdowns are 6 points each, and in PPR leagues, one point is given for each reception. Homerun hitters such as Plaxico Burress, Santana Moss, and Joey Galloway would not be as valuable in a PPR league, and Derrick Mason (103 receptions in 2007) would not be as valuable in a non-PPR league.

Top Tier Fantasy Wide Receivers

Randy Moss and Terrell Owens

Randy Moss is the only WR that should be taken in the first round. If you are stuck with a pick somewhere in the middle to late 1st round, Moss would make a great selection. I’ve seen Terrell Owens go in the 1st round, but I would not recommend it. Landing TO in the 2nd round is a great fit. Moss and Owens are a cut above the rest, and are can’t miss selections.

Second Tier Fantasy WRs

Braylon Edwards, Larry Fitzgerald, Reggie Wayne, Marques Colston, and Andre Johnson

All five receivers in this tier have a question mark somewhere. Braylon Edwards is coming off a huge year, but can Derek Anderson duplicate his 2007 season amidst a concussion and Brady Quinn breathing down his neck? Larry Fitzgerald is now catching passes from Kurt Warner, the new starter for the Arizona Cardinals. The change should help his numbers.

Reggie Wayne heads the Colts’ receiving corps into 2008, but with a healthy Marvin Harrison, Wayne’s numbers could decline. Marques Colston has been banged up this summer with a couple minor injuries, but Colston says he’s healthy, and the Saints should put up a lot of points this year. Andre Johnson has to prove he can play a full season, and Matt Schaub has to prove he is a starting quarterback in this league.

These WRs are late second, and third round picks. By this time, you should have one wide receiver on your roster.

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Third Tier Fantasy WRs

T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Steve Smith, Chad Javon Ocho Cinco, Plaxico Burress, Anquan Boldin and Wes Welker

T.J. has been slowed down this summer with hamstring issues, but shouldn’t miss any regular season snaps. Along with Chad Javon Ocho Cinco, this tandem should be primed for another big year. Carolina’s Steve Smith is suspended for the first 2 games, but that shouldn’t stop you from choosing him as a number two wide out. Smith should slip in the draft because of his suspension, so he could be of good value to your team if drafted in the right spot.

Plaxico Burress has been hurt this preseason. He should be able to play in the regular season, and is now wearing orthotics to help his flat-footedness. Anquan Boldin and Wes Welker are good #2 receivers in pass first offenses. Both should get a lot of touches this season.

Fourth Tier Fantasy WRs

Tory Holt, Roy Williams, Brandon Marshall, Santonio Holmes, and Calvin Johnson

This is the part of the draft where you make your team. Once the sure-thing WRs are taken, its time to take a chance and hope to hit a receiver on a big year. Tory Holt is hoping the Rams can rebound from a disappointing season in 2007. A rebuilt offensive line and a healthy Marc Bulger give the Rams optimism coming into the 2008 season. Holt should benefit from the changes, as he seemed to be the only steady weapon the Rams had all last season.

Santonio Holmes and Brandon Marshall are third year wide-outs looking to lead their teams to the playoffs. Marshall got his suspension reduced to just one game, so he will be ready for week 2.

Calvin Johnson and Roy Williams give Jon Kitna the weapons on offensive to put up big numbers. With a rookie running back in Kevin Smith, the Lions look to pass the ball a lot this season. Both are good choices as a 2nd or 3rd receiver.

Fifth Tier Fantasy WRs

Marvin Harrison, Greg Jennings, Dwayne Bowe and Hines Ward

This is the last chance to pick up a quality WR. Marvin Harrison is healthy and should be able to put up some quality numbers for the colts and his fantasy owners. Greg Jennings should be Aaron Rodgers go-to-guy for the Packers. The Packers might be this year’s biggest question mark. If Aaron Rodgers proves capable, the weapons on Green Bay should not skip a beat from last season.

Dwayne Bowe enters his second season where he looks to add to a good rookie season of 2007. The Chiefs don’t give much fantasy value outside Larry Johnson and Tony Gonzalez, but Bowe should be able to contribute as a flex position WR. Hines Ward is still the Steelers #1 option on third down, and should lead the team in receptions. He is getting older, but still has some left in the tank for a good year.

Everybody Else

Wide receivers such as Joey Galloway, Santana Moss, Donald Driver, and Chris Chambers can all be serviceable. I wouldn’t recommend counting on these guys to do much more than a flex position or first WR coming off the bench. Bernard Berrian, Anthony Gonzalez, Jerricho Cotchery, Laveranues Coles, and Lee Evans are in the same boat. Picking two or three of these WRs will be good for your bench, hoping to hit a receiver on a hot week.

Rookie Wide Receivers

Rookie wide receivers have a tough time contributing in their first season. I don’t see one rookie WR worth drafting, but WR Eddie Royal for the Broncos might be worth watching. He is the Broncos #2 WR, and with Marshall suspended for game 1, it will be interesting to see how Royal does as the top guy in Denver.

By Andrew Sicard
ProFootball-fans.com Fantasy Football Correspondent