2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers

Tier 1

• Andre Johnson, Houston

Yes, this is the end of tier 1. I know there are other guys that could be included here. I personally think Fitz takes a drop without Warner. Johnson is the only true completely tier 1 guy in the game right now.

Tier 2

• Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis

• Randy Moss, New England

• Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona

• Calvin Johnson, Detroit

Wayne has been one of the best WR in the game for the past few years now, and I doubt that stops anytime soon, we saw Harrison go for a long time with Manning. Moss is in a contract year, and should do his usual production, Welker should be ready, and that will also help him. Fitzgerald... I don't like Lienart, so I think he actually drops another tier, although if Lienart does something completely odd, Fitz goes back into tier 1. Calvin should have an outstanding year, Stafford will hopefully blossom this year, and that will benefit Johnson highly.

Tier 3

• Brandon Marshall, Miami

• DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia

• Miles Austin, Dallas

• Greg Jennings, Green Bay

• Roddy White, Atlanta

• Marques Colston, New Orleans

• Steve Smith, Carolina

If Miami is really committed to the passing game like they looked to be, Marshall could end up in tier 2 by seasons end. Kolb doesn't have a huge arm like McNabb, but its a good thing that Jackson doesn't need one to make plays. I'm not a big fan of Austin, but I can't deny his upside in that offense. Jennings could also play his way into tier 2, especially is Driver doesn't play much. White will stay tier 3 until Ryan just gets that little bit better and busts out onto the scene. If NO didn't have 234363423 options in the passing game, Colston would possibly be a #1 tier WR. I'm actually expecting Smith to take a dip in production this year, more so than the past 2 years, but he's in this tier because of his natural talent.

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Tier 4

• Anquan Boldin, Baltimore

• Chad Ochocinco, Cincinnati

• Michael Crabtree, San Francisco

• Mike Sims-Walker, Jacksonville

• Sidney Rice, Minnesota

• Steve Smith, New York(Giants)

• Hakeem Nicks, New York(Giants)

• Vincent Jackson, San Diego

Boldin finally gets to be the #1 WR in a system, can he fill the role? I think so, and thats also why Flacco is a few ranks higher in my QB rankings. If Ochocinco and TO can co-exist in an offense then his value should sustain. No one really knows how good Smith and Crabtree can be, but I think they can be elite. Jacksonville is looking for a WR to start opposite Sims-Walker, if they find someone that can take some focus off Walker, he just becomes that much better. Rice's value drops farther if he gets stuck with Taravis, ewww. Smith, and Nicks are in the same boat that Colston is. Despite the suspension for Jackson, I still think he could finish the season very high in the rankings,

Tier 5

• Mike Wallace, Pittsburgh

• Hines Ward, Pittsburgh

• Percy Harvin, Minnesota

• Robert Meachem, New Orleans

• Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City

• Santana Moss, Washington

• Malcom Floyd, San Diego

• Wes Welker, New England

• Pierre Garcon, Indianapolis

Every player in this tier has a lot of upside. If Ward gets hurt, Wallace gets a big bump, when Ben comes back, or visa versa. Harvin stays here without Favre, gets a bump with him. If you can pick the weeks Brees wants to throw to Meachem, then take him. Bowe's value depends on how much KC wants to run the ball. McNabb could make Moss a big name, again... Floyd is a great star for 3 weeks, he'll most likely drop into the shadows when Jackson comes back. Welker, could be a tier 2 WR by seasons end. Manning almost always makes 3 WR relevant, and Garcon will be one of them.

Tier 6

• Devin Aromashodu, Chicago

• Johnny Knox, Chicago

• T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Seattle

• Kenny Britt, Tennessee

• Terrell Owens, Cincinnati

• Donald Driver, Green Bay

• Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia

• Dez Bryant, Dallas

• Lee Evans, Buffalo

• Braylon Edwards, New York(Jets)

• Eddie Royal, Denver

• Golden Tate, Seattle

• Donnie Avery, St. Louis

• Mohamed Massaquoi, Cleveland

• Austin Collie, Indianapolis

• Jacoby Jones, Houston

• Jerricho Cotchery, New York(Jets)

• Mike Williams, Tampa Bay

• Anthony Gonzalez, Indianapolis

• Steve Breaston, Arizona

• Demaryius Thomas, Denver

Most of these guys are just if the starter gets hurt pickups. The Chicago guys though, one will emerge.

By Patrick Ruschmeyer
ProFootball-fans.com Fantasy Football Director of Content