Tier rankings: Wide receivers

Published Sep. 9, 2009 1:16 a.m. ET

foxsports

Rotter's tier rankings:QB | RB | WR | TE | K | D/ST

Tier rankings: Wide receivers
	Receiving	Total
Rk	Player	Tm	Gm	Rec	Yds	TD	Yds/Gm	Yds/Rec	Targets	100-Yd	2-TD
1	Larry Fitzgerald	ARI	16	96	1431	12	89.4	14.9	154	7	3
Round 2	Great hands, excellent skills, reliability, durability and Kurt Warner leading a pass-happy offense make him the top fantasy receiver.
2	Randy Moss	NE	16	69	1008	11	63.0	14.6	125	4	3
Round 2	Tom Brady's return keeps Moss as one of the game's most dangerous wideouts and a solid threat for double-digit scores.
3	Reggie Wayne	IND	16	82	1145	6	71.6	14.0	130	4	0
Round 2	As long as he's the No. 1 wideout for Peyton Manning, Wayne will be among the leaders in catches, yards and scores.
4	Andre Johnson	HOU	16	115	1575	8	98.4	13.7	170	8	1
Round 2	If his QB Matt Schaub can stay healthy for an entire season, he could be fantasy's top WR in Houston's improving offense.
5	Steve Smith	CAR	14	78	1421	6	101.5	18.2	129	8	1
Round 2	He led the NFL in 100-yard games (8) despite being suspended two contests. Needs to capitalize on more scoring chances.
6	Greg Jennings	GB	16	80	1292	9	80.8	16.2	140	5	1
Round 2	Aaron Rodgers' continued progress gives Jennings a chance to establish career highs in catches, yards and touchdowns.
7	Roddy White	ATL	16	88	1382	7	86.4	15.7	148	7	1
Round 3	If he can turn last year's drops into scores, he'll be a scoring machine and yardage maker in Matt Ryan's second season.
8	Calvin Johnson	DET	16	78	1331	12	83.2	17.1	151	5	2
Round 3	Give him stability at QB and watch him achieve career highs in receptions, yards and scores even when the games count.
9	Marques Colston	NO	11	47	760	5	69.1	16.2	88	3	1
Round 3	Has battled injuries in first three seasons, making just six starts last year. If he stays healthy, he'll produce like 2007.
10	T.J. Houshmandzadeh	SEA	15	92	904	4	60.3	9.8	137	2	1
Round 3	Changing teams is risky for a wide receiver, but a healthy Matt Hasselbeck will help him acclimate quickly into the system.
11	Wes Welker	NE	16	111	1165	3	72.8	10.5	149	4	0
Round 3	Brady ensures he'll be among league leaders in catches again and provides a better chance of reaching 10 scores.
12	Anquan Boldin	ARI	12	89	1038	11	86.5	11.7	126	3	3
Round 3	He catches in traffic superbly and would still be a fantasy star without Warner or Fitzgerald. Just needs to stay healthy.
13	Dwayne Bowe	KC	16	86	1022	7	63.9	11.9	157	2	1
Round 3	Ceiling is higher with a QB upgrade of Matt Cassel after playing in conservative offenses with shaky passers.
14	Terrell Owens	BUF	16	69	1052	10	65.8	15.2	140	2	1
Round 3	He can still be counted on for 1,000 yards and double-digit scores despite his many drops and move to new team.
15	Vincent Jackson	SD	16	59	1098	7	68.6	18.6	101	3	0
Round 3	Emerged as San Diego's No. 1 WR after placing 11th in yards despite having the fewest catches of all 22 1,000-yard receivers.
16	Anthony Gonzalez	IND	16	57	664	4	41.5	11.6	79	1	1
Round 3	Manning's No. 2 WR can be a top 10 receiver with Wayne as shining example; Gonzalez has potential to duplicate same stats.
17	Eddie Royal	DEN	15	91	980	5	65.3	10.8	129	3	0
Round 4	Finished seventh in receptions and led all rookie in yards; can be the next Wes Welker if Denver's quarterback plays solid.
18	Hines Ward	PIT	16	81	1043	7	65.2	12.9	125	4	1
Round 4	He remains a strong and elusive WR in his 12th season. He finished the last three games with 21 catches for 286 yards.
19	Lance Moore	NO	16	79	928	10	58.0	11.7	120	3	3
Round 4	Was a top 15 WR by scoring the NFL's third-most receiving TDs despite not reaching 1,000 yards and having six starts.
20	Antonio Bryant	TB	16	83	1248	7	78.0	15.0	137	6	1
Round 4	Was a top 10 fantasy wideout despite playing with a new team and different quarterbacks and missing the 2007 season.
21	Brandon Marshall	DEN	15	104	1265	6	84.3	12.2	181	3	1
Round 4	QB uncertainty lowers value, though new coach Josh McDaniels may elect to throw frequently, helping his cause.
22	Braylon Edwards	CLE	16	55	873	3	54.6	15.9	138	3	0
Rounds 5-6	Worth drafting as a second receiver in the hope that he duplicates his great 2007 season rather than flop like last year.
23	Chad Ochocinco	CIN	13	53	540	4	41.5	10.2	97	0	1
Rounds 5-6	Playing with a healthy Carson Palmer will significantly boost stats. Owns a stronger QB rapport than Laveranues Coles.
24	Santana Moss	WAS	16	79	1044	6	65.3	13.2	138	3	0
Rounds 5-6	He only scored one TD with zero 100-yard days in the final eight games but remains Washington's top playmaker at receiver.
25	Roy Williams	DAL	15	36	430	2	28.7	11.9	82	0	0
Rounds 5-6	Doubts remain about his ability to be a consistent No. 1 WR for an entire season, but he will be given the chances to star
26	Torry Holt	JAC	16	64	796	3	49.8	12.4	119	0	0
Rounds 5-6	Aiming for his ninth 1,000-yard season in 10 years. Will rebound with a strong quarterback, line and running game for support.
27	Jerricho Cotchery	NYJ	16	71	858	5	53.6	12.1	11	1	1
Rounds 5-6	Unsettled QB situation makes it more difficult for him to be the Jets' top WR. Needs to prove he can handle No. 1 role, too.
28	DeSean Jackson	PHI	16	62	912	2	57.0	14.7	121	2	0
Rounds 5-6	He'll drop fewer passes in second season. Can reach 1,000 yards after he finished second among all rookies in yards.
29	Laveranues Coles	CIN	16	70	850	7	53.1	12.1	116	1	1
Rounds 5-6	Has reached 1,000 yards only once in the last five seasons, but Palmer can help boost stats. Also plays nearly every game.
30	Santonio Holmes	PIT	15	55	821	5	54.7	14.9	114	0	0
Rounds 5-6	Postseason heroics aside, he's never reached 1,000 yards or had more than 55 catches. Also had no 100-yard regular games.
31	Derrick Mason	BAL	16	80	1037	5	64.8	13.0	121	2	0
Rounds 5-6	Someone will be Joe Flacco's No. 1 WR, and he remains the best choice if he doesn't retire. More big days will follow with Flacco's progress.
32	Donald Driver	GB	16	74	1012	5	63.3	13.7	115	2	0
Rounds 7-8	Clock is ticking at age 34, but he's still clicking with five straight 1,000-yard seasons and a different quarterback.
33	Lee Evans	BUF	16	63	1017	3	63.6	16.1	102	4	0
Rounds 7-8	Posted two 1,000-yard seasons in last three years with little help. He's now free to outrun single coverage deep.
34	Bernard Berrian	MIN	16	48	964	7	60.3	20.1	95	4	0
Rounds 7-8	Striving to reach 1,000 yards for first time in career after surpassing 900 yards in past two years. Addition of Brett Favre further enhances value as a legit deep threat.
35	Donnie Avery	STL	15	53	674	3	44.9	12.7	103	1	0
Rounds 7-8	He owns the great speed and receiving skills to be a consistent deep threat. Just needs steady quarterback play and help from other receivers.
36	Devin Hester	CHI	15	51	665	3	44.3	13.0	91	0	0
Rounds 7-8	Unlike Chicago's difficulties last season, Cutler will often connect deep with Hester. First 1,000-yard season is possible.
37	Steve Breaston	ARI	16	77	1006	3	62.9	13.1	113	3	0
Rounds 7-8	He was only one of 22 receivers to reach 1,000 yards last year in his breakout season, and he did it as a No. 3 wideout.
38	Kevin Walter	HOU	16	60	899	8	56.2	15.0	95	1	2
Rounds 7-8	Clone of Ed McCaffrey set career bests last year and remains Houston's No. 2 receiver. Has played every game last 2 years.
39	Ted Ginn, Jr.	MIA	16	56	790	2	49.4	14.1	93	1	0
Rounds 7-8	Will only improve entering magical third season for wideouts. Needs to be reliable and convert more big plays for touchdowns.
40	Jeremy Maclin	PHI	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Rounds 7-8	Has speed (4.48) and skills to be McNabb's No. 1 WR. Also had great college stats (102 catches for 1,260 yards and 13 TDs).
41	Justin Gage	TEN	12	34	651	6	54.3	19.1	74	2	1
Rounds 7-8	Is too inconsistent to be a fantasy starter, but departure of Brandon Jones and Justin McCareins leaves him as likely Titans' No. 1 WR.
42	Chris Henry	CIN	12	19	220	2	18.3	11.6	46	0	0
Rounds 7-8	A deep threat who is aiming to best his career 2006 season for catches (36), yards (605) and scores (9).
43	Michael Crabtree	SF	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Rounds 7-8	Likened to Anquan Boldin with his raw power and catching skills. Had 2-year college stats of 231 rec, 3,127 yards and 41 TDs.
44	Deion Branch	SEA	8	30	412	4	51.5	13.7	59	0	2
Rounds 7-8	Never has recorded a 1,000-yard season in seven-year career. Yet if he and Matt Hasselbeck can remain healthy, Branch will be a late-round bargain.
45	Muhsin Muhammad	CAR	16	65	923	5	57.7	14.2	108	1	0
Round 9-10	Had better stats with Carolina but has reached 1,000 yards only once in the last eight seasons. May see a steep decline.
46	Hakeem Nicks	NYG	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Round 9-10	Had better stats with Carolina but has reached 1,000 yards only once in the last eight seasons. May see a steep decline.
47	Joshua Cribbs	CLE	15	2	18	1	1.2	9	7	0	0
Rounds 9-10	Has the talent to be a gamebreaker but just needs the opportunities to prove it.
48	Isaac Bruce	SF	16	61	835	7	52.2	13.7	108	2	1
Rounds 9-10	He's so ancient that he played for the Los Angeles Rams. Entering his 16th season, he's still producing 100-yard games.
49	Bobby Engram	KC	13	47	489	0	37.6	10.4	80	0	0
Rounds 9-10	If he can stay healthy, he has the skills and experience to reprise role of Wes Welker in New England for Matt Cassel.
50	Patrick Crayton	DAL	16	39	550	4	34.4	14.1	70	0	0
Rounds 9-10	Has been a big disappointment. Without T.O., it will be more difficult to post better stats, but will be given chance to do so.
51	Michael Jenkins	ATL	16	50	777	3	48.6	15.5	81	0	1
52	Percy Harvin	MIN	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
53	Kevin Curtis	PHI	9	33	390	2	43.3	11.8	63	0	0
54	Chris Chambers	SD	14	33	462	5	33.0	14.0	64	0	1
55	Brian Robiskie	CLE	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
56	Kenny Britt	TEN	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
57	Juaquin Iglesias	CHI	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
58	Nate Washington	TEN	16	40	631	3	39.4	15.8	78	0	0
59	Greg Camarillo	MIA	11	55	613	2	55.7	11.1	83	1	0
60	Joey Galloway	NE	9	13	138	0	15.3	10.6	28	0	0
61	Steve Smith	NYG	16	57	574	1	35.9	10.1	82	0	0
62	Domenik Hixon	NYG	16	43	596	2	37.3	13.9	72	1	0
63	Bryant Johnson	DET	16	45	546	3	34.1	12.1	75	0	0
64	Mark Clayton	BAL	16	41	695	3	43.4	17.0	83	2	0
65	Antwaan Randle El	WAS	16	53	593	4	37.1	11.2	87	0	0
66	Jordy Nelson	GB	16	33	366	2	22.9	11.1	54	0	0
67	Mark Bradley	KC	12	30	380	3	31.7	12.7	63	0	0
68	Davone Bess	MIA	16	54	554	1	34.6	10.3	75	0	0
69	Reggie Brown	PHI	10	18	252	1	25.2	14.0	34	0	0
70	Chansi Stuckey	NYJ	15	32	359	3	23.9	11.2	45	0	0
71	Jabar Gaffney	DEN	16	38	468	2	29.3	12.3	65	0	0
72	Bobby Wade	MIN	16	53	645	2	40.3	12.2	88	0	0
73	Troy Williamson	JAC	8	5	30	1	3.8	6	13	0	0
74	Miles Austin	DAL	12	13	278	3	23.2	21.4	23	0	0
75	Brandon Jones	SF	16	41	449	1	28.1	11.0	62	0	0
76	Limas Sweed	PIT	11	6	64	0	5.8	10.7	10	0	0
77	Malcom Floyd	SD	13	27	465	4	35.8	17.2	37	0	0
78	Brian Finneran	ATL	16	23	320	1	20.0	13.9	39	0	0
79	Devery Henderson	NO	16	32	793	3	49.6	24.8	57	1	0
80	Nate Burleson	SEA	1	5	60	1	60.0	12.0	9	0	0
81	Dwayne Jarrett	CAR	9	10	119	0	13.2	11.9	19	0	0
82	Josh Reed	BUF	13	56	597	1	45.9	10.7	80	0	0
83	Darius Heyward-Bey	OAK	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
84	Laurent Robinson	STL	6	5	52	0	8.7	10.4	6	0	0
85	Keenan Burton	STL	13	13	172	1	13.2	13.2	29	0	0
86	Pierre Garcon	IND	14	4	23	0	1.6	5.8	4	0	0
87	Austin Collie	IND	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
88	Brad Smith	NYJ	15	12	64	0	4.3	5.3	19	0	0
89	Jerheme Urban	ARI	16	34	448	4	28.0	13.2	51	0	0
90	Brandon Stokley	DEN	15	49	528	3	35.2	10.8	85	0	0
91	Sidney Rice	MIN	13	15	141	4	10.8	9.4	31	0	0
92	Robert Meachem	NO	14	12	289	3	20.6	24.1	20	0	0
93	Shaun McDonald	PIT	12	35	332	1	27.7	9.5	66	0	0
94	Maurice Stovall	TB	5	3	25	0	5.0	8.3	8	0	0
95	Josh Morgan	SF	12	20	319	3	26.6	16.0	43	0	0
96	Earl Bennett	CHI	10	0	0	0	0.0	0.0	0	0	0
97	Sammie Stroughter	TB	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
98	Devin Thomas	WAS	16	15	120	0	7.5	8.0	27	0	0
99	Malcolm Kelly	WAS	5	3	18	0	3.6	6.0	11	0	0
100	James Hardy	BUF	14	9	87	2	6.2	9.7	24	0	0