Tier 1
Calvin Johnson
Tags: Consistent, Boom/Bust
I really struggled with the first tier. On one hand Calvin Johnson is clearly the best fantasy receiver but on the other hand I’m worried about the Madden curse. Yes, I believe in it so I will be awaiting the hate comments.
Tier 2
Andre Johnson
Tags: Injury Prone
Andre Johnson should be good for a bounce-back year and he’s a great value pick right now. Remember, before last season he was a top 10 lock. Now he can be had in the 2nd round.
Dez Bryant
Tags: Injury Prone
I’m waiting for Dez Bryant to explode, and this year may be the year. The off-field stuff will always be there and he does tend to get nicked up quite a bit, but the guy can ball when he’s on the field. He’s finally 100% and he’s been training hard this off-season.
Larry Fitzgerald
Tags: Consistent
I love Larry Fitzgerald and he should have another good year but I’ve seen him ranked in the overall top 10 and that’s just too high considering he doesn’t have a quarterback.
Julio Jones
Tags: None
Julio Jones had some big games as a rookie despite being inconsistent and missing some time due to injuries. He’s healthy now and word out of camp is that he’s only gotten better.
Tier 3
Percy Harvin
Tags: Injury Prone
Harvin had a monster year last year and things should be no different this year. He’ll still be Ponder’s favorite, and most reliable, target and he’ll still be dangerous as a runner and kick returner.
Brandon Lloyd
Tags: Injury Prone
Lloyd should have a big year now that he’s paired with Tom Brady. He’s looked great in camp and he should be the Pats leading receiver, which means he’ll likely put up some big numbers.
Roddy White
Tags: Consistent
Roddy White is still producing but he’s passed the midpoint of his career so his numbers should begin to drop. Julio Jones is also the favorite to get more looks and with the new offensive system in place look for Roddy’s days of 100+ receptions to be over.
Greg Jennings
Tags: Consistent
Good old reliable Greg Jennings. He should produce like always with Aaron Rodgers but look for Nelson and Cobb to steal some receptions.
Tier 4
Victor Cruz
Tags: Boom/Bust
What a season Cruz had last year. There’s no way he can repeat those numbers though and there’s always the risk of being a one-year wonder. I’d be a little cautious about drafting him.
Miles Austin
Tags: Injury Prone
I was waiting for a huge year for Miles Austin last year but this year I’m on the Dez Bryant bandwagon. However, Austin should still see a ton of targets from Romo.
A.J. Green
Tags: None
A.J. Green’s a good player but his ceiling is limited by his quarterback. Dalton was good but I doubt he can be great. They also had some fluky long “bombs” last year. Don’t expect a huge growth from his numbers, if they grow at all.
Jeremy Maclin
Tags: None
Maclin had a health scare heading into last season and it took him awhile to get back up to full speed. He’s still the top Philly receiver to own.
Marques Colston
Tags: Consistent
Colston just got a big extension and he’s a consistent producer. Of course, the Saints always love to spread the ball around so his upside is limited.
Tier 5
Mike Wallace
Tags: Boom/Bust
Mike Wallace might miss some games this year due to contract issues. Even if he does play he’s already missed some valuable camp time and could struggle to adjust.
Jordy Nelson
Tags: Boom/Bust
Jordy Nelson had a ridiculous 15 touchdowns last year but there’s no way he’ll replicate those numbers. Look for Randall Cobb to be more involved in the offense.
Wes Welker
Tags: Consistent
Wes Welker had a great fantasy year because he caught more touchdowns than usual. Probably because he was the only reliable wide receiver. Brandon Lloyd will get those touchdown looks this year.
Antonio Brown
Tags: None
Antonio Brown had a great year and should continue to put up numbers. Mike Wallace will likely miss games so Brown should see more targets.
Robert Meachem
Tags: Boom/Bust
Meachem is a risky pick. He could either push 1000 yards and 10 touchdowns or he could struggle to fit into a new offense and could put up mediocre numbers.
Hakeem Nicks
Tags: Injury Prone
Hakeem Nicks should be ready for Week 1 but there’s no guarantees. There is always a chance of re-injury after surgery and Nicks hasn’t been the model for durability throughout his career.
Eric Decker
Tags: None
Eric Decker is Peyton Manning’s favorite receiver in camp. Thomas may be more talented but Decker will likely see the most targets this season.
Reggie Wayne
Tags: Consistent, Sleeper
People have forgotten about Reggie Wayne. He is 33 but he’s still a reliable target and should put up some nice numbers with Andrew Luck leading the offense.
Tier 6
Dwayne Bowe
Tags: Consistent, Boom/Bust
Dwayne Bowe is a reliable consistent receiver but he’s also dealing with contract issues. It’s very distracting and Bowe has missed some training camp action already.
Steve Smith (Car)
Tags: None
Cam Newton revitalized Smith’s career but you have to wonder if it was his last kick of the can. He should still see a lot of targets but look for Brandon LaFell to have a great year.
Brandon Marshall
Tags: Consistent
Marshall has been a consistent mediocre fantasy producer for the past few seasons. That could change this year and he’s reunited with Jay Cutler. Of course that could change for the better or worse.
Vincent Jackson
Tags: None
I like the Bucs this year, but even so it’s hard to love Vincent Jackson as a fantasy player. He’ll be good but he’s not a WR#1.
Steve Johnson
Tags: None
Stevie Johnson is a bit inconsistent but he does manage to produce. He’ll likely get more targets this year as well since there’s even more uncertainty surrounding the Bills receiving corp.
Demaryius Thomas
Tags: Injury Prone, Boom/Bust
Demaryius Thomas is definitely a boom or bust player this year. He can either put up well over 1000 yards and 10 touchdown’s or he can miss time or not mesh with Manning and have a mediocre season. A lot are high on him, but there’s certainly risk involved.
Mike Williams
Tags: Sleeper
Mike Williams has had a strong camp and has a better rapport with Josh Freeman than Vincent Jackson. He could have a very good year.
Tier 7
Darrius Heyward-Bey
Tags: None
Heywerd-Bey broke out last year and no one saw it coming. He’s finally turning it around but at the same time we’re all tentative. It doesn’t help that the Raiders have many talented receivers that will steal targets away.
DeSean Jackson
Tags: Consistent
DeSean Jackson is a consistent playmaker and is good for a couple of monster games. He can be a bit of a risky start at times and there’s always the chance Vick gets hurt which will undoubtedly hurt his production.
Pierre Garcon
Tags: None
Garcon is the #1 receiver in Washington and it’ll be fun to watch him and RG3 gel. However, don’t expect huge passing numbers and Santana Moss is having a strong camp so he’ll get more involved as well.
Torrey Smith
Tags: None
Torrey Smith should be ready for the start of the year and the Ravens seem to have big plans for him. He surprised me by how well he played as a rookie but he has a great work ethic and he’s put in the time to better himself this off-season.
Denarius Moore
Tags: Sleeper
Denarius Moore might be the Raiders leading receiver this year. He’s a stud and is a great value pick.
Santana Moss
Tags: None
Moss had a down year but he’s not done. He’s been great in camp and looks like he’s ready to have another strong year. These rookie quarterbacks just bring new life to veteran receivers (see Smith, Steve).
Tier 8
Malcom Floyd
Tags: Injury Prone
Malcom Floyd is injury prone but outside of Gates hes the Chargers most dependable receiver. Meachem is still trying to find some chemistry with Rivers and Vincent Brown has yet to play a lot of snaps on a consistent basis.
Titus Young
Tags: Sleeper
Titus Young is another receiver coming on strong. He’s had a great camp and should put up nice numbers working with Stafford.
Lance Moore
Tags: None
It’s tough to love a Saints receiver not named Colston but Moore has his good days. The problem is he can either put up 15 points or 3. You just never know what you’re going to get.
Michael Crabtree
Tags: None
Crabtree is a talented receiver but he’s held back in San Francisco by quarterback play and a run heavy offense. It’s unlikely he’ll eclipse 1000 yards this year either.
Anquan Boldin
Tags: None
Boldin is likely to take a backseat to Torrey Smith this year. We’re also seeing him on a decline so his upside is really limited.
Austin Collie
Tags: Injury Prone, Sleeper
Collie could have a fine season if, and I can’t state how big of an if this is, he stays healthy. He’s reliable and Luck is a huge upgrade over Curtis Painter. It just all depends on his health.
