| Wide Receiver Rankings |
| Rank |
Team |
Player |
Rec Yds |
Receptions |
Total TDs |
| 11 |
 |
Andre Johnson |
1,147 |
103 |
5 |
|
One of the NFL's most-gifted receivers, Johnson led the league in receptions a year ago. But he didn't produce the same amazing numbers in receiving yards and touchdowns. New Texans QB Matt Schaub will give Johnson a more capable QB to work with. But unless Houston's offense makes big strides, Johnson won't move into the elite class of fantasy wide receivers.
|
| 12 |
 |
Javon Walker |
1,084 |
69 |
8 |
|
With his combination of size, strength, and speed, Walker is as talented as any receiver in football. Last season, he wasn't quite 100 percent while still feeling the effects of a torn ACL suffered in 2005. But his knee should be completely healthy this season. If young QB Jay Cutler plays well, Walker could be unstoppable. |
| 13 |
 |
T.J. Houshmandzadeh |
1,081 |
90 |
9 |
With defenses focusing their attention on teammate Chad Johnson, Houshmandzadeh often gets to go against single coverage underneath. He's a steady possession receiver and good route runner. And in the Bengals' high-powered offense, Housh will produce great numbers again.
|
| 14 |
 |
Deion Branch |
725 |
53 |
4 |
Sure, Branch has never put up big numbers. He doesn't even have a 1,000-yard season to his credit. But keep in mind, Branch spent his first four seasons in New England, an offense that focuses on spreading the ball around. And after being traded to Seattle mid-season in 2006, he had to adjust to a whole new offense, as well as line up at split end, the No. 2 receiver in Seattle's offense. This year, Branch will move to flanker (Seattle's No. 1 WR) and had a whole off-season to learn the offense and work with QB Matt Hasselbeck. Brch might be the best route runner in the NFL, and he has better hands and is more durable than Seattle's former flanker, Darrell Jackson. The last time Jackson was healthy for a full year, he had 87 catches for 1,199 yards for the Seahawks. Branch could easily match those numbers, or even top them, in 2007.
|
| 15 |
 |
Marques Colston |
1,038 |
70 |
8 |
|
A seventh-round pick in the 2006 Draft, Colston went from tight end at Division I-AA Hofstra to star NFL wideout and, in my opinion, the third-best rookie in the NFL last season. Wide receiver is one o fthe toughest positions to adjust to as a rookie, and Colston had a 1,000-yard season while dealing with an ankle injury for a good part of the season. He should only get better in Year Two. |
| 16 |
 |
Lee Evans |
1,292 |
82 |
8 |
|
Evans might be the league's best pure deep threat. He can fly by the defense for the deep ball at any time. But as talented as he is, Evans can't carry the Bills on his own. Not only is QB J.P. Losman inconsistent, but since the Bills don't have a decent No. 2 receiver, it's easy for opponents to focus all their attention on Evans.
|
| 17 |
 |
Plaxico Burress |
988 | 63 | 10 |
|
Burress showed up early this off-season to get some work in with QB Eli Manning. The two could re-discover their chemistry from two seasons ago, when Plax racked up 1,214 receiving yards. Burress is also Manning's favorite target when the Giants throw into the end zone.
|
| 18 |
 |
Calvin Johnson |
-- |
-- |
-- |
|
The second overall pick of the draft, Johnson is already being touted as the most-talented receiver ever to come into the NFL. And with good reason: Johnson is built like a linebacker (6' 4", 237 lbs.), but runs like a track star. Not to mention, he's a smart, a savvy route runner, and has great hands. Johnson might be a little slow to catch on to Detroit's extrememly complicated passing scheme, and veteran Roy Williams is entrenched as the top receiver in the Motor City. But the Lions love to air it out, and Johnson has too much talent not to post big numbers as a rookie. |
| 19 |
 |
Hines Ward |
975 |
74 |
6 |
|
If not for nagging injuries that past two seasons, Ward would easily have six consecutive 1,000-yard seasons to his credit. He's still the top receiver in Pittsburgh, and should have another solid year as long as QB Ben Roethlisberger bounces back.
|
| 20 |
 |
Chris Chambers |
677 |
59 |
4 |
|
Last season was a tough one for Chambers, who couldn't seem to grab anything thrown his way. While new QB Trent Green might not be an All-Pro anymore, he'll certainly be better than the duo of Daunte Culpepper and Joey Harrington were a year ago. Chambers still has a lot of talent and the ability to make the big play.
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