| Wide Receiver Rankings |
| Rank |
Team |
Player |
Rec Yds |
Receptions |
Total TDs |
| 1 |
 |
Steve Smith |
1,166 |
83 |
9 |
|
A year ago, Smith was the unquestioned Number 1 receiver in all fantasy leagues. He was hampered by a hamstring injury throughout 2006, forcing him to miss two games and to play hurt in many more. And Smith still put up huge numbers. He's now healthy, and new Panthers offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson has pledged to use Smith in a variety of spots on the field, making him even more difficult to cover. If QB Jake Delhomme is even mediocre this season, Smith should be the Number 1 receiver.
|
| 2 |
 |
Terrell Owens |
1,180 |
85 |
13 |
|
T.O. is playing games with the Cowboys' new coaching staff, sitting out training camp practices with some minor injuries. But once he's on the field, Owens is going to demand the ball, and he's likely going to get it. Owens's ability in the red zone (he has scored double-digit TDs in five of the past seven seasons) is what makes him a top-notch receiver. |
| 3 |
 |
Chad Johnson |
1,369 |
87 |
7 |
Johnson got off to a slow start last season, possibly because QB Carson Palmer wasn't quite 100 percent coming off a major knee injury. During a five-game mid-season stretch, Ocho Cinco averaged seven catches, 153 yards, and a TD per game. But the rest of the season, Johnson was pretty ordinary. The fact that he draws so much attention in the red zone will likely keep Johnson from scoring a ton of TDs, keeping him a notch below Steve Smith and Terrell Owens.
|
| 4 |
 |
Roy Williams |
1,310 |
82 |
7 |
Williams is as physically gifted as any receiver in the NFL. The Lions' entire offense should be more comfortable in their second season in offensive coordinator Mike Martz's pass-happy offense, especially QB Jon Kitna. And with super-rookie WR Calvin Johnson lining up on the opposite side of the field, Williams will find himself in single coverage often.
|
| 5 |
 |
Marvin Harrison |
1,366 |
95 |
12 |
|
Marvelous Marvin is coming off yet another great season. But then Harrison disappeared in the playoffs. He'll be 35 when the season opens, and even though Harrison has topped 80 receptions, 1,100 yards, and 10 TDs in each of the past eight seasons, this could be the year he starts to slow down. |
| 6 |
 |
Anquan Boldin |
1,203 |
83 |
4 |
|
Boldin will move from split end (or X-receiver) to flanker (or Z-receiver) in new head coach Ken Whisenhunt's offense. The "Z" is typically the No. 1 receiver in Whisenhunt's offense. Plus, the last time Boldin lined up at the Z was as a rookie in in 2003. That season, he caugh an NFL-rookie record 101 passes for 1,377 yards. I think Boldin will overtake teammate Larry Fitzgerald as Arizona's most-productive receiver.
|
| 7 |
|
Larry Fitzgerald |
946 | 69 | 6 |
|
When you consider he missed three games and was hampered by hamstring problems all season, Fitzgerald had a very strong season in 2006. I think teammate Anquan Boldin will be the primary target a little more often in new head coach Ken Whisenhunt's offense. But Fitzgerald is still the top downfield and red zone threat in Arizona.
|
| 8 |
|
Reggie Wayne |
1,310 |
86 |
9 |
|
With teammate Marvin Harrison getting up there in years, could this be the year Wayne steps up as QB Peyton Manning's favorite target? Even playing second fiddle to Harrison, Wayne has still posted three consecutive 75-catch, 1,000-yard seasons. |
| 9 |
 |
Torry Holt |
1,188 |
93 |
10 |
|
Holt has been consistently great for a while now, and should continue to be QB Marc Bulger's favorite target in a very strong St. Louis offense. But Holt has been slow to recover from off-season surgery on his right knee. And at age 31, Holt won't stay at the elite level forever. He'll also likely lose some TDs to free agent signee Drew Bennett, a great red zone receiver.
|
| 10 |
 |
Donald Driver |
1,295 |
92 |
8 |
| Driver is not only one of the NFL's most underrated receivers, but one of the most underrated players at any position. Driver will continue to be QB Brett Favre's favorite target, and the Packers throw the ball a lot. No team attempted more passes than Green Bay last year. Driver is one of the best in the league at taking a short pass in traffic and turning it into a big gain.
|
|
