Fantasy Fix: Top 20 Wide Recievers
Wide receivers can be tough to project in Fantasy Football. Part of the reason is they need a top quarterback in order to rack up the points. Their production also depends on specific game conditions and circumstances. If there's rain, wind and snow, your wideout will have a down day. If his team is up big in the game, he's unlikely to get balls thrown his way.
Wide receiver's may not be as valuable as running backs, but drafting wisely will win you your league. Fortunately, this years class of wideouts is deep and there's talent to be found even in later rounds.
The drafting strategy that I usually employ in the first seven rounds is: RB, RB, WR, RB, WR, RB/WR, QB.
If you're in a PPR League I'd go RB, RB, WR, WR, RB/WR, RB/WR, QB.
With all that said, let’s run down the Top 20 Wide Receivers for the 2013 Fantasy Football Season.
Stats based on receptions, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, rushing yards and rushing touchdowns in Standard Scoring Leagues.
1. Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions: Last season, Johnson set the single-season receiving record, put up over 350 more yards than any other receiver and was second in the league in total yards from scrimmage. He is the only wideout to consider taking in the first round before a running back. Let’s just say Megatron is so good I named my first born MegaGuru. Isn't she cute? Fantasy Projections: 110/1600/10/0/0
2. A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals: Alfredo Junichi is poised to become a fantasy stud. Nothing could possibly stand in his way. Except Andy Dalton. Fantasy Projections: 95/1300/9/22/0
3. Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys: Dez comes in at number three because he’s not as big as Megatron, not as quick as A.J. and not in the least bit sane. If he’s on his meds, he’s on my team. Fantasy Projections: 100/1200/8/20/0
4. Brandon Marshall, Chicago Bears: Someone should make a Step Brothers sequel starring B-Marsh and Jay Cutler. Bunk beds! More room for activities. And touchdowns. Fantasy Projections: 105/1400/7/0/0
5. Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons: Matt Ryan has a lot of weapons. That’s a good thing in real football, but not so much in fake football. Down by the Schoolyard Julio will put up monster games this season, then he’ll go AWOL for two weeks and you’ll wonder why you spent your second pick on him. I won’t. Fantasy Projections: 92/1250/9/40/0
6. Demaryius Thomas, Denver Broncos: With Thomas, Decker and Welker as Peyton’s minions, I’d expect all their numbers to dip a bit compared to last year. There’s just not enough balls to go around. That’s what she said. And by "she" I meant Peyton. Fantasy Projections: 99/1200/10/0/0
7. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals: New coach Bruce Arians likes to throw the ball. New QB Carson Palmer will have to. Bonus Larry Fitz and anyone who owns him. Fantasy Projections: 90/1200/7/0/0
8. Roddy White, Atlanta Falcons: White’s the other half of the wonder twins in the ATL offense. Make him one of your super friends. Wonder Twin powers activate! Shape of fantasy championship! Fantasy Projections: 90/1150/7/0/0
9. Andre Johnson, Houston Texans: Johnson had a down year in 2012, has an injury history and just turned 32. This is where a “real” sports writer would say something about Andre “losing a step”. I won’t bother. It’s not the steps I worry about, it’s the knees. Fantasy Projections: 89/1200/6/0/0
10. Victor Cruz, New York Giants: Eli had an un-Manning like year, even by Archie standards. Despite that, Cruz still Salsa’d to the tune of 10 TD’s. I want to dance with him. Fantasy Projections: 85/1100/7/0/0
11. Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers: Cobb is one of those risky upside picks. Great talent, great quarterback looking his way and a medical history that requires a WebMD app. But so much potential to be, maybe, fingers crossed, a top 5 receiver. I’ll take the chance. Fantasy Projections: 88/1000/8/65/0
12. Vincent Jackson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: V-Jax is WR1 worthy. His 19.2 yards per catch makes my fantasy roster swoon. Or at least get swoon-ish. Fantasy Projections: 85/1150/6/0/0
13. Marques Colston, New Orleans Saints: The Marques de Football is the kind of player your league mates yawn at. Don’t fall asleep on draft day. Install a caffeine IV or Clockwork Orange your eyes open if you have to and draft Colston. Fantasy Projections: 80/1100/6/0/0
14. Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts: Wayne may be pushing 35 and playing in a new offense, but there’s still some luck left in that horseshoe. Get it? Solid WR2. Fantasy Projections: 77/1000/6/0/0
15. Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City Chiefs: I’ve seen D-Bowe ranked as high as five on some lists. I like Dwayne Bowe’s chances of being a top five wideout about as much as I like Riddick Bowe winning the heavyweight championship this year. Fantasy Projections: 75/1000/5/0/0
16. Jordy Nelson, Green Bay Packers: I may have listed Jordy higher, but he’s already had knee surgery this summer. I can’t trust that knee or a man named Jordy. Fantasy Projections: 65/1000/9/0/0
17. Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants: Nicks has yet to make it through a season in five years without getting hurt. He’s already nursing a groin and it’s only August. *note to self: Write Showtime drama called “Nurse Groin” starring Edie Falco. Pick up Emmy Award.* Fantasy Projections: 70/1050/7/0/0
18. Danny Amendola, New England Patriots: Bill Belichick has devised a way to clone former players. He is a genius! Look, he made a Welker and named it Amendola. Bill, can you clone another Randy Moss? Asking for a friend. Fantasy Projections: 90/1150/5/0/0
19. Wes Welker, Denver Broncos: Freed from the evil Belichick, Welker can make all the foot jokes he wants now and get killed going over the middle trying to catch Peyton’s flutter balls. *another note to self: Invent cheese snack called “Flutter Balls”, make Peyton spokesman.* “Hi, I’m Peyton Manning and no one can resist my delicious Flutter Balls.” Fantasy Projections: 80/1000/5/0/0
20. Pierre Garçon, Washington Redskins: Pierre could be one of those upsidey type picks. However, he had offseason surgery on his foot and now has to wear a special shoe. If the shoe has some sort of jet pack in it I’m drafting him. Otherwise, draft with caution. Fantasy Projections: 65/1000/5/26/0/0
Check out The Guru's Top 101 Fantasy Football Players, the Top 10 Quarterbacks and Top 20 Running Backs for 2013. Have a fantasy question for The Guru? Find him on Twitter @TheGuruGS
