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Fantasy Football 2015: Top 10 wide receivers
By Ryan Mayer
Dec 21, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) before the game at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
When it comes to Fantasy Football 2015, owners are looking everywhere for that one player that can make them win their fantasy league. Today, fantasy football is one of the most entertaining and well known sports game in the country.
It has grown to be so popular that sport networks even have shows dedicated to talking about fantasy sports and which players fans should pickup and drop. It’s important to keep an eye on players that will contribute heavily this upcoming season, especially when it comes to wide receivers.
With that being said, here are the top 10 wide receivers you should absolutely consider drafting for your fantasy football teams.
Next: 10. In Luck's favor
Jan 25, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Team Carter wide receiver T.Y. Hilton of the Indianapolis Colts (13) runs the ball against Team Irvin cornerback Joe Haden of the Cleveland Browns (23) in the 2015 Pro Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
10. T.Y. Hilton (Indianapolis Colts)
Although Hilton’s 2014 fantasy campaign started off slower than many of his fantasy owners would have liked, he quickly developed into one of Andrew Luck’s favorite targets. With Reggie Wayne gone and veteran wide receiver Andre Johnson coming into the picture, look for Hilton to retain Luck’s favoritism in games.
In 2014, Hilton recorded 82 catches for 1,345 yards averaging 16.4 a reception. Hilton also had 7 touchdowns on the year with 172 fantasy points by the end of the season. His 2015 projection by ESPN has him having less points at 167.1 but more touchdowns and receptions at 86 and 8.
Hilton is an amazing pickup if you are looking for a second string receiver. With Hilton’s speed and Luck’s arm, not to mention that most defenses will shift themselves over to Johnson’s side of the feel, it will all allow Hilton to be open way more often.
Next: 9. Second in command in Green Bay
Jan 18, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) stiff arms Seattle Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane (20) during the first quarter in the NFC Championship Game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
9. Randall Cobb (Green Bay Packers)
Randall Cobb is one of the many options quarterback Aaron Rodgers has at his disposal. After missing 10 games in 2013, Cobb came back on fire. As a slot receiver, Cobb finished as fantasy’s 7th best wide receiver in 2014.
In 2014, he was the only slot receiver to eclipse 850 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns. Overall in 2014, Cobb had 1,287 yards for twelve touchdowns, averaging around 14.1 yards a reception. Cobb also had a total of 191 fantasy points in 2014. For 2015, ESPN has Cobb projected as having 1,132 yards for 8 touchdowns and only hitting 172.8 total fantasy points.
Cobb is an excellent pickup as a second wide receiver for your lineup especially with the quarterback talent they have in Aaron Rodgers. Look for Cobb to have a productive season, especially with defenses focusing on the likes of Jordy Nelson.
Next: 8. Dalton's favorite target
Dec 28, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) runs with the ball against Pittsburgh Steelers safety William Gay (22) in the second half at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 27-17. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
8. A.J. Green (Cincinnati Bengals)
A.J. Green has been a top wide receiver in the league since he was drafted in 2011. Green has been one of the top targets for Andy Dalton and one thing is for sure, Dalton gets the ball to Green early and consistently.
In 2014, Green was plagued by injury for a big chunk of the season leading to him not having a very productive season last year. In 2014, Green had 1,041 yards receiving with only six touchdowns and 132 fantasy points on the season. For 2015, ESPN has Green predicted at around 1,262 yards on the season with 8 touchdowns and a total of 175.1 fantasy points.
Green is one of the top competitive receivers in the league. You can expect after having a not so solid season for Green to bounce back and produce a stellar season. Green should be a selection made in the later rounds however, due to his past injuries that can come back to haunt him.
Next: 7. Beware Optimus, Megatron has arrived
Jan 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) catches a pass against Dallas Cowboys cornerback Brandon Carr (39) and strong safety Barry Church (42)in the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game at AT&T Stadium. Dallas beat Detroit 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
7. Calvin Johnson (Detroit Lions)
Calvin Johnson is one of the most well known wide receivers in the NFL. He is such a force of nature when it comes to how he plays that he gained the nickname “Megatron” after the well know character from the Transformer television series.
In 2014, Johnson recorded 1,077 yards with 8 touchdowns and averaged around 15.2 yards reception. In 2014, he had about 149 fantasy points. He is predicted by ESPN to have a better season than he did in 2014. They even have him likely to record 1,284 yards with 9 touchdowns and averaging around 14.8 yards a reception.
He is also predicted to have around 182 fantasy points by the end of the season. Even though last season Johnson seemed to have his age catching up with him he is still a force of nature on the Lions’ offense and is looked at as one of the top 10 receivers in the league. He should be a pick made in the early parts of your fantasy drafts.
Next: 6. The top Falcon
Aug 14, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) celebrates after he scored a touchdown against Tennessee Titans safety Michael Griffin (33) in the first quarter of their preseason NFL football game at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
6. Julio Jones (Atlanta Falcons)
Julio Jones has a very good reputation in the NFL being one of the top 10 wide receivers in the league, however he has never been past 8th when it came to fantasy points. Jones has been one name that will always be talked about for a fantasy pickup until the day he retires.
In 2014, Jones finished in third for receptions (104) and receiving yards (1,593) in 2014. He completed the year with 6 touchdowns and 183 fantasy points. ESPN is projecting that Jones will finish the 2015 season with 1,404 yards, eight touchdowns and 187.1 fantasy points.
Jones should definitely be on your radar when you are looking for a wide receiver. Especially with Matt Ryan at the helm since he should be looking to improve from last season and possibly become the best fantasy receiver of 2015.
Next: 5. Rodger's favorite weapon
January 18, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson (87) runs the ball against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half in the NFC Championship game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
5. Jordy Nelson (Green Bay Packers)
Jordy Nelson has always been a good receiver in the NFL from the day he was drafted. However, after becoming Aaron Rodgers main target deep down the field and up close, it has propelled him into the fantasy elite.
Nelson in 2014 had one of the best seasons a receiver and fantasy owner could hope for. In 2014, he recorded a total of 1,519 yards for 12 touchdowns, averaging about 15.5 yards a reception. He also finished the year with a total of 221 fantasy points. ESPN has Nelson projected as having 1,263 yards for 10 touchdowns and averaging around 15 yards a reception. They also have him projected as having 186 total fantasy points for 2015.
After making himself the premiere target for Rodgers, look for Nelson to have about the same production this year, especially with both gaining even more chemistry together. Nelson is a good No. 1 receiver pickup and should be looked at heavily in the first round.
Next: 4. The new kid in New York
Nov 16, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) makes a catch in front of San Francisco 49ers corner back Perrish Cox (20) during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Giants 16-10. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
4. Odell Beckham Jr. (New York Giants)
Odell Beckham Jr. or OBJ for short was one of the most surprising and best wide receivers to come out of the 2014 NFL Draft. He was drafted in what many called the best receiver draft in NFL history.
Despite missing the first four games of the season, Beckham became one of the most talked about receivers in the league. During his amazing rookie season in the NFL, he recorded 1,305 yards with 12 touchdowns and averaged around 14.3 yards a reception. He had a total of 197 fantasy points in 2014. ESPN has Beckham projected to record 1,363 yards with 8 touchdowns averaging around 13.4 yards a reception. They also have him totaling around 189.1 fantasy points.
Beckham should definitely be one of your top receivers in your draft. Through his skill alone he should be one of the first players you target in the first round. Not to mention, his chemistry with quarterback Eli Manning will only increase over time.
Next: 3. The King in Dallas
Dec 21, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) stands on the field before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
3. Dez Bryant (Dallas Cowboys)
Dez Bryant is considered one of, if not the best wide receiver in the NFL. He has had over 1,000 yards receiving in the past three season of his five year career so far. In 2014, Bryant recorded 1,320 yards with 16 touchdowns averaging around 15 yards a reception.
He totaled 221 fantasy points in 2014. ESPN has Bryant projected to record 1,361 yards with 10 touchdowns averaging around 15.1 yards a reception. They have him projected to total 194 fantasy points.
Bryant will be the No. 1 receiver on almost everyone’s draft board for his constant production and rapport with starting quarterback Tony Romo. The two seem to have the communication aspect down with Bryant usually being Romo’s first read during the majority of plays.
Next: 2. Peyton's favorite target
Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) against the Indianapolis Colts in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Colts defeated the Broncos 24-13. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
2. Demaryius Thomas (Denver Broncos)
Peyton Manning coming back another season means Thomas will be looked at as a top five receiver for that reason alone. Thomas has finished no worse than fourth in receiving yards, seventh in receiving touchdowns and fifth in fantasy points among receivers.
In 2014, Thomas recorded 1,619 yards with 11 touchdowns averaging around 14.6 yards a reception. He totaled an amazing 223 fantasy points in 2014. ESPN has Thomas projected to record 1,298 yards with 11 touchdowns averaging 12.7 yards a reception. They also have him totaling around 195 fantasy points.
Thomas should be one of your top choices at receiver with Manning as his quarterback since they will make plenty of noise together this upcoming season. He will be a top receiver like he is every year on the Broncos’ offense. He should be drafted early in the first round without question.
Next: 1. The man with steel in his veins
Aug 14, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) eludes the grasp of Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Demetrius McCray (35) in the first quarter of a preseason NFL football game at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports
1. Antonio Brown (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Antonio Brown was the No. 1 fantasy receiver in 2014. Brown was one of Ben Roethlisberger‘s main targets last season making him rank high among all other wide receivers. He was also the most dependable recording 129 receptions out of 182 targets.
In 2014, Brown recorded 1,698 yards with 13 touchdowns and averaged around 13.2 yards a reception. He also totaled 251 fantasy points, which is the most among receivers. ESPN has Brown recording 1,522 yards with 9 touchdowns and averaging 13.1 yards a reception in 2015. They also have him totaling 209.3 fantasy points for the 2015 season.
Brown is one of the more safe picks with his dependability and the amount of targets he will get in the end zone. Brown should be your first pick if you are looking to go wide receiver in the first round. Brown will be the most dependable on your roster and will likely be your best after the amazing season he had last year.
Next: Fantasy Football 2015: New York Jets' defense will be golden