Big Board Rankings 2008: The Wide Receivers
The WR position was the hardest for me to rank this year as wide receivers are fast becoming as important as running backs. The injuries to Braylon Edwards, the suspensions to Steve Smith and Brandon Marshall didn’t make things any easier either. There are a lot of attractive late rate options this year if you want to roll the dice. Devin Hester is going late and I love whoever emerges in New Orleans as the 2nd WR (don’t forget Shockey’s going to get a lot of looks though). You may also consider shoring up Bobby Engram or Deion Branch. You can’t start them right away, but they’ll eventually be used heavily in Seattle. The sooner the better.
2008 Big Board Wide Receivers
1. Moss NE 4 A+ 1 (9th)
Undisputed #1. Tapered a bit after week 10 of last year but very impressive. Outpointed TO last year by 40.
2. Owens DAL 10 C- 2 (2nd)
Great attitude. The window is closing and he knows it. His numbers will drop slightly if Dallas picks up someone better than Patrick Crayton in camp.
3. Wayne IND 4 B+ 2 (5th)
Even with Harrison, Wayne should breakaway this year. He’s a sure thing with Manning barring injury.
4. Colston NO 9 B 3 (2nd)
A lot like Braylon Edwards only more proven and with more experience. 3rd year breakout potential. I don’t think I’m overrating him here though others would.
5. Edwards CLE 5 B- 2 (6th)
Lining Donte Stallworth at X will only help him. I may be overrating him here. Cleveland’s schedule is tougher than last year and they won’t sneak up on anyone. Watch that foot injury in the early drafts.
6. Houshmandzadeh CIN 8 C+ 3 (4th)
Tapered after Cinci imploded last year but steadier than Ocho Cinco. Playing in a contract year so attitude shouldn’t be an issue. So far Chad Johnson hasn’t been a distraction. If Chad was, the outlook would be rosier. Watch what happens in preseason.
7. Fitzgerald AZ 7 D 2 (10th)
If Leinhart is throwing to him I’m worried. His numbers could drop a bit if Bolden is healthy too. He can be a bit streaky.
8. Johnson HOU 8 B 2 (12th)
Injuries are a concern but it’s hard to ignore his 2007 numbers.
9. Chad Johnson CIN 8 C+ 3 (8th)
Streaky last year but still posted good numbers.
10. Holmes PIT 6 C- 5 (9th)
I’m putting him higher here but there a lot less risks than Smith (suspension) and Plax and Holt (injuries). 3rd year breakout potential. Tough schedule at muddy Heinz field.
11. Smith CAR 9 B 3 (5th)
The 2 game suspension hurts a bit. Depending on Delhomme’s health doesn’t help either.
12. Holt STL 5 A- 3 (10th)
Degenerative knee and age are catching up yet he still posted great numbers last year.
13. Plax NYJ 4 C 3 (12th)
Bad ankle virtually all of 2007 but he still played well. Shockey leaving may help too.
14. Welker NE 4 B 4 (3rd)
Won’t likely post 2007 numbers. A lot of heaven/hell weeks in 2007.
15. Boldin AZ 7 D 4 (8th)
He’s unhappy with his contract which doesn’t bode well but played well last year despite being dinged up.
16. R. Williams DET 4 C- 5 (5th)
Detroit has to prove they didn’t trade this guy in the offseason for a reason plus everyone is anticipating DET will usually be behind a bunch and have to throw.
17. Jennings GB 8 D+ 5 (10th)
I’d feel safer knowing Favre would be throwing to him but I don’t like the options after 17 much either. It’s hard to ignore his top 10 numbers from 2007. 3rd year breakout potential if GB doesn’t implode under Favre drama.
18. Evans BUF 6 B 7 (7th)
He’s fantasy suicide but he has more upside and a QB with 1 more year of experience that could get Evans to 2006-type numbers. It’s a longshot but so are the guys lower than him on this list. Huge risk.
19. Calvin Johnson DET 4 C- 6 (4th)
There’s still that chance he could unseat Roy Williams
20. D. Bowe KC 7 B 6 (10th)
Put up damn good numbers as a rookie with an awful team. With LJ back and if the run sets up the pass, Bowe could have an even better 2008.
21. H. Ward PIT 6 C- 6 (7th)
Put up top 20 numbers last year despite missing a few games. I’d much rather have Holmes but Ward is still competitive.
22. Harrison IND 4 B+ 5 (11th)
If the knee holds up, he’ll be fine.
23. B. Marshall DEN 8 B 5 (4th)
The 3 game suspension will hurt, I’m worried the injury will hurt more.
Colbert or Stokely will start in his place
24. Coles NYJ 5 B 7 (12th)
Hoping he can stay healthy and gets more looks than Crothery.
25. Galloway TB 10 B 8 (9th)
Old, injury prone but still puts up top 20 numbers.
26. Berrian MIN 8 B+ 8 (4th)
Used to catching balls from crappy QBs so Tavaris Jackson shouldn’t be a problem.
27. Moss WSH 10 B- 8 (10th)
Zorn will want to throw more. Moss looks like a safe bet.
28. Chambers SD 9 A- 8 (1st)
The ball will be spread around a lot. Immense talent.
29. Curtis PHI 7 C+ 9 (9th)
It’s Curtis vs Reggie Brown. Either way the ball will get spread around. I’ll go with the guy who posted top 15 numbers. He could be a bargain. Don’t expect consistency.
30. Stallworth CLE 5 C 10 (2nd)
Cleveland’s number 2 (or 3 if you count Winslow)
31. Burleson SEA 4 9 (6th)
SEA’s number 2 a threat to unseat aging Engram. Either way he’ll put a few points.
32. Crotchery NYJ 5 9 (11th)
Jets weren’t afraid to throw to him last year.
33. Driver GB 8 D+ 8 (3rd)
Vault him if he does well in preseason, if not, leave him here.
34. White ATL 7 D 8 (3rd)
A risk with such a crappy team and rookie QB.
35. V. Jackson SD 9 12 (7th)
Had a great AFC champ game and could get more catches than Chambers.
36. Crayton DAL 10 10 (5th)
Dal #2. Wasn’t very productive last year in that role.
37. Porter JAX 7 C+ 12 (2nd)
Watch to see how he gels with Garrard. A bit of a risk because all of JAX receivers are unproven.
38. Bruce SF 9 12 (10th)
In Martz we trust (or at least hope).
39. Ginn JR MIA 4 13 (10th)
They have to justify his high draft pick somehow? Pennington will help.
40. J Walker OAK 5 10 (3rd)
#1 in Oakland. Vault him if Preseason looks good.
41. D. Jackson DEN 8 13th (6th)
Might be worth a flier with Marshall’s suspension
42. Mason BAL 10 D- 12 (9th)
1,000 yard season but no TDs in 2007.
43. R. Brown PHI 7 12 (7th)
#2 option in Philly with upside.
44. B. Johnson SF 9 12 (10th)
If Bruce is hurt he’ll be the clear #1.
45. Meachem NO 9 UND
Undrafted but rising. If he is named #2 over Henderson and Patten, vault him to Top 30.
46. Gage TEN 6 14 (5th)
Could be TEN #1 and very safe bet beyond round 11 or 12.
47. D. Bennett STL 5 12 (12th)
If St. L offense is clicking, he could be a mild sleeper
48. Hester CHI 8 13 (10th)
Worth a flier if you’re comfortable with the rest of your lineup and want decent reward with low risk
49. Gaffney NE 4 13 (5th)
NE slot receiver. Bigger role if Welker goes down or Pats air it out big time again.
50. Gonzales IND 4 10 (3rd)
Should get more looks with Harrison ailing.
51. Mush or Hackett CAR 9 UND
Hackett going higher but not much.
52. D. Thomas WSH 10 UND
Redskins #2 could be featured. Safe risk in last couple rounds.
53. Randle El WSH 10 UND
He could start as #2 in WSH. Watch preseason.
54. Booker CHI 8 14 (2nd)
#1 WR could be worth a look in last round. Probably deserves to be higher than this.
Do whatever you can to take a late flier (13th?) on Branch or Engram.
Tier the top 6. Anything from 7-18 has a high risk/reward factor to it. After 18 is even tougher to gauge and a lot of skill is needed in getting the right guys for the right price. I’m thinking the SB will be won by this position this year as opposed to RBs. Some interesting late round bargains could be had with some serious risks past round 10. If you’re going to roll the dice like this, try to make sure you have 2 sure fire WRs every week. Get a top 3 TE and it’ll make the WR posit less of a risk.
NO battle for #2 will be the biggest factor. Seattle, Washington and Denver need to clear up their depth chart a lot in preseason to make these rankings a bit clearer.
Watch the suspensions to Marshall (3 games) and Steve Smith (2 games).