NPC’s 2011 Fantasy Draft Guide: Wide Receivers
By Kim Myers
6. Larry Fitzgerald ARI (Bye Week 6)
With a new big fat contract and a quarterback that’s not Derek Anderson or Matt Leinart, this former Pitt Panther should have a very good season this year. Although, I’m not as sold on Kevin Kolb as everyone else seems to be considering he hasn’t started a whole mess of games in his career he’s already better than the Cards’ past 2 quarterbacks. Although no one is going to toss the ball like Kurt Warner, Kolb should be able to allow Fitzgerald to jump back up to elite status in the world of wideouts. Expect for his 1,137 yards last season and 12.6 yards per catch average to increase this year with a viable quarterback under center.
5. Mike Wallace PIT (Bye Week 11)
Ben’s favorite downfield target got his chance to shine last season after the departure of Santonio Holmes. Amassing 1,257 yards, including a league best in plays of 20 and 40+ yards, Wallace can be yours and mine fantasy favorite this year. The Steelers typically haven’t paid off in fantasy points in the wide receiver category in past years because of the strong running game, but Wallace can change all that. Steeler fans know that Offensive Coordinator Bruce Arians loves to abandon the running game and go to the air, and the
Steelers have the talent this season to accommodate that. Look for Wallace and your fantasy team to reap the benefits.
4. Hakeem Nicks NYG (Bye Week 7)
Nicks had some impressive numbers last season, especially for missing 3 games due to injury. Catching for 1,052 yards with a 13.3 per catch average and 11 touchdowns, little Eli has found himself a favorite target. He’s going to have to keep him as his favorite target considering that
the Giants let Steve Smith go to Philly. Nicks is all over everyone’s top rankings for fantasy wideouts, so listen to the stats nerds and take this guy if you get the chance.
3. Calvin Johnson DET (Bye Week 9)
After having the misfortune of being drafted to Detroit, Johnson finally has a quarterback that (if healthy) can take the brown bags off
of the heads of the fans in the crowd. Johnson has averaged over 1,100 and 12 touchdowns for 2 straight seasons and his numbers can only go up with a health Stafford for the entire season.
2. Roddy White ATL (Bye Week8)
White lead the league last year in receiving yards with 1,389, and although the Falcons drafted Julio Jones, White should continue to increase his numbers with Matt Ryan spreading the ball around the field. White also lead the league in receptions last year with 115, which will result in lots of fantasy points for you considering that will usually mean double digit catches per game.
1. Andre Johnson HOU (Bye Week 11)
I’m not about to go out on a limb and suggest someone other than the #1 rank on every fantasy website I researched. Johnson didn’t finish as the #1 receiver last year, failing to reach 1,500 receiving yards for the first time in 2 years but all the fantasy experts are expecting his numbers to jump back up this year. While lacking in overall reception yards, Johnson made up for it in consistency with a 93.5 yards per game average. Consistency is a valuable asset when it comes to fantasy. One week some other receiver might have a monster game and beat you out on points, but if Johnson holds out with these numbers you’re assured a spot in your fantasy playoffs.