Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Always start your studs: Andre Johnson, Reggie Wayne, Roddy White, Terrell Owens, Calvin Johnson, and Brandon Lloyd.

Start 'Em:
Receivers Who Will Outperform Relative To Their Draft Position And Recent Hype

DeSean Jackson vs. HOU
Jackson and the Eagles come into this week following a tough loss against the Bears. But this week things open up for them as they face the 31st ranked pass defense of the Houston Texans. Houston allows 286 yards and 2 TDs per game, and their 25 passing TDs allowed is the most in the league, but most worry-some for them is they allow 8+ yards per completion and give up the 2nd most big plays. Jackson’s 68 yards a game is 21st in the league and his big play potential is probably the highest in the NFL. He averages 19.4 ypc – 5th highest among qualified WRs. This could have the makings of a career day for Jackson.

Santonio Holmes @ NE
This is a huge matchup between division rivals New England and the New York Jets so there will certainly be some curveballs thrown into the mix and things might not shake out as expected by just looking at the stats. However, the Patriots’ pass defense is the worst in the NFL, giving up 289 yards and 2 TDs per game. This should leave the door open for Holmes to improve on his 70 yards per game (which is 17th in the league) and possibly add to his recent string of TDs (4 in the last 3 games), making him a good choice for this weekend.

Steve Smith (CAR) @ SEA
The once mighty Steve Smith (he’s still got a mighty mouth, he just can’t back it up like he used to) is averaging just 44 yards a game and has just 2 TDs on the year… and you thought last year was a downer? In his last three games he’s totaled 126 yards and 0 TDs. But this week the tides may turn against the 30th ranked pass defense of Seattle. The Seahawks give up 279 yards and 2 TDs per game and lead the league in big plays allowed with over 5 per game on average. Regardless of who the Carolina QB is this week, Smith might finally have a game where he actually helps your fantasy team.

Nate Washington vs. JAX
That rotten, good-for-nothing Randy Moss has burnt me too many times this year so I refuse to acknowledge him the rest of this season. Instead I’m going with Nate Washington and his impressive 46 yards a game (yes that’s sarcasm). This week he faces the 28th ranked pass defense of the Jaguars, and hopefully it’ll be with Kerry Collins back under center. The Jags allow 261 yards and 2 TDs per game. They give up the most big plays and allow the highest QB rating in the league, plus they can’t sack or pick off any QB and give up 9 yards per completion – also worst in the league. Hope for Collins to return and then hope that Moss doesn’t decide to finally show up in a game this year.

Bench 'Em:
Receivers Who Will Under Perform Relative To Their Draft Position And Recent Hype

Chad Ochocinco vs. NO
T.O. is still “the man” as far as Cincinnati WRs, and Ochocinco is averaging just 57 yards a game to go with his 4 TDs on the year. He had a big game against Indy three weeks ago, and an OK game against Buffalo two weeks ago (only because he got a TD), but last week he was held in check by the Jets to the tune of 4 catches for 41 yards. This week he takes on a statistically better pass defense in the New Orleans Saints. The Saints are ranked 3rd in the league in pass defense and allow just 198 yards a game, plus they’ve given up the fewest passing TDs in the NFL – seven. It looks like another “Jets” type game for Ocho this week.

Hines Ward @ BAL
Ward is ranked #65 in average yards per game, with just 46; ouch! He’s been a pretty big disappointment this year, but last week he was awakened against the Bills with 7 catches for 107 yards – his first 100-yard game since week 7 and just his 3rd of the year . This week he faces the Ravens’ 7th ranked pass defense, which allows just 206 yards and 1 TD per game. Baltimore makes it tough for QBs that will flow down to the WRs. Mike Wallace might be able to get behind Baltimore and beat them deep but I’m not sure that Ward can have success on his intermediate routes – or have a decent enough game to warrant a start this week.

Smith and Crabtree against the Pack? Time for Plan B.

Michael Crabtree @ GB
Forty-six yards a game. That’s what Crabtree is giving you – 46 yards a game on average; and he only has 5 TDs on the year. He’s been under 60 yards receiving in every game this year except for two (and one of those was 61 yards). He does have 3 TDs in his last four games but Troy Smith is mediocre at best and the Packers’ top 10 pass defense is only allowing 1 TD per game to go along with just 208 yards a game. They’ve allowed just 10 TDs all year and have 15 INTs. They make life very difficult for opposing QBs and that should continue this week, which should result in a bad day for Crabtree.

Santana Moss @NYG
Moss is actually 15th in the league in yards per game with 71, but he only has 3 TDs on the year, and he’s continued his history of inconsistency despite the new regime in D.C. (and I don’t mean the Republican Congress). Over his last three weeks he’s totaled 28 yards, 106 yards and a TD, and 40 yards – in that order. I don’t expect another spike this week as he takes on the Giants and their #1 ranked pass defense. The G-men give up just 186 yards and 1 TD per game on average. With the pressure I expect McNabb to be under all day you shouldn’t expect a lot from the Washington WRs - Chris Cooley being the exception.