Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

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

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

DeSean Jackson @ DAL
Only Mike Wallace (PIT) and Anthony Armstrong (WAS) average more yards per catch than Jackson's 20.1. Jackson gives you 69 yards per game, good for 18th in the league, and has 6 total TDs (5 receiving, 1 rushing) in his 11 games this year. This week he takes on the Cowboys’ 28th-ranked pass defense, which gives up 254 yards and 2 TDs per game. Only four teams give up more big plays than the Cowboys, who give up over 4 per contest. You can bet Vick and Jackson will be testing that secondary all day, and DeSean should go off big time this week, possibly scoring his first TD since Week 10.

Anquan Boldin @ HOU
Boldin, probably the toughest wideout in the league, is getting his owners 64 yards a game and has scored 7 TDs so far. After two “non-existent” weeks at Carolina and against Tampa Bay, Boldin went off against the Steelers last week with 5 catches for 118 yards and a TD in a losing effort. His re-emergence should continue this week against the league's worst pass defense, the Houston Texans. Houston gives up 287 yards and over 2 TDs per game. Their 5 big plays allowed per game and their 27 TDs allowed this season are both worst in the league, and they give up over 8 yards per reception (second-worst in the league). Boldin better be in your lineup this week.

Mike Williams @ WAS
The rookie is a star WR this year—certainly on his surprising Tampa Bay team, despite their pass offense being ranked just 24th in the league. This week Williams gets to experience the “wonder” of the Washington Redskins and their 29th-ranked pass defense. Washington gives up 260 yards per game, so Williams' 64 yards per game average could get a boost this week.

Michael Crabtree vs. SEA
Crabtree has had more than five catches in a game just once this year, and over the last seven games he hasn't had more than four—or more than 61 yards receiving. Pretty lame stats from last year's promising rookie. This week his “Smith” at quarterback switches again—from Alex to Troy and now back to Alex. But regardless of who is throwing him the ball, Crabtree could finally have a breakout game this week against the Seahawks and their 30th-ranked pass defense. Seattle gives up 268 yards per game and has allowed 20 TDs on the year, which means that Crabtree could actually have a productive game this week.

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

Nate Washington vs. IND
Now, I would recommend starting any Titans DB (except Cortland Finnegan—I hate that guy and hope Andre Johnson knocks him out next time) against the Colts ‘cause lately that's good for at least one pick-six from Manning. But this is the Titans offense going up against a Colts pass defense ranked fourth in the league and giving up just 200 yards and 1 TD per game. Kenny Britt might be back, Randy Moss is still a (small) threat, and Kerry Collins is “done”, so Nate Washington and his 45 yards per game has a lot of challenges to overcome this week, making him a poor choice.

Brandon Marshall @ NYJ
Marshall has missed the last couple of games with an injury, but he should return this week to face an extremely upset Jets defense that I expect to bounce back big time at the expense of the Dolphins. And just as Marshall returns, WR Brian Hartline could be leaving after his recent hand surgery. Whether or not Marshall has help with Hartline doesn't really matter—the Jets 14th-ranked pass defense should be focused on shutting down Marshall and his 69 yards per game. You should be focused on finding another option at WR.

Deion Branch @ CHI
The Bears' 13th-ranked pass defense allows just 215 yards per game. Even more impressive is that they've allowed only 9 TDs all year—only the Saints have given up fewer (8). Plus, Chicago generates tons of turnovers between fumbles and INTs (they're first in fumble recoveries and fifth in INTs). Branch has had two big weeks in a row, but this week the Bears might be too much to handle.

Larry Fitzgerald vs. DEN
Fitzgerald is 23rd in the league with 66 yards per game. He has 5 TDs on the year and is 11th in receptions, all despite an inept Cardinals team and a rookie starting quarterback. And speaking of rookie quarterbacks, the Cardinals will likely be led by John Skelton this week, which means that even against the lowly Broncos' 22nd-ranked pass defense (giving up 234 yards and 2 TDs per game), Fitzgerald's mediocre numbers will likely take a dip this week.