Wide Receiver Report: Feast or Famine
They are who we thought they were. Except, not really. Fact is, your wide receiver selections in Fantazzle this year have probably been burning you in the first four weeks. In the Fantasy Challenge format you’re gunning for the superstars and many of them are not producing (i.e. – Braylon Edwards, Andre Johnson and Ocho Cinco). In the salary cap format you’re waisting serious salary cap space on alleged superstars who end up being a waste of money (money that you could have used to give yourself a better Running Back core).
So what do you do? You re-evaluate, that’s what you do. Here are some wide receivers that you’re going to want to look at for Week 5 that may not have been at the top of your radar prior to the season:
Desean Jackson - Great play in the Fantazzle Salary Cap format. Eagles play the Skins this week and although Washington did a great job with the Cowboys passing game, they tend to fall victim to a big play here and there. Desean Jackson has big play written all over him. Desean will find himself on the right side of a Carlos Rogers matchup more than once on Sunday, so plan on a big play or two.
Brandon Marshall – If I have to explain to you why Marshall is a good play, then that means you’re wasting your time and money. Denver is at home against Tampa Bay this week and they are looking to bounce back from an embarrassing loss to the Chiefs. Marshall already has 398 yards and 3 TD’s this season. And yes, to answer those harassing emails that you all keep sending me, I do, in fact, have a man-crush on Mr. Marshall. There, I said it.
Reggie Wayne - Reintroduce Wayne to your starting 5 this week. He’s had a productive 3 weeks of the season so far (bye week for the Colts in Week 4) with 298 receiving yards and 2 TD’s. The Colts offensive line is finally at full strength coming off their bye week. Expect them to pass it around in a high scoring game at Houston this week.
Braylon Edwards – Sure, he’s on a bye this week, but that probably means he’ll get you about the same amount of points that he would have if the Browns were actually playing. Really hoping this guy picks it up, but it’s not looking too promising. Braylon’s got 95 receiving yards and 1 TD through Week 4. Just to give you some perspective, the following players have more receiving yards than Braylon: Mike Tolbert, Visanthe Shiancoe, Dane Looker and Johnnie Lee Higgins. Johnnie Lee Who? Yikes.
Mushin Muhammad - In the Salary Cap Format this guy is a steal this week. He’s clearly a threat every time the Panthers visit the red zone, and lately, he’s making big grabs on his way to the redzone. He’s only got 1 TD so far this year, but he’s got 287 receiving yards. Carolina is at home against the Chiefs this week. Again, I’m talking salary cap format here. Solid play.
Larry Fitzgerald - Fitz has the Bills at home this week. The Bills are 4-0 but are not exactly shutting people down on defense. Warner will look to atone for his turnover riddled day last week and will be looking to Fitzgerald all day. Factor in that Boldin is probably going to sit this one out for precautionary reasons and you’ve got a good opportunity. Fitz already has 415 yards and 2 TD’s this season. That’s nasty.
Santana Moss - Does 421 yards and 3 TD’s through 4 weeks sound good to you? Don’t ignore this guy just because the Redskins offense hasn’t been flashy over the last few years. The more Jason Campbell gets comfortable in this offense, the more he finds Moss deep down the field.
Greg Jennings - 482 Yards and 2 TD’s in 4 weeks is pretty amazing. Clearly Aaron Rodgers knows what he’s doing in Green Bay and he’s smart enough to have realized that Jennings should be the primary target (it appears that Donald Driver is now riding Shotgun. Get it? Driver? Shotgun? Baaaaazing). Green Bay hosts the Falcons this week. Rodgers is banged up, but I would still take the risk and consider Jennings. Even if Flynn ends up starting, I’d suspect he finds Jennings on more than a few occasions.
Lee Evans - I’m not sure Evans is ever going to live up to his potential, but 332 yards and 1 TD through 4 weeks is pretty decent. He’s probably startable in both the Challenge and Salary Cap formats this week because Buffalo is at Arizona. I don’t think I need to remind you what Coles and Cotchery did to Arizona last week (5 TD’s between them in case you forgot). Adrian Wilson is likely out again in the Cardinals secondary this week. Look for Evans to cruise.
Dwayne Bowe - At this point, I’m starting to warm up to the fact that Kansas City might actually be able to move the ball this season. The main reason for that is Damon Huard. The fact that Herm “you play to win the game” Edwards didn’t start Huard at the beginning of the season is almost criminal. Bowe has 267 total receiving yards already this year and 2 TD’s. That’s pretty good for an offense that has been inept for about 3 out of their 4 games. Both Bowe and Huard have confidence in each other and that makes for a nice dynamic. Definitely a guy to take a flyer on.
