Top 5 Fantasy Wide Receivers

It is truly a golden age for the wide receiver position in the NFL right now.  With more than 15 top-tier receivers to choose from, this was understandably a very difficult list to make.  Calvin Johnson, or Megatron, may have finally found his Optimus Prime in Bengal's youngster A.J. Green, while Dez Bryant and a field of other outstanding wide receivers hope to adopt the role of Sam Witwicky in this hollywood-esque competition to be the best.

1. Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions
Johnson has been injured for portions of the season (1.5 weeks), yet is only eight fantasy points off the pace of the leading wide receiver A.J. Green.  That's how good Megatron is.  Already with six touchdowns and three games over 100 yards receiving, Calvin Johnson seems to be the Matthew Stafford's only trusted receiver, and should be set up for another fantastic fantasy season.

2. A.J. Green, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
The competition for second place in these rankings was very tight between Green and the Cowboy's Dez Bryant.  The only thing that separates Green from Bryant is Green's marginally larger role in his offense.  Dalton is entirely reliant on Green, who has the 78 targets so far, good for first in the NFL.  More targets will inevitably result in more touchdowns and yards, as has been the case for Green, who is third in the NFL in yards and is tied for fifth in touchdowns.

3. Dez Bryant, WR, Dallas Cowboys
Now, when I said that A.J. Green was more a focal point of his offense than Bryant, I was being very picky, because the Cowboys offense is clearly centered around Bryant, though not to the same extent as the Bengal's is around Green.  Dez is fourth in the NFL with 71 targets this year.  Additionally, these targets have produced the ninth most yards in the league and the second most touchdowns for the electrifying wide receiver.  If Bryant can stay healthy all season, he could surpass Green in these rankings, but fantasy owners have to wish that he was on a team with fewer star playmakers.

4. Wes Welker, WR, Denver Broncos
Welker provides something that no other receiver on this list can truly bring to the table, and that is consistency.  Welker has yet to score less than nine fantasy points (ESPN standard) and has gotten into the end zone in all but one game so far.  As long as Peyton Manning is your quarterback, good things are going to happen, and that has been the experience for Welker.

5. Demaryius Thomas, WR, Denver Broncos
There are so many options for this fifth spot, but every wideout except for Thomas has significant downfalls.  For example, DeSean Jackson, Brandon Marshall, and Vincent Jackson all have tumultuous quarterback situations while Victor Cruz and Eric Decker have been "boom or bust."  Meanwhile, Thomas has no such problem and, with Peyton Manning at quarterback, should continue to produce consistent, impressive numbers.

2013 Season Opener: Ravens @ Broncos

     The wait is now over. Tonight, the reigning Super Bowl Champions will take on one of the greatest quarterbacks in football history to kickoff the 2013 season. The Baltimore Ravens, last year's Super Bowl champions, are traveling to Denver to take on Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. In the 2012 playoffs, the Ravens upset Denver in overtime, and as we know, the Ravens went on to win Super Bowl XLVII. Baltimore lost several key players in the offseason, including Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Paul Kruger, and Anquan Boldin. Quarterback Joe Flacco and running back Ray Rice make up the core of this offense, while the defense still has an abundance of talent capable of dominating the league. Peyton Manning of the Broncos gained yet another offensive weapon in the offseason: slot receiver Wes Welker. Yet this defense will be missing two pass rushers that found extraordinary success in 2012. Linebacker Von Miller was suspended for six games at the start of the season, while defensive end Elvis Dumervil left to play for Baltimore after a contract error. The Ravens offense may have lost a key offensive weapon in Anquan Boldin, but Joe Flacco will have plenty of time in the pocket with both Miller and Dumervil gone. Meanwhile, Peyton Manning will have to face the Ravens defense, and will struggle to consistently put points on the board.
Prediction: Ravens over Broncos 27-24

Top 10 Free Agents: Wes Welker

9. Wes Welker: Personally, I believe Wes Welker is one of the more overrated players in the league. Tom Brady is one of the best quarterbacks in the history of the game, so he makes Welker that much better. Teams will pay way too much for this wide receiver, who as of late has dropped several balls in key situations. Welker's inconsistent hands are still able to catch balls other wide receiver can't, and he is not afraid to take a hit in order to gain the extra yard. Team's who are looking for a wide receiver that may convert on 3rd and 5 should be eying Welker, but Welker is not worthy of big bucks unless he can reduce the amount of balls he drops.