Wide Receivers

Could Impress: A.J. Green. The rookie breaks the top-10 in this week’s rankings, and for good reason. The Colts have been burned by #1 wideouts this season, giving up big points to the likes of Andre Johnson, Mike Wallace and Dwayne Bowe. Despite just five games under his belt, Green is already showing he is an elite receiver. Based on the matchup, this should be a big week for the youngster.

Could Disappoint: Percy Harvin. Despite touchdowns in three of his four games against Chicago, Harvin has been an afterthought in the Vikings offense. Harvin received just two targets against the porous Cardinals pass defense last week. With no real other pass options, the Bears will stick the physical Charles Tillman on Harvin, limiting his ability to be explosive. It’ll be another tough week for Harvin owners.

Keep an eye on: David Nelson. Donald Jones is going to miss some time, and Nelson should reap the rewards more than anyone. Ryan Fitzpatrick is comfortable with Nelson around the goal-line. Nelson should see plenty of targets as the possession receiver and will be a good play in PPR leagues.

Injury Replacement: Michael Crabtree. Name a healthy 49ers receiver other than Crabtree. My point exactly. Crabtree is one of the few healthy targets for Alex Smith with Josh Morgan and Braylon Edwards out. At the very least, you’d think he will get six catches and 50 yards against Detroit.

WR Rankings

1. Calvin Johnson DET (vs. San Francisco)

2. Wes Welker NE (vs. Dallas)

3. Steve Smith CAR (@ Atlanta)

4. Roddy White ATL (vs. Carolina)

5. Greg Jennings GB (vs. St. Louis)

6. Hakeem Nicks NYG (vs. Buffalo)

7. Mike Wallace PIT (vs. Jacksonville)

8. Miles Austin DAL (@New England)

9. Stevie Johnson BUF (@ New York Giants)

10. A.J. Green CIN (vs. Indianapolis)

11. Marques Colston NO (@Tampa Bay)

12. DeSean Jackson PHI (@ Washington)

13. Jeremy Maclin PHI (@Washington)

14. Dez Bryant DAL (@New England)

15. Pierre Garcon IND (@Cincinnati)

16. Santana Moss WAS (Philadelphia)

17. Santonio Holmes NYJ (vs. Miami)

18. Jordy Nelson GB (vs. St. Louis)

19. Reggie Wayne IND (@Cincinnati)

20. Brandon Marshall MIA (@New York Jets)

21. Victor Cruz NYG (vs. Buffalo)

22. Anquan Boldin BAL (vs.Houston)

23. Mario Manningham NYG (vs. Buffalo)

24. Percy Harvin MIN (@Chicago)

25. Deion Branch NE (vs. Dallas)

26. Mike Williams TB (vs. New Orleans)

27. Plaxico Burress NYJ (vs. Miami)

28. Robert Meachem NO (@Tampa Bay)

29. David Nelson BUF (@New York Giants)

30. Johnny Knox CHI (vs. Minnesota)

30. James Jones GB (vs. St. Louis)

32. Michael Crabtree SF (@Detroit)

33. Jabar Gaffney WAS (vs. Philadelphia)

34. Mike Thomas JAX (@Pittsburgh)

35. Lance Moore NO (@Tampa Bay)

36. Darrius Heyward-Bey OAK (vs. Cleveland)

37. Hines Ward PIT (vs. Jacksonville)

38. Jason Avant PHI (@Washington)

39. Denarius Moore OAK (vs. Cleveland)

39. Harry Douglas ATL (vs. Carolina)

41. Antonio Brown PIT (vs. Jacksonville)

42. Kevin Walter HOU (@Baltimore)

43. Jacoby Ford OAK (vs. Cleveland)

44. Danario Alexander STL (@Green Bay)

45. Lee Evans BAL (vs. Houston)

46. Greg Little CLE (@Oakland)

47. Davone Bess MIA (@New York Jets)

48. Jerome Simpson CIN (vs. Indianapolis)

49. Jacoby Jones HOU (@Baltimore)

50. Titus Young DET (vs. San Francisco)

 

 

Tight Ends

 

Could Impress: Aaron Hernandez. Despite coming off a knee injury last week, Hernandez saw more looks than any other Patriots receiver. Dallas is the 7^th worst team at defending tight ends, and both of the Patriots should have good day; but only Hernandez will put up big yardage as well.

Could Disappoint: Dallas Clark. It’s sad to say, but Clark should probably not be owned in a 10-team league any longer. In Curtis Painter’s two starts, he’s got just four catches as the Colts use bigger tight ends to help in the blocking game. If you want to keep Clark out of nostalgia, at least keep him on your bench.

Keep an eye on: Kellen Winslow. He’s owned in more than 85% of leagues, but he could be a sneaky trade option down the road. Winslow has been incredibly consistent in what has been an inconsistent year for the Bucs receiving corp. He has really nice fantasy matchups in weeks 13-16, which just so happens to be the fantasy postseason. Make the trade during the week 8 bye and do you can likely get him for cheap.

Injury Replacement: Fred Davis. He’s taking over the starting spot over Chris Cooley, and the Eagles have had trouble defending quality tight ends. You always like offenses coming off of a bye, and Davis should be a big part of the game plan this week.

 

TE Rankings

1. Jimmy Graham NO (@Tampa Bay)

2. Vernon Davis SF (@Detroit)

3. Jermichael Finley GB (vs. St. Louis)

4. Jason Witten DAL (@New England)

5. Rob Gronkowski NE (vs. Dallas)

6. Tony Gonzalez ATL (vs. Carolina)

7. Aaron Hernandez NE (vs. Dallas)

8. Owen Daniels HOU (@Baltimore)

9. Brandon Pettigrew DET (vs. San Francisco)

10. Dustin Keller NYJ (vs. Miami)

11. Greg Olsen CAR (@Atlanta)

12. Kellen Winslow TB (vs. New Orleans)

13. Benjamin Watson CLE (@Oakland)

14. Fred Davis WSH (vs. Philadelphia)

15. Jermaine Gresham CIN (vs. Indianapolis)

16. Marcedes Lewis JAX (@Pittsburgh)

17. Scott Chandler BUF (@New York Giants)

18. Jake Ballard NYG (vs. Buffalo)

19. Heath Miller PIT (vs.  Jacksonville)

20. Visanthe Shiancoe MIN (@Chicago)

21. Joel Dreessen HOU (@Baltimore)

22. Ed Dickson BAL (vs. Houston)

23. Dallas Clark IND (@Cincinnati)

24. Chris Cooley WSH (vs. Philadephia)

25. Delanie Walker SF (@Detroit)