Wide Receivers

Could Impress: Victor Cruz. He’s clearly put his name into the running for best waiver wire claim of the year.  Since the bye, Cruz has had at least six catches and is averaging a score a game. Green Bay’s pass defense hemorrhages yards, meaning Cruz should have another stellar Sunday.

Could Disappoint: Santonio Holmes. He got into the end zone this past week, but his targets and yards leave a lot to be desired. Since week seven, Holmes’ catches read 2-3-6-4-2. Not exactly WR1 or WR2 numbers. In a week with a lot of quality fantasy options, it might be worth benching Holmes instead of hoping he finds the end zone.

Injury Replacement: Nate Burleson. He has 20 catches in the last three games, is available in 83% of leagues, and is playing in what could be the highest scoring game of the year. There are a lot of reasons to like Burleson this week.

 

WR Rankings

1. Wes Welker NE (vs. Indianapolis)

2. Calvin Johnson DET (@ New Orleans)

3. Greg Jennings GB (@ New York Giants)

4. Steve Smith CAR (@ Tampa Bay)

5. Larry Fitzgerald AZ (vs. Dallas)

6. Victor Cruz NYG (vs. Green Bay)

7. Mike Wallace PIT (vs. Cincinnati)

8. Roddy White ATL (@ Houston)

9. Hakeem Nicks NYG (vs. Green Bay)

10. Jordy Nelson GB (@ New York Giants)

11. Brandon Marshall MIA (vs. Oakland)

12. Laurent Robinson DAL (@ Arizona)

13. Vincent Jackson SD (@ Jacksonville)

14. Brandon Lloyd STL (@ San Francisco)

15. Andre Johnson HOU (vs. Atlanta)

16. Marques Colston NO (vs. Detroit)

17. A.J. Green CIN (@ Pittsburgh)

18. Dez Bryant DAL (@ Arizona)

19. Dwayne Bowe KC (@ Chicago)

20. Percy Harvin MIN (vs. Denver)

21. Steve Johnson BUF (vs. Tennessee)

22. DeSean Jackson PHI (@ Seattle)

23. Antonio Brown PIT (vs. Cincinnati)

24. Mike Williams TB (vs. Carolina)

25. Eric Decker DEN (@ Minnesota)

26. Anquan Boldin BAL (@ Cleveland)

27. Plaxico Burress NYJ (@ Washington)

28. Deion Branch NE (vs. Indianapolis)

29. Michael Crabtree SF (vs. St. Louis)

30. Julio Jones ATL (@ Houston)

31. Reggie Wayne IND (@ New England)

32. Santonio Holmes NYJ (@ Washington)

33. Miles Austin DAL (@ Arizona)

34. Pierre Garcon IND (@ New England)

35. Nate Washington TEN (@ Buffalo)

36. Lance Moore NO (vs. Detroit)

37. C.J. Spiller BUF (vs. Tennessee)

38. Santana Moss WAS (vs. New York Jets)

39. Mario Manningham NYG (vs. Green Bay)

40. Nate Burleson DET (@ New Orleans)

41. Greg Little CLE (vs. Baltimore)

42. Torrey Smith BAL (@ Cleveland)

43. Riley Cooper PHI (@ Seattle)

44. Doug Baldwin SEA (vs. Philadelphia)

45. Denarius Moore OAK (@ Miami)

46. Damian Williams TEN (@ Buffalo)

47. Johnny Knox CHI (vs. Kansas City)

48. Jabar Gaffney WAS (vs. New York Jets)

49. David Nelson BUF (vs. Tennessee)

50. Malcom Floyd SD (@ Jacksonville)

 

Tight Ends

Could Impress: Brent Celek. The Seahawks are among the league’s worst at defending the tight end, and Celek has once again become a big player in the Philly’s offense.  He’s averaged 6 catches and 68 yards the last five weeks and is available in nearly 75% of leagues.

Could Disappoint: Brandon Pettigrew. While Celek has become a bigger part of his team’s offense, Pettigrew has disappeared in Detroit. He has 13 catches since the bye and has not scored in double-digits since week 6. There are much better options out there.

Injury Replacement: Scott Chandler. He’s been kept out of the end zone, but in the last two weeks, Chandler is seeing a lot more balls because of the Bills injuries. He’s had 11 catches for 121 yards against Miami and Tennessee and Buffalo will likely have to throw the ball again Sunday with Fred Jackson out.

 

TE Rankings