It’s the topic everyone wants to talk about, fantasy football. Our Sundays simply are not complete without fantasy football. With everyone’s draft set to take place soon, let’s take a look at the top 10 wide receivers for the upcoming season. For the record these are fantasy rankings people, NOT overall rankings on ability!
- Julio Jones (Falcons)
Jones lead the NFL in catches (136) and yards (1,871) in 2015. For whatever reason this guy continually gets overlooked despite being one of the games best. I think Jones can have an even better season this season because he actually has some help now. Mohamed Sanu was brought over in the offseason from the Bengals. Atlanta drafted a viable Stanford tight end Austin Hooper in the 3rd round to go along with the continued development of slot guy Justin Hardy. I think Atlanta can vie for a playoff spot this season on the heels of a monster season from Julio Jones.
2. Antonio Brown
No one is more reliable than Brown. This guy is the easy first overall pick in any fantasy draft. Not having Martavis Bryant on the other side might be concerning but then again we know what we are getting here. 120 catches and 1,800 yards sounds about right here there isn’t much more to say.
3. Dez Bryant
Tony Romo is back and that means a big year for Dez Bryant. Because of the down year last year it creates the possibility of getting him later than one should in a draft. Two years ago Bryant was a monster reeling in 16 touchdowns. That was the same year DeMarco Murray had a big season for Big D. With Ezekiel Elliot in town I think the same will come true for the X man.
4. DeAndre Hopkins
I’ll be the first to admit I am not a believer in Brock Osweiler. Nevertheless Hopkins is one of the games best and put up some crazy numbers a year ago with a revolving door at quarterback. Houston is going to be competitive again and have one of the best head coaches in the league with Bill O’Brien. New arrival Will Fuller should also add a needed deep threat in the offense making it more challenging to double team Hopkins.
5. Amari Cooper
This one has breakout written all over it. I have Oakland booked to win the AFC West this season with Amari Cooper becoming a superstar right before our eyes. When he was at Alabama, Cooper always had this knack for getting open and beating defenders over the top. This guy is already one of the most polished route runners in the league and is in for a 1,500 yard, 12 touchdown kind of campaign in 2016.
6. Allen Robinson
Previously I talked about how I am extremely high on the Blake Bortles and the Jaguars as a whole. Bortles to me is a top 5 fantasy quarterback which means someone is going to be the beneficiary. Robinson had a breakout season a year ago with 13 touchdowns and 1,400 yards. The third year for a receiver is usually known for his breakout campaign. With Robinson, 22, expect him to cement himself as one of the best in the league.
7. A.J. Green
Green is the consummate pro who is the definition of a number one receiver. I would like him a heck of a lot more if he had kept his play-caller Hue Jackson and had a different quarterback. Green is going to have to be the man for the Bengals this year as they lost some depth at the position with Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones leaving for more profitable pastures. The Bengals have one of the best rosters in the NFL and this guy is going to put up numbers again.
8. Odell Beckham Jr.
Many fantasy experts are much higher on Beckham than I am. For starters I am very wary of new head coach Ben McAdoo. The Giants offense has been lackluster to say the least under McAdoo’s reign as offensive coordinator. One can’t seem to think that unit improves as he gets handed more responsibilities as a head coach. My gut tells me to not take Beckham and his blooming onion haircut that comes with him. Regardless of my negativity he is still a great football player who will have a productive season, I just tend to not be nearly as high on him.
9. Alshon Jeffrey
I was recently in a fantasy draft the other day and was able to grab him in the 5th round! Look the Bears are not going to be a good football team but that doesn’t go without saying Jeffrey is still a top 10 fantasy option here. 2015 was an injury hampered season but now he looks to be in better form and has a new running mate on the other side in Kevin White. Jay Cutler is going to let it rip this season and realistically has never been a bad fantasy option. I like Jeffrey to bounce back in a big way this year.
10. Keenan Allen
This is another situation where a good receiver is stranded on a bad football team. Allen still has a productive quarterback on his side in Philip Rivers that should help. This is also a horrendous defensive unit that will force the Chargers to throw the football early and often. This guy is the entire Chargers offense and rounds out the top ten accordingly.
