Fantasy Football Rankings - Tier 5 Wide Receivers

Previous Tiers: Tier 1 - Tier 2 - Tier 3 - Tier 4

Anquan Boldin, Arz – Another guy who missed time (four games) last season and still put up 850+ rec yards.  Another guy who, if healthy, can put up 1100+ rec yards.  If you can get him as a WR2 you’re absolutely set at WR.   Big upside.  Don’t worry about the contract fight, he knows he won’t get paid by anybody if he tanks the season.

Plaxico Burress, NYG – He’ll be over-valued due to his Super Bowl heroics but he’s still the guy Eli Manning looks to in the red zone.  He increased his TD total for each of the past four years, but that streak ends in 2008.  I don’t see anyway he tops 12 touchdown passes this year.  He’s a solid 1000 rec yds / 10 TD option, but he’s not one of the greats.

Greg Jennings, GB –The Favre-Jennings connection produced 920 rec yards and 12 TDs – and Jennings was the WR2.  Not too shabby.  Things have changed now as Jennings is more of the WR1 and Favre is the QB of the Jets.  I expect Jennings to finish with fewer touchdowns and fewer Sportscenter appearances than last year.  Don’t go overboard – he’s a good WR but not a rock star.

Santonio Holmes, Pit – While Hines Ward is still the senior member of the Steelers’ receiving corps, Holmes is now the primary receiver.  That’s good news for Holmes owners, as the Steelers will be throwing the ball more this season and have rookie Limas Sweed around to take some of the heat.  I love the Steelers’ offense this season and as he’s the WR1, I love Holmes’s potential.

Steve Smith, Car – First he gets suspended two games for attacking his own teammate, then he suffers a concussion.  If you’re lucky, he’ll be downgraded at your draft, because once Week 3 rolls around he should explode.  I’m not worried about all the problems, that’s just Steve being Steve.  He has better receivers (Muhammad, Hackett) and a better running game (Stewart) than he’s had in years. 

Wes Welker, NE – What can you say about 112 catches?  I can say that I think he’ll come close to doing it again.  The Patriots have joined the Colts as teams with two legitimate fantasy WR1s.  Expect 1000+ yards and 6-8 TDs again from Welker, which would make him a superb fantasy WR2.   Don’t forget he also runs back punts if your league scores for that.