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Fantasy Football 2011: Week 1 Wide Receiver Rankings

Ranking the wideouts for week one was quite the daunting task. Since games have yet to played, I pretty much have to base it off of my own rankings sprinkled in with some match-ups. It is not without flaws, though, especially since defenses fluctuate each year. At this juncture of the season, don't get cute. Play the guys you drafted high.

Some key injuries to note: Sidney Rice has a shoulder injury and may not play against San Francisco. I have not ranked him. Lance Moore is out against the Packers in the Thursday Night Game. Check out the rankings after the jump.

Players I Like More Than You Do:

Dez Bryant - If Miles Austin is 100%, I expect him to be hanging out at Revis Island all night on Sunday. Bryant, along with Jason Witten, stand to benefit and will see his fair share of targets against the Jets. The Jets should have a strong run D again in 2011, so I expect Tony Romo and the Cowboys to pass, pass and pass.

Kenny Britt - Coach Mike Munchak has stated himself that he expects to turn Britt loose against an awful Jaguars secondary. Last time QB Matt Hasselbeck played the Jaguars, he exploded for 4 touchdowns...against the same exact cornerbacks playing this Sunday. Expect a healthy dose of targets for Britt while the Jaguars try to prevent being run all over by CJ2K. Britt should have himself a huge day.

Jeremy Maclin - I know Maclin is just getting healthy, but he's practiced all week and with focus likely to be on Desean Jackson, I expect Vick to look Maclin's way often (especially if the Rams bring the heat and blitz Vick all day).

Players I Don't Like More Than You Do:

Reggie Wayne - With Peyton Manning out for week 1 and possibly beyond, it's officially time to downgrade all Colts. While Kerry Collins can still throw a nice deep ball, he's no Peyton Manning. With a plethora of offensive weapons, I don't expect Collins to force-feed the ball to Wayne. The Colts will try to establish the running game and keep the explosive Texans Offense off the field.

Greg Jennings - Aaron Rodgers LOVES TE Jermichel Finley. I think people are expecting way too much from Jennings this year. Be careful not to overrate last year's statistics; you need to analyze how the statistics were produced. Look at the games in which Jennings and Finley both played...back? Now check out the games in which Jennings produced without Finley....see what I mean? With Jordy Nelson, James Jones and Donald Driver still around to steal targets, I don't think Jennings does much against the Saints.

Miles Austin - Austin is likely to be spending his Sunday Night under the palm trees of Revis Island, and his stats will struggle as a result. Tony Romo's favorite target is also currently nursing a hamstring injury. With the D focused on Austin, Dez Bryant and Jason Witten stand to benefit.

Rankings are below, and please let me know if you have any questions or concerns with the list. You can follow me on Twitter or ask any questions there.

For all other rankings, go over to our friends at Fantasy Rundown.

Wide Receiver Team Opponent
1. Andre Johnson Houston Indianapolis
2. Calvin Johnson Detroit Tampa Bay
3. Larry Fitzgerald Arizona Carolina
4. Hakeem Nicks NY Giants Washington
5. Dez Bryant Dallas NY Jets
6. Vincent Jackson San Diego Minnesota
7. Kenny Britt Tennessee Jacksonville
8. Mike Wallace Pitssburgh Baltimore
9. Roddy White Atlanta Chicago
10. Desean Jackson Philadephia St. Louis
11. Brandon Marshall Miami New England
12. Mike Williams Tampa Bay Detroit
13 .Santonio Holmes NY Jets Dallas
14. Dwayne Bowe Kansas City Buffalo
15. Mario Manningham NY Giants Washington
16. Percy Harvin Minnesota San Diego
17. Brandon Lloyd Denver Oakland
18. Greg Jennings Green Bay New Orleans
19. Wes Welker New England Miami
20. Marques Colston New Orleans Green Bay
21. Jeremy Maclin Philadelphia St. Louis
22. Miles Austin Dallas NY Jets
23. Stevie Johnson Buffalo Kansas City
24. Steve Smith Carolina Arizona
25. Santana Moss Washington NY Giants
26. Anquan Boldin Baltimore Pittsburgh
27. Reggie Wayne Indianapolis Houston
28. Chad Ochocinco New England Miami
29. Danny Amendola St. Louis Philadelphia
30. Mike Thomas Jacksonville Tennessee
31. Julio Jones Atlanta Chicago
32. Jacoby Ford Oakland Denver
33. Plaxico Burress NY Jets Dallas
34. Braylon Edwards San Francisco Seattle
35. Robert Meachem New Orleans Green Bay
36. Johnny Knox Chicago Atlanta
37. Lee Evans Baltimore Pittsburgh
38. AJ Green Cincinnati Cleveland
39. Nate Burleson Detroit Tampa Bay
40. Davone Bess Miami New England
41. Mike Sims-Walker St. Louis Philadelphia
42. Malcolm Floyd San Diego Minnesota
43. Austin Collie Indianapolis Houston
44. Mike Williams Seattle San Francisco
45. Jordy Nelson Green Bay New Orleans
46. Hines Ward Pittsburgh Baltimore
47. Earl Bennett Chicago Atlanta
48. Antonio Brown Pittsburgh Baltimore
49. Brandon Gibson
St. Louis
Philadelphia
50. Greg Little Cleveland Cincinnati