By Steve Strange. Steve Strange, a graduate of Penn State’s Center for Sports Journalism in 2006, is currently writing Fantasy is Reality, a book geared around the commissioner aspect of fantasy sports. Steve has been playing fantasy sports of all sorts and sizes since 1997. Feel free to e-mail Steve questions and comments at [email protected].
These 2010 Fantasy Football Wide Receivers Rankings will be updated often throughout the summer, so make sure you check back from time to time. Also, be sure to check out the other 2010 Fantasy Football articles, which will include sleepers, busts, tons of 2010 Fantasy Football mock drafts and other material.
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Anquan Boldin, WR, Ravens. Bye: 8.
After spending the last few years battling injuries and fuming over his contract, Boldin finally appears happy and healthy in Baltimore.
What to Like: Boldin, a 220-pound bruiser, is a good match with the physicality of the Ravens offense. He’s a good No. 1 receiver for Baltimore.
Concern: In the last two years Boldin has fractured his paranasal sinuses, sprained ankles, and yelled at Todd Haley in the heart of an NFC championship game. His health and attitude are in question.
X-Factor: Derrick Mason will be a great complement to Boldin. Mason is good enough to hurt defenses, but not great enough to outshine Boldin.
Boldin fits the Ravens smash-mouth mindset, and he could be in line for a big season.
Projected 2010 Fantasy Stats: 84 catches. 1,080 yards. 9 total TDs.
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Miles Austin, WR, Cowboys. Bye: 4.
Miles Austin’s life changed when he had 10 receptions for 250 yards and two touchdowns in Week 5 of last season.
What to Like: Austin was at his best during the fantasy playoffs. He had 39 receptions in his final five regular season games.
Concern: Austin was on a few a sleeper lists last year, but he basically came out of nowhere. There’s always that “one-year wonder” fear.
X-Factor: Dez Bryant has the tools to be a beast. The faster Bryant matures, the quicker Austin’s fantasy value deflates.
Austin is mature, consistent and hard working, and he has Tony Romo’s trust. He should stay productive.
Projected 2010 Fantasy Stats: 79 catches. 1,280 yards. 6 total TDs.
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Brandon Marshall, WR, Broncos. Bye: 5.
Marshall was disrupting Broncos practice drills last summer. Now he’s with Bill Parcells, Ronnie Brown and the Wildcat in Miami.
What to Like: Falling through television sets and getting suspended hasn’t stopped Marshall from hauling in over 100 receptions each of the last three seasons.
Concern: The Wildcat is Miami’s most effective offense. I think Marshall will help the Dolphins, but his numbers may take a slight hit. Is “The Beast” going to be OK with that?
X-Factor: Brian Hartline, Greg Camarillo, Davone Bess and Anthony Fasano are solid professionals, but do any of them scare defenses? Marshall could see a lot of double coverage.
He’s really talented, and probably eager to fit in.
Projected 2010 Fantasy Stats: 85 catches. 1,220 yards. 6 total TDs.
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Steve Smith, WR, Panthers. Bye: 6.
Smith broke his arm playing flag football in June, and he broke Ken Lucas’ nose during a training camp fight in 2008. Smith needs to find a way to save that energy and rage for the season.
What to Like: Smith survived drug activity and gang violence growing up in Athens Park, and became one of the best receivers in the NFL. He isn’t going to fade without a fight.
Concern: The Panthers love to run the ball, and don’t have a proven quarterback or legit No. 2 receiver. Smith will likely see tons of double coverage.
X-Factor: Smith was targeted 129 times in 2008, catching 78 balls for 1,421 yards. Smith was targeted 129 times in 2009, grabbing 66 balls for 979 yards. This concerns me a little bit.
Smith is only 31 years old; he’s not ancient. He’ll find a way to get it done.
Projected 2010 Fantasy Stats: 71 catches. 1,190 yards. 8 total TDs.
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Chad Ochocinco, WR, Bengals. Bye: 6.
Some people started to write off Ochocinco after his understandably bad, Carson Palmer-less 2008. Ochocinco rebounded last season with 72 catches, 1,047 yards, and nine touchdowns. No reason he can’t put those numbers up again.
What to Like: For all the theatrics, Ochocinco trains hard, and plays harder.
Concern: The Bengals offense has transformed with age. Although offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski and company are pass-happy at heart, Cedric Benson plowing away worked best for the Bengals last year.
X-Factor: Antonio Bryant had problems at past stops. How will Bryant mesh with the eccentric Ochocinco?
Ochocinco and Palmer have always had great rapport. As long as No. 85 has his quarterback, he’s a solid fantasy WR2.
Projected 2010 Fantasy Stats: 74 catches. 1,080 yards. 9 total TDs.
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Steve Smith, WR, Giants. Bye: 8.
Smith became Eli Manning’s favorite target, and had a breakout season in 2009. He hauled in 107 receptions for 1,220 yards, and seven touchdowns.
What to Like: Smith is 25 years old, and is beginning his fourth year with the New York Giants. If last season was for real, Smith is entering his prime.
Concern: Hakeem Nicks is fast and powerful. He’s everything Eli Manning could want in a receiver.
X-Factor: Kevin Boss had 42 receptions for 567 yards last season, and has 11 touchdowns over the past two seasons. Boss is only 26 years old, and has become a reliable security blanket for Manning.
Even if others chip into Smith’s production, last season established him as a fantasy threat.
Projected 2010 Fantasy Stats: 91 catches. 1,110 yards. 6 total TDs.
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Michael Crabtree, WR, 49ers. Bye: 9.
I think Crabtree’s 2009 success is understated. As a rookie who missed training camp, preseason and the first five regular season games, Crabtree never had fewer than three receptions in the 11 games he played in. He was a factor every week he played.
What to Like: Crabtree has the talent, and with Frank Gore and Vernon Davis motoring around, the 49ers offense should have spark.
Concern: Alex Smith’s NFL career has been a disappointment so far, but he started to turn things around last season. Like all receivers, Crabtree needs a quarterback who can get him the ball.
X-Factor: The 49ers drafted Anthony Davis and Mike Iupati in the first round of this year’s draft. Both are expected to solidify the offensive line as rookies.
Crabtree’s a talented receiver on a team headed in the right direction.
Projected 2010 Fantasy Stats: 82 catches. 990 yards. 8 total TDs.
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T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR, Seahawks. Bye: 5.
Last year Houshmandzadeh played through injuries to his groin, stomach, and ribs. This season fantasy publications are underrating him.
What to Like: New offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates is running a version of the West Coast offense, which allows Houshmandzadeh to run the underneath routes he’s so good at.
Concern: Houshmandzadeh turns 33 in September, and his yearly reception totals are trending downward.
X-Factor: Will Pete Carroll’s energy breed new life into vets like Matt Hasselbeck and Houshmandzadeh? Does this Seahawks group have one last run, or does the roster need to be completely overhauled?
Houshmandzadeh should rack up receptions, but don’t expect big yardage or touchdown totals.
Projected 2010 Fantasy Stats: 92 catches. 915 yards. 7 total TDs.
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Hines Ward, WR, Steelers. Bye: 5.
Ward keeps getting older, and his reception totals keep increasing.
What to Like: Ben Roethlisberger’s suspension should not hurt Hines Ward at all. Roethlisberger trusted Heath Miller, and gambled with Santonio Holmes. Ward was not Ben’s go-to guy.
Concern: Sooner or later the abuse is going to add up, and Hines Ward is going to wear out.
X-Factor: On June 28, Willie Colon, who had the potential to be a top level tackle, was lost for the season (Achilles’). Leftwich and company will now be operating behind a patchwork offensive line.
Ward has been consistently solid for over a decade.
Projected 2010 Fantasy Stats: 83 catches. 1,060 yards. 6 total TDs.
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Percy Harvin, WR, Vikings. Bye: 4.
Harvin silenced all size and character questions by having a great rookie season. He’s a playmaker.
What to Like: Harvin ran the ball 15 times for 135 yards last season. That’s almost a first down per carry. Brad Childress has to be smart enough to continue feeding his explosive youngster.
Concern: The Vikings have stacked their offense with talented young football players. Everyone is going to have to share the rock.
X-Factor: Harvin has a history of getting migraine headaches.
Harvin can score from anywhere on the field. He has the potential to be this year’s DeSean Jackson.
Projected 2010 Fantasy Stats: 68 catches. 970 yards. 9 total TDs.
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More 2010 Fantasy Football Articles:
2010 Fantasy Football: Home
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings:
2010 Fantasy Football Playoff Rankings - 1/5 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Week 17 Fantasy Rankings - 1/2 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks - 8/31 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks - 6/6 (Steve)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs - 9/6 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs - 7/3 (Steve)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers - 9/7 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers - 7/14 (Steve)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Tight Ends - 8/31 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Tight Ends - 7/20 (Steve)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Kickers - 6/10 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Defenses - 6/11 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Auction Values - 9/2 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: IDP Defensive Linemen - 8/3 (Steve)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: IDP Linebackers - 8/7 (Steve)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: IDP Defensive Backs - 8/14 (Steve)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Team-by-Team - 6/7 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Dynasty Rookie Rankings - 4/30 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Rookie Rankings - 4/29 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets:
2010 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 150 Traditional - 9/6 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 150 PPR - 9/6 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 150 Touchdown League - 9/6 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Downloadable Spreadsheets - 9/7 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Mock Drafts:
2010 Fantasy Football Draft: WF.com Free League - 9/7 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Draft: Real Traditional Draft - 9/1 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Draft: Real PPR Draft - 8/26 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Draft: Real PPR Draft - 8/18 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Draft: Real Experts PPR Draft - 8/12 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Experts Mock Draft - 8/12 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Draft: Pros vs. Joes - 7/28 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR Draft with AKA - 7/20 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Mocking ESPN's Fantasy Mock Draft - 7/7 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: The Four-Man PPR Fantasy Draft - 7/1 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Articles:
2010 Fantasy Football Injury Reports: Week 17 - 1/2 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Start Em, Sit Em - 12/29 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Add/Drop - 12/20 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Stock Index - Week 8 - 10/29 (John)
2010 Fantasy Football Buffet: Week 8 - 10/28 (Steve)
2010 Fantasy Football Stock - 9/7 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Preseason Stock - 9/3 (Walt)
2010 NFL Preseason Recap, Fantasy Football Notes - 9/3 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: High-Upside Late-Round Sleepers - 8/25 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Top 12 Players to Avoid - 8/25 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Undervalued Players - 8/13 (John)
2010 Fantasy Football: Buy Low - 8/6 (Walt)
ESPN's 2010 Fantasy Football Magazine Errors - 8/3 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Defense Strategy - 8/2 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: My Round-by-Round Strategy - 7/27 (Walt)
Lack of 2010 Fantasy Depth: Blame the 2008 NFL Draft Class - 7/26 (John)
2010 Fantasy Football: Why You Should Pass on Chris Johnson - 7/14 (John)
2010 Fantasy Football: Draft Strategies - 7/13 (John)
2010 Fantasy Football: Wide Receiver Scarcity - 6/30 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Sleepers (Late-Round) - 6/2 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Sleepers (Mid-Round) - 6/1 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Busts - 5/31 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Mailbag - 5/29 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Quarterbacks with New Receivers - 5/1 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: 2010 NFL Draft Stock Up - 4/29 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: 2010 NFL Draft Stock Down - 4/29 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Free Agency Stock Up - 4/15 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Free Agency Stock Down - 4/12 (Walt)
Running Backs with Most Carries - 4/10 (Walt)
2024 NFL Mock Draft - April 23
NFL Power Rankings - Feb. 22
Fantasy Football Rankings - Feb. 19
NFL Picks - Feb. 12
