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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Braylon Edwards, WR, Jets. Bye: 7.
After Edwards had zero receptions for zero yards for the Browns in a 23-20 overtime loss to division rival Cincinnati in Week 4, he was shipped to New York for Chansi Stuckey, linebacker Jason Trusnik, and third- and fifth-round draft picks. Edwards wasn’t giving the Browns much effort, and I give them credit for getting rid of him.
What to Like: Edwards went crazy in 2007 (80 receptions for 1,289 yards and 16 touchdowns). He’s only 27.
Concern: Jericho Cotchery will eat receptions, Santonio Holmes is a proven big play guy, and Shonn Greene will get plenty of carries. Edwards better limit his drops this season.
X-Factor: Holmes is suspended for the first four games, and somebody will need to stretch the field. If Edwards can establish an early-season rapport with Mark Sanchez, he can make a fantasy splash.
Edwards’ career is going the wrong direction. It’s time to up the five-hour energy dosage.
Projected 2010 Fantasy Stats: 50 catches. 755 yards. 5 total TDs.
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Johnny Knox, WR, Bears. Bye: 8.
In Mike Martz’ offense, speed kills. As a D2 rookie, Knox used his 4.34 40 flash to catch 45 passes for 527 yards and five touchdowns.
What to Like: With Greg Olsen presumably getting less targets, Knox should see more passes thrown his way.
Concern: Knox still needs to fend off Earl Bennett, who teamed with Jay Cutler at Vanderbilt.
X-Factor: Knox’s build and skill set are perfect for Martz’s system.
Knox’s upside makes him worth the gamble.
Projected 2010 Fantasy Stats: 54 catches. 710 yards. 5 total TDs.
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Mohamed Massaquoi, WR, Browns. Bye: 8.
Massaquoi established himself as a big-play guy as a rookie last season (18.4 YPC).
What to Like: Massaquoi was the Browns’ best receiver last year, which isn’t saying much. Offensive coordinator Brian Daboll spoke highly of Massaquoi’s fundamentals in the Cleveland Plain-Dealer in June.
Concern: Massaquoi never even had 1,000 receiving yards in a season as a Georgia Bulldog. How much of his hype is a product of playing with Knowshon Moreno and Matthew Stafford in college?
X-Factor: People are questioning Jake Delhomme’s ability to throw forward passes.
Massaquoi should be the Browns first receiving option, and he has big-play ability. He’s worth a late-round roster spot.
Projected 2010 Fantasy Stats: 48 catches. 820 yards. 4 total TDs.
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Nate Burleson, WR, Lions. Bye: 9.
On March 5, Nate Burleson agreed to a 5-year $25 million contract with the Lions. I’m guessing they plan to use him.
What to Like: In just 13 games for Seattle last season, Burleson had 63 receptions for 812 yards. Not bad.
Concern: Burleson gets injured. He hasn’t played a full 16-game season since 2007.
X-Factor: Burleson has two nine-touchdown seasons (2004, 2007).
If teams double-cover Calvin Johnson, Burleson has the talent to make them pay.
Projected 2010 Fantasy Stats: 58 catches. 730 yards. 4 total TDs.
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Donnie Avery, WR, Rams. Bye: 9.
Avery had 47 receptions for 589 yards and five touchdowns on a one-win Rams team last season.
What to Like: Avery plays hurt, bulks up and loves to practice. That’s the kind of player I want on my fantasy team.
Concern: Sam Bradford will have growing pains, but still should be better than last year’s three-headed monster of Marc Bulger, Kyle Boller and Keith Null.
X-Factor: Avery had a solid 2008 rookie season (53 receptions for 674 yards and 3 touchdowns).
Avery is a reliable bye week fill-in for leagues that start three receivers.
Projected 2010 Fantasy Stats: 57 catches. 724 yards. 4 total TDs.
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Kenny Britt, WR, Titans. Bye: 9.
Britt emerged as the Titans’ big-play receiver as a rookie in 2009. He had 42 receptions for 701 yards.
What to Like: The smart money appears to be on Britt being Tennessee’s WR1.
Concern: Drops and a bursa sac knee problem derailed Britt’s spring.
X-Factor: Vince Young will run and struggle with accuracy. Even if Britt beats out Nate Washington and Justin Gage as Tennessee’s top receiver, it’s not a position of fantasy wealth.
On top of everything else, Chris Johnson is the Titans offense. There are too many red flags surrounding Britt.
Projected 2010 Fantasy Stats: 40 catches. 680 yards. 5 total TDs.
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Antonio Bryant, WR, Bengals. Bye: 6.
Bryant followed his monster 2008 with a hugely disappointing 2009. Bryant qualified for the Bengals’ “character concerns prerequisite” and signed a 4-year $28-million deal.
What to Like: Bryant is a talented 29-year-old who has produced in the past. If all goes well, he’ll fit in nicely as a complement to Chad Ochocinco.
Concern: Bryant has switched teams six times in eight years. That scares me.
X-Factor: Carson Palmer is a smart quarterback. If Bryant plays hard and well, Palmer will find him.
Bryant won’t replace T.J. Houshmandzadeh, but he could be a decent fantasy WR4.
Projected 2010 Fantasy Stats: 50 catches. 700 yards. 3 total TDs.
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Chaz Schilens, WR, Raiders. Bye: 10.
Schilens missed the first eight games of 2009 with a foot injury, and then managed at least two catches in every game after (despite horrific quarterback play).
What to Like: Everyone seems to agree that Schilens’ size and speed makes him a possible breakout candidate.
Concern: While Jason Campbell is an upgrade over JaMarcus Russell, he’s not the answer at quarterback.
X-Factor: Louis Murphy and Darrius Heyward-Bey didn’t exactly explode last season. The Raiders’ WR1 job is there for the taking.
Schilens skill set makes him in an attractive option, but be weary of anyone wearing silver and black.
Projected 2010 Fantasy Stats: 49 catches. 710 yards. 3 total TDs.
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Golden Tate, WR, Seahawks. Bye: 5.
Tate blew up at Notre Dame last year (93 receptions for 1,496 yards and 18 touchdowns).
What to Like: Pete Carroll is the right coach to capitalize on Tate’s big-play ability. Tate will be a great complement to T.J. Houshmandzadeh’s underneath routes.
Concern: Like all rookies, Tate should face an adjustment period. Fantasy owners need to worry about inconsistency.
X-Factor: If Tate can beat out the walking injury known as Deion Branch, he will be Seattle’s WR2.
Tate’s talent should pay dividends in Seattle at some point. If he starts slow and is floating around free agency, don’t forget about him as the season progresses.
Projected 2010 Fantasy Stats: 48 catches. 720 yards. 3 total TDs.
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Arrelious Benn, WR, Buccaneers. Bye: 4.
Antonio Bryant’s departure paved the way for second-round draft pick Arrelious Benn to potentially make a difference in Tampa.
What to Like: Even though Sammie Stroughter and Mike Williams are pushing Benn for Tampa’s WR1, the Buccaneers should give the nod to the talented Benn in a close competition.
Concern: In Benn’s final season at Illinois, he had 38 receptions for 490 yards and three touchdowns. I know he played in the run-and-grind Big Ten, but that’s still pretty paltry.
X-Factor: Kellen Winslow is clearly Tampa’s first look in the passing game.
Josh Freeman is a work in progress, and so is Benn.
Projected 2010 Fantasy Stats: 50 catches. 530 yards. 5 total TDs.
MISSING
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 16
NFL Power Rankings - Feb. 22
Fantasy Football Rankings - Feb. 19
NFL Picks - Feb. 12
