These 2011 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 my other 2011 Fantasy Football articles, which will include sleepers, busts, tons of 2011 Fantasy Football mock drafts and other material. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.
2011 Fantasy Football Rankings - Wide Receivers (Sept. 5):
Top 10 | 11-20 | 21-40 | 41-60 | 61-80 | 81-100
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Miles Austin-Jones, WR, Cowboys. Bye: 5. 
AUG. 30 UPDATE: Miles Austin-Jones is having issues with his hamstring right now. Soft-tissue maladies like that tend to linger, so it’s a bit of a concern.
Dez Bryant is drawing all of the attention, but Miles Austin-Jones remains Tony Romo’s favorite receiver. In five full games with Romo, Austin-Jones caught 33 passes for 486 yards and two touchdowns. Not included in those stats is a 68-yard touchdown against the Vikings that was wiped out because of a shaky offensive pass interference penalty.
Austin-Jones struggled down the stretch with Jon Kitna and Stephen McGee as his quarterbacks, so he could be somewhat of a forgotten man when your fantasy draft rolls around this summer.
Projected 2011 Fantasy Stats: 78 catches. 1,190 yards. 8 total TDs.
Projected 2011 Fantasy Points: 167.
Projected 2011 PPR Fantasy Points: 245.
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Mike Williams, WR, Buccaneers. Bye: 8. 
I loved Mike Williams last year. He was one of my biggest sleepers, and I drafted him in most of my leagues. Unfortunately, he’s not under the radar anymore, so you’ll have to spend a late-third, early-fourth on him in your fantasy draft. Williams won’t disappoint, but there’s no value with him this summer.
Projected 2011 Fantasy Stats: 72 catches. 1,050 yards. 10 total TDs.
Projected 2011 Fantasy Points: 165.
Projected 2011 PPR Fantasy Points: 237.
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Steve Johnson, WR, Bills. Bye: 7.
AUG. 28 UPDATE: Steve Johnson had another strong preseason performance, catching all four of his targets for 76 yards and a touchdown. Johnson is pretty underrated by regular fantasy players, so you can probably land him at a great bargain price in the late fourth, or early fifth round.
AUG. 15 UPDATE: Steve Johnson caught all three of his targets for 15 yards in one quarter of action in the preseason opener at Chicago. It’s nice to see that he’s still a big part of the offense following his breakout 2010 campaign. Don’t have any reservations about drafting him to be your WR2.
Steve Johnson came out of nowhere to bypass Lee Evans as the No. 1 receiver in Buffalo in 2010. Johnson hauled in 82 receptions for 1,073 yards and 10 touchdowns, which is very impressive because he didn’t do much in the first four weeks of the season. Johnson and Ryan Fitzpatrick have a great rapport, and the Kentucky product could easily improve upon last year’s numbers in 2011.
Projected 2011 Fantasy Stats: 86 catches. 1,140 yards. 8 total TDs.
Projected 2011 Fantasy Points: 162.
Projected 2011 PPR Fantasy Points: 248.
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Brandon Marshall, WR, Dolphins. Bye: 5. 
AUG. 29 UPDATE: Brandon Marshall caught two balls for 90 yards and a touchdown at Tampa Bay. Marshall completely abused some Bucs corner named E.J. Biggers throughout the first half. He beat Biggers on a 60-yard touchdown on the opening drive and then drew a pass interference penalty on him in the second quarter. He also drew the same infraction later on Myron Lewis. Marshall is a stud receiver, but if you draft him, you’ll have to deal with Chad Henne’s frustrating inconsistency.
AUG. 21 UPDATE: Brandon Marshall caught five of his six targets for 46 yards in the preseason victory over Carolina. Marshall looked good and figures to be a borderline WR1 option in PPR leagues again. Unfortunately, his potential is capped because of Henne’s inconsistency and red-zone ineptness.
AUG. 14 UPDATE: Brandon Marshall didn’t play in the preseason opener at Atlanta, but he needs to have a stock down because Chad Henne is absolute garbage. I was really hoping for a rebound campaign from Marshall with Kyle Orton as the quarterback, but the Dolphins are stuck with the putrid Henne.
AUG. 5 UPDATE: I’ve been hyping up Brandon Marshall all summer, but I’m cooling off on him because, as you may guess, the Dolphins failed to upgrade their quarterback position. Chad Henne is terrible and will continue to limit Marshall’s production. I still expect Marshall to rebound from a down year, but his potential won’t be anywhere close to maximized with Henne.
JULY 12 UPDATE: Brandon Marshall has really been working hard on improving his speed this offseason. I think this is huge, as it quells my concern that Marshall could have been distracted in the wake of getting stabbed by his crazy wife. Like Ben Roethlisberger last year, Marshall has apparently put aside an off-the-field issue to improve his game.
As long as Brandon Marshall’s lunatic wife stays away from her knife collection, Brandon Marshall should be good to go for 2011. The touchdown total is the greater concern right now. Marshall scored just three times in 2010, thanks in large part to Chad Henne’s red-zone ineptness.
The quarterback problem is the key. If the Dolphins keep Henne as the starter, Marshall will struggle to score. If, however, Marshall is paired with a familiar partner in Kyle Orton, his production will go way up. Marshall scored 10 touchdowns with Orton in 2009.
Projected 2011 Fantasy Stats: 93 catches. 1,130 yards. 7 total TDs.
Projected 2011 Fantasy Points: 159.
Projected 2011 PPR Fantasy Points: 255.
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Mario Manningham, WR, Giants. Bye: 8. 
AUG. 30 UPDATE: Mario Manningham saw a team-high nine targets against the Jets. He caught only three balls for 36 yards, but that had more to do with Eli Manning’s struggles. Manning missed a wide-open Manningham for an 85-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Manningham is showing that last season’s strong finish wasn’t a fluke; he’s a strong WR2.
AUG. 23 UPDATE: Mario Manningham led the Giants with seven targets in the preseason win against the Bears. He caught four balls for 39 yards, and would have expanded on those stats if he could have hauled in a catchable 15-yard pass in the first quarter. There’s no doubt about it – with Steve Smith gone, Manningham is a legitimate fantasy WR2 with upside.
AUG. 11 UPDATE: Steve Smith is officially gone, signing with the Eagles on Wednesday night. Mario Manningham is now Eli Manning’s clear-cut No. 2 wideout for the entire year.
I would draft Mario Manningham over Steve Smith this year. Smith is coming off knee surgery and may not be ready for the start of the season. Furthermore, Smith has admitted that he’s concerned that he has lost some explosiveness. Oh, and check out Manningham’s numbers in the final three games of the 2010 campaign: 16 catches, 346 yards, four touchdowns.
Manningham is entering his contract year, so I’m expecting him to post some huge numbers if Smith does in fact miss a big chunk of the 2011 season.
Projected 2011 Fantasy Stats: 73 catches. 1,110 yards. 8 total TDs.
Projected 2011 Fantasy Points: 159.
Projected 2011 PPR Fantasy Points: 232.
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Reggie Wayne, WR, Colts. Bye: 11.
SEPT. 8 UPDATE: Yet another downgrade for Reggie Wayne because Peyton Manning could have a third neck surgery soon.
SEPT. 5 UPDATE: It sounds like Peyton Manning could be out 4-5 games. Downgrade.
AUG. 27 UPDATE: Reggie Wayne caught six balls for 105 yards and a touchdown in one half of action versus Green Bay. This was huge, as it proved that Wayne can still produce without Peyton Manning.
AUG. 8 UPDATE: Doing some housekeeping here. About a week ago, I decreased Peyton Manning’s stats just a bit because of his neck injury. Reggie Wayne’s numbers should fall slightly as well.
I was way off on Reggie Wayne last year. He finished the 2009 season poorly because of a knee issue. I didn’t like that or his age (33 this November), so I labeled him as a potential bust. He proved me wrong, but I’m still a bit skeptical. I’m really not a fan of drafting receivers 32 years or older. Wideouts usually regress at that age. Also, Peyton Manning will have all of his weapons back, so he won’t have to depend on Wayne as much.
Projected 2011 Fantasy Stats: 90 catches. 1,100 yards. 8 total TDs.
Projected 2011 Fantasy Points: 158.
Projected 2011 PPR Fantasy Points: 248.
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DeSean Jackson, WR, Eagles. Bye: 7. 
AUG. 26 UPDATE: DeSean Jackson was targeted four times in the exhibition win over the Browns, but didn’t catch a single pass in one full half of action. Jackson is incredibly overrated in fantasy leagues. He barely did anything following his concussion last year, and Philadelphia’s offensive line will prevent its quarterback from finding him downfield.
DeSean Jackson suffered a monstrous hit in a Thursday night battle against the Texans. Ever since then, he ran nothing but go routes. He demolished the Cowboys the following Sunday, but subsequent teams caught on. Jackson’s final three games: seven catches, 131 yards, no touchdowns. And speaking of no touchdowns, Jackson found the end zone only once after Nov. 15.
Jackson is one of the most dynamic players in the NFL, but he’s way too brittle. Let someone else spend an early pick on him.
Projected 2011 Fantasy Stats: 50 catches. 1,010 rec. yards. 130 rushing yards. 7 total TDs.
Projected 2011 Fantasy Points: 156.
Projected 2011 PPR Fantasy Points: 206.
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Santonio Holmes, WR, Jets. Bye: 8.
Santonio Holmes is a free agent, but it’ll be a shocker if he’s not back with the Jets next season. He caught 52 passes for 746 yards and six touchdowns despite missing five games (counting Week 17). He’ll be more comfortable with Mark Sanchez next year, so there’s no reason not to expect a great year from the former Steeler.
Projected 2011 Fantasy Stats: 74 catches. 1,060 yards. 8 total TDs.
Projected 2011 Fantasy Points: 154.
Projected 2011 PPR Fantasy Points: 228.
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Dwayne Bowe, WR, Chiefs. Bye: 6.
SEPT. 5 UPDATE: Dwayne Bowe has to be downgraded because Matt Cassel might miss a few games with cracked ribs.
SEPT. 2 UPDATE: Dwayne Bowe saw seven targets from Matt Cassel and finished with eight receptions for 85 yards and a touchdown in two-and-a-half quarters of action in the preseason finale. Kansas City’s offense is due for a major decline this season, but Bowe is still a stud.
Dwayne Bowe’s touchdown totals throughout his career: 5, 7, 4, 15. See an outlier? There is no way Bowe is going to come close to matching that mark of 15.
I’m down on all Kansas City players. The Chiefs had an unbelievably easy schedule last year, taking advantage of multiple teams when they were at their very worst. Things will regress back to the norm for Kansas City, especially with Charle Weis heading down to Florida.
Projected 2011 Fantasy Stats: 70 catches. 1,050 yards. 8 total TDs.
Projected 2011 Fantasy Points: 153.
Projected 2011 PPR Fantasy Points: 223.
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Percy Harvin, WR, Vikings. Bye: 9.
JULY 28 UPDATE: Donovan McNabb is done, but he’s still a current upgrade over Christian Ponder. Santana Moss compiled 1,100 yards with McNabb at the helm in Washington last year, so I don’t see why Percy Harvin can’t do the same, especially now that he’ll be featured more in the wake of Sidney Rice’s departure.
Stay away from Percy “The Collard Kector” Harvin. Christian Ponder is pro-ready, but he’s still a rookie with a mediocre arm. Harvin will struggle in 2010, but at least he gets interviewed by hot women (fast forward to :43 for the famous quote).
Projected 2011 Fantasy Stats: 76 catches. 1,000 rec. yards. 150 rushing yards. 6 total TDs.
Projected 2011 Fantasy Points: 151.
Projected 2011 PPR Fantasy Points: 227.
2011 Fantasy Football Rankings - Wide Receivers (Sept. 5):
Top 10 | 11-20 | 21-40 | 41-60 | 61-80 | 81-100
More 2011 Fantasy Football Articles:
2011 Fantasy Football: Home
2011 Fantasy Football Rankings:
2011 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks - 9/8 (Walt)
2011 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs - 9/8 (Walt)
2011 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers - 9/8 (Walt)
2011 Fantasy Football Rankings: Tight Ends - 9/8 (Walt)
2011 Fantasy Football Rankings: Defenses - 9/1 (Walt)
2011 Fantasy Football Rankings: Kickers - 6/26 (Walt)
2011 Fantasy Football Downloadable Spreadsheets - 9/8 (Walt)
2011 Fantasy Football Dynasty Rookie Rankings - 8/27 (Walt)
2011 Fantasy Football Auction Values - 8/27 (Walt)
2011 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets:
2011 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 150 Traditional - 9/8 (Walt)
2011 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 150 PPR - 9/8 (Walt)
2011 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 150 Touchdown - 9/8 (Walt)
2011 Fantasy Football Mock Drafts:
2011 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Real League Draft - 8/31 (Walt)
2011 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Fake Mock - 8/25 (Walt)
2011 Fantasy Football Experts Draft - 8/25 (Walt)
2011 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Forum 2-QB Mock - 7/21 (Walt)
2011 Fantasy Football: Mock Draft Scenarios - 7/17 (Walt)
2011 Fantasy Football Auction: Mock PPR Auction - 7/14 (Walt)
2011 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Forum PPR Mock - 7/7 (Walt)
2011 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Forum Mock - 7/3 (Walt)
2011 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Four-Man PPR Draft - 6/19 (Walt)
2011 Fantasy Football Draft: Fox Sports - 5/5 (Walt)
2011 Fantasy Football Articles:
2011 Fantasy Football Injury Reports: Week 2 - 9/18 (Walt)
2011 Fantasy Football Weekly Rankings: Week 2 - 9/18 (Walt)
2011 Fantasy Football: Week 2 Add/Drop - 9/13 (Walt)
2011 Fantasy Football: Training Camp Stock - 9/8 (Walt)
2011 Fantasy Football: Start Em, Sit Em - 9/6 (Walt)
2011 Fantasy Football: Preseason Stock - 9/3 (Walt)
2011 Preseason Recap and Fantasy Football Notes - 9/3 (Walt)
2011 Fantasy Football: Preseason Targets - 9/3 (Walt)
2011 Fantasy Football: Late-Round Sleepers - 9/1 (Walt)
2011 Fantasy Football: Round-by-Round Strategy - 9/1 (Walt)
2011 Fantasy Football: Value Comparison - 9/1
2011 Fantasy Football: Must-Have Players - 8/24 (Walt)
2011 Fantasy Football: Busts, Players to Avoid - 7/25 (Walt)
2011 Fantasy Football Mailbag - 7/24 (Walt)
2011 Fantasy Football Sleepers - 7/23 (Walt)
2011 Fantasy Football: Various League Strategy - 7/18 (Walt)
2011 Fantasy Football: Three-Dimensional Running Backs - 7/16 (Walt)
2011 Fantasy Football: ADP Analysis - 7/15 (Walt)
2011 Fantasy Football: First-Round Bust History - 7/10 (Walt)
2011 Fantasy Football Mailbag - 7/9 (Walt)
2011 Fantasy Football Mailbag - 7/4 (Walt)
2011 Fantasy Football Mock Draft Analysis - 7/1 (Walt)
2011 Fantasy Football Mailbag - 6/18 (Walt)
2011 Fantasy Football Mailbag - 6/12 (Walt)
2011 Fantasy Football Mailbag - 6/5 (Walt)
2011 Fantasy Football: Stock Up (Draft) - 5/6 (Walt)
2011 Fantasy Football: Stock Down (Draft) - 5/6 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Buy Low - 4/8 (Walt)
2011 Fantasy Football: Defense Strategy - 4/8 (Walt)
Running Backs with Most Carries - 4/8 (Walt)
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NFL Picks - Oct. 30
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Oct. 30
NFL Power Rankings - Oct. 28
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4
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Rank higher in PPR (points per reception) leagues
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Rank lower in PPR leagues
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