These 2014 Fantasy Football Wide Receivers Rankings will be updated often throughout the spring and summer, so make sure you check back from time to time. Also, be sure to check out my other 2014 Fantasy Football articles, which will include sleepers, busts, tons of 2014 Fantasy Football mock drafts and other material. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.
2014 Fantasy Football Rankings - Wide Receivers (Sept. 3):
Top 10 | 11-20 | 21-40 | 41-60 | 61-95
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Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Broncos. Bye: 4.
AUG. 24: The Broncos forced passes to Emmanuel Sanders because he was seeing his first action of the preseason. This led to an interception early on, but Sanders ultimately hauled in five of his eight targets for a whopping 128 yards and two touchdowns in one half of play. With Wes Welker once again dealing with concussion problems, Sanders should continue to see tons of passes thrown his way.
JUNE 19: Emmanuel Sanders has been as advertised thus far, as he has assimilated himself within the Broncos. He has enjoyed a great offseason, even spending extra time with Peyton Manning. He’ll see a big jump in production.
Emmanuel Sanders will obviously see a big boost in production from Peyton Manning. Sanders will step into Eric Decker’s role, though there’s a chance Cody Latimer could beat him out.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Stats: 79 catches. 1,140 yards. 7 total TDs.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Points: 156.
Projected 2014 PPR Fantasy Points: 235.
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T.Y. Hilton, WR, Colts. Bye: 10.
AUG. 8: If the preseason opener is any indication, T.Y. Hilton is going to have a big year. Hilton was targeted four times on the first drive alone, catching three of those balls for 38 yards. Granted, Reggie Wayne didn’t play, but Hilton has been enjoying a fantastic offseason, and he seems poised to dominate in 2014.
AUG. 4: T.Y. Hilton is getting all of the first-team looks, as he’s clearly ahead of Hakeem Nicks on the depth chart. Now in his third year, Hilton could make a huge leap. He caught at least five passes in all but two of his final 11 games in 2013.
T.Y. Hilton caught five touchdowns in 2013, but they all came in two games. Nevertheless, Hilton won’t garner as much attention from opposing defenses this upcoming season with Reggie Wayne back from injury and Hakeem Nicks added to the roster.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Stats: 82 catches. 1,170 yards. 6 total TDs.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Points: 153.
Projected 2014 PPR Fantasy Points: 235.
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Victor Cruz, WR, Giants. Bye: 8.
AUG. 29: Victor Cruz is getting another stock down for Eli Manning’s preseason finale performance. I wouldn’t want any Giant not named Rashad Jennings on my fantasy roster the way the entire offense is playing.
AUG. 17: Victor Cruz has to be given a stock down because of how utterly awful Eli Manning and the team’s offensive line have been this preseason. Cruz was targeted four times at Indianapolis, but only came up with one catch that didn’t count because of a penalty. Manning was 1-of-7 for six yards versus a Colt defense that couldn’t stop the pass last year.
AUG. 4: Neither Victor Cruz nor Rueben Randle was targeted by Eli Manning in three drives during the Hall of Fame Game. While this is obviously a small sample size, it was discouraging to see how little time Manning had in the pocket. This is not good news for Cruz’s fantasy outlook.
JULY 22: All Giants are getting a slight bump down in the rankings today in the wake of Chris Snee’s retirement. The offensive line was a big issue for the team last year, and it appears as though that’ll be the case once again now that it’s clear Snee won’t be returning.
Victor Cruz said that the receivers had a “disconnect” with Eli Manning this past season. That’s what happens when players hold out and get injured. The entire 2013 campaign was a mess for the Giants, so things will be better next year by default. Cruz should be back to scoring 9-10 touchdowns.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Stats: 81 catches. 1,090 yards. 7 total TDs.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Points: 151.
Projected 2014 PPR Fantasy Points: 232.
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Terrance Williams, WR, Cowboys. Bye: 11.
Terrance Williams caught touchdowns in four consecutive games in the middle of the season when Miles Austin-Jones was out of the lineup, but the two receivers split snaps late in the year. Austin-Jones has been released though – making him just “Austin” – opening the door for Williams to be utilized as a full-time No. 2 wideout.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Stats: 72 catches. 1,080 yards. 7 total TDs.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Points: 150.
Projected 2014 PPR Fantasy Points: 222.
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Torrey Smith, WR, Ravens. Bye: 11.
Torrey Smith’s touchdowns were cut in half this past season, dropping from eight to four, but his yardage increased from 855 to 1,128. His scores should revert back to normal, making him a WR2.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Stats: 62 catches. 1,070 yards. 7 total TDs.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Points: 149.
Projected 2014 PPR Fantasy Points: 211.
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Percy Harvin, WR, Seahawks. Bye: 4. 
Percy Harvin caught just one pass in 2013, but he made a huge impact in the Super Bowl with two long runs and a kickoff return for a touchdown. He’ll obviously be a bigger factor next year if he’s healthy, but it remains to be seen if he can remain on the field; Harvin has missed 22 games in the past two seasons, so he can’t be counted on to stay off the injury report.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Stats: 65 catches. 980 total yards. 6 total TDs.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Points: 149.
Projected 2014 PPR Fantasy Points: 214.
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Reggie Wayne, WR, Colts. Bye: 10. 
Reggie Wayne is old (36 in November) and happens to be coming off a torn ACL. That’s not a good combination. Wayne is bound to regress sometime soon, though he still figures to be a decent fantasy producer with Andrew Luck entering his third season.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Stats: 88 catches. 1,170 yards. 5 total TDs.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Points: 147.
Projected 2014 PPR Fantasy Points: 235.
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DeSean Jackson, WR, Redskins. Bye: 10.
DeSean Jackson is coming off the best season of his career, catching 82 balls for 1,332 yards and nine touchdowns. It says a lot though that the Eagles just cut him. Jackson will have some big games with the Redskins, but he should be avoided because he’ll be drafted too early. It’s time to sell high on the perennially overrated Jackson.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Stats: 69 catches. 1,090 yards. 6 total TDs.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Points: 145.
Projected 2014 PPR Fantasy Points: 214.
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Julian Edelman, WR, Patriots. Bye: 10. 
AUG. 23: Some fantasy publications – including those you have to pay for – are pushing the idea that Julian Edelman’s numbers will regress this season. That’s ignoring the fact that Brady loves targeting his slot receier. Edelman actually caught all eight balls thrown to him for 99 yards. He’s going to once again be fantastic in PPR formats.
Danny Amendola was signed to take Wes Welker’s spot in the offense, but Julian Edelman was the one who stepped up. Edelman did his best imitation of Welker, catching 105 passes for 1,056 yards and six touchdowns. Now that he has re-signed with the Patriots, he’ll continue to be a PPR machine.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Stats: 103 catches. 1,030 yards. 6 total TDs.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Points: 139.
Projected 2014 PPR Fantasy Points: 242.
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Anquan Boldin, WR, 49ers. Bye: 8.
Anquan Boldin will be 34 in October, but he’s defied age thus far, catching 85 balls for 1,179 yards and seven touchdowns in 2013. It’s worth noting that his production actually increased when Michael Crabtree returned to the lineup, as defenses could no longer solely focus on him.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Stats: 78 catches. 1,080 yards. 5 total TDs.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Points: 138.
Projected 2014 PPR Fantasy Points: 216.
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Golden Tate, WR, Lions. Bye: 9.
AUG. 17: With Calvin Johnson sidelined at Oakland, Golden Tate tied the starters for the lead in targets with three. He caught the trio of passes for 41 yards, including a 28-yard touchdown in which he completely humiliated Tarell Brown with a double move. The Lions went out of their way to get Tate the ball as much as possible, so he could be in for his best statistical season yet.
Golden Tate was exiled from the Seahawks for rumored reasons, but he actually finds himself in a better situation with Detroit. His numbers should see a bump because of Matthew Stafford, but everyone knows that. Tate will be an overrated commodity come August.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Stats: 72 catches. 990 yards. 6 total TDs.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Points: 135.
Projected 2014 PPR Fantasy Points: 207.
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Justin Hunter, WR, Titans. Bye: 8.
AUG. 24: Justin Hunter is a stud. I’ve been talking him up all offseason, and he has met expectations all the way through. Hunter’s stat line at Atlanta doesn’t say much – three catches, 48 yards – but he drew two defensive penalties downfield. He easily could have had a much bigger night, statistically.
AUG. 17: The main thing that will stick out in the Saints-Titans box score is Justin Hunter’s stat line. The explosive second-year wideout caught four balls for 111 yards and two touchdowns. Only one reception came from Jake Locker, but Hunter has so much potential that he must be targeted late in fantasy drafts. He could have a big year.
Justin Hunter had issues in training camp and didn’t do much early on, but he had some big games toward the end of the season. He finished the year with 18 catches, 354 yards and four touchdowns. He’ll be a bigger part of the offense in 2014.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Stats: 64 catches. 930 yards. 6 total TDs.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Points: 134.
Projected 2014 PPR Fantasy Points: 198.
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Dwayne Bowe, WR, Chiefs. Bye: 6.
AUG. 18: Don’t be discouraged by Dwayne Bowe’s one-game suspension. He looks fantastic. Bowe is in the best shape of his life, and his hard work this offseason is paying off. He was targeted six times against the Panthers, and he managed to haul in five of those balls. One catch was an impressive one, and Bowe fought hard for the first down.
AUG. 16: Dwayne Bowe has been suspended for one game for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy. Bowe obviously deserves a down arrow, but this could actually be a good thing because it’ll cause his ADP to drop, allowing you to obtain him for better value.
JULY 14: Dwayne Bowe has reportedly looked fantastic in OTAs, thanks to an improved workout regimen this offseason. Unfortunately, his stats will never be maximized as long as Alex Smith is his quarterback.
Dwayne Bowe looked like a bum for most of 2013, catching 57 balls for 673 yards and five touchdowns in 15 games. He improved toward the end of the year, but still was just a low-end WR3. The good news is Bowe told the media that he plans on eating healthier this offseason to increase his endurance. That’s great, but he’ll still be handicapped by pedestrian quarterbacking.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Stats: 70 catches. 970 yards. 6 total TDs.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Points: 133.
Projected 2014 PPR Fantasy Points: 203.
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Jeremy Maclin, WR, Eagles. Bye: 7.
AUG. 15: Jeremy Maclin is unlikely to play this weekend because of lingering concerns about his knee. It’s been quite obvious that using a fifth- or sixth-round selection on Maclin is unwise because he can’t stay healthy, so maybe this will finally make his ADP drop. Maclin should be avoided unless he really slips in your league draft.
AUG. 6: Jeremy Maclin has missed some practice time lately because of soreness in his legs. Maclin is very injury-prone – especially now, coming off a torn ACL – so he’s not to be trusted. He’s being overdrafted, so I would avoid him unless he falls.
Jeremy Maclin always seems to be banged up, which is why he has yet to top 1,000 receiving yards in any season. He signed a 1-year “prove it” deal with the Eagles, He figures to be a solid WR3 who has a chance to be a good draft-day bargain.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Stats: 67 catches. 910 yards. 7 total TDs.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Points: 133.
Projected 2014 PPR Fantasy Points: 200.
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Mike Evans, WR, Buccaneers. Bye: 7.
JULY 3: Mike Evans has been training with Brandon Marshall this offseason, according to reports. It’s great that Evans is taking his career seriously thus far. With Josh McCown under center, Evans should have a solid rookie campaign. Keep in mind, however, that rookie wideouts are often overvalued.
I’d recommend staying away from all rookie receivers, but if I had to choose one of Mike Evans or Sammy Watkins, I’d opt for the former. Evans has a competent quarterback throwing the ball to him, as Josh McCown has enjoyed recent success with monstrous receivers.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Stats: 65 catches. 910 yards. 7 total TDs.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Points: 133.
Projected 2014 PPR Fantasy Points: 198.
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Kendall Wright, WR, Titans. Bye: 9.
Kendall Wright has scored only six touchdowns in two seasons, but he’s proven himself to be the PPR performer; he logged 94 receptions in 2013. Having Jake Locker healthy for the entire year would really help, but that’s unlikely to happen.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Stats: 88 catches. 1,080 yards. 4 total TDs.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Points: 132.
Projected 2014 PPR Fantasy Points: 220.
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Mike Wallace, WR, Dolphins. Bye: 5. 
AUG. 17: Mike Wallace saw three targets from Ryan Tannehill, but he failed to come up with a single reception. Tannehill overthrew him, but Wallace then let a ball bounce right off his chest. Wallace also failed to come up with a grab along the sideline. With Tannehill and Wallace failing to develop chemistry last year and this offseason, it’s fair to wonder if Miami’s offense would be better without the former Pittsburgh wideout. Either way, make sure to avoid him in your fantasy draft.
AUG. 1: Mike Wallace will miss the preseason opener with a hamstring injury. Hamstrings linger for receivers, so this is yet another reason to avoid the overrated Wallace in all formats (Wallace is in the top 10 NFL most overrated list.)
As with most free agent receivers who go to inferior teams solely for money, Mike Wallace struggled in his new home, accumulating 930 yards and five touchdowns. He could’ve had a much bigger year, but Ryan Tannehill barely missed him on some throws. Of course, that probably won’t change because Tannehill isn’t very good, so don’t expect much of a rebound campaign from Wallace.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Stats: 69 catches. 960 yards. 6 total TDs.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Points: 132.
Projected 2014 PPR Fantasy Points: 201.
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Kenny Britt, WR, Rams. Bye: 4. 
AUG. 8: Kenny Britt, who has enjoyed a fantastic summer, has emerged as a leader in St. Louis, according to Ian Rapoport. Make sure to grab Britt with one of your final selections because he could have a big rebound season.
AUG. 5: Kenny Britt has reportedly looked explosive in training camp. He has also been named to the starting lineup. Now reunited with Jeff Fisher, Britt could easily have a bounce-back campaign, so he’s worth drafting late. He’s in my updated Fantasy Football Sleepers list.
Kenny Britt has been a huge disappointment the past few seasons because he hasn’t been able to stay healthy. A bad attitude hasn’t helped either. However, he’s reunited with Jeff Fisher in a new home, so this will be a bounce-back opportunity for him.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Stats: 66 catches. 960 yards. 6 total TDs.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Points: 132.
Projected 2014 PPR Fantasy Points: 198.
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Rueben Randle, WR, Giants. Bye: 8. 
AUG. 2: Rueben Randle has been getting lots of end-zone looks in training camp thus far. Eli Manning might force the ball to Randle in scoring territory this season. This means that Randle could approach double-digit scores. He’ll also cause tons of interceptions, but fantasy players aren’t penalized for such things.
Rueben Randle has shown steady progression through two seasons, but not enough, apparently, because the Giants used the No. 12 pick in the 2014 NFL Draft on Odell Beckham.
Projected 2013 Fantasy Stats: 61 catches. 890 yards. 7 total TDs.
Projected 2013 Fantasy Points: 131.
Projected 2013 PPR Fantasy Points: 192.
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Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Panthers. Bye: 12.
AUG. 23: Kelvin Benjamin looks like a star in the making. As the only functional player on Carolina’s offense at New England, Benjamin caught five of the seven balls thrown to him for 47 yards. Keep in mind that he had to deal with Darrelle Revis. Benjamin, unfortunately, is going too early in fantasy drafts. He’s a rookie receiver, so there are better, more experienced options out there. There’s no reason to gamble on an unproven commodity.
AUG. 13: Kelvin Benjamin was named the star of Carolina’s training camp by ESPN Panthers’ David Newton. Benjamin hasn’t played with Cam Newton yet during the preseason, so I didn’t mention him in my preseason stock page. I wouldn’t trust a rookie receiver, but Benjamin still deserves a stock up.
Kelvin Benjamin has major flaws, as one team even had a mid-round grade on him in the 2014 NFL Draft. However, he’s the projected No. 1 wideout in Carolina, so he’ll have his opportunities.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Stats: 62 catches. 930 receiving yards. 6 total TDs.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Points: 129.
Projected 2014 PPR Fantasy Points: 191.
2014 Fantasy Football Rankings - Wide Receivers (Sept. 3):
Top 10 | 11-20 | 21-40 | 41-60 | 61-95
More 2014 Fantasy Football Articles:
Fantasy Football Rankings
2014 Fantasy Football Rankings:
2014 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks - 8/30 (Walt)
2014 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs - 9/3 (Walt)
2014 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers - 9/3 (Walt)
2014 Fantasy Football Rankings: Tight Ends - 8/27 (Walt)
2014 Fantasy Football Rankings: Defenses - 6/4 (Walt)
2014 Fantasy Football Rankings: Kickers - 6/4 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings - 5/18 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings: Dynasty - 8/22 (Walt)
2014 Fantasy Football Mock Drafts:
2014 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: 2-QB - 8/21 (Walt)
2014 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Standard - 8/14 (Walt)
2014 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 8/12 (Walt)
2014 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: 3-WR - 8/7 (Walt)
2014 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Standard - 7/31 (Walt)
2014 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: 3-WR - 7/24 (Walt)
2014 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 7/17 (Walt)
2014 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Standard - 7/10 (Walt)
2014 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets:
2014 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 - 9/3 (Walt)
2014 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 - PPR - 9/3 (Walt)
2014 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 - 2-QB - 9/3 (Walt)
2014 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 - TD - 9/3 (Walt)
2014 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Custom - 9/3 (Walt)
2014 Fantasy Football Spreadsheets - 8/28 (Walt)
2014 Fantasy Football Articles:
2014 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Training Camp - 9/3 (Walt)
2014 Fantasy Football: It's All About Value - 9/1 (Kenny)
2014 Fantasy Football Sleepers - 8/31 (Walt)
2014 Fantasy Football Busts - 8/31 (Walt)
2014 NFL Preseason Recap, Fantasy Football Notes - 8/30 (Walt)
2014 Fantasy Football Preseason Stock - 8/30 (Walt)
2014 Fantasy Football Quarterback Targets - 8/30 (Walt)
FanDuel $1 Million Contest - 8/30 (Walt)
2014 Fantasy Football Mock Draft Simulator - 8/30 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Round-by-Round Strategy - 8/17 (Walt)
2014 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Running Backs - 3/28 (Walt)
2014 Fantasy Football: Overdrafted Players - 2/16 (Walt)
2014 Fantasy Football: First-Round Bust History - 2/14 (Walt)
Running Backs with Most Carries - 2/14 (Walt)
2024 NFL Mock Draft - April 23
NFL Power Rankings - Feb. 22
Fantasy Football Rankings - Feb. 19
NFL Picks - Feb. 12
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Rank higher in touchdown leagues
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Rank higher in PPR (points per reception) leagues
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