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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Sammy Watkins, WR, Bills. Bye: 9. 
AUG. 29: Sammy Watkins was targeted only once by E.J. Manuel in the preseason finale. He then had to leave the game because he aggravated the rib injury he sustained two weeks ago. Watkins is not healthy, and he has the misfortune of catching passes from one of the worst starting quarterbacks in the NFL. Avoid him in fantasy drafts.
AUG. 4: The good news for Sammy Watkins is that he was targeted three times in two drives during the preseason opener. The bad news is that he failed to come up with a single reception. E.J. Manuel looked very pedestrian against a mediocre defense, and it’s a sign of things to come in 2014. Watkins is WAY overdrafted in the seventh round of mock drafts thus far. I wouldn’t take him before Round 10 of 12-team leagues.
JUNE 28: Sammy Watkins told the media that he hasn’t developed a strong connection with E.J. Manuel thus far. That’s not a surprise, given that Manuel is a sub-par passing talent. Rookie receivers are always overhyped, so avoid Watkins this year.
Sammy Watkins is a great talent. Unfortunately, he’ll be paired with E.J. Manuel in the near future, so his upside will be severely limited. Rookie receivers tend to be overrated anyway, so you’ll probably want to stay away from the Clemson product until 2015 when everyone forgets about him and focuses on Amari Cooper instead.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Stats: 61 catches. 930 yards. 6 total TDs.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Points: 129.
Projected 2014 PPR Fantasy Points: 190.
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Jarrett Boykin, WR, Packers. Bye: 9. 
AUG. 17: Jarrett Boykin led all Packer starters with four targets at St. Louis, catching three of them for 21 yards. Boykin will take James Jones’ role this season, making him a viable fantasy option as a potential WR3.
Davante Adams has struggled with drops in OTAs. Richard Rodgers may win the starting tight end job, but he’s a rookie. This is great news for Jarrett Boykin, who played well when given the chance in 2013.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Stats: 66 catches. 930 yards. 6 total TDs.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Points: 129.
Projected 2014 PPR Fantasy Points: 195.
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Hakeem Nicks, WR, Colts. Bye: 10.
AUG. 17: Hakeem Nicks doesn’t always give full effort, but he was motivated to stick it to his former team. He caught five balls for 53 yards in less than one half of action against the Giants. Nicks’ best play was his worst; it was a great catch that was followed by two broken tackles and a sprint upfield for a 36-yard gain. This, however, was nullified by a penalty because he flashed some sort of gang sign at a New York defensive back at the end of the run. Nicks later broke another tackle on a 17-yard reception. It was nice to see the Colts heavily utilize Nicks, but keep in mind that he’s third in the pecking order behind Reggie Wayne and T.Y. Hilton.
AUG. 4: Colts’ offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton told the media this past weekend that he’s disappointed in Hakeem Nicks’ conditioning. It’s a shame that Nicks is continuing to sabotage his career by not working hard enough.
Hakeem Nicks has taken a 1-year “prove it” deal with the Colts. He’ll try harder than ever, giving him some fantasy potential. Of course, he needs to stay healthy, which is something he wasn’t able to do in New York.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Stats: 64 catches. 930 yards. 6 total TDs.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Points: 129.
Projected 2014 PPR Fantasy Points: 193.
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Aaron Dobson, WR, Patriots. Bye: 10.
JULY 9: Aaron Dobson reportedly has a good chance of being ready for training camp after coming off foot surgery. Dobson had some nice outings before he got hurt last year, so he could be a solid fantasy producer this season.
Aaron Dobson appeared as though he were making strides in his rookie campaign – especially when he posted a 5-130-2 line against the Steelers – but a foot injury knocked him out for the next four games, and he never got back on track. There’s a chance he could see a big statistical increase in 2014.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Stats: 67 catches. 820 yards. 6 total TDs.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Points: 128.
Projected 2014 PPR Fantasy Points: 195.
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DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Texans. Bye: 10.
JULY 2: I gave DeAndre Hopkins a stock up recently for meshing well with Ryan Fitzpatrick, but he’s had trouble separating in practice. Hopkins looks to be a No. 2 NFL receiver, and nothing more.
JUNE 26: Ryan Fitzpatrick and DeAndre Hopkins have reportedly developed a strong rapport at OTAs. Hopkins has been taking advantage of Andre Johnson’s absence, and he’s emerging as a potential sleeper receiver. With the focus on the rookie wideouts, the second-year players at that position could provide great value in your draft.
DeAndre Hopkins’ first three games of the season looked like: 5-66, 7-117-1 and 6-60. Things were promising, but his mental errors and the team’s poor quarterbacking capsized his rookie campaign. Hopkins is worthy of buy-low consideration.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Stats: 63 catches. 920 yards. 6 total TDs.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Points: 128.
Projected 2014 PPR Fantasy Points: 191.
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Wes Welker, WR, Broncos. Bye: 4. 
SEPT. 2: Wes Welker has been suspended for four games for PEDs. Welker should have been avoided anyway because of his concussions. This, however, could cause him to really drop in remaining fantasy drafts, allowing you to obtain him for great value.
AUG. 24: Wes Welker suffered a concussion at the very end of the first half on a shoulder-to-helmet hit by Texans’ safety D.J. Swearinger. This is a huge deal because Welker has an extensive concussion history. He missed several games last year because of two concussions. Even if he’s ready for Week 1, Welker is a huge injury risk. Another concussion could sideline him for some time, and he’s very prone to getting them.
Wes Welker, 33 in May, is no longer the slot receiver he once was. He had a hot start to his 2013 campaign, but caught just two touchdowns after Week 6 (he missed the final three weeks of the year, but he still struggled to find the end zone). Given his concussion issues, I’d recommend staying away from him.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Stats: 69 catches. 790 yards. 5 total TDs.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Points: 126.
Projected 2014 PPR Fantasy Points: 189.
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Markus Wheaton, WR, Steelers. Bye: 12.
AUG. 22: Ben Roethlisberger talked up Markus Wheaton, saying the second-year receiver will surprise people this year. He’s been starting across from Antonio Brown the entire offseason.
Markus Wheaton disappointed as a rookie and now will have to battle Martavis Bryant for the No. 2 job.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Stats: 63 catches. 860 yards. 5 total TDs.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Points: 126.
Projected 2014 PPR Fantasy Points: 189.
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Brandin Cooks, WR, Saints. Bye: 6.
JULY 19: Brandin Cooks has drawn a ton of acclaim from his showing at the OTAs, from players, coaches and beat writers. It’s hard to trust rookies – especially considering how overhyped they get – but Cooks could be an exception to the rule. ESPN’s Mike Triplett predicts 70 catches, and there definitely will be lots of scoring opportunities.
Brandin Cooks hauled in a whopping 128 balls for 1,730 yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior in 2013. He projects as a slot receiver at the next level and will probably be chosen in the second round.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Stats: 62 catches. 890 yards. 6 total TDs.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Points: 125.
Projected 2014 PPR Fantasy Points: 187.
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Greg Jennings, WR, Vikings. Bye: 10.
Greg Jennings, taking more money to play with a far inferior quarterback, was a predictable bust. He had just four good games in 2013. He’ll be better with an upgrade at the quarterback position, but he’ll likely continue to disappoint, as he was a clear product of Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Stats: 71 catches. 890 yards. 6 total TDs.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Points: 125.
Projected 2014 PPR Fantasy Points: 196.
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Andre Holmes, WR, Raiders. Bye: 5.
AUG. 7: Andre Holmes has been Oakland’s best receiver in training camp, and he has emerged as Matt Schaub’s most reliable target. Holmes finished on a strong note last year, so he makes for a nice sleeper.
Andre Holmes’ 2014 numbers (25 catches, 431 yards, one touchdown) don’t look too impressive, but he didn’t even play until Week 11. He did all of his damage in the final seven contests, so if you extrapolate his figures over 16 games, you get 57 catches, 985 yards and a pair of scores. Holmes has a chance to be a much greater part of the offense in 2014, but he’ll have plenty of competition.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Stats: 62 catches. 940 yards. 5 total TDs.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Points: 124.
Projected 2014 PPR Fantasy Points: 186.
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Brian Hartline, WR, Dolphins. Bye: 5.
Brian Hartline is coming off his second-consecutive 1,000-yard season. Unfortunately, he doesn’t score enough – five total touchdowns in the past two seasons – to be anything more than a WR3/4.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Stats: 73 catches. 1,000 yards. 4 total TDs.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Points: 124.
Projected 2014 PPR Fantasy Points: 197.
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Riley Cooper, WR, Eagles. Bye: 7. 
AUG. 22: Riley Cooper had a rough night against the Steelers. He saw six targets go his way, but caught just half of them for 25 yards. He dropped a touchdown and had the ball knocked out of his hands for what would’ve been a 20-yard gain. He was also flagged for offensive pass interference in the end zone.
Riley Cooper barely did anything with QBDK on the field, but he turned out to be Nick Foles’ favorite target. Cooper re-signed with the Eagles, which is good news for his fantasy outlook. However, he’ll be overrated because of his touchdown total. Before you draft him, remember that he eclipsed 53 yards in just one of his final six games.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Stats: 52 catches. 870 yards. 6 total TDs.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Points: 123.
Projected 2014 PPR Fantasy Points: 175.
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Eric Decker, WR, Jets. Bye: 11.
Free agent receivers who go from great teams/quarterbacks to less-lucrative situations often fail to meet expectations. That’s likely to happen to Eric Decker, who was a product of Peyton Manning. Decker won’t produce much with either of the Jet quarterbacks.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Stats: 68 catches. 840 yards. 6 total TDs.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Points: 120.
Projected 2014 PPR Fantasy Points: 188.
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Steve Smith, WR, Ravens. Bye: 11. 
AUG. 24: I thought the Ravens overpaid for Steve Smith, who looked decrepit last year. It’s still too early to say for sure, but it appears as though I was way off on that opinion. Smith somehow looks completely rejuvenated. He saw a team-high seven targets in the third preseason game, snagging six of them for 80 yards and a touchdown. This wasn’t bogus yardage either; he had a 30-yard reception in which he broke free of multiple tacklers and angrily fought for extra yards. His score was a thing of beauty, as he reeled in a 24-yarder while diving out of the back of the end zone. His only blemish was a fumble in the 2-minute drill, but the ball rolled out of bounds.
Steve Smith looked done in 2010, but he had a nice surge in 2011 and 2012 with Cam Newton. Unfortunately, Smith’s speed is now officially gone, which is why he was limited to 745 yards and four touchdowns this past season. He’s no longer a starting-caliber fantasy receiver.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Stats: 68 catches. 900 yards. 5 total TDs.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Points: 120.
Projected 2014 PPR Fantasy Points: 188.
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Mohamed Sanu, WR, Bengals. Bye: 4.
AUG. 25: Mohamed Sanu led the Bengals with 70 receiving yards on five catches in just one half at Arizona. He finished with one target fewer than A.J. Green. With Marvin Jones sidelined until December, it appears as though Sanu will be a big part of Cincinnati’s offense.
Andy Dalton targeted Mohamed Sanu on two of his eight passes against the Jets. Sanu came down with both, tallying 56 yards and a touchdown in the process. It appears as though the Bengals have no choice but to use him in the wake of Marvin Jones’ injury.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Stats: 67 catches. 900 receiving yards. 5 total TDs.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Points: 120.
Projected 2014 PPR Fantasy Points: 180.
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Malcom Floyd, WR, Chargers. Bye: 10.
Malcom Floyd was named the MVP of the Chargers’ OTAs by Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Floyd was in the middle of a fantastic outing at Philadelphia last year (5-102) when he suffered a scary neck injury. He has returned, and with Philip Rivers back to form, he might make for a nice late-round selection.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Stats: 60 catches. 900 yards. 5 total TDs.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Points: 120.
Projected 2014 PPR Fantasy Points: 180.
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Danny Amendola, WR, Patriots. Bye: 10.
JUNE 11 UPDATE: Danny Amendola has reportedly thrived at OTAs. This is a nice opportunity to buy low for Amendola, but just keep in mind that he looked good last summer as well. His 2013 season was derailed by a Week 1 injury, and Amendola is constantly hurt.
Danny Amendola was one of the NFL’s most disappointing players in 2013. Expected to take Wes Welker’s role, Amendola caught just 54 passes for 633 yards and two touchdowns. There’s a chance he’ll improve, and at this point, he must be considered a buy-low candidate.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Stats: 67 catches. 790 yards. 5 total TDs.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Points: 119.
Projected 2014 PPR Fantasy Points: 186.
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Cecil Shorts, WR, Jaguars. Bye: 11.
AUG. 29: Cecil Shorts played with Blake Bortles in the preseason finale, but didn’t catch a single pass. He was targeted just once on a play in which Bortles was nearly picked off. Shorts is not worth a fantasy roster spot right now.
AUG. 23: Cecil Shorts saw his first action of the preseason at Detroit. He failed to catch either of his two targets. Marqise Lee and Allen Hurns were much more involved offensively, so Shorts may have to fight for targets. Factor in his injury issues, and Shorts is nothing more than late-round fodder.
JULY 28: Cecil Shorts ended up straining his hamstring during practice on Friday. He’ll be out for two weeks, and it’s unlikely that he’ll play all 16 games because hamstring maladies tend to resurface for receivers.
JULY 26: Cecil Shorts has endured a troublesome hamstring throughout the offseason, and it got worse on Friday when he had to leave practice early because it was giving him problems. Hamstring injuries tend to linger, especially for receivers.
Cecil Shorts had a disappointing 2013 campaign, thanks to inept quarterbacking and a lingering sports hernia. He’ll be healthy next year with what should be a better signal-caller (assuming Blake Bortles starts), making him a nice buy-low candidate, especially with people focusing on Jacksonville’s two rookie wideouts.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Stats: 61 catches. 860 yards. 5 total TDs.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Points: 116.
Projected 2014 PPR Fantasy Points: 177.
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Doug Baldwin, WR, Seahawks. Bye: 4.
Doug Baldwin’s fantasy outlook depends on two things: Sidney Rice’s health and how quickly Paul Richardson can integrate into the offense. Baldwin could be a WR3 or a WR6 depending on what happens.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Stats: 56 catches. 840 yards. 5 total TDs.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Points: 114.
Projected 2014 PPR Fantasy Points: 170.
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Nate Washington, WR, Titans. Bye: 9.
Jake Locker loves throwing to Nate Washington. Unfortunately, Washington will have to worry about Justin Hunter eating into his targets.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Stats: 60 catches. 890 yards. 4 total TD.
Projected 2014 Fantasy Points: 113.
Projected 2014 PPR Fantasy Points: 173.
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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Potential bust
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Potential sleeper
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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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Rank lower in PPR leagues
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