Wide Receivers

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SI PLAYER RANKINGS FOR 2009 with 2008 stats	RECEPTIONS	RECEIVING YARDS	RECEIVING YDS. PER GAME	100-YD. GAMES	TOTAL TOUCHDOWNS	BYE WEEK
1. Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals	96	1,431	89.4	7	12	4
2. Andre Johnson, Texans	115	1,575	98.4	8	8	10
3. Randy Moss, Patriots	69	1,008	63	4	11	8
4. Greg Jennings, Packers	80	1,292	80.8	5	9	5
5. Anquan Boldin, Cardinals	89	1,038	86.5	3	11	4
6. Marques Colston, Saints	47	760	69.1	3	5	5
7. Steve Smith, Panthers	78	1,421	101.5	8	6	4
8. Roddy White, Falcons	88	1,382	86.4	7	7	4
9. Reggie Wayne, Colts	82	1,145	71.6	4	6	6
10. Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs	86	1,022	63.9	2	7	8
11. Calvin Johnson, Lions	78	1,331	83.2	5	12	7
12. Antonio Bryant, Buccaneers	83	1,248	78	6	7	8
13. Wes Welker, Patriots	111	1,165	72.8	4	3	8
14. Terrell Owens, Bills	69	1,052	65.8	2	10	9
15. Anthony Gonzalez, Colts	57	664	41.5	1	4	6
16. DeSean Jackson, Eagles	62	912	57	2	2	4
17. Santana Moss, Redskins	79	1,044	65.3	3	6	8
18. Brandon Marshall, Broncos	104	1,265	84.3	3	6	7
19. Santonio Holmes, Steelers	55	821	54.7	0	5	8
20. Lee Evans, Bills	63	1,017	63.6	4	3	9
21. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Seahawks	92	904	60.3	2	4	7
22. Michael Crabtree, 49ers*	97	1,165	89.6	4	19	6
23. Eddie Royal, Broncos	91	980	65.3	3	5	7
24. Hines Ward, Steelers	81	1,043	65.2	4	7	8
25. Laveranues Coles, Bengals	70	850	53.1	1	7	8
26. Vincent Jackson, Chargers	59	1,098	68.6	3	7	5
27. Lance Moore, Saints	79	928	58	3	10	5
28. Bernard Berrian, Vikings	48	964	60.3	4	7	9
29. Jerricho Cotchery, Jets	71	858	53.6	1	5	9
30. Steve Breaston, Cardinals	77	1,006	62.9	3	3	4
31. Chad Ochocino, Bengals	53	540	41.5	0	4	8
32. Donald Driver, Packers	74	1,012	63.3	2	5	5
33. Percy Harvin, Vikings*	40	644	53.7	2	7	9
34. Derrick Mason, Ravens	80	1,037	64.8	2	5	7
35. Braylon Edwards, Browns	55	873	54.6	3	3	9
36. Devin Hester, Bears	51	665	44.3	0	3	5
37. Donnie Avery, Rams	53	674	44.9	1	3	9
38. Roy Williams, Cowboys	36	430	28.7	0	2	6
39. Nate Washington, Titans	40	631	39.4	0	3	7
40. Kevin Walter, Texans	60	899	56.2	1	8	10
41. Miles Austin, Cowboys	13	278	23.2	1	3	6
42. Justin Gage, Titans	34	651	54.3	2	6	7
43. Jeremy Maclin, Eagles*	102	1,260	90.0	7	13	4
44. Mark Clayton, Ravens	41	695	43.4	2	3	7
45. Isaac Bruce, 49ers	61	835	52.2	2	7	6
46. Michael Jenkins, Falcons	50	777	48.6	0	3	4
47. Muhsin Muhammad, Panthers	65	923	57.7	1	5	4
48. Devery Henderson, Saints	32	793	49.6	1	3	5
49. Bobby Engram, Chiefs	47	489	37.6	0	0	8
50. Nate Burleson, Seahawks	5	60	60.0	0	1	7
51. Ted Ginn, Dolphins	56	790	49.4	1	2	6
52. Earl Bennett, Bears	0	0	0	0	0	5
53. Antwaan Randle El, Redskins	53	593	37.1	0	4	8
54. Deon Butler, Seahawks*	47	810	62.3	3	7	7
55. Rashied Davis, Bears	35	445	27.8	0	2	5
56. Deion Branch, Seahawks	30	412	51.5	0	4	7
57. Steve Smith, Giants	57	574	35.9	0	1	10
58. Mark Bradley, Chiefs	30	380	31.7	0	3	8
59. Torry Holt, Jaguars	64	796	49.8	0	3	7
60. Chris Chambers, Chargers	33	462	33.0	0	5	5
61. Patrick Crayton, Cowboys	39	550	34.4	0	4	6
62. Hakeem Nicks, Giants*	68	1,222	94.0	5	12	10
63. Joey Galloway, Patriots	13	138	15.3	0	0	8
64. Harry Douglas, Falcons	23	320	20.0	0	1	4

*Rookie (collegestatistics)

TalkingPoints

• A very clearNo. 1 in Larry Fitzgerald, the only receiver worth a first-round pick.

• Greg Jenningsis the lead receiver in a pass-first offense, and he's great at deep balls—aleague-best eight catches of more than 40 yards last year.

HANGIN' ON

• His productiondipped a couple of seasons ago; his team has been relying more on the run; andlast year he was suspended for the first two games. But look at the stats hehad in 2008, working with a so-so quarterback. They're a tribute to how goodSteve Smith still is.

• True, TampaBay's quarterback situation is uncertain, but I still like Antonio Bryant.After all, the Bucs' QB options are better than what they were last year, whenBryant had his breakout season.

• Honeymoon timefor Terrell Owens again. He was great in his first years in Philadelphia andDallas, and everything should be rosy for at least one season in Buffalo.

ON THE RISE

• I can seeAnthony Gonzalez doubling his numbers from last season now that Marvin Harrisonisn't in Indianapolis anymore.

• The Eagles liketo spread the ball around, which is generally bad for owners of a receiver onsuch a team. But Philly's offense is so good that it's worth buying into, andDeSean Jackson is the team's most dangerous wideout.

• BrandonMarshall is a top five talent, but if you don't think a player's immaturity cankill a fantasy team, just ask owners who had Plaxico Burress last year.

• Eddie Royal, onthe other hand, will benefit anytime Marshall falls into disfavor, and he'llalso be helped by Denver's coaching change. He's a Wes Welker type who shouldcatch a lot of balls in former New England coordinator Josh McDaniels'soffense.

ROOKIE TOWATCH

• Percy Harvin isa guy I'll want. He could be the player everyone thought Reggie Bush would be—aspeedster who will get the ball in a variety of situations and go all theway.

• Braylon Edwardshad 16 TDs in 2007. He had a league-high 16 drops in '08. That'll sink you inthe rankings. Yes, it will.

• The ultimatetear-your-hair-out receiver: Devery Henderson. He has good season stats, buthe's so boom or bust from game to game that you're afraid to play him. I wouldbet he leads all receivers in points scored while sitting on fantasybenches.

• When you getdown this low on the list, it's time to take a chance on a guy like Ted Ginn,who has tremendous upside. He's the Dolphins' No. 1 receiver, and while hedidn't do much in his first two seasons, remember that he came into the leaguevery raw as a route runner. The third year is when it clicks for manyreceivers.

• Earl Bennettcaught zero passes in 10 games as a rookie, but he could be set to move up inChicago's thin receiving corps now that Jay Cutler, Bennett's college teammateat Vanderbilt, is the Bears' new QB.

BUYER BEWARE

• The Giantsdrafted Hakeem Nicks in the first round, but that doesn't mean he will start inplace of the departed Plaxico Burress. Don't forget that New York has otheryoung guys, like Domenik Hixon and Mario Manningham—and when was the last timea rookie receiver produced for the Giants?

• Joey Gallowayis tempting. He's a proven receiver joining a productive offense. Still, he'llbe Tom Brady's third wideout, behind Randy Moss and Wes Welker. At 37, in NewEngland's "Jabar Gaffney" slot, it's hard to believe Galloway willproduce consistently.

PHOTO

CHUCK BURTON/AP (SMITH)

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COURTESY OF INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (GONZALEZ)

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COURTESY OF MINNESOTA VIKINGS (HARVIN)

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EVAN PINKUS/NEW YORK GIANTS (NICKS)