1. Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia Eagles
Are people still talking about that whole DeSean Jackson thing? Jeremy Maclin has been all that and more for the 2014 Eagles erasing all doubt that had surrounded his offseason recovery from a torn ACL. Leading the team in receptions with 27, receiving yards with 445, and receiving touchdowns after finding the end zone four times this season. In that span Philadelphia is 3rd in the NFL in points scored per game, 7th in the league with 262.3 passing yards per contest, and 9th in the league in total yardage after accruing an average of 378.3 per appearance this season.
This week Maclin will look to show up in the team’s first appearance after a bye while taking a trip cross-country to take on the Arizona Cardinals. A surprise to some, the Cardinals defense is leading the league in YAC allowed this season. Maclin is a speedster and thus yards allowed after the catch is an especially telling statistic in terms of what we can expect from Maclin this weekend.
Projected Statistics: 13 receptions, 177 yards, two touchdowns
2. Jordy Nelson, Green Bay Packers
No stranger to the top 10 in points per week, Nelson faces a Saints defense allowing the second-most points to opposing wide receivers. The second-leading point getter in fantasy football this season should find the amount of success you would expect from a talent of his caliber.
Projected Statistics: 10 receptions 155 yards, two touchdowns
3. Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys
The seventh-highest scoring receiver in fantasy faces a Redskins defense ranked 22nd in fantasy points allowed per game to opposing wide receivers. It’s a match made in heaven in what could prove to be a meaningful game for Dallas in their division race with Philadelphia. Expect a healthy dose of Dez on Monday Night Football.
Projected Statistics: Seven receptions, 123 yards, one touchdown
4. Michael Floyd, Arizona Cardinals
Expect the game between the Cardinals and Eagles to be a high scoring affair, as the top-two receiving in this match up can fly like well, birds. After posting consecutive 10 point affairs in his last two outings, Floyd gets Carson Palmer back just in time to face an Eagles team allowing the 11th most yards per game to opposing wide outs, including four touchdowns in their last three games.
Projected Statistics: 10 receptions 120 yards, one touchdown
5. Golden Tate, Detroit Lions
With Megatron expected to be sidelined yet again with injury, Golden Tate has found his time in the sun. In a game that will take place at 9:30am EST on Sunday Morning, the Lions will take on a Falcons defense giving up the 13th most points to opposing wide receivers.
Projected Statistics: Nine receptions 99 yards, one touchdown
6. Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers
Much like Jordy Nelson before him, Cobb faces a cushy match up as a member of one of the most potent offenses in football. Aaron Rodgers would not leave Cobb out of the fun would he?
Projected Statistics: Four receptions, 77 yards, two touchdowns
7. Sammy Watkins, Buffalo Bills
Watkins has found some chemistry with new Bills’ quarterback Kyle Orton, catching 18 passes in three games, one of which he was shadowed by Patriots’ corner Darrelle Revis. Watkins is a big-play receiver and the lone difference-maker left on the Bills’ offense. Though the Dolphins are a tough match up, Watkins has the athleticism to overcome the odds.
Projected Statistics: Seven receptions, 115 yards
8. Alshon Jeffery, Chicago Bears
Currently enduring whirlwind rumors surrounding the chemistry in the Bears’ locker room, Jeffery has quietly solidified himself as the 17th ranked receiver in fantasy. With teammate Brandon Marshall likely to be shadowed by the aforementioned Revis this week and in a reported clash with teammate Jay Cutler, Jeffery should see the Lions, or should I say Bears’, share of the work this week.
Projected Statistics: 15 receptions, 112 yards
9. Julian Edelman, New England Patriots
New England’s possession-receiving machine continues to be a PPR boon but traditional soring bust. Though he has at least 4 receptions in each game this season, Edelman has not scored since Week 2 in Minnesota, and has yet to top the 100 yard mark on the year. Fortunately for both the receiver and the Patriots’ offense, Chicago is ranked just 17th in yards allowed to the position. Most recently 12 receptions, 127 yards and a score to the Miami Dolphins.
Projected Statistics: 12 receptions 101 yards
10. Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons
The bright side here is that Jones still leads the league in targets, but that is slightly overshadowed by Detroit’s status as the 4th ranked defense against opposing wide receivers. If Atlanta’s offensive line cannot hold against Detroit’s’ ferocious four, Jones target numbers will not come into play. Still, one of the league’s elite receivers and the fifth ranked fantasy wide out will see some production on Sunday.
Projected Statstics: Four receptions, 53 yards, one touchdown
Other Notable Receivers
11. Terrance Williams, Dallas Cowboys VS WAS
12. Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers VS IND
13. Steve Smith, Baltimore Ravens @ CIN
14. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals VS PHI
15. DeSean Jackson, Washington Redskins @ DAL
16. Pierre Garcon, Washington Redskins @ DAL
17. Keenan Allen, San Diego Chargers @ DEN
18. Emmanuel Sanders, Denver Broncos VS SD
19.Kelvin Benjamin, Carolina Panthers VS SEA
20. Mike Wallace, Miami Dolphins @ JAC
21. Mohamed Sanu, Cincinnati Bengals VS BAL
22. DeAndre Hopkins, Houston Texans @ TEN
23. Kendall Wright, Tennessee Titans VS HOU
24. Brandon Marshall, Chicago Bears @ NE
25. Torrey Smith, Baltimore Ravens @ CIN
26. Brian Quick, St. Louis Rams @KC
27. Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City Chiefs VS STL
28. Vincent Jackson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers VS MIN
29. Brandin Cooks, New Orleans Saints VS GB
30. Allen Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars VS MIA