1. Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys
2013 Statistics: 17 receptions, 201 yards and two touchdowns
Bryant may be coming off a lackluster fantasy performance that saw him gain less than 40 yards, but he's going to be going up against a San Diego Chargers pass defense that has given up a 100-yard receiver in each of their first three games. Bryant, who has put up a touchdown in nine of his last 11 outings, is currently performing below par as the 18th-ranked fantasy receiver through three weeks. Expect him to have a field day against a defense that ranks 23rd in the league against fantasy receivers.
Projected Statistics: Seven receptions, 125 yards and two touchdowns
2. Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons
2013 Statistics: 27 receptions, 373 yards and two touchdowns
Jones leads the NFL in receptions and yards through the first three weeks. With Roddy White continued to be slowed down to injury and Steven Jackson still out of action, Jones will continue to get his targets. He's the No. 1 overall fantasy receiver at this point in the season in both PPR and standard leagues. While the New England Patriots have allowed the fifth-lowest fantasy points to receivers in 2013, they haven't exactly played the best pass offenses the NFL has to offer. Going up against Atlanta is going to be a much different ball game than lining up against the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Projected Statistics: Nine receptions, 160 yards and one touchdown
3. Demaryius Thomas, Denver Broncos
2013 Statistics: 20 receptions, 307 yards and two touchdowns
Thomas is one Broncos' receiver that hasn't been impacted by the increase of receiving options for Peyton Manning. He's sixth in the NFL in receptions and fourth in receiving yards. This has led to a No. 9 overall ranking among fantasy wide receivers through three weeks. Thomas now goes up against a Philadelphia Eagles pass defense that has allowed an average of over 40 fantasy points to receivers this season, which ranks dead last in the NFL. It doesn't take a genius to come to the conclusion that Thomas will put up huge numbers in Week 4.
Projected Statistics: Seven receptions, 130 yards and one touchdown
4. DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles
2013 Statistics: 19 receptions, 359 yards and two touchdowns
Let's face it, Philadelphia will have to pass a whole lot if it hopes to defeat the high-flying Denver Broncos this week. Considering that Jackson is Michael Vick's only legit receiving threats at this point, he's going to put up some rather huge numbers. Despite coming off a down week against the Kansas City Chiefs, Jackson still ranks second among all receivers in fantasy points. Whether Champ Bailey plays in this one doesn't really matter. Jackson will receive the necessary targets and opportunities to put up another top-five fantasy week.
Projected Statistics: Seven receptions, 115 yards and one touchdown
5. Pierre Garcon, Washington Redskins
2013 Statistics: 23 receptions, 280 yards and one touchdown
The Oakland Raiders are relying a great deal young defensive backs with a group of washed-up veterans mixed in. While they have held up pretty welll through the first three weeks (not taking into account the Broncos game) they have a lot to deal with when it comes to Garcon, who poses a tremendous amount of matchup issues. Oakland ranks 11th in the NFL against fantasy receivers, but will have to account for Robert Griffin III's favorite target in this one. Garcon is the 15th-ranked fantasy receiver through three weeks and has caught nearly 70 percent of the passes thrown in his direction. A total of 10-plus targets here leads me to believe he'll rank top five by the end of Week 4.
Projected Statistics: Seven receptions, 110 yards and one touchdown
6. Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers
2013 Statistics: 20 receptions, 324 yards and two touchdowns
Don't look now, but Brown has put up up the third-most receiving yards through three weeks after a tremendous performance against a tough Chicago Bears defense on Sunday Night Football. He's also catching nearly three quarters of the ball thrown to him through three weeks. Pittsburgh now goes up against a Minnesota Vikings defense that has given up an average of 323 passing yards and has sacked opposing quarterbacks just four times through three games. If Ben Roethlisberger has the time to pass the ball, Brown will have a huge game.
Projected Statistics: Six receptions, 110 yards and one touchdown