1. Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys

After all the bad press that Bryant has received this past week, it will be good for him to get back on to the football field and continue proving he’s one of the top-three wide receivers in the NFL. Despite catching just three passes against the Detroit Lions last week, Bryant put up two scores and finished as the sixth-ranked fantasy receiver for the week and is No. 3 on that list through the first eight weeks of the season. Bryant will be going up against a Minnesota Vikings defense that is allowing the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing receivers this season.

Projected Statistics: Seven receptions, 125 yards and two touchdowns

2. Jordy Nelson, Green Bay Packers

If you checked out my overall wide receiver rankings for the first half of the NFL season, you know exactly how high I am on Nelson, who has stepped up big time in the absence of Randall Cobb and James Jones in Green Bay. Nelson is coming off a Week 8 performance that saw him tally seven receptions for 123 yards and two scores against the Vikings last week. While Nelson may be going up against a much better defense in the form of the Chicago Bears this week, he does have a matchup advantage. Bears’ cornerback Charles Tillman has struggled to an extent this season, and the Bears rank in the bottom half of the NFL against fantasy receivers.

Projected Statistics: Eight receptions, 115 yards and one touchdown

3. Keenan Allen, San Diego Chargers

Seemingly out of nowhere, Allen has put up 23 receptions for 369 yards over the course of the Chargers’ last four games. Those are elite fantasy numbers right there. With both Malcom Floyd and Danario Alexander sidelined for the season, the rookie has made the most of his opportunities. More good news for the Cal product. He goes up against a Washington Redskins defense that is giving up over 28 fantasy points per game to wide receivers, bad enough to rank them in the bottom three of the NFL. Expect another stellar outing here from Allen.

Projected Statistics: Seven receptions, 110 yards and one touchdown

4. DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles

Despite being the No. 7 fantasy receiver this season, Jackson has struggled to an extent recently. He has put up just over eight total fantasy points over the last two games. Some of that has to do with the horrendous play of quarterback Nick Foles as well as an injury to Michael Vick, but Jackson has to be due for a bounce-back performance. That might come this week against an Oakland Raiders defense That is in the bottom half of the NFL against opposing receivers. This should be a stellar homecoming for the Cal product.

Projected Statistics: Five receptions, 100 yards and one touchdown

5. Denarius Moore, Oakland Raiders

With a slightly better second half than what we saw in the initial first half of the season, Moore could very well end up with 1,000-plus receiving yards this season. That’s an insane number for a receiver catching passes from the inexperienced Terrelle Pryor. As it is, Moore continues to progress and may end up being a legit No. 1 wide receiver for the up-and-coming Raiders in the not-so-distant future. Oakland goes up against a Philadelphia Eagles defense that ranks 31st against fantasy receivers this season.

Projected Statistics: Five receptions, 85 yards and one touchdown