Heading in to the 2013-2014 NFL season, the only position fantasy players will notice is loaded with more talent than the quarterback position are wide receivers. From the illustrious, big-name guys like Calvin Johnson to players who aren't as widely known to the casual fan, like Percy Harvin, no matter what type of pass catcher you prefer (or what your specific league settings are), there will be someone with an unlimited amount of talent left when you're on the clock.
There are some very big-name wide receivers who I have some concern about going in to the 2013 NFL season, most notably--A.J. Green and Larry Fitzgerald. For Green, the X-factor is his quarterback, Andy Dalton. I am not a believer, and I think the numbers Green put up in 2012 (1,350 yards, 97 receptions and 11 touchdowns) are going to take a hit as a result. Just as was the problem the last two seasons for Fitzgerald, the Cardinals still seem to have a new quarterback with the next one up being no better than the last.
Harvin has quarterback problems of his own as well as the fact that he's coming off a season-ending ankle injury. Wes Welker is not under contract once the season ends, and New England has a history of not ponying up money for receivers. Michael Crabtree has looked great as of late, but many fantasy owners have experienced owning Crabtree for several seasons prior to 2012, and it's safe to say that they didn't enjoy any part of that.
Here is a look at my top five fantasy wide receivers heading in to next season:
5. Demaryius Thomas, Denver Broncos
It's hard to imagine anyone was looking forward to the 2012 NFL season more than Thomas. Thomas, and fellow Broncos receiver, Eric Decker, did more down-field blocking in 2011 than they did pass-catching. After Tim Tebow found Thomas on the first play of overtime to eliminate the Pittsburgh Steelers from the 2011 playoffs, Thomas' career has never been the same since. He has blossomed in to one of the best receivers in the NFL, and that has fantasy owners taking note heading in to next season.
Thomas had over 1,434 yards on 94 receptions and 10 touchdowns (141 targets) in 2012, his first year playing with Peyton Manning. It's not crazy to think that he could improve on those numbers in 2013 with another off-season working out and becoming more familiar with Manning. It doesn't hurt Thomas' stock any that Peyton is [unfairly] getting a lot of criticism for the ending of Denver's playoff loss. I've seen enough NFL over the last decade to bet against Manning, and that bodes extremely well for Thomas' stock in 2013.
4. Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys
Say what you want about Dez' problems off-the-field and his on-field disputes with his quarterback, coaches and pretty much any teammate who will listen to him--just don't confuse those antics with those of a headcase who isn't worth the trouble. He is worth whatever problems he may bring.
Dez finished the season with 1,382 yards on 92 receptions and 12 touchdowns (138 targets). It's no secret (to anyone not named Jason Garrett) that Tony Romo performs his best when he is orchestrating a no-huddle, hurry-up offense. That is when Dez has been at his best as well. I look for him to continue that success and fully expect him to finish among the top five fantasy wide-outs next season...and I think a case could be made that he will finish in the top three.
3. Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons
There aren't many wide receivers in the NFL whose biggest hurdle to achieve individual success comes from another teammate. That is exactly what Jones is facing in Atlanta. Julio racked up 1,198 yards and hauled in 79 receptions (129 targets) and 10 touchdowns. The Falcons look to stretch the field when getting Julio the ball, and that means that in some games, it's going to be feast or famine for Jones.
What makes that feat even more impressive is the fact that his Falcons' teammate, Roddy White, had 1,351 yards on 92 catches and 7 touchdowns. Anyone who knows me knows that Julio Jones is one of my favorite NFL players, and every now and then I put too much confidence in guys I openly root for. I don't believe that this is one of those examples. All he needs is more targets, and I believe he gets that this upcoming season and going forward.
2. Brandon Marshall, Chicago Bears
By now, everyone has heard Brandon Marshall's story. Played great in Denver with quarterback Jay Cutler before inexplicably being traded to Miami after first-year head coach Josh McDaniels didn't like his attitude. Last March, Marshall was traded to the Chicago Bears and reunited with Cutler. Most everyone knew Marshall was going to be Cutler's first, second and third option, and that's exactly what happened (193 targets).
Marshall finished his first year in Chicago with 1,508 yards on 118 receptions to go with 11 touchdowns. I jumped all over Marshall last year in hopes that he and Cutler would pick up right where they left off in Denver (I also bought in to the Brandon Lloyd experiment in New England, but that's another topic for another day), and I will be doing that this coming season as well. I suggest you do the same.
1. Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions
It's not every year that someone breaks the NFL-record for receiving yards in a season. That's exactly what Johnson did in 2012, with 1,964 yards, 122 receptions and 5 touchdowns (204 targets). Then again, an athlete with the ability of Megatron only comes along once every decade or so.
What's scary is the fact that Calvin only had FIVE touchdowns on the year, only one score over his first eight games and still had 16 more fantasy points than the second-best receiver (Marshall with 224). I don't think that is going to be the case this season, I'd guesstimate that number is at least doubled this season. Detroit has made it clear that they're going to get the ball to CJ early and often, and even though I'm not near as high on Matthew Stafford as most people, there's no doubt I would make Megatron the first receiver off the board if given the opportunity--you know--unless Julio Jones is still available.