Fantasy Football Wide Receivers - Big Dogs

Big Dogs

The beauty about the WR position is there are more Big Dogs than any other position. For that reason, many fantasy footballers are contemplating grabbing stud WRs in the middle-to-late first round and early second round rather than mindlessly taking the best RB available. With that in mind, let's take a look at who those characters are.

Randy Moss - How can you start anywhere else after the historic season Moss produced last year? The thing that worries me about Moss is he looked vulnerable to physical play during the playoffs. If you're expecting another 23 TDs, you'll be disappointed.

Terrell Owens - So far so good in Big D for MeO, I mean T.O. As long as he's happy, he'll continue to produce in bunches. I can see T.O. lead all WRs in scoring this year.

Reggie Wayne - Well, he officially surpassed Marvin Harrison as the Top Dog in Indy, and I don't see that changing any time soon. You can pretty much pencil him in for 1300 yards and 10 TDs. How many RBs can you say that with? That's why he's a safer pick than a Clinton Portis or Willis McGahee.

Braylon Edwards - Braylon finally showed why he was a 3rd pick last year scoring 16 TDs. I don't see him reaching paydirt quite as often, especially with the addition of Donte Stallworth, but double-digits isn't out of the question.

Andre Johnson - He averaged close to 95 yards and nearly a TD a game last year. That translates to 1500 yards and-- TDs. Will he reach those lofty numbers? I doubt it, but he'll come close if he gets a full season in.

Larry Fitzgerald - I am a huge fan of Fitzy. He just seems to get it. Must be his Minnesota ties. Every other year he gets--00 yards and 10 TDs. If he can avoid his even-year slump, he'll be worth his weight in gold again for fantasy owners.

Steve Smith - Here's a guy who NEEDS his QB to stay healthy. He's had two down years (compared to his 2005 masterpiece), but he still has what it takes to be an elite WR in this league. If Delhomme goes down, he could easily lose his Big Dog status.

Chad Johnson - Ocho Cinco had--40 yards and 8 TDs last year. Unfortunately his TDs came in just 4 games last year. That's what bugs me about Ocho. His end of the year stats look great, but he's not as solid week-to-week like some of the Big Dogs. His contract situation is a little scary, but I think he'll play.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh - Unlike Ocho, Housh likes to spread the wealth out during his season. He scored a TD in his first 8 games last year. He's not going to wow you with big yardage (only three weeks over 100 and none after Wek 6), but you'll be happy with his production.

Marques Colston - I was tempted to put him a tier lower, but his improvement on an already outstanding rookie season was too hard to ignore. If the 3rd Year Rule applies to Colston, the league better look out because he's already blown up. He caught nearly 100 balls last year for over 1200 yards and 11 TDs. Those are solid digits.

Torry Holt - Holt had a down year by his standards last year, failing to produce either 1200 yards or 10 TDs for the first time since his rookie season. I see Marc Bulger bouncing back this year though, and Holt will rebound with him. He's going to be a great value pick this year.

Plaxico Burress - I wasn't going to put him in the Big Dog Club, but when you consider what he did last year despite knee and ankle injuries. He scored in his first 6 games last year and racked up 1025 yards and 12 scores for the year. It was his second straight double-digit TD year with the G-Men, and Eli's added confidence (and pressure from NY media and fans removed) following the Super Bowl victory should keep the success going.