1. Calvin Johnson
2011 stats: 96 catches, 1,681 Yards, 16 TDs
Nothing to be said here.
2. Greg Jennings
2011 stats: 67 catches, 949 Yards, 9 TDs
I decided to go with Jennings here over Fitz primarily because #85 has the best QB in the game throwing to him. Jennings posted solid numbers last year and that was with missing essentially four games. The 101 targets he received show you that he’s still the preferred option in Green Bay.
3. Larry Fitzgerald
2011 stats: 80 catches, 1,411 Yards, 8 TDs
- With Kevin Kolb (8 games): 38 catches, 658 yards, 2 TDs.
- With John Skelton (8 games): 42 catches, 753 yards, 6 TDs.
Based on those numbers provided by Walt, Fantasy owners would prefer to see Skelton under center. However, we all know this will likely be another headache of a season at the QB position in Arizona.
4. Roddy White
2011 stats: 100 catches, 1,296 Yards, 8 TDs
With the emergence of Julio Jones, this could very well be the last time Roddy is ranked this high (or above Julio for that matter). Nonetheless, with five straight seasons of at least 80+ catches, 1,100 yards, and 6 TDs, he’s been a model of consistency. Until proven otherwise, he’s still top five. The 181 targets don’t hurt either.
5. Andre Johnson
2011 stats: 33 catches, 492 Yards, 2 TDs
As always, you have your reservations when it comes to Johnson. He and his QB are seemingly always battling injuries, and fittingly coming off of them entering this season. Hard to resist the allure, though.
6. Victor Cruz
2011 stats: 82 catches, 1,536 Yards, 9 TDs
Cruz’s coming out party could be just the beginning. With Nicks coming off of injury and Manningham gone, Cruz should be able to reach double-digit TDs.
7. AJ Green
2011 stats: 65 catches, 1,057 Yards, 7 TDs
I initially had Green higher but admittedly dropped him a couple spots out of fear of a sophomore slump from either him or his QB, Andy Dalton. If the two progress like they should, though, they could be scary.
8. Brandon Marshall
2011 stats: 81 catches, 1,214 Yards, 6 TDs
With Cutler in the Denver days, Marshall put up back-to-back seasons of over 100 catches and 1,200 yards. Marshall seems recommitted and there’s no reason to think he won’t reestablish himself as a top 10 Fantasy threat.
9. Hakeem Nicks
2011 stats: 76 catches, 1,192 Yards, 7 TDs
Nicks has been adamant about being ready for camp. While I do have my reservations, you have to like the determination. The upside here is too high to be scared off by the foot injury.
10. Miles Austin
2011 stats: 43 catches, 579 Yards, 7 TDs
Austin was rarely healthy last season, missing practically half of the season, and still scored 7 TDs. He enters camp this year in “amazing shape” and I fully expect a season that looks a lot like the one he had in ’09-’10 where he went for 1,300 yards and 11 TDs. Take that to the bank.
Just Missed: Wes Welker
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June 26, 2012
