There are some definite injury concerns hanging over the wide receiver position (most notably Hakeem Nicks, Marques Colston and Pierre Garcon). However, there are some big breakouts as well (like Demaryious Thomas & Torrey Smith). How does everyone fall on the rankings? Let’s take a look:
- Calvin Johnson – Detroit Lions – vs. Minnesota
- A.J. Green – Cincinnati Bengals – at Jacksonville
- Julio Jones – Atlanta Falcons – vs. Carolina
- Andre Johnson – Houston Texans – vs. Tennessee
- Percy Harvin – Minnesota Vikings – at Detroit
- Demaryious Thomas – Denver Broncos – vs. Oakland
- Victor Cruz – New York Giants – at Philadelphia
- Hakeem Nicks – New York Giants – at Philadelphia
- Larry Fitzgerald – Arizona Cardinals – vs. Miami
- Torrey Smith – Baltimore Ravens – vs. Cleveland
- Roddy White – Atlanta Falcons – vs. Carolina
- Vincent Jackson – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – vs. Washington
- Wes Welker – New England Patriots – at Buffalo
- Steve Smith – Carolina Panthers – at Atlanta
- Greg Jennings – Green Bay Packers – vs. New Orleans
- Dwayne Bowe – Kansas City Chiefs – vs. San Diego
- Stevie Johnson – Buffalo Bills – vs. New England
- Brandon Marshall – Chicago Bears – at Dallas
- Brandon Lloyd – New England Patriots – at Buffalo
- DeSean Jackson – Philadelphia Eagles – vs. New York Giants
- Eric Decker – Denver Broncos – vs. Oakland
- Malcolm Floyd – San Diego Chargers – at Kansas City
- Miles Austin – Dallas Cowboys – vs. Chicago
- Jordy Nelson – Green Bay Packers – vs. New Orleans
- Danny Amendola – St. Louis Rams – vs. Seattle
- Lance Moore – New Orleans Saints – at Green Bay
- Jeremy Maclin – Philadelphia Eagles – vs. New York Giants
- Dez Bryant – Dallas Cowboys – vs. Chicago
- Denarius Moore – Oakland Raiders – at Denver
- Marques Colston – New Orleans Saints – at Green Bay
- Michael Crabtree – San Francisco 49ers – at New York Jets
- Santonio Holmes – New York Jets – vs. San Francisco
- Andrew Hawkins – Cincinnati Bengals – at Jacksonville
- Kenny Britt – Tennessee Titans – at Houston
- Anquan Boldin – Baltimore Ravens – vs. Cleveland
- Leonard Hankerson – Washington Redskins – at Tampa Bay
- Mike Williams – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – vs. Washington
- Brandon LaFell – Carolina Panthers – at Atlanta
- Nate Washington – Tennessee Titans – at Houston
- Titus Young – Detroit Lions – vs. Minnesota
- Sidney Rice – Seattle Seahawks – at St. Louis
- Brian Hartline – Miami Dolphins – at Arizona
- Kevin Ogletree – Dallas Cowboys – vs. Chicago
- Justin Blackmon – Jacksonville Jaguars – vs. Cincinnati
- Mario Manningham – San Francisco 49ers – at New York Jets
- Golden Tate – Seattle Seahawks – at St. Louis
- Santana Moss – Washington Redskins – at Tampa Bay
- Alshon Jeffery – Chicago Bears – at Dallas
- Kevin Walter – Houston Texans – vs. Tennessee
- Randall Cobb – Green Bay Packers – vs. New Orleans
Thoughts:
- There are definite concerns regarding Larry Fitzgerald and the Cardinals’ quarterback play, but we all saw what was possible in Week 3 when he posted 9 receptions for 114 yards and 1 TD. While I wouldn’t expect that type of production on a weekly basis, the Dolphins’ pass defense has been suspect (307.3 passing yards per game). He still needs to be considered a WR1 this week.
- The Washington Redskins have allowed 10 passing TD on the season. That makes you think Vincent Jackson is going to be a very good option, with Mike Williams as a usable option as well.
- While the Philadelphia Eagles’ passing defense may be good, does anyone really believe that they can shut down the Giants’ passing attack? Behind Eli Manning they are clicking on all cylinders, and there is no reason to think that anyone is going to slow them down.
- Wes Welker has certainly gotten things on track since Aaron Hernandez went out, with 12 receptions for 237 yards over the past two weeks. It’s hard not to like him once again, isn’t it? Consider him a high-level WR2, with the potential to be a WR1.
- Brandon Marshall has 16 receptions for 214 yards and 1 TD, which are very solid numbers. However, can we trust him against a revamped Cowboys secondary that is allowing just 137.0 passing yards per game? How about a defense that has allowed just 3 passing TD on the young season? He’s a mid-level WR2 with upside, but I wouldn’t value him as more than that.
- Will Pierre Garcon be able to play this week? Who knows, but for now it’s hard to go into the week assuming that he’s going to play. For now he’s staying off the rankings, but if he plays I would consider him a WR2. If he sits out, Leonard Hankerson becomes a viable WR3 thanks to a very favorable matchup.
- With Darius Heyward-Bey out and Brandon Myers potentially out due to a concussion, Denarius Moore becomes a very intriguing option. While he hasn’t produced big numbers (8 receptions for 112 yards and 1 TD), it is easy to go into Week 3 expecting a big jump in production. Consider him a viable WR3 in all formats.
- I would still have my reservations about any San Francisco 49er wide receiver, however with Darrelle Revis out for the season there is much more potential there. I would consider Michael Crabtree a viable WR3 this week, though a risky one.
Make sure to check out the rest of our Week 4 rankings:

Well, guess I’m not sitting Hervin for Pitta or Stevie Jackson
Johnson lol
Too bad. Pitta put up a big fat goose egg last night. I hate it when that happens.
Would you trust Antonio Gates to turn it around this week or go with LaFell, Hawkins or MIke Williams in a flex position?
Hawkins would be my choice among the WR, but I think I’d go with Gates. He definitely has a higher upside and a similar floor to the three guys you are thinking about
2 questions…
1.) Need a WR and a Flex….
Colston
Maclin
LaFell
Andre Brown
Bilal Powell
2.) Need 2 WR and a FLEX (.5 PPR)
Nate Washington
Andrew Hawkins
Lance Moore
Mike Williams
Justin Blackmon
1) It all depends on the health of Colston/Maclin, but if they are both playing they are by far your best options. If one of them isn’t going to play, then I would probably go with Andre Brown.
2) Moore, Hawkins & Williams for me
Would you trade Maclin for Ridley in .5PPR league?
Depends on need, but it is tough to trust Ridley on a weekly basis (as evidenced by Week3). I would only do it if you have sufficient WR depth
With the defenses that Amendola has to face in that division I’m guessing now would be the time to sell high. What do you think he brings in return? Or do you think he’s still a solid ROS producer in a 1 pt per reception league
Thinking of a trade. Id get cam newton and welker for carolina Steve smith and pitta. After the trade My wideouts would be Cruz, welker, harvin and I’d be upgrading from romo to newton. My starting te is Vernon Davis . What do you think?
Brandon – Given 1 pt. per reception, I think he definitely is going to have value all year long. Shopping him doesn’t hurt, but I wouldn’t be so quick to pull the trigger either.
Chuck – It’s definitely buying low on Newton, that’s for sure, and it’s a good upgrade there. Welker is a little 50/50 to me, because Hernandez is going to be back soon. How many WR do you start and do you have anyone else on your bench?
We start two WRs but I use the flex for wr since I only have two solid rbs. The only wr left is lafell because I traded djax
It’s a .5 ppr league too
Gotcha. I think it is an upgrade, but may not be worth it because you could weaken yourself at WR long-term.
Anyone else you can target with Pitta?
Ya I’d feel week at wr. Was thinking of trading room for a good wr since wr is so deep. Might be able to do pitta for demaryiu Thomas instead of welker
Romo not room. Stupid iPad!
Yea, at this point I would be more comfortable with Thomas than Welker.
Michael Crabtree or Dez Bryant as WR3 this week?
What are your thoughts on jerome simpson? should i keep him stashed on my bench? or pick up golden tate instead of him?
Nathan White – It’s surprisingly close, but I would still go Dez. While Crabtree is the “top” receiver in SF, they could just as likely focus on Vernon Davis or Mario Manningham (or the running game).
Mike W – I’d keep Simpson still. I have more faith in that offense to post big numbers.