With all the quarterback injuries, how do their absences impact the wide receivers they throw the ball to? Which other receiver should we expect to step up? Who whould we be avoiding this week? Let’s take a look:
- A.J. Green – Cincinnati Bengals – at Kansas City
- Calvin Johnson – Detroit Lions – vs. Green Bay
- Reggie Wayne – Indianapolis Colts – at New England
- Marques Colston – New Orleans Saints – at Oakland
- Demaryius Thomas – Denver Broncos – vs. San Diego
- Roddy White – Atlanta Falcons – vs. Arizona
- Vincent Jackson – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – at Carolina
- Julio Jones – Atlanta Falcons – vs. Arizona
- Wes Welker – New England Patriots – vs. Indianapolis
- Brandon Marshall – Chicago Bears – at San Francisco
- Eric Decker – Denver Broncos – vs. San Diego
- Denarius Moore – Oakland Raiders – vs. New Orleans
- Randall Cobb – Green Bay Packers – at Detroit
- Steve Smith – Carolina Panthers – vs. Tampa Bay
- Miles Austin – Dallas Cowboys – vs. Cleveland
- Jordy Nelson – Green Bay Packers – at Detroit
- Larry Fitzgerald – Arizona Cardinals – at Atlanta
- Danny Amendola – St. Louis Rams – vs. New York Jets
- DeSean Jackson – Philadelphia Eagles – at Washington
- Dez Bryant – Dallas Cowboys – vs. Cleveland
- Mike Wallace – Pittsburgh Steelers – vs. Baltimore
- Steve Johnson – Buffalo Bills – vs. Miami
- Dwayne Bowe – Kansas City Chiefs – vs. Cincinnati
- Andre Johnson – Houston Texans – vs. Jacksonville
- Torrey Smith – Baltimore Ravens – at Pittsburgh
- Darrius Heyward-Bey – Oakland Raiders – vs. New Orleans
- Lance Moore – New Orleans Saints – at Oakland
- James Jones – Green Bay Packers – at Detroit
- Jeremy Maclin – Philadelphia Eagles – at Washington
- Brian Hartline – Miami Dolphins – at Buffalo
- Mike Williams – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – at Carolina
- Brandon Lloyd – New England Patriots – vs. Indianapolis
- Malcolm Floyd – San Diego Chargers – at Denver
- Titus Young – Detroit Lions – vs. Green Bay
- Danario Alexander – San Diego Chargers – at Denver
- Santana Moss – Washington Redskins – vs. Philadelphia
- Cecil Shorts – Jacksonville Jaguars – at Houston
- T.Y. Hilton – Indianapolis Colts – at New England
- Josh Gordon – Cleveland Browns – at Dallas
- Andre Roberts – Arizona Cardinals – at Atlanta
- Michael Crabtree – San Francisco 49ers – vs. Chicago
- Andrew Hawkins – Cincinnati Bengals – at Kansas City
- Donald Jones – Buffalo Bills – vs. Miami
- Laurent Robinson – Jacksonville Jaguars – at Houston
- Donnie Avery – Indianapolis Colts – at New England
- Emmanuel Sanders – Pittsburgh Steelers – vs. Baltimore
- Anquan Boldin – Baltimore Ravens – at Pittsburgh
- Jeremy Kerley – New York Jets – at St. Louis
- Brandon Stokely – Denver Broncos – vs. San Diego
- Greg Little – Cleveland Browns – at Dallas
Thoughts:
- There has been a misconception about Calvin Johnson’s “struggles” this season, as his only real failure has been coming up short of the goal line. We all know that’s a bit of an aberration and after going off for 12 receptions, 207 yards and a touchdown in Week 10 there is little reason to be concerned. The matchup with the Packers could easily breakdown into a shootout, and there is no reason to think of him as anything but an elite option.
- Granted we never really know who the go to option is going to be in New Orleans, but more times than not it is going to be Marques Colston. He has 47 receptions for 652 yards and seven touchdowns. Given his favorable matchup, it is easy to place him in the Top 5.
- Not that Jay Cutler is a superstar quarterback, but couple his absence with a tough matchup against the 49ers and it is not hard to imagine a down week for Brandon Marshall. While I would still consider him a WR1, I would slide him down your rankings a few spots.
- Wes Welker would be an even better option if he was a TD candidate, wouldn’t he? The difference between him and Calvin Johnson is that there is no guarantee that they ultimately come. With Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez and Stevan Ridley (among others), he may just remain a great player between the 20s.
- It certainly didn’t take Danny Amendola long to re-entrench himself among the better options in the league, did it? While the Jets’ defense has played fairly well without Darrelle Revis, it is still easy to imagine Amendola posting big numbers once again.
- Will Jordy Nelson return this week? That was the initial plan, so for now we will account for him in the rankings. The bigger question is if he will return to his role as the team’s top receiver, given the performance of Randall Cobb and James Jones? We all know that Aaron Rodgers moves the ball around, so look for all three to be viable options in what could be a shootout.
- Denarius Moore has scored in three of his past four games and draws a Saints’ defense that has allowed 19 passing touchdowns vs. just five interceptions. Is there anything else we really need to know? He’s a borderline WR1, but a great option as a WR2 this week.
- Who will be the better option in Dallas, Miles Austin or Dez Bryant? The inconsistency Bryant has shown (two weeks with 15 yards or less in the past four games) puts him behind Austin for me, though both should be viable options.
- The absence of Ben Roethlisberger will likely have a major impact on Mike Wallace, though he should still be a viable WR2. That said, he has to drop down the rankings a few spots.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 11 rankings:

I can obviously see where you rank all these guys but I am still torn. A.J Green is my only go to. Pick 2 more: Amendola, Stevie Johnson, James Jones and Denario Alexander. I have Shorts too but am figuring its a toss up with those other three.
Thanks!
In a standard league, I’m thinking of dropping Lloyd for DHB. I see DHB is ranked higher this week, but would you make the move long term? He’d be my 4th WR after AJ Green, Harvin, and Dez. Thanks!
Professor,
I am concerned about Brandon Marshall because of his match-up and Cutler’s injury. As of right now I have Roddy White and Denarius Moore as my WRs and Eric Decker in my flex spot (giving him a pass on the clunker last week.) Should I give Marshall the benefit of the doubt and go with him or stick with Decker. I also have Dez Bryant but Cleveland has been really solid lately and he could have his hands full with Joe Haden. What do you think?
Thanks
Cara – I think Amendola is a must use guy. I understand being torn between the others, because it could be very hit or miss. I’d roll the dice on Johnson, with Jones as my second choice. I am a big Alexander fan, but he’s still extremely risky at this point.
Randy – It’s probably a tossup, honestly. If the Raiders are going to continue to be a throw first team, DHB is going to have more upside (less competition for receptions).
brian – I think you are in an enviable situation, honestly. To me Decker/Marshall is a coin flip anyways, so if you are concerned with Marshall I would go with Decker w/o a second thought.
I have to fill 2 spots. I have heyward bey,dwayne bowe, and lance Moore. Which 2 would you start?
I would definitely use Bowe. The other two are a tossup, but I’d go DHB because of less competition to get opportunities.
Hey I have one question: Do you think fitz is due for a comeback? Or is it really time to sit him for better options. You said in a different post to starting denarius Moore over fitz, but I just don’t like the idea of benching such a high pick. Your thoughts?
Don’t know who to start as my receivers this week in a standard scoring league. I have amendola, dez Bryant, James jones and Andre Roberts. I need to start two.
Based off the rankings I should start amendola nd Bryant but dez has been so inconsistent for me it’s getting hard to sart him.
Sean – I have Fitzgerald at 17 this week, so the only way I would sit him is if I am loaded at the position. Moore does qualify, at least for one week. I do stil like Fitzgerald, though, and think he will play a factor e remainder of the year. The matchup just dictates moving him down this week.
Aaron – I know Dez is tough, but he has more upside then the other two (especially with Joe Haden banged up). I could see the argument for Jones, but with Nelson back you have to wonder how many opportunities e will get.
Amendola is te clear must start,though.
My other wrs are demaryius Thomas wes welker and Danny amendola. I think I have pretty good depth here, so overall you would sit fitz for denarius Moore?
Yep, I’d go with Moore at this point. It’s close, I just see him having the higher upside.
Just confirming; 12 team non-PPR
WR2 go with Jordy Nelson over Dez Bryant
Flex go with Afred Morris over Dez Bryant
I think I’m set (have Rice, Martin and Demaryius Thomas) but wanted to confirm remainnig slots. Thanks
Nelson/Bryant is close, but I would agree on both counts.
Now just cross your fingers and hope for the best!!
i am not sure which 3 WR to start. I am starting Thomas but the other two i idk.
My WR’s are
1 Demariyus Thomas (starting)
2 Dez Bryant (Cowboys)
3 James Jones (Packers)
4 Malcolm Floyd (Chargers)
I would go Bryant and Jones.
would you trade C ivory and J gordon for R. cobb in ppr league??? Thank you….
Depends on your other RB, but Cobb is the best player in the trade.