Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

This year’s crop of wide receivers looks to be the deepest in quite some time. This group provides the most depth compared to all the other positions in my opinion. If you subscribe to the theory of grabbing your 2 starting running backs early you will still be able to round out your team with a pretty good stable of WR’s. Along with the WR’s, the TE group looks very strong as well. While you can’t argue against grabbing Jimmy Graham or Gronk early, you can also wait a while and still pick up some quality later on in your draft.

Wide Receivers:

TIER 1:

Calvin Johnson

“Megatron” clearly separates himself from the rest of the field. Although its tough to expect a repeat of last season, I wouldn’t be surprised at all at 1,500 yards and 12-14 touchdowns.
He will go in the top 7 overall, once he’s gone you can stand to hold off on WR’s and grab some quality RB’s before they disappear.

TIER 2:

Julio Jones, Larry Fitzgerald, Roddy White, Andre Johnson

Like others out there I fully believe Julio Jones will break out in a big way. He has all the talent in the world, a full offseason with Matt Ryan and Roddy White on the other side drawing lots of attention from the opposition. Only a stable QB keeps Larry Fitz from being ranked ahead of Jones, both Kolb and Skelton scare me. Roddy White is a steady as they get, pencil him in for 90-1,200-10. Andre Johnson still has some talent but hasn’t been able to play a full season since 2009.

TIER 3:

AJ Green, Wes Welker, Brandon Marshall, Victor Cruz, Greg Jennings

The lack of a stud QB keeps Green from the 2nd tier, his talent alone could help him join the above group. Welker is virtually a lock for 100 receptions each year and playing for a contract can’t hurt. Marshall is reunited with Jay Cutler, where he averaged 102 catches and 8 touchdowns their last 3 seasons together. I am really high on Victor Cruz this year. I see an even better season than last year’s breakout.  He has passed Nicks as the best option in NY.  Jennings is still the number 1 choice in GB but the gap is closing.

TIER 4:

Jordy Nelson, Marques Colston, Hakeem Nicks, Percy Harvin, Steve Smith, Dez Bryant

Nelson had 2 of his biggest games when Jennings was out. If ever got the targest some of the other WRs in the league he could lead them all in productions. The amount of weapons in Green Bay will prevent that. Marques Colston quietly produces year in and year out and Jimmy Graham’s breakout season will take some attention away from him. Hakeem Nicks looks ready to go for week 1 giving Manning one of the better one-two punches. Percy Harvin looks to build on last season and adds a lot in the running game as well. Steve Smith enjoyed a bounce back season, as Cam Newton was just what the doctor ordered for him. If Dez can get his act together he could explode, its all up to him now.

TIER 5:

Jeremy Maclin, Stevie Johnson, Antonio Brown, Brandon Lloyd, Demaryius Thomas, Reggie Wayne, Mike Wallace, Vincent Jackson, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Pierre Garcon, Dwayne Bowe, Miles Austin, Eric Decker

This is the year Maclin breaks out. Stevie Johnson should grab 80. Antonio Brown can play the slot and can go deep – nice combination receiver. Lloyd has looked good in camp and gives the Pats the deep weapon they need. DT will benefit from having an actual legit passer throwing him the ball. Wayne still has some left in the tank and Luck looks like the real deal, he could surprise this year. Wallace finally returns but is passed by teammate Brown. You can get good value with where Vincent Jackson is going in mock drafts. DHB finally showed why he was drafted so high, look for that to continue. Garcon looks to be RG3’s favorite target. Bowe’s holdout doesn’t help, neither does a lack of consistency in the passing game. If Austin can ever get healthy he would produce nicely. Decker could have an Austin Collie-like season from a few years back with Manning.

Best of the Rest…

DeSean Jackson, Torrey Smith, Kendall Wright, Titus Young, Michael Crabtree, Kenny Britt, Greg Little, Anquan Boldin, Justin Blackmon, Lance Moore, Danny Amendola, Robert Meachum, Malcom Floyd, Santana Moss, Santonio Holmes, Randy Moss, Sidney Rice, Nate Washington, Jonathon Baldwin, Brandon Lafell, Denarius Moore, Alshon Jeffrey, Davone Bess, Brian Quick, Laurent Robinson, Nate Burleson, Mike Williams.

Tight Ends:

TIER 1:

Jimmy Graham, Rob Gronkowski

Graham just missed 100 catches and Drew Brees’ favorite target should eclipse that this season. Gronk only only broke the NFL record for TD’s by a tight end last season. I think his production takes a step back with Hernandez coming on strong and the addition Lloyd to the mix will take away some targets, don’t draft him too early.

TIER 2:

Aaron Hernandez, Antonio Gates

Despite being ranked a bit lower than Graham and Gronk, I can see both of these guys out producing Gronk this season. That’s why I’d let someone else overdraft Gronk and be thrilled to get one of these two.

TIER 3:

Jermichael Finley, Jason Witten, Vernon Davis, Brandon Pettigrew, Jermaine Gresham

Finley has yet to live up to the hype given to him will he finally breakout, I think he has his most consistent season to date in 2012. Monitor Witten’s health but when he plays he’s very consistent and a favorite target of Romo. Vernon Davis remains the best option in the SF passing game. Pettigrew will benefit even more this season with Calvin Johnson and Titus Young drawing double coverage. Gresham takes the next step toward stardom this season.

TIER 4:

Fred Davis, Tony Gonzalez, Jacom Tamme, Jared Cook, Brent Celek

I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Davis reaches 800 yards and 8 scores. Will Tony Gonzalez ever slow down? With White and Jones getting all the attention he may just have one more productive season left. Tamme flourished with Manning a few years ago when Dallas Clark went down. Cook will continue to develop this season. Celek started to find a groove and gain the confidence of Vick.

Best of the rest…

Greg Olson, Owen Daniels, Kyle Rudolph, Dustin Keller, Coby Fleener, Heath Miller, Kellen Winslow, Ed Dickson, Marcedes Lewis, Dallas Clark, Lance Hendricks, Martellus Bennett, Scott Chandler, Rob Housler, Kellen Davis, Ben Watson, Dennis Pita, Zach Miller, Joel Dreessen, Kevin Boss, Tony Moeaki, Tony Sheffler.

With the pass catches being so loaded I think it wise to grab 3 RBs out of your first 6 picks, you can grab some quality starters at the WR and TE position later than normal. Follow your tiers and understand your league’s ins and outs, monitor ADP’s and keep an eye on your opponents draft. Do all of the above and you will be well on your way…

Good luck and enjoy your drafts, after all that’s the best part…