We're back for another week of fantasy football wide receiver rankings.
Jaguars WR Justin Blackmon missed the first four weeks of the season due to a suspension, and is still owned in just 53 percent of ESPN leagues. That will change after his performance on Sunday. Blackmon went wild on the Broncos secondary, catching 14 balls for 190 yards in the Jaguars 35-19 loss in Denver, where the Broncos were a 26.5 point favorite. After just two games, Blackmon has 19 receptions for 326 yards and a touchdown. He will move up in our Week 7 rankings this week.
Meanwhile, Eagles WR DeSean Jackson had a big day against one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, Darrelle Revis of the Buccaneers. Jackson was targeted just six times by QB Nick Foles, but caught all six for 64 yards and two scores. Jackson now has 28 receptions for 565 yards and three touchdowns this season, and could become Foles' favorite target in the red zone.
Bears WR Brandon Marshall had disappointed fantasy owners over the last two weeks, but had a big game last Thursday against a struggling Giants team. Marshall caught nine of his eleven targets for 87 yards and two touchdowns in the Bears 27-21 win. Marshall now has 40 receptions for 465 yards and five touchdowns on the season.
With teammates Randall Cobb and James Jones leaving with injuries, Packers WR Jordy Nelson benefitted, as he caught four of his ten targets for 113 yards, including a 64-yard touchdown. Nelson now has 23 receptions for 371 yards and three scores this season, and should become QB Aaron Rodgers top target should Cobb or Jones miss any time due to their injuries.
The Bengals' A.J. Green is one of the best wide receivers in the game, and he had a big game on Sunday, catching six of his eleven targets for 103 yards and a touchdown, an 18 yard pass from QB Andy Dalton. Green now has 31 receptions for 361 yards and three touchdowns. It's a surprise that he has just three touchdowns this season, and I see that total increasing as the season goes along.
Panthers WR Brandon LaFell is the second option in the Panthers' passing game behind Steve Smith, but he enjoyed a solid game on Sunday, catching all four of his targets for 107 yards and a touchdown. Those of you in leagues that give extra points for length of touchdown enjoyed a nice day from LaFell.
Target Practice
Let's take a look at the Week 6 Target Leaders:
I wrote about Blackmon above and he had a monster target performance last week, as he was targeted 20 times by QB Chad Henne and I expect more of the same this week vs the Chargers.
Buccaneers WR Vincent Jackson saw 14 targets for new QB Mike Glennon last week against the Eagles, and we should see that trend continue in the weeks ahead. Jackson is a WR1 in Week 7 as the Bucs face off against the Falcons, and their 21st ranked pass defense vs opponents' wide receivers, in the dome in Atlanta.
Rank |
Player |
Wk 6 |
1 |
Justin Blackmon |
20 |
2 |
Pierre Garcon |
15 |
3 |
Vincent Jackson |
14 |
4 |
Larry Fitzgerald |
13 |
5 |
Kris Durham |
13 |
6 |
Keenan Allen |
12 |
7 |
Antonio Brown |
11 |
8 |
Julian Edelman |
11 |
9 |
Brandon Marshall |
11 |
10 |
A.J. Green |
11 |
11 |
Josh Gordon |
10 |
12 |
Denarius Moore |
10 |
13 |
Jordy Nelson |
10 |
14 |
Aaron Dobson |
10 |
15 |
Greg Jennings |
10 |
Here is a quick glance at the defenses that are allowing the most fantasy points to wide receivers through Week 6:
Rank |
Team |
Fantasy Pts Allowed |
22 |
Packers |
140.19 |
23 |
Giants |
143.79 |
24 |
Jaguars |
144.19 |
25 |
145.1 |
|
26 |
145.39 |
|
27 |
146.89 |
|
28 |
Broncos |
148.89 |
29 |
154.69 |
|
30 |
Chargers |
159.8 |
31 |
197.7 |
|
32 |
Eagles |
209.8 |
When ranking wide receivers, I like to use the "fantasy points allowed" data found at many sites, including Ask the Commish (presented above).
With the Cowboys visiting the Eagles this week, I am moving Dez Bryant up to the No. 1 ranking in Week 7. The Eagles have given up the most fantasy points to wide receivers this season. I could also see either Miles Austin or Terrance Williams having a big game as well, as I expect a shootout.
The Cowboys' pass defense isn't great either, as they have the sixth worst defense against the opponents' wide receivers in the NFL, so I expect Jackson to have another big game this week.
Blackmon has looked like an All Pro in his first two games back after his suspension, and he gets the Chargers and their third worst defense against wide receivers in Week 7. Expect plenty of targets, receptions, yards and a touchdown in Week 7 for Blackmon.
Week 7 Wide Receiver Rankings
|
Standard Leagues |
PPR Leagues |
Rank |
Player |
Player |
1 |
Dez Bryant, DAL |
Calvin Johnson, DET |
2 |
Calvin Johnson, DET |
Dez Bryant, DAL |
3 |
Demaryius Thomas, DEN |
Justin Blackmon, JAC |
4 |
A.J. Green, CIN |
Demaryius Thomas, DEN |
5 |
DeSean Jackson, PHI |
A.J. Green, CIN |
6 |
Vincent Jackson, TB |
Brandon Marshall, CHI |
7 |
Justin Blackmon, JAC |
Wes Welker, DEN |
8 |
Torrey Smith, BAL |
Torrey Smith, BAL |
9 |
Wes Welker, DEN |
DeSean Jackson, PHI |
10 |
Victor Cruz, NYG |
Vincent Jackson, TB |
11 |
Josh Gordon, CLE |
Pierre Garcon, WAS |
12 |
Brandon Marshall, CHI |
Jordy Nelson, GB |
13 |
Jordy Nelson, GB |
Andre Johnson, HOU |
14 |
Larry Fitzgerald, ARI |
Larry Fitzgerald, ARI |
15 |
Pierre Garcon, WAS |
Josh Gordon, CLE |
16 |
Antonio Brown, PIT |
Antonio Brown, PIT |
17 |
Andre Johnson, HOU |
Victor Cruz, NYG |
18 |
Eric Decker, DEN |
Eric Decker, DEN |
19 |
T.Y. Hilton, IND |
Reggie Wayne, IND |
20 |
Mike Wallace, MIA |
Steve Smith, CAR |
21 |
Alshon Jeffery, CHI |
Anquan Boldin, SF |
22 |
Hakeem Nicks, NYG |
Steve Johnson, BUF |
23 |
Steve Smith, CAR |
Hakeem Nicks, NYG |
24 |
Reggie Wayne, IND |
Julian Edelman, NE |
25 |
Steve Johnson, BUF |
T.Y. Hilton, IND |
26 |
Kenbrell Thompkins, NE |
Alshon Jeffery, CHI |
27 |
Dwayne Bowe, KC |
Kenbrell Thompkins, NE |
28 |
Anquan Boldin, SF |
Aaron Dobson, NE |
29 |
Miles Austin, DAL |
Dwayne Bowe, KC |
30 |
Roddy White, ATL |
Roddy White, ATL |
31 |
Julian Edelman, NE |
Miles Austin, DAL |
32 |
Mike Williams, TB |
Mike Williams, TB |
33 |
Nate Washington, TEN |
Mike Wallace, MIA |
34 |
Reuben Randle, NYG |
Golden Tate, SEA |
35 |
Aaron Dobson, NE |
Brandon LaFell, CAR |
36 |
Terrance Williams, DAL |
Keenan Allen, SD |
37 |
Brandon LaFell, CAR |
DeAndre Hopkins, HOU |
38 |
Golden Tate, SEA |
Andre Roberts, ARI |
39 |
DeAndre Hopkins, HOU |
Brian Hartline, MIA |
40 |
Keenan Allen, SD |
Nate Washington, TEN |
41 |
Brian Hartline, MIA |
Rueben Randle, NYG |
42 |
Vincent Brown, SD |
Terrance Williams, DAL |
43 |
Michael Floyd, ARI |
Vincent Brown, SD |
44 |
Andre Roberts, ARI |
Michael Floyd, ARI |
45 |
Riley Cooper, PHI |
Riley Cooper, PHI |
46 |
Harry Douglas, ATL |
Harry Douglas, ATL |
47 |
Emmanuel Sanders, PIT |
Greg Jennings, MIN |
48 |
Jerome Simpson, MIN |
Jason Avant, PHI |
49 |
Jason Avant, PHI |
Jerome Simpson, MIN |
50 |
Greg Jennings, MIN |
Emmanuel Sanders, PIT |
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