Fantasy Football Rankings 2012: Wide Receivers In Standard And PPR Leagues

One short month ago, I put together my initial wide receiver rankings. Some things remain the same: Calvin is still head and shoulders above the other WRs and WR is still a relatively deep position. But, some things have changed dramatically! It's amazing what a few injuries and three preseason games can do to a player's value.

Average Draft Position is ever-changing (see my Final ADP Ranking article) and we as fantasy general mangers have to keep up and change with the times. That is what we're here for at SB Nation Fantasy! Knowledge is power, so be sure to give a smile to the guy that shows up to your draft this week with a magazine in hand that was written in April. Ouch!

In addition to the rankings below, I have highlighted a few players whose values have gone up or down significantly since July.

CLIMBING THE BOARD

• Julio Jones (ATL) - It's hard to think that this second year Falcon could climb higher. But, with him and Matt Ryan making magic in the early preseason games, he is on the rise. Couple talent and opportunity with a new, more vertical offense and you can see Julio drafted as the No. 2 wideout. He went No. 8 overall in a real draft that I was in on Monday.
• Eric Decker (DEN) - Sometimes I wish I could draft in June. In June, Decker was a nice sleeper, tenth-round value and under the radar. But, with two receiving touchdowns from his new QB Peyton in game 3, the cat is out of the bag. Decker's draft stock is rising him to WR2 levels and in PPR leagues, he is a high-end WR2.
• Brandon Marshall (CHI) - We fantasy football players are bad at holding a grudge. And Brandon's woeful 2011 in Miami left a bad taste in our mouths. But, after seeing Jay Cutler and BMarsh in action in the preseason, the old feelings are coming back. It appears that he is a lock for 90 grabs and his 2012 touchdown total could double the six from 2011.
• Torrey Smith (BAL) - Ok, I'll admit it, I appear to have been wrong about Torrey Smith. I had him pegged as the "fast guy with only one route in his arsenal". But the plodding Raven offense from 2011 is in hyper-drive. Joe Flacco could throw 40+ balls a week and a large percentage of them are going Torrey's way. He is a WR3 with a bullet.
• Reggie Wayne (IND) - Reggie Wayne is 33 years old and washed up, right? He has a rookie QB, right? Well, yes and yes, but hold on a minute. He looks like a new man, and he is showing a versatility and quick step never before seen in Indy. He spends half of the time in motion and this new wrinkle is getting him targets and catches. He is a great WR4, especially in a PPR format.

FALLING

• Greg Jennings (GB) - One word strikes fear into the hearts of fantasy football owners: "concussion". The dreaded C-word may cost Austin Collie and Jahvid Best the first part of their seasons, and it has drafters all jittery about perennial stud Jennings. Some risk is now associated with Greg, but he is falling to a nice value slot.
• Mike Wallace (PIT) - Finally, Wallace is in camp! His draft stock was riding high all summer, as mock drafters were sure he would be reporting before the first preseason game. But alas, the first time we see him will be Week 1 in the rare air of Denver on Sunday Night Football. Some are drafting him as a value WR2, but I am not. He just has too many worries: new offense, whether he is in shape, his new status as the No. 2 behind Antonio Brown and this holdout and style of play just scream injured hammy or groin to me. I'm staying away.
• Miles Austin (DAL) - Miles is a very similar story to Wallace's. Not a story about a hold-out, but a mystery about his health. We haven't seen Miles all preseason, but yet we're supposed to believe that he'll be all better and ready to roll by September 5th? I'm not buying it, especially after missing six games in 2011.
• Kenny Britt (TEN) - The words "Kenny Britt" and "disappointment" are etched into my brain. After starting 2011 with 280+ yards and 3 TDs through two games, he was the belle of the ball. But, then the knees gave out and then the arrests started up... again and again. A ray of sunshine was seen in Tennessee this week as Kenny was released from the PUP, but is there a suspension looming from the commissioner? So much talent and upside, but will we see it this year?
• Vincent Brown (SD) - Every publication that I read this summer had Vincent listed as a sleeper. And I as buying in, considering the OTHER "Vincent" (Jackson) bolted for Tampa Bay. A broken ankle will have VBrown sidelined until mid-season. Keep him off of your board.