RADIO
Last week was a bit of a rough week for the elite tier of wide receivers. Calvin Johnson, A.J. Green, Odell Beckham, and Dez Bryant were all borderline first-round picks who posted up dud weeks.
Although, in Bryant's defense, he did injure himself [although in the opposite of Bryant's defense he's out for six weeks at least, so he won't be featured here for a while.])
Hopefully, in week two, these rankings will keep you from tearing you hair out in frustration while your first-or-second-round pick puts up 4 points.
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Top 10 Wide Receivers for Week 2
Is anyone else going to be in the top spot? Not as long as I drafted Antonio Brown in the first round this year. But in all honesty, Brown continued his streak of 5 receptions and 50 yards receiving for the 33rd consecutive game, and while the 49ers defense hasn't quite been ravaged by injury and retirement to the extent doomsayers were predicting, they won't be stout enough to stop the highest-scoring receiver in fantasy. Start Brown with confidence and laugh at everyone who drafted C.J. Anderson ahead of him.
2. Julio Jones
Julio had an incredibly strong week 1 and faces a suspect Giants secondary this week. Consider also the Falcons' mediocre rushing attack, and Julio has the potential to be the number one overall wide receiver in fantasy this week and even this whole season. If you have him, you can expect double digit production this week and in many weeks to come.
Yes, Thomas had a lackluster week one as the Broncos struggled to establish their offensive identity against the Ravens' defense. However, the Chiefs were absolutely eviscerated by the Texans' DeAndre Hopkins, and he had Brian Hoyer throwing to him. Peyton Manning may be in the advanced stages of acute noodlearm syndrome, but he's still going to be able to get Thomas touches, and Thomas will be fare slightly better against the Chiefs than the Ravens. He'll be fine as the season progresses.
4. Randall Cobb
Yes, Cobb will be playing against the Seahawks this week, but minus Kam Chancellor and Byron Maxwell the Seahawks looked mortal against the pass. Against the decidedly not-mortal Aaron Rodgers, the Seahawks aren't the guaranteed shutdown they used to be. Cobb will be featured heavily in the Packers' attack and I don't have enough faith in the Seahawks' slot corners to stop him from slowing Cobb down. Cobb should be in line for a big day, despite questions about his shoulder.
5. DeAndre Hopkins
Hopkins exploded against Kansas City, scoring 23.8 points in standard scoring off 9 receptions, 98 yards and 2 touchdowns. Now, while it's foolish to expect the same level of production this week with Ryan Mallett starting, the Texans will likely have trouble running the ball and Hopkins is the unquestioned WR1 in the Texans' offense. Hopkins will be even better in PPR formats considering the 9 receptions and lack of proven receiving talent. Start Hopkins with no reservations.
Cooks was largely bottled up by the Cardinals, but the Buccaneers were just shredded by Marcus Mariota, a rookie making his first NFL start. Drew Brees is not a rookie making his first NFL start. Cooks should be the beneficiary of a soft matchup and find the end zone this week back in the climate-controlled comfort of the Superdome.
One bad call and Matthews is having an elite-level game, especially in PPR formats (10 receptions tend to do that). Considering the way the Eagles bounced back in the second half of the game against the Falcons, Matthews should be in line for another solid-to-elite game this week barring any more referee shenanigans. And also assuming Chip Kelly remembers what that red flag in his belt is for.
8. Mike Evans
If Evans is a healthy start, his insane measurables and soft matchup should lead to a big day. Questions about Jameis Winston rightfully linger, but remember that Evans' quarterback last season was Josh McCown. Evans is a physical freak and an elite red-zone threat, and the Saints' secondary shouldn't frighten any fantasy owners looking to unleash one of their highest-upside weapons. If he starts, play him with confidence. (RIP all those people who picked Austin Seferian-Jenkins up off waivers.)
Questions about Chicago's offense were mostly answered against the Packers, and while most of the work went to Matt Forte, Jeffery should still be in line for solid production against a Cardinals secondary that hardly shut down the Saints last week. Jeffery won't light the world on fire this season, but he shouldn't bust out on you too many times.
10. Odell Beckham, Jr.
Beckham disappointed in his game against the Cowboys, but in a home game against the Falcons Beckham has a shot to be his old self. The Falcons' pass rush let Sam Bradford back into the game in spectacular fashion, which should hopefully allow Eli Manning time to find the second-year phenom. I don't think last week is going to be the new normal for Beckham, but you may not be able to start him against anyone this year.
Special Disappointment Tier
AJ Green and Calvin Johnson: Both Green and Johnson failed to impress in their season debuts, managing 0 touchdowns and roughly 10 points in standard between the two of them. Johnson's fall was the most troubling, as Golden Tate was targeted twice as often as Megatron, which doesn't necessarily bode well for the Lions star. Green watched 2 touchdowns go to Tyler Eifert, and since the Chargers give up points in bunches to tight ends, Eifert might steal the show again. If you drafted these two, you can't sit them, but this week may not be fun for you.
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