WR RANKINGS 33-48
Auction...............$31
Bye Week.............5
Benjamin was considered a project with red-zone potential when he entered the league and in many ways exceeded expectations. As a big-bodied receiver, the Florida State product proved to be adept at going up to get the ball over smaller defensive backs. This season, he'll likely be paired with equally tall rookie Devin Funchess to create a pair of towers for quarterback Cam Newton. The only hope is that Benjamin can be more consistent after disappearing at times in the Panthers offense in 2014.
Auction...............$6
Bye Week.............9
Maclin had a productive five seasons in Philadelphia, which he capped by setting career-highs in catches and yards and tying his career-best in touchdowns. That earned him a new deal with the Kansas City Chiefs. The new contract might do wonders for Maclin's bank account, but it threatens to devalue his fantasy fortunes. He now joins an offense that didn't throw a single touchdown pass to a wide receiver in 2014 and will work with a quarterback in Alex Smith who rarely gets the ball downfield. As the No. 1 target, Maclin is sure to see plenty of opportunity, but he'll be hard pressed to replicate the numbers he posted during his time in Philadelphia.
Auction...............$5
Bye Week.............4
LaFell was a nice addition for the Patriots offense in 2014 and was an equally welcomed option for plenty of fantasy managers. The veteran wideout had his best pro season catching passes from Tom Brady, easily outdistancing any of his previous career numbers. Nothing is expected to change for LaFell this season. He'll continue to work as a secondary option behind Rob Gronkowski, while competing with Julian Edelman for targets. As long as you don't overinflate your expectations for LaFell's production, he can serve as a nice WR2 choice.
Auction...............$3
Bye Week.............10
Smith's numbers last season were a little bit misleading. His 11 touchdowns partially masked his poor reception and yardage numbers. 2014 did little to banish the thought that Smith was simply a speed burner who ran streaks. Now, he takes his show to the West Coast and joins a 49ers offense that will be a mystery heading into the season. Maybe the change will be good for Smith and he can build a rapport with Colin Kaepernick. But until we have a better idea of how that duo will mesh, it's best to consider Smith a mid-level WR2.
Auction...............$16
Bye Week.............8
In just about any other season, Watkins would have earned mounds of praise for the numbers he posted. But in a year when so many rookies had outstanding seasons, Watkins' totals didn't make nearly the same kind of splash. The Clemson product is still supremely talented and should be able to build off a very good first year in the league. There would be a lot more optimism around Watkins (and his fellow Bills receivers) if the quarterback situation was a little stronger, but it is what it is. Watkins likely be drafted as a WR2 in most leagues, but there is the definite possibility that he can exceed those expectations.
Auction...............$32
Bye Week.............6
Evans was one of the many rookie receivers to make an immediate impact on the field and in fantasy football. That impact was mostly felt around the goal line where he was most effective (Evans caught half of his 12 touchdowns in the red zone). This year, the challenge will be adjusting to a new quarterback with first overall pick Jameis Winston expected to be the team's starter in Week 1. Touchdowns are fickle beasts, so it's hard to bank on Evans having another double-digit scoring campaign. Here's to hoping that with Winston slinging the rock, Evans can put a few more receptions and yards on the board.
Auction...............$1
Bye Week.............8
When DeSean Jackson landed in Washington, it was assumed that Pierre Garcon would see a decrease in production. No one expected that fall to be as dramatic as it was. Garcon struggled to be a relevant fantasy option last season, scoring double-digits just twice all season long. It's a far cry from being the player that caught 113 passes in 2013. Considering the rest of Garcon's resume, it's looking more like that one big season is the true anomaly. Until further notice, Garcon is sinking to the lower levels of WR2 status.
Auction...............$11
Bye Week.............10
Johnson has never been a touchdown machine. In 12 NFL campaigns, the veteran wideout has never logged double-digit scores. But in those past years, Johnson's value was bolstered by his receptions and yardage. That's what made 2014 so troubling as Johnson found himself surpassed in the Texans pecking order by the younger, faster DeAndre Hopkins. But a move to Indianapolis and a chance to catch passes from Andrew Luck should be a nice shot in the arm for Johnson's fantasy prospects. It's not likely that he'll be a No. 1 fantasy wideout, but he could be a nice mid-round steal in plenty of formats.
Auction...............$8
Bye Week.............5
Landry was yet another rookie receiver who made his mark in 2014, although his emergence wasn't quite as immediate as some others. Regardless, Landry slowly usurped the title of top target from the likes of Mike Wallace and Brian Hartline. Now the former LSU standout appears to be the centerpiece of a rebuilt Dolphins passing game. Hopefully another season working with quarterback Ryan Tannehill will help Landry take a big step forward. The second-year wideout has plenty of flex appeal in 2015, with an added bonus in PPR formats.
Auction...............$11
Bye Week.............9
Tate finally gave the Lions the quality second receiver they had been seeking for seasons. The Notre Dame product had his best professional season in the league's most pass-happy offense. While his numbers were boosted by an injury to Calvin Johnson, it's fair to presume that Tate is capable of posting similar totals again this season. There's little reason not to believe that Tate will again be a solid WR2 option in all fantasy football formats.
Auction...............$6
Bye Week.............9
Floyd was seen as a breakout candidate after topping 1,000 receiving yards in 2013. It probably helped that he had Carson Palmer as his full-time quarterback that season. Although that theory was tested in 2014. Floyd started fairly quickly with double-digit fantasy totals in two of his first three games. After that, however, he pulled a disappearing act in the stat sheets that was aided by a parade of inadequate quarterbacks. With Larry Fitzgerald on the downside of his career, there is an opening for someone to take over as the Cardinals' No. 1 receiver. If Floyd can't grab that role this season, it's likely never going to happen.
Auction...............$6
Bye Week.............5
After seven straight 1,000-yard seasons, Marshall fell short of the mark in 2014. That can happen when you miss three games as the veteran receiver did. Now, Marshall takes his talents to the Big Apple where he joins a Jets receiving corps in need of help. The big question is whether Marshall can help boost Geno Smith's production, or if Smith might sink Marshall's fantasy value. Considering Marshall has slipped in the rankings to the levels of a third fantasy receiver, the early returns trend toward the latter.
Auction...............$11
Bye Week.............7
Brandon Marshall leaves Chicago and Kevin White arrives. The highly-touted rookie from West Virginia comes to the Windy City with big expectations following him. White is a big-bodied player who oozes natural talent and will have the benefit of playing opposite Alshon Jeffery, who is sure to draw plenty of attention. That should leave White in plenty of one-on-one situations. In many ways, the Bears' newest pass-catching weapon could be this year's Mike Evans ... except with a better quarterback. Look for White to be the first rookie wideout off the board in most formats.
Auction...............$18
Bye Week.............4
Edelman has fully established himself in the role that once belonged to Wes Welker in the Patriots offense. Life is good as Tom Brady's slot receiver. Just ask any fantasy enthusiast who has had Edelman on their roster for the past couple of seasons. The Kent State product isn't likely to surpass Rob Gronkowski as Brady's favorite target, but as long as he stays healthy, he should once again approach 100 receptions. The only downside is that Edelman is not a yardage monster. He'll have greater value in PPR leagues.
Auction...............$1
Bye Week.............9
There were questions about Smith's potential productivity with the veteran joining a new team at age 35. He quickly showed us that he still had something left in the tank with a blistering start to the season -- including a 25-point fantasy effort against his former team. That was the good news. The bad news is that Smith faded in the second half of the season as Torrey Smith regained his status as the top target in the Ravens offense. This season, Smith is the de facto top option in the passing game with the younger Smith now in San Francisco. However, he can expect to share targets with rookie Breshad Perriman, as well as Marlon Brown and Michael Campanaro.
Auction...............$10
Bye Week.............6
Cooper edged out Kevin White to be the first wide receiver selected in the NFL Draft, and he'll again compete with White to be the first rookie wideout drafted in many fantasy leagues. Both receivers are supremely talented, but White has the luxury of working in as a secondary option with an established quarterback, while Cooper might be asked to step in and become the top receiving option for second-year quarterback Derek Carr. After what we saw from last season's rookie class, it's definitely possible that Cooper makes a huge impact right away, but more than likely he'll have a learning curve before he can be trusted on a weekly basis.
WR RANKINGS 33-48