And we continue with the Top 15 Wide Receivers....
PROJECTED 2015 SEASON STATS
| 1. Antonio Brown, Pit WR | YEAR | | TAR | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | RUSH | YDS | TD | | PTS |
  | 2014 Statistics | | 182 | 129 | 1698 | 13.2 | 13 | 4 | 13 | 0 | | 251 |
| 2015 Projections | | 171.9 | 117 | 1528 | 13.1 | 9 | 4 | 26 | 0 | | 209.1 |
| 2015 Outlook: Last season's No. 1 fantasy WR, Brown led the position in receptions (129) and yards (1,698), while ranking second in targets (180). The 5-foot-10, 186-pounder also managed to score 13 TDs, second only to Dez Bryant, thanks to 22 end zone targets (third overall). If you're looking for consistency, Brown is your guy: He was a top-10 fantasy WR in nine of 16 games last year and finished outside the top 25 just twice. A big reason for Brown's dependability? He has registered six or more targets in 33 consecutive games (including playoffs), with 10-plus in 23 of those and 12-plus in 15. |
| 2. Demaryius Thomas, Den WR | YEAR | | TAR | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | RUSH | YDS | TD | | PTS |
  | 2014 Statistics | | 184 | 111 | 1619 | 14.6 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | 223 |
| 2015 Projections | | 165.3 | 102 | 1298 | 12.7 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | 195 |
| 2015 Outlook: With Peyton Manning back for another season, Thomas is locked in as a top-five fantasy WR. In three years with Manning under center, the Georgia Tech product has finished no worse than fourth in receiving yards, seventh in receiving TDs and fifth in fantasy points among WRs. Despite seeing his touchdowns dip from 14 in 2013 to 11 last season, Thomas actually paced the league with 23 end zone targets. New head coach Gary Kubiak is likely to call more runs and install more two-TE sets, but that should cost Thomas only a handful of looks. The 27-year-old is as safe as they come toward the end of the first round. |
| 3. Dez Bryant, Dal WR | YEAR | | TAR | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | RUSH | YDS | TD | | PTS |
  | 2014 Statistics | | 138 | 88 | 1320 | 15.0 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | 221 |
| 2015 Projections | | 142.9 | 90 | 1369 | 15.2 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | 194 |
| 2015 Outlook: Bryant has spent the better part of his NFL career putting up huge TD numbers, and last season was no exception. He led all wide receivers with 16 touchdowns in 2014 and has averaged 11.2 receiving TDs per season since 2010, tops in the league. In addition to converting a remarkable 54 percent of his career end zone targets into touchdowns, Bryant ranks eighth in total targets among WRs, ninth in receptions, fifth in receiving yards and first in receiving TDs over the past five seasons. Tony Romo's top target is primed for another WR1 campaign. |
| 4. Odell Beckham Jr., NYG WR | YEAR | | TAR | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | RUSH | YDS | TD | | PTS |
  | 2014 Statistics | | 132 | 91 | 1305 | 14.3 | 12 | 7 | 35 | 0 | | 197 |
| 2015 Projections | | 161.2 | 103 | 1374 | 13.3 | 8 | 8 | 54 | 0 | | 190.2 |
| 2015 Outlook: The poster boy for 2014's historic rookie receiver class, Beckham carried many of his owners to league titles with 91 receptions, 1,305 yards and 12 TDs in only 12 games. And his consistency was something to marvel at, as he provided WR1 numbers in a position-high 58 percent of his appearances. One big reason for that? Eli Manning relied on Beckham heavily near the goal line, throwing 18 end zone targets his way, eighth most in the league. Don't expect that to change any time soon, with Victor Cruz's effectiveness in doubt and Rueben Randle settling into a complementary role. |
| 5. Jordy Nelson, GB WR | YEAR | | TAR | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | RUSH | YDS | TD | | PTS |
  | 2014 Statistics | | 151 | 98 | 1519 | 15.5 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | 221 |
| 2015 Projections | | 126.8 | 84 | 1264 | 15.0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | 186 |
| 2015 Outlook: Nelson has always been a quality NFL WR, but operating as Aaron Rodgers' top target has vaulted him into the fantasy elite. Last season the 30-year-old registered a career year, finishing in the top six among wide receivers in targets (149), receptions (98), receiving yards (1,519) and receiving TDs (13). Nelson's 554 yards on throws 20-plus yards downfield trailed only Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson, and his 19 end zone targets was tied for fourth in the NFL. Additionally -- and perhaps most important -- Nelson is as reliable as they come, having missed just four games in his past five seasons. |
| 6. Julio Jones, Atl WR | YEAR | | TAR | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | RUSH | YDS | TD | | PTS |
  | 2014 Statistics | | 164 | 104 | 1593 | 15.3 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | | 183 |
| 2015 Projections | | 159.4 | 106 | 1410 | 13.3 | 8 | 2 | 12 | 0 | | 188 |
| 2015 Outlook: Despite a well-deserved reputation as one of the game's top WRs, Jones has never finished better than eighth in fantasy points. That figures to change with new OC Kyle Shanahan, who will make the Falcons a bit more run-heavy but has a history of relying on his top wideout. Jones finished third in targets (163), receptions (104) and receiving yards (1,593) in 2014, and it's conceivable that he can improve in all three of those departments this year while adding to his underwhelming touchdown total (six). Playing in the comforts of a dome with Matt Ryan at QB, Jones has the upside to be this season's No. 1 overall fantasy WR. |
| 7. Calvin Johnson, Det WR | YEAR | | TAR | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | RUSH | YDS | TD | | PTS |
  | 2014 Statistics | | 128 | 71 | 1077 | 15.2 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | 149 |
| 2015 Projections | | 147.1 | 88 | 1299 | 14.8 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | 183 |
| 2015 Outlook: Johnson is only 29 years old, but it appears his massive workload is catching up with him. Before last season, he ranked among the 10 most targeted wide receivers in each of the previous six campaigns. Johnson has now missed at least two games in each of the past two seasons, and his 2014 efficiency, postcatch production and target volume all fell below his career averages. Megatron is still among the elite at the position, and targets won't be an issue as long as Matthew Stafford is under center, but he's no longer the cut-and-dried top fantasy wideout. He's worth a look in the second round. |
| 8. A.J. Green, Cin WR | YEAR | | TAR | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | RUSH | YDS | TD | | PTS |
  | 2014 Statistics | | 116 | 69 | 1041 | 15.1 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 0 | | 132 |
| 2015 Projections | | 156.1 | 93 | 1318 | 14.2 | 8 | 5 | 30 | 0 | | 180 |
| 2015 Outlook: After averaging 98 receptions, 1,388 yards and 11 touchdowns in the 2012 and 2013 seasons, Green was plagued by injuries for the first time in his career, missing all or a significant portion of six games last season. When he was on the field, though, Green once again proved to be one of the busiest wideouts in the league, racking up 1,041 yards and 6 TDs on 69 receptions. Say what you want about Andy Dalton's ability, but he certainly gets Green the ball early and often. Entering his prime at age 27, Green has the look of a strong bounce-back candidate. |
| 9. Alshon Jeffery, Chi WR | YEAR | | TAR | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | RUSH | YDS | TD | | PTS |
  | 2014 Statistics | | 145 | 85 | 1133 | 13.3 | 10 | 6 | 33 | 0 | | 167 |
| 2015 Projections | | 143 | 86 | 1170 | 13.6 | 8 | 8 | 51 | 0 | | 168 |
| 2015 Outlook: While the rest of Chicago's offense was caught up in the Jay Cutler drama, Jeffery quietly dominated down the stretch in 2014. He scored in six consecutive games from Weeks 11 to 16, trailing only Odell Beckham Jr. in fantasy points among WRs in that span. Jeffery is one of Cutler's favorite weapons at the goal line -- his 37 end zone targets since 2013 trails only ex-teammate Brandon Marshall (40). And with Marshall now in New York, Jeffery is locked in as the Bears' top target in new offensive coordinator Adam Gase's scheme, which proved to be fantasy-friendly to No. 1 wideouts during Gase's stint in Denver. |
| 10. Randall Cobb, GB WR | YEAR | | TAR | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | RUSH | YDS | TD | | PTS |
 | 2014 Statistics | | 126 | 91 | 1287 | 14.1 | 12 | 11 | 37 | 0 | | 191 |
| 2015 Projections | | 124.3 | 88 | 1156 | 13.1 | 8 | 12 | 78 | 0 | | 170.6 |
| 2015 Outlook: Back to full health after missing 10 games in 2013, Cobb exploded for 1,324 total yards and 12 touchdowns on 102 offensive touches last season. He finished as fantasy's No. 7 WR and was the only player in the league to eclipse 850 receiving yards (1,067) and eight touchdowns (12) from the slot. Exceptional with the ball in his hands, Cobb put up the fifth-highest yards-per-target mark among WRs (10.3) and actually led the team in targets from Week 7 on. Even if his TD numbers regress a bit, Cobb will still produce WR1 numbers as long as he's handling a massive workload in Green Bay's elite offense. |
| 11. T.Y. Hilton, Ind WR | YEAR | | TAR | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | RUSH | YDS | TD | | PTS |
  | 2014 Statistics | | 130 | 82 | 1345 | 16.4 | 7 | 2 | 20 | 0 | | 172 |
| 2015 Projections | | 136.5 | 86 | 1195 | 13.9 | 8 | 4 | 26 | 0 | | 167 |
| 2015 Outlook: Hilton's 2014 campaign started slowly (7.4 fantasy ppg through Week 5), but it didn't take long for him to move past Reggie Wayne as Andrew Luck's top target. Hilton returned the favor by averaging 10.9 yards per target, the third-best mark at the position. With Wayne no longer in the picture and an aging Andre Johnson now in town, the 25-year-old Hilton is poised to lead the Colts in targets again. His touchdown ceiling will always be capped by his 5-foot-9, 178-pound frame, but the combination of Luck and Indianapolis' pass-heavy attack should result in strong WR2 production. |
| 12. Mike Evans, TB WR | YEAR | | TAR | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | RUSH | YDS | TD | | PTS |
  | 2014 Statistics | | 124 | 68 | 1051 | 15.5 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | 168 |
| 2015 Projections | | 138.9 | 82 | 1228 | 15.0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | 162 |
| 2015 Outlook: He's not getting quite as much press as Odell Beckham Jr., but Evans put together one of the best seasons we've ever seen from a rookie wide receiver. Towering over defenders at 6-foot-5, Evans scored 12 touchdowns in 15 games despite having Mike Glennon and Josh McCown as his quarterbacks. Evans finished 29th at the position in receptions, and only three players saw more than his 19 end zone targets. With Jameis Winston now under center and Vincent Jackson fading into the No. 2 role, Evans has the potential to lead the league in touchdown receptions. |
| 13. Emmanuel Sanders, Den WR | YEAR | | TAR | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | RUSH | YDS | TD | | PTS |
 | 2014 Statistics | | 141 | 101 | 1404 | 13.9 | 9 | 8 | 44 | 0 | | 192 |
| 2015 Projections | | 120.3 | 78 | 1087 | 13.9 | 7 | 9 | 60 | 0 | | 154.2 |
| 2015 Outlook: If you're looking for a prime example of the "Peyton Manning bump," start with Sanders. After catching 67 balls for 740 yards and 6 TDs as Pittsburgh's No. 2 wide receiver in 2013, Sanders put up 101/1,404/9 in Denver last season. The Broncos' offense figures to be more conservative with Gary Kubiak at the controls, but the 28-year-old Sanders will remain an every-down player opposite Demaryius Thomas. While Sanders' frame (5-11, 180) and scoring history (11 career TDs before last season) suggest he's a candidate for a dip in touchdown production, another 100-catch season is certainly within reach. |
| 14. Kelvin Benjamin, Car WR | YEAR | | TAR | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | RUSH | YDS | TD | | PTS |
  | 2014 Statistics | | 146 | 73 | 1008 | 13.8 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | 144 |
| 2015 Projections | | 130.8 | 75 | 1078 | 14.4 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | 153 |
| 2015 Outlook: Picking up right where Steve Smith left off, Benjamin handled a hefty 27 percent of Carolina's targets in his rookie season -- and 31 percent after the team's Week 11 bye. The 6-foot-5, 240-pounder lived up to the hype as a TD machine, scoring nine times in 2014. That number could've been even higher considering he garnered 23 end zone targets, which tied Demaryius Thomas for tops in the league. If that trend continues in Year 2, Benjamin is a good bet to better his No. 16 fantasy rank among wide receivers last year. |
| 15. DeAndre Hopkins, Hou WR | YEAR | | TAR | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | RUSH | YDS | TD | | PTS |
  | 2014 Statistics | | 127 | 76 | 1210 | 15.9 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | 146 |
| 2015 Projections | | 143.3 | 87 | 1240 | 14.3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | 152 |
| 2015 Outlook: Despite being stuck with one of the league's worst QB situations, Hopkins finished as fantasy's No. 15 WR last year in his second NFL season. Hopkins has made the most of his 211 career targets, registering just four drops and posting the eighth-best yards-per-target mark (10.1) at the position in 2014. With Andre Johnson out of the mix, Hopkins, 23, enters this season as Houston's clear-cut No. 1 WR. The team's still-unsettled QB depth chart will keep him from becoming a fantasy elite, but Hopkins will see enough target volume to warrant consideration in the third round. |
What are your thoughts on this year's Wide Receiver class?
-Christi, FFC
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