Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Always start your studs: Andre Johnson, Reggie Wayne, Roddy White, Terrell Owens, Calvin Johnson and Brandon Lloyd.

Start 'Em:
Receivers Who Will Outperform Relative To Their Draft Position And Recent Hype

Percy Harvin @ WAS
With just 60 yards a game and only 4 TDs on the year, Harvin ranks 33rd in the league in receiving yardage per game. He had a great game two weeks ago against the 27th ranked pass defense of Arizona, but since he’s gotten worse each week – 64 yards against the 15th ranked Bears and 12 yards against the 11th ranked Packers. This week Harvin travels to Washington to face the league’s 29th ranked pass defense. The Redskins average 280 yards a 2 TDs allowed per week. Their 18 TDs are the 9th most and their 42 big plays are the 6th most in the league. Add in the new coach motivation factor and the Vikings and Harvin could have a big game this weekend.

Nate Burleson vs. NE
Burleson is the “quiet” half of the Lions’ dynamic duo of WRs. He’s 45th in the league with 54 yards a game receiving (just 20 less than “CJ”) and has 4 TDs on the year. He was non-existent until week 5 and since then has averaged 6 catches for 68 yards and almost a TD a game. Last week he raked in 7 catches for 97 yards and a TD and three weeks ago against the Jets hauled in 7 catches for 113 yards and a TD. This weekend he hosts the Patriots and their 31st ranked pass defense so he might just improve on his recent stats against this defense allowing 290 yards and 2 TDs per game.

Mario Manningham vs. JAX
Mario Manningham suddenly finds himself as the Giants’ #1 WR. Steve Smith is still out a couple of weeks with his pectoral injury, Ramses Barden was just recently placed on IR and now leading WR Hakeem Nicks is out for at least three weeks with a leg injury. The Giants signed Derek Hagan off the street, and this week they are looking at bringing in former first round pick and ex-Buccaneer Michael Clayton. Is Plaxico out on parole yet? Anyway, Manningham will bring his 50 yards per game and 4 TDs into the Jacksonville contest as Eli’s top target. The Jaguars have the 28th pass defense and are giving up 265 yards and 2 TDs a game, which certainly helps out the battered (not to mention inconsistent) passing game of New York. The Jags give up a league-worst 9 yards per completion and the second most 40+ yard pass plays, so hopefully Eli and the Giants can get their act together and get that once potent offense clicking again. This is Mario’s big chance, and at home against one of the worst pass defenses in the league, should result in him playing like Super Mario (no copyright infringement intended).

Dwayne Bowe @ SEA
Don’t look now, but Dwayne Bowe is 17th in the league with 72 yards a game, but even more impressive is the fact that he leads all NFL WRs with 11 TDs. No WR has been hotter than Bowe since week 6. Since then he’s averaged 94 yards and nearly 2 TDs per game. He’s torched Denver and Arizona over the last two weeks and this week takes on an even worse pass defense in the Seattle Seahawks. Pete Carroll’s team is 30th in the league in pass defense, giving up 283 yards a game. They’ve given up 16 TDs, the most 20+ yard pass plays, and the most big plays (51) in the league. Bowe should be able to keep his current hot streak going and could have another monster game.

Bench 'Em:
Receivers Who Will Under Perform Relative To Their Draft Position And Recent Hype

DeSean Jackson @ CHI
Despite missing a game due to nearly being decapitated, Jackson is still the tough, cocky little speedster he was before. He’s currently 16th in the league with 72 yards a game, and he has 6 TDs (5 receiving, 1 rushing) on the year. But this week he faces the Bears who allow just 212 yards a game, the fewest TDs (6), have the 2nd most INTs (15), the least number of big plays allowed, and the lowest yards per completion average (6.0) in the league. The Eagles offense, especially the passing game, is off the charts right now but this week’s potential NFC Championship game preview could prove to be a defensive battle that sees Jackson and the Eagles struggle.

Brandon Marshall @ OAK
Marshall is 22nd in the league in receiving yards per game with 69, and 7th in receptions with a total of 58 on the year, but he’s still unable to find the end zone, having reached it just once all year. Now with Thigpen running the offense and LT Jake Long on the verge of being shut down for the year, the prospect of playing Marshall against the league’s 4th ranked pass defense, on the road, across country, seems way too risky. He’s averaging 3 catches for 33 yards over the last three weeks and now takes on a defense allowing just 193 yards a game. The Raiders do give up a lot of TDs (7th most in the league) and a lot of big plays (also 7th most in the league) so they can be beat deep but the way things have been going for Miami and Marshall lately makes it hard to recommend him.

Mike Thomas @ NYG
Mike Sims-Walker was listed as doubtful against the Browns last week and ended up not playing. His injury status for this week is going to be questionable at best and he might not play again so I don’t want to take the easy road and recommend benching him. Instead, I’ll recommend benching the definite starter, Mike Thomas. Thomas is averaging 56 yards a game and has just 3 TDs all year, although they’ve all come in the last 3 weeks (1 each week). He had a monster game two weeks ago against Houston (8 catches for 149 yards and 1 TD) but followed that up with 5 catch, 36 yard performance against Cleveland. This week he takes on the Giants and their 3rd ranked pass defense, which is giving up just 193 yards a game. The Giants are coming off both an embarrassing loss at home to the resurgent Cowboys and an ugly loss on the road against the surging Eagles. I look for New York to bounce back this week and don’t think this is a good time to count on Thomas.

Louis Murphy vs. MIA
Last week Murphy had just 3 catches for 25 yards, 0 TDs and lost a fumble against the Steelers. This week he takes on the Dolphins and their 5th ranked pass defense, which, statistically is significantly better than Pittsburgh’s. Miami gives up 197 yards and 1 TD per game, plus they get to the QB frequently and do not give up a lot of big plays. Murphy’s 46 yards a game average and his 1 TD this year aren’t going to cut it against the Dolphins, which makes this a good week to ignore him.