Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

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

Greg Olsen @ Green Bay
One thing about Jay Cutler - he has thrown 19 of his 54 TDs in his young career to TE’s. Now Cutler is paired with arguably the best tight end he’s ever had at his disposal, Greg Olsen. Olsen is ready to break out, and combined with JC’s rocket arm and the Bears unheralded wideouts he has a realistic shot to lead the Bears in receptions and reception TDs. Expect Olsen to be a difference-maker this week.

Eddie Royal @ Cinncinnati
I drafted Eddie Royal…last year…and watched proudly as he reeled in 9 catches for 146 yards and a TD during his first ever NFL game. I anticipate more of the same from Royal this season. While getting close to 150 yards will be difficult, Steady Eddie is a solid play in PPR leagues as he figures to get the most looks from QB Kyle Orton. With maligned receiver Brandon Marshall not yet up to speed, Royal should fill the void and simultaneously make his owners happy.

Mason has seven 1000-yd seasons in the last eight years.

Derrick Mason vs. Kansas City
2008 marked D-Mase’s seventh 1,000 yard season in the last 8 years. 2nd year QB Joe Flacco keys in on Mason as his primary target, and this season Flacco will likely have more pass attempts and downfield throws, which is good news for Mason owners. Flacco has thrown more TDs to Mason than any other player, and the gap figures to widen even further this week.

Josh Morgan @ Arizona
While the 49ers are predicted to be a run-heavy team, there will be games in which they must throw the ball to keep up. Josh Morgan is in line to be the top playmaking wideout for San Francisco this year. Isaac Bruce is long in the tooth, the greedy rookie Michael Crabtree is holding out and the 49ers will be forced to come from behind on Sunday in Arizona, which bodes well for Morgan.

Brent Celek @ Carolina
Gut feeling here. I like the Eagles this week, and although Brent Celek is largely unproven, with LJ Smith gone, he is the teams #1 TE and should get plenty of looks from his QB. Celek is a big target who seriously stepped up in the 2008 NFL playoffs, reeling in 19 balls for 151 yards and 3 TDs in 3 games.

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

Brandon Marshall @ Cincinnatti
Marshall returned from his team-induced suspension and is now supposedly ready to contribute. While he has the talent to be a stud, his work ethic and attitude are called into question. Time away from the team cannot be good for his rapport with new QB Kyle Orton. Hopefully he grows up to be a viable option in the near future but you shouldn’t expect too much this week.

Roy Williams @ Tampa Bay
As with Marshall, not an outright benching here, but temper expectations. Williams has been nursing an injured shoulder, and let’s face it, he is not the team’s primary receiving option, Jason Witten is. Williams is a good receiver, but I don’t believe he is ready to be a #1 option for the Cowboys or on your fantasy squad.

Devin Hester @ Green Bay
It’s Hester’s playmaking ability that gets him drafted earlier than he really should be, but in reality as a receiver he leaves a little bit to be desired. It looks as though he will be returning punts this season, so if your league gives points for return yardage, he is somewhat viable. Cutler figures to spread the ball around and will look to TE Greg Olsen and WR Earl Bennett frequently and Hester will be blanketed by CB Charles Woodson.

Bernard Berrian @ Cleveland
Berrian is very much an all-or-nothing type of receiver, feast or famine. In 2008, he had four 100-yard games and four games where he couldn't break 40 yards receiving. To illustrate this point further, Berrian had the highest average yards-per-catch in the NFL (20.1), but only had 48 catches overall. Furthermore, his lingering hamstring issue figures to limit his biggest asset, which is his speed.