Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

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

Jerricho Cotchery vs. NE
Cotchery was another NY Jet whom I may have underestimated. He’s had 71 or more catches in 3 straight seasons and got off to a nice 6-catch, 90 yard effort last week. In his last game against the Pats, he had 5 grabs for 87 yards and a TD. While he is not a “true #1” receiver, he is more than capable of helping your team as a WR2/3. Mark Sanchez knows where to butter his bread.

Nate Burleson has scored in four straight games.

Nate Burleson @ SF
Burleson missed all but the first game of 2008 with an ACL injury, and the Seahawks are very happy to have him back. He has now had a receiving TD in 4 straight games (dating back to 2007) and remarkably - 6 out of his last 7. His 7 grabs for 74 yards and a TD was a pleasant surprise for fantasy owners, but Nate is here to stay. With TJ Houshmandzadeh and John Carlson also drawing attention, Burleson should be primed for another steady game.

Todd Heap @ SD
Heap had back to back 70-catch seasons in 2005 and 2006 and could be poised for another big year. He got off to a very good start last week, snaring 5 of Joe Flacco’s passes for 74 yards and a TD. Raiders TE Zach Miller found space in the middle of the field against the Chargers on Monday night to the tune of 6 catches for 96 yards. Heap should have similar successes this week.

Chris Cooley vs. STL
Chris Cooley came to life last week at the Meadowlands, recording his first TD reception in nearly a year (last one came on 10/5/08, courtesy of Antwaan Randle El) to go along with 7 catches for 68 yards. He remains the first or second receiving option (depending on which Santana Moss shows up) for Jason Campbell. Consider that Seahawks TE John Carlson had 2 last scores last week against the Rams.

Percy Harvin @ DET
Harvin has now played 1 NFL game, a game in which he registered his first career TD on a pass from Brett Favre. Not a bad entry into the league. With Adrian Peterson keeping defenses on their toes, Harvin has a chance to shine. The talk surrounding the Vikes is that this is just the tip of the iceberg as to how Coach Brad Childress will use Harvin, and although his role is slightly undefined, his big play capability is not. Last week he had 2 carries for 22 yards, 3 catches for 36 yards and a TD, and 3 kick returns for 99 yards.

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

Greg Olsen vs. PIT
I was dead wrong about Olsen last week. I envisioned a grand stat line for the big Tight End with Jay Cutler behind center, and while it isn’t right to pass judgment after 1 game, 1 catch for 8 yards does not give me the ‘warm fuzzies.’ Furthermore, Olsen’s Bears are up against one of the best defenses in the league, the Steelers. I’d take a ‘wait and see’ before trusting Olsen in my starting lineup.

Vincent Jackson vs. BAL
Tough to bench this guy, but temper expectations here. Jackson’s week 2 opponent, the Baltimore Ravens, held the Chiefs #1 WR Dwayne Bowe to 4 catches last week, although he did find paydirt. Philip Rivers and the Chargers appear to have more to offense than Kansas City, but they had some difficulty moving the ball against the Raiders on Monday, so they will have their hands full with the Ravens.

Antonio Bryant @ BUF
Bryant came up small last week against a beatable Cowboys defense, registering only 2 catches for 29 yards. In fairness to him, he is recovering from knee surgery and he did not play in the preseason. However, in fairness to you, he has been limited in practice this week and will likely have his reps limited on Sunday when he faces the Bills in Orchard Park, NY. Hopefully you have better options.

Bernard Berrian @ DET
Berrian did not register a catch last week despite playing being on the field for more than 50 snaps. The Lions will give up the deep ball – Berrian’s specialty – but he could be playing at less than 100% after missing 3 preseason games with a hamstring injury. Berrian’s time will come, but despite the juicy matchup this week he is not ready for a fantasy start.

Justin Gage vs. HOU
Gage’s numbers were impressive against the Steelers in Week 1, catching 7 of Kerry Collins passes for 78 yards and a TD. Gage is the Titans #1 receiver, but bear in mind that the Titans were forced to throw more than usual as Pittsburgh is very tough against the run. Consider that Houston served up 190 rushing yards to the Jets last week and that Tennessee will likely have a lead. This will allow them to control the ball and the clock with Chris Johnson and Lendale White this week, limiting Gage’s output.