Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Bye Weeks: Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, Roddy White, Tony Gonzalez, Steve Smith (CAR), DeSean Jackson, Brent Celek

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

Devin Hester vs. DET
In spite of his Week 2 stinker, Hester appears to be coming along nicely as he and Jay Cutler continue to develop chemistry. He has not caught less than 4 passes in a game this season and has registered 2 TDs. He is still in search of his first 100 yard receiving game and the Lions present an excellent opportunity for him. They have allowed 278 passing yards per game and an ugly 10 aerial scores.

Mike Sims-Walker vs. TEN
Sims-Walker has delivered quality outings in his last 2 starts opposite Torry Holt. He has 12 catches for 187 yards and a TD and leads the Jags in receiving. The Titans have been vulnerable through the air in 2009, serving up 7 TDs and 275 passing YPG. Sims-Walker is looking like the #1 receiver in Jacksonville and should be played when the matchup is ripe, as this appears to be.

Justin Gage @ JAX
Sticking in the same game, after 3 weeks the Jaguars have the distinction of being the NFL’s worst pass defense. Gage is Kerry Collins top receiver – he leads the Titans with 13 receptions - and he should get plenty of looks this week. Jacksonville has allowed an average of 282 passing yards per game and Matt Schaub threw 3 scores (2 to WRs) against the Jags a week ago.

Another 10-catch week for Moss would make his fantasy owners happy.

Santana Moss vs. TB
Moss has burned owners before, but after his 10-catch, 178 yard, 1 TD effort last week and this week’s drool-worthy matchup, his stock is on the rise. After being a non-factor the first 2 weeks of the season, Santana exploded in Detroit. Tampa is prone to giving up the big play – they have allowed 5 pass plays over40 yards - and Moss is always a deep threat. He snared a 57-yarder last week as Campbell looked his way early and often. Expect more of the same for him this week.

Chad Ochocinco @ CLE
Ochocinco is off to a very good start this year; he is tied for the team lead in receptions (14) and leads the Bengals in receiving yards (234). He has caught more TD passes against the Browns (9) than any other NFL opponent. The Browns are a middle-of-the-road team against the pass, but I cannot envision them slowing down Palmer and/or #85 this week.

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

Roy Williams @ DEN
Someone forgot to tell Williams that he is being paid to catch passes and score touchdowns. 8 catches through 3 games is not good enough for a #1 receiver. He had a gift-wrapped 66 yard TD against Tampa in Week 1 - without that grab he is serving the same purpose he did last year in Dallas: none. The Broncos will be tested this week, but they sit as the #2 pass defense in the NFL and have not allowed an aerial score.

John Carlson @ IND
The Colts stingy pass defense (3 INTs, 1 TD) is allowing less than 200 yards per game and has clamped down on opposing TEs. Carlson is certainly capable but seems to be more effective with Hasselbeck behind center as opposed to Seneca Wallace, who will likely be starting this week. If he is your top TE, you have to roll with him but he is probably best left out of a flex spot this week.

Antonio Bryant @ WAS
Bryant missed practice Wednesday and Thursday this week, always an ominous sign despite his insistence that his swollen knee was feeling better after last week’s game. The Bucs will be starting an untested QB which makes me like Bryant even less this week. He only has 3 catches on the season and you would be wise to wait for him to find his game before deploying him.

Ted Ginn Jr. vs. BUF
Theodore Ginn was awful last week – 0 catches for the first time since his 2007 rookie season. He is due to bounce back, but despite his upside, I would not advise waiting for it. He drops catchable passes, catchable touchdowns even! He simply doesn’t give fantasy owners the consistency needed to feel confident with him in lineups. Bess seems to be the better receiving option for the ‘Fins at this point. As far as Henne’s big arm utilizing Ginn’s blazing speed, I’ll believe it when I see it.