Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Bye Weeks: Jason Witten, Miles Austin, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Austin Collie, Pierre Garcon, Ted Ginn, Jr., Vernon Davis, Josh Morgan

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

Steve Smith (Car) @ TB
After a shaky start to the season (3 catches, 21 yards), Smith has averaged 5.7 catches and 78 YPG over his next three games. Carolina has not had a friendly passing schedule thus far (save Dallas), and this should be the week to really get Smith and Jake Delhomme going. Tampa has allowed 12 aerial TDs and an NFL-high 8 plays of 40 or more yards. The last time he faced them (12.8.08), Smith torched the Bucs with 9 catches, 117 yards and a TD.

Wes Welker vs. TEN
Welker needs to be in your lineup this week against Tennessee. He was Tom Brady’s top target last week with 8 catches for 86 yards and his first TD of the season. In just three games Welker has racked up 26 receptions. He will not disappoint against a Titans defense that has allowed an average of 287.6 passing YPG and 13 aerial scores this year.

Nate Burleson vs. ARI
Nate Burleson finished with a team-high 6 catches for 98 yards and 2 touchdowns last week against the Jaguars and seems to play his best with Matt Hasselbeck behind center. It’s easy to like his chances at home this week against the Cardinals, who boast the NFLs worst pass defense (303 YPG, 9 aerial TDs allowed). The last time Burleson faced Arizona (12.9.07) he hauled in 5 catches for 50 yards and a TD.

Consistent QB play would help Avery shed his "fantasy flop" label.

Donnie Avery @ JAX
Avery is considered by many to be a flop this season and remains available in the majority of leagues. Through five games last season he had 14 catches for 174 yards and no receiving TDs. After five games this year, he has 18 catches for 194 yards and 1 receiving TD. While he has not proven to be a consistent threat, he is serviceable as a bye-week fill in. He is coming off his best game of the year and this week the Rams visit the Jaguars, who have allowed 11 aerial TDs and 273 passing YPG.

Todd Heap @ MIN
Heap has not been outstanding, but he has been a reliable TE this season for both Joe Flacco and fantasy owners alike. The one game in which he did not register at least 4 catches he managed to score a TD. Last week he hauled in 7 catches; a season high. The Vikings have allowed 7 passing TDs this year, 4 of which were caught by tight ends.

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

Terrell Owens @ NYJ
The Bills contend they are trying to get T.O. the ball - but just 12 catches so far this year for the (former) stud? That is disheartening. You’d have to go back to Owens’ rookie year to find his production this low at the same point in the season (1996: 11 receptions through five games). The Jets defense holds their opponents to 194 passing YPG and has yielded only 3 passing TDs. I have zero confidence in Trent Edwards ability to deliver the ball to Owens after being severely limited by the Browns last week.

Marques Colston vs. NYG
As a Colston owner, I personally will not be benching him; however I am not going to expect a huge game either. He must be in lineups because he is a stud, but let’s look at the facts. The Giants have not faced an offense as talented and dominant as the Saints, but they could have the best defense in football. New York has allowed a measly 104.8 passing YPG and picked off 4 passes while allowing 5 aerial TDs in five games. Colston has only had 1 game worthy of his draft position this season (Week 2). Six catches over his last 2 games is simply not up to scratch.

Santonio Holmes vs. CLE
Holmes started the season with a bang, snaring 9 passes for 131 yards and a TD on opening night. Since then, he has only caught 5 (or more) passes in game once and he is averaging just 40 receiving YPG in his last three. He’s gone scoreless in 4 straight games. The Browns are not as bad defending the pass as you may think (or maybe teams simply prefer running on them?); they allow an average of 210 passing YPG. If you have a serviceable replacement, might want to let Santonio start to heat up before deploying him again.

Vincent Jackson vs. DEN
Vincent Jackson will try to get back on track on Monday Night Football after the Steelers snapped his consecutive 100-yard game streak at 2. It is unlikely that he will get shut out as he has caught at least 4 passes in every game this year. The Broncos will, however, do their best to limit his chances. Let’s not forget that Denver held Randy Moss to 1 catch for 36 yards last week, and rendered Roy Williams and Jason Witten mostly ineffective (7 catches, 66 yards combined) the week before. It is tough to sit this rising star, but prudent to consider all options carefully.