Fantasy Football: Ranking the Top 50 Wide Receivers for 2015
Sep 28, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) leaps for and misses a pass in the end zone during the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Fantasy football has changed dramatically over the years. Not only has the game wide-spread to seemingly anyone who knows what a football is, the high-octane offenses that we see in the NFL now have changed how to become a successful fantasy owner.
Quarterbacks are throwing the ball at an all-time rate, and passing records are seemingly being shattered year-after-year. While on the surface, this may make the quarterback position appear more valuable, if you look deeper it really doesn’t. A huge majority of fantasy football leagues start only one quarterback, and while the likes of Aaron Rodgers and Andrew Luck may be the best, even the lesser players at the position are putting up huge numbers.
While the high-volume passing attacks have oddly devalued the elite quarterbacks in fantasy football, the value of the wide receivers are at an all-time high. It makes sense, somebody has to be catching all of these passes, and unlike the quarterback position where we are almost always starting only one player, most leagues can start at least three wide receivers. There are also plenty of leagues out there where an owner can start four, five or even more receivers on a given week.
Loading up on the wide receiver position is the best way to take advantage of the new high-powered passing attacks, and the position is now loaded with more talent and depth across the board than ever before. Rookie receivers enter the NFL each season with seemingly unlimited upside, only adding to our already loaded options at the position.
Look no further than the Chicago Bears. This team has some interesting players, but considering their recent change in philosophy across the organization, the Bears are looking like a rebuilding team this season. The strongest position on the entire roster? You guessed it, wide receiver.
Superstar in the making Alshon Jeffery leads rookie Kevin White, slot receiver extraordinaire Eddie Royal and breakout candidate Marquess Wilson to give quarterback Jay Cutler a host of intriguing options in the passing game. While the team may not produce many wins, the Bears’ receivers are still primed to help many fantasy football teams. But more on those specific players later.
These rankings are based on standard PPR (point per reception) scoring. Most leagues seem to be going towards PPR in recent years, so I am going to try to cater to the masses on this one.
Without further ado, here are the top 50 wide receivers ranked for the 2015 fantasy football season.
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