Fantasy Football: Ranking the Top 50 Wide Receivers for 2015
Nov 27, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) during the third quarter against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field. Detroit won 34-17. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
6. Julio Jones, ATL: Honestly, as we start getting to this point, any of these guys could be considered number one. Some may make the case of Jones as the top fantasy receiver this season. While he truly is an amazing talent, whose skills are seemingly limitless on a football field, I could not put Jones that high. However, there is no denying his obvious talent and clear fantasy value.
Jones is a freak athlete, with scary speed and ideal size for the position. He ability to beat defenses deep on a consistent basis is basically unrivaled in the entire NFL, and his red zone game is also tremendous. Matt Ryan is a good NFL quarterback, but he is not a great one. Jones very well could prove me wrong, but I would rather go with a more established stud who has a better quarterback throwing him the ball.
5. Calvin Johnson, DET: Megatron has been number one on lists like this for the majority of recent history. His incredible overall skill-set as a wide receiver is scary. With perfect size, blazing speed, incredible strength and unreal athleticism, it is almost like the Lions built the perfect receiver in a laboratory and came out with Calvin Johnson.
He did struggle with injuries last season, and that is why he has slipped on the list a little bit. That being said, he is still clearly an elite wide receiver, and will almost certainly become a major bargain if he can stay healthy. Do not give up on Megatron, he still has plenty of life left in his career.
4. Demaryius Thomas, DEN: While he has not proven for such a long time, Thomas has the all-around skill-set similar to Johnson. Maybe not quite as strong, and a little bit faster, but he was born to play wide receiver in the NFL. Thomas has become Manning’s favorite target in the passing game, and that in itself can make for fantasy gold.
Thomas is a supremely talented player in near-perfect situation. There is very little downside here, with absolutely massive upside.
Next: 3-1