2007 WR Rankings

1. Steve Smith, Carolina: 1,166 yards and 8 TDs receiving, 61 yards and 1 TD rushing. New Panthers offensive coordinator will find new ways to get game’s most explosive wideout more involved. Sit back and enjoy the results.

2. Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis: 1,366 yards, 12 TDs. Age is nothing but a number when it comes to wideouts, especially this guy. He and his QB are as close to a sure thing as you can get in fantasy.

3. Chad Johnson, Cincinnati: 1,369 yards, 7 TDs. Probably won’t reach double-digit TDs, but Ocho Cinco is Carson Palmer’s favorite target, so big plays and big yardage will make up for it.

4. Torry Holt, St. Louis: 1,188 yards, 10 TDs. Addition of other receiving targets (Drew Bennett, Randy McMichael) will only help consummate pro get open more often.

5. Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis: 1,310 yards, 9 TDs. Could be a No. 1 on another team, but might not get the same looks he enjoys now as Harrison’s teammate. Thank goodness for that.

6. Terrell Owens, Dallas: 1,180 yards, 13 TDs. More drama than Lindsay Lohan – except with the talent to make it all worthwhile. No Bill Parcells or Drew Bledsoe to hold him back this year, either.

***

7. Roy Williams, Detroit: 1,310 yards, 7 TDs. Sooner rookie teammate Calvin Johnson matures, the sooner Williams will be free of double-teams. Shouldn’t take long.

8. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona: 946 yards, 6 TDs. He’s always been physically gifted, but word is he’s refined his technique this offseason – a scary thought.

9. Lee Evans, Buffalo: 1,292 yards, 8 TDs. Will post a clunker here or there, but that’ll happen when you’re the team’s only receiving threat. He’ll catch plenty of deep balls.

***

10. Donald Driver, Green Bay: 1,295 yards, 8 TDs. Brett Favre might not be able to do much anymore, but there’s one area in which he excels: getting the ball to Driver. Wideout reached career highs in catches and yards last year.

11. Marques Colston, New Orleans: 1,038 yards, 8 TDs. Secret’s out regarding ’06 surprise standout, but his size, skills and offensive cohorts say there won’t be a sophomore slump.

12. Javon Walker, Denver: 1,084 yards and 8 TDs receiving, 123 yards and 1 TD rushing. Numbers should go up in second year as a Bronco with Jay Cutler getting acclimated with NFL defenses.

13. Randy Moss, New England: 553 yards, 3 TDs. Patriots will light a fire under him, which makes him extremely dangerous again. But they spread the ball around, so 100-yard games or TD chances might not be there every week.

14. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Cincinnati: 1,081 yards, 9 TDs. Doesn’t get as many headlines as teammate Johnson – try fitting “Houshmandzadeh” on a newspaper page – but he’s actually more consistent each week.

15. Anquan Boldin, Arizona: 1,203 yards, 4 TDs. Fitzgerald robs him of some valuable red-zone action, but he’ll still get enough looks to make him a fine fantasy No. 2.

16. Andre Johnson, Houston: 1,147 yards, 5 TDs. Yearly accomplishments are amazing given the offense he’s in. Imagine what he’d do on a real team.

17. Plaxico Burress, NY Giants: 988 yards, 10 TDs. Can be a deadly gamebreaker when he feels like it. Would be nice to see some more chemistry with Eli Manning.

***

18. Hines Ward, Pittsburgh: 975 yards, 6 TDs. Slowed a little last year by knee troubles, Ben Roethlisberger’s struggles but should bounce back a bit, within reason.

19. Darrell Jackson, San Francisco: 956 yards, 10 TDs. Acquired by 49ers to be sorely-needed No. 1 receiver for young QB Alex Smith. Had some lingering turf toe issues though.

20. Laveranues Coles, NY Jets: 1,098 yards, 6 TDs. Tough guy plays through pain, and a healthy Chad Pennington will look his way often.

21. Reggie Brown, Philadelphia: 816 yards and 8 TDs receiving, 24 yards and 1 TD rushing. Entering third year in the league, he’s the Eagles’ official go-to guy. Should catch a few of the deep balls that went to Donte’ Stallworth last year.

(***)

22. Calvin Johnson, Detroit: Rookie. Former Mike Williams/Charles Rogers owners are skeptical of rookie Lions receivers, but this guy has legit skills. Just don’t pencil him in as a fantasy stud yet – wait until 2008.

23. Chris Chambers, Miami: 677 yards and 4 TDs receiving, 95 yards rushing. Will be undervalued because he stunk last year – along with rest of Dolphins’ offense – but additions of Cam Cameron and QB Trent Green could help him regain ’05 form.

24. Braylon Edwards, Cleveland: 884 yards, 6 TDs. Perhaps Browns’ latest offensive system overhaul will finally take advantage of his talents. Steady QB play and staying healthy wouldn’t hurt, either.

***

25. Deion Branch, Seattle: 725 yards, 4 TDs, 30 yards rushing. Used to sharing receptions with teammates, but with Jackson out of the way he’ll take a starring role.

26. Mark Clayton, Baltimore: 939 yards, 5 TDs. Promising youngster bulked up in offseason, and his game still has room to grow – as long as aging Steve McNair doesn’t stunt that growth.

27. Vincent Jackson, San Diego: 453 yards, 6 TDs. Chargers expect big things from big target, who didn’t really turn it on until final four weeks last season. He’ll be Bolts’ No. 1 in an electrifying offense.

28. Joey Galloway, Tampa Bay: 1,057 yards, 7 TDs. Dependable old dude is still a burner, and having fellow vet Jeff Garcia under center should stabilize his stats from week to week.

***

29. Donte' Stallworth, New England: 725 yards, 5 TDs. Working his way back from an undisclosed injury, and it’s unclear how Pats will utilize him, so there’s risk involved. No doubt he’ll have a few huge weeks – but good luck guessing which ones.

30. Santana Moss, Washington: 790 yards and 6 TDs receiving, 82 yards rushing. Redskins expect more from little guy this year, and so should you. Monitor hip/groin problems that have slowed him in camp.

31. Jerricho Cotchery, NY Jets: 961 yards, 6 TDs.

32. Terry Glenn, Dallas: 1,047 yards, 6 TDs.

33. Bernard Berrian, Chicago: 775 yards, 6 TDs.

***

34. Greg Jennings, Green Bay: 632 yards, 3 TDs.

35. D.J. Hackett, Seattle: 610 yards, 4 TDs.

36. Jerry Porter, Oakland: 1 catch, 19 yards.

37. Mike Furrey, Detroit: 1,086 yards, 6 TDs.

38. Isaac Bruce, St. Louis: 1,098 yards, 3 TDs.

***

39. Devery Henderson, New Orleans: 745 yards and 5 TDs receiving, 14 yards and 1 TD rushing.

40. Brandon Jones, Tennessee: 384 yards, 2 TDs.