The wide receiver position has become a valuable position in most leagues. NFL wide receivers have been racking up so many touchdowns and so much yardage, they can't be ignored early in any fantasy football draft.
There are some wide receivers that will produce more in the 2010 NFL season and a few will fall back from their numbers they put up in the 2009 NFL season. Others may be in contract holdouts or may be frustrated with a quarterback situation. The following are players that will be hot and a few that will be cold in the 2010 NFL season.
Steve Smith Wide Receiver Carolina Panthers Will be on Upswing in 2010
Carolina Panther Steve Smith is a great receiver in a small package. The feisty wide receiver is the best route runner in the league and has incredible instincts. Once Smith makes the catch, he can turn up field and escaped defenders like no other receiver. Smith is also a durable receiver although he is recovering from a broken arm suffered in the off season, Smith will be ready to in Week One of the NFL season. Steve Smith should be moved into the number one or number two slot on fantasy football draft boards.
Randy Moss Wide Receiver New England Patriots Will Have A Big Year
New England Patriots premiere wide out, Randy Moss has a few years left in him but his window is closing fast. Moss is still has his deceptive speed in the open field and after the catch, Moss is impressive with his breakaway acceleration.
Tom Brady has to feel more than a little annoyed that Sam Bradford just signed a 78 million dollar contract and he will be earning 3.5 million dollars. This will inspire Brady to hook up with his favorite deep ball threat Moss and the numbers will be huge. It is a good idea for fantasy football owners to move Moss to the top spot on their fantasy football draft boards.
Miles Austin Wide Receiver Dallas Cowboys Will Take a Step Back in 2010 NFL Season
MIles Austin was a great story last year for the Dallas Cowboys. With Roy Williams failing to step up last year, Austin was quarterback Tony Romo's favorite target. Dallas drafted an exciting wide out in Dez Bryant but Bryant will start the season possibly still recovering from a serious high ankle sprain.
If Bryant is healthy to start the season and Roy Williams emerges as a target for Romo, MIles Austin will see less balls thrown his way. Austin has the speed and the ability to escape defenders in the open field but he will get more attention in the 2010 NFL season. Move Austin down on the fantasy football draft board to the 17th-20th wide receiver.
Percy Harvin Wide Receiver Minnesota Vikings Injuries & Migraines Create Problems
The Minnesota Vikings exciting wide out, Percy Harvin is a great player but a fantasy football owners nightmare. Harvin suffers migraines and his small frame can't protect him from injury in a long 16 game NFL season. Harvin is still worth points in fantasy football but anyone drafting Harvin for a fantasy team must be on their toes up until five minutes before game time. Take Percy Harvin late in a fantasy football draft, he is a great number wide receiver. Don't take him early. Duarability is a key to picking wide receivers and knowledge of their pecking order on their team. Some fantasy football owners follow depth charts religiously but it is good to know how wide receivers interact with their quarterback. Other players to avoid in a fantasy football draft will be Vincent Jackson (contract dispute), Sidney Rice (back injury) and DeSean Jackson (back injury).
Todd Jacobs - Todd Jacobs is a freelance writer with publishing credits including USA Today, Orange County Register and Speed TV.
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