Names You Need to Know In 09′- Wide Receivers

Cliches are easy to come by in the sports world. Defense wins championships. The season is a marathon, not a sprint. Fantasy Football has a few of their own but one that is very true every year is, “Championships are won in the middle rounds of the draft and through pick-ups on the waiver wire.”

To be able to dominate in the draft and move fast on the waiver wire you need to have some deep knowledge of players. Only fantasy football owners can tell you who the back-up runningback is for the Houston Texans or who the 5th wide receiver is for the Eagles. There, buried in the depth charts, are the players who will carry you quietly to the playoffs.

So who are the names you need to know in 2009? I’ll go over a few guys whose names may or may not jump to mind. Either way they will be names you’ll want to know when setting up your draft sheets and when waiver wires open up. Not every backup is worth having because, well, if they were any good at times they would be starters. So let me help you sift through the refuse and fine the gems.

Wide Receivers

Kevin Walter (Hou)- Amazing I feel the need to add this guy on a list with some of the other names that will follow but you’re hearing exactly nothing about Walter this off season. Why? Well he happens to play opposite of Andre Johnson who some are promoting as the possible top scoring wide out in point per reception leagues. Walter now has back to back 800 yard seasons and went from 4tds in 07 to 8tds in 08. Shaub is back healthy and now the Texans have a legitimate threat out of the backfield. Walter has every chance to exceed 800 yards and 8 tds in 09. Big time value to be had in the 6th round of point per reception or later in traditional scoring.

Domenik Hixon (NYG)- After Plax shot his career in the foot a void has been left open for a mighty amount of catches to be had by someone on the Giants roster. Michael Strahan described Hixon as a “superstar” before he emerged and when his only role was on special teams. He knew something we didn’t know. Health is a question mark and because he didn’t post gaudey td or yardage numbers last year the savy owner can pick him up quietly in the 8th round or later. That is sweet value for a #1 wide out and his numbers could vault to 8-900 yards and 8 tds or more due to his big play speed and hands.

Mark Bradley (KCC)- This guy was waiver wire fodder last season and started to catch fire towards the middle of the season. Injuries limited him to only 300 yards and 3 tds last season. He is a candidate to at least double those numbers this season. Remember, he had three guys throwing him the rock last year and the best of the bunch was Tyler Thigpen. Now there is legit debate if the Chiefs did indeed upgrade with Cassel. But this new offense is something Cassel knows backwards and forwards. That familiarity will translate into a quick learning curve for the skill players. Guys like Bowe and Bradley will get every chance to explode this season. Bradley is going in the 12th round and is another guy who I believe is capable of breaking into the 800 yard and 6 td range.

Deion Branch (SEA)- Branch cashed in on his Super Bowl success only to tank in the light of heavy expectations. Yours truly was guilty of buying the hype of Branch’s quickness and hands being featured in the West Coast offense. His career in Seattle has been more decaf and less espresso until the last 5 games last season. Most folks forgot about the Seahawks because of the terrible season. But Branch seemed to be getting better late in the season and is more than a year removed from serious injury. I like that pattern and the healthy return of Hasselbeck. I see Branch being a potential steal in this upcoming draft due to the signing of TJ Houshmandzadeh. Branch could be a stellar #2 and now will not have to fill the role of being the top guy. He could regain his former form and rack up over 800 yards and 6-8 tds.

Pierre Garcon (IND)- Coaches raved about Garcon as a small school project last season. He barely saw the field last year with only 4 catches and isn’t getting drafted in most drafts. But Garcon is leading the race to be the #3 wr in the Colts offense which makes him a very attractiveve flyer. Garcon could be a guy you stash on your roster and play when the situation presents itself. In the Colts system Garcon could be good for 600 yards and 4 tds. He battles rookie Austin Collie for the right to be #3 and in that system the edge must go to the second year guy. Take a flyer on him and look like a rock star when he goes off.

Earl Bennett (CHI)- Bennett is another second year guy that could go from no statistics in 08 to rack up 600-700 yards in 09. Devin Hester is coming along as a wide out but the next starting wr is up for grabs in Chicago. Third year man Devin Aromashodu and rookie Johnny Knox are Bennett’s main competition. Before the Chicago winter bears down (swear that pun wasn’t intended) the Bears will be able to open up the offense. But when the crappy weather rolls in even the mighty arm of Jay Cutler will want to have some solid go-to guys who can catch the ball and move the chains. Bennett may be that guy. If he is getting drafted it is in the 13th round and he could easily post numbers in the upper 700 yard and 7 td range.

Brian Robiskie (CLE) – Robiskie is the son of an NFL receivers coach. More than likely he’s helping with Braylon Edwards’ route running technique. Most rookies that find success in the first year are either freakshows of NFL talent. Robiskie may just be one of the few that finds success his first year as a pure possession receiver in an offense that requires at least one guy in that mold. He’s not getting drafted at all and in a point per reception league he could be worth a look late.

Wide receiver is the one position in fantasy football that can be difficult to pick out uber value due to the sheer volume of names. So if you have any other names jump to mind let us know in the comments section below or start a thread in the forums. Take care and see you in the forums!

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