Fantasy Football Preview 2006: Wide Recievers

Fantasy Fallout: Wide Receiver Preview

Last time, we talked about RB’s. This time, I’m going to introduce you to an invaluable comrade in your quest for Fantasy Glory - - the multi-tool WR. Now, before I get started, I need to give the four commandments of the WR draft:



#1. DO NOT DRAFT A WR WITH YOUR FIRST PICK. You need a runningback first and foremost, and that’s why I wrote a cheat sheet for them first. I understand that you think Terrell Owens is due for another monster season, or that you think Steve Smith will do even better than last year (not a chance), but the simple fact remains: each team has ONE starting runningback, and THREE starting receivers. Seeing as most leagues have a 2 RB scoring system, and that there are only 32 teams (with a few of those teams without a specific starting RB), someone is going to get shafted, and shafted early. That said, save your receivers for round two. They’ll be waiting.



#2. DO NOT DRAFT TWO RECIEVERS FROM THE SAME TEAM. This should probably go without saying, but any Peyton Manning touchdown that goes to Reggie Wayne is a TD that DOESN’T go to Marvin Harrison. Only draft two from the same team if you know you can trade one (or if they’re Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald…which is not going to happen in any draft).



#3. PAY ATTENTION TO THE BYE WEEKS. For example, Indianapolis and New England share the same bye week, so drafting Reggie Wayne and Deion Branch is REALLY going to hurt in week 6. 



#4. RECEPTIONS ARE INVALUABLE. Most fantasy leagues count receptions as a half point, and value touchdowns at about six. Now, lets say that you can choose between a touchdown heavy WR (like Hines Ward) or a reception heavy WR (like Anquan Boldin). Well, if you’re nabbing 7 receptions a week, that’s already a guaranteed half-touchdown. Throw in the yards that come with it (let’s say its 1 point for every 20 yards), and you’ve already got that possible touchdown Ward might have given you, and that’s before you find out that Boldin scored anyway. Trust me, it adds up.





Now, onto the picks!





#1. Torry Holt



#2. Chad Johnson