Like an old man complaining about all the other senior citizens who go to Denny’s for the early bird special, I will complain about prediction articles while writing this one about wide receivers. I cannot guarantee that in the end, these will all be true. At least Denny’s gives you a piece of pie, preferably pecan.
1) Sammy Watkins finishes as a top-3 fantasy wide receiver.
2) No Seattle receiver surpasses 800 yards. Do not pass “Go,” Doug Baldwin, do not collect $200.
3) Devin Funchess and Kelvin Benjamin do not reach 1000 yards, but both will score at least 8 touchdowns.
4) Jeremy Maclin has a top-12 finish, finally freeing Alex Smith from the burdensome “wide receiver value killer” label.
Jeremy Maclin Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
5) Denver pass catcher Demaryius Thomas finds himself outside the top-30 as he watches Trevor Siemian check down over and over again to Virgil Green and Devontae Booker.
6) The only Titan receiver to provide starting caliber production (top-36) is Rishard Matthews. He threatens Delanie Walker for the team yardage lead.
7) Amari Cooper doubles his red zone target share from last year (13.6-percent), on his way to a 10-plus touchdown season.
8) Three teams manage to place two receivers in the top-24: the Packers (Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb), the Jets (Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker), and the Cardinals (Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd).
9) Alshon Jeffery leads the league in targets but outside the top-10 in touchdowns as Bears players are re-re-re-reminded of Jay Cutler’s insufferable inefficiency.
Alshon Jeffery Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
10) Travis Benjamin accomplishes what Malcom Floyd failed to during his 11 seasons in San Diego: surpass 1000 yards.
11) Victor Cruz outscores rookie Sterling Shepard, salsa dancing his way back to fantasy relevance.
12) Terrelle Pryor leads the NFL in yards per target.
13) Bruce Ellington leads the 49ers in receptions, Torrey Smith leads the team in yards, and Vance McDonald leads the team in receiving touchdowns.
