Fantasy Football Forgotten Firepower: Wide Receivers

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· September 3, 2010

The Forgotten Firepower series continues this week with late-round wideouts that will make your team…wait for it…wait…for..it…legendary!

Hines Ward, Pittsburgh Steelers

It’s not that often that a wide receiver missing an ACL in his left knee and a first name that smacks of processed tomatoes and vinegar, can make it on any best-of list. Yet that’s exactly where Mr. Ward finds himself.

Ward’s counterpart, Mike Wallace, is getting all the long and lusty looks from fantasy owners this year. However, it’s Ward who gobbled up 95 catches last year. In a PPR league, Ward’s value increases even more.

Beware, though. Ward’s value hinges on Commissioner Roger Goodell’s final ruling on the length of Ben Roethlisberger’s suspension. A six-game suspension means Ward will be looking for catches from the unseasoned arm of Dennis Dixon, or even worse, Charlie Batch, or God forbid, Byron Leftwich.

However, Ward will surge when Big Ben returns. Look for the 34-year-old wideout to be a valuable #2 or #3 option during your team’s run to the playoffs.

Wes Welker, New England Patriots

I remember Welker when he was with the Chargers. He was a spark plug-type of player.
The Chargers hacked the 5’9” Welker off their roster and he fell to the Dolphins. The rest of the story is the stuff of lore.

Welker is now a greedy dude, snatching up over 100 receptions in the last three seasons. His yards in those three seasons – 1175, 1165, and 1348 aren’t spectacular. But then again, we’re talking second receivers here.  

Of course, no discussion about Welker can omit his recovery from his ACL/MCL double dip in last year’s finale against the Texans. Will he regain his form?

It’s worth the risk to take him in the sixth or seventh round. At that point, you are looking at unproven second- or third-string receivers like Malcolm Floyd and Hakeem Nicks, or fading stars like Terrell Owens.

Go with the guy who makes a living playing catch with Tom Brady (and crafting snow angels). 

Santana Moss, Washington Redskins

That’s right. I didn’t say Pierre Garcon, Santonio Holmes, or Devin Aromashodu. Why?

Garcon and Holmes have the Curse of the Plethora; they play alongside multiple receivers who are either better than them or equally as good. Picking the right receiver in the Indy or Jets offense is like that ridiculous dating show where you get stuck in a dark room with three potential girlfriends. Good luck.

Like Ward, Moss is a few years away from a steady geriatric diet of wheelchairs and whiskey. He is pushing 32 years old. Despite his age, Moss is still a threat.

New quarterback/soup salesman Donovan McNabb knows how to turn a receiver into a star. DeSean Jackson, Kevin Curtis, and Jeremy Maclin, to name a few.

Look for Moss to benefit from McNabb’s ability to extend the play. Last year Moss grabbed 70 passes for over 900 yards via Jason Campbell.

Sure, both McNabb and Campbell sport a ‘stache. That’s about all they have in common, though. Good things are ahead for Santana.

Written by James Duren, exclusively for www.thefantasyfix.com.

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Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Sports Blog, Fantasy Football Advice, Fantasy Football, NFL, Late Round Picks, Hines Ward, Santana Moss, Wes Welker, Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Redskins, New England Patriots

Fantasy Football Forgotten Firepower: Wide Receivers