Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

- Written by Ryan Czopek
- Edited by Allie Fontana

Top Free-Agent Wide Receivers

Sidney Rice (Minnesota Vikings)   **SIGNED WITH SEATTLE SEAHAWKS**

Rice enters free agency in an enviable position. Despite missing 10 games in 2010 following hip surgery and having just one great season on his résumé, Rice is considered by many to be the crème de le crème of the 2011 free-agent class. He blossomed as Brett Favre’s favorite target in Minnesota during the 2009 season, catching 83 receptions for 1,312 yards and eight touchdowns. Rice brings a lot to the table–size (6’4”), athleticism, above-average speed and tremendous leaping ability. He also has good hands and the ability to make the tough catch. However Rice isn’t a finished product. He still has to refine his route running skills and his long frame makes it easier for defensive backs to rough him up. Rice returned to the Minnesota Vikings lineup in Week 12. While the team had serious offensive woes last year, Rice looked pretty good in limited action, posting 280 yards on 17 receptions and two scores. Rice’s injury history may be an issue for some teams looking to add a talented wide receiver through free agency, however his positives will undoubtedly outweigh the health concerns.  The Minnesota Vikings will make an early push to sign him to a long-term deal, but expect Rice to test his value in the free-agent market and consider other offers. The Chicago Bears, St. Louis Rams, Washington Redskins and most recently, the Seattle Seahawks are interested in the talented 24-year-old. Health concerns and the quarterback situation in Minnesota aside, fantasy owners are likely to draft him as a No. 2 fantasy option. His has enough upside to produce at the WR1 level under the right circumstances. 

Santonio Holmes (New York Jets)   **RE-SIGNED WITH NEW YORK JETS**

Holmes is said to be the player that may challenge Sidney Rice as the most coveted receiver of the 2011 free-agent class, however teams that pursue him will have to compete with an aggressive New York Jets. The talented Holmes is the No. 1 priority on the team’s post-lockout to-do list. He’s entering the prime of his career at 27, and is the leading target in the Jets’ passing attack. He has excellent hands, explosiveness in the open field and a capable deep threat.  The downside to signing Holmes is his turbulent history with the law. He was charged with disorderly conduct just before his rookie season, and arrested in 2008 for domestic violence. He violated the league’s substance abuse policy and was suspended for four games at the start of the 2010 season. Holmes finished the year with 52 receptions for 746 yards and six touchdowns in 11 games. While re-signing with the Jets seems like a win-win for the team and Holmes, it could come down to other people’s money. The Washington Redskins and head coach Mike Shanahan have been vocal in their interest in going after Holmes, and given owner Dan Snyder’s deep pockets, Holmes could be tempted by the green. If he sticks with the Jets, Holmes is a solid No.2 fantasy option. A move to Washington downgrades his draft value a bit because of the dicey quarterback situation. 

Braylon Edwards (New York Jets)

Edwards had a solid 2010 campaign despite New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez’s struggles with his accuracy. Though Edwards finished the year with just 53 receptions, he excelled at the connecting with the big play, racking up 904 yards and seven touchdowns. Great hand eye coordination, superior athleticism and getting down the field quickly are Edwards’ strong suits. His biggest negative is that he loses focus easily and is usually among the league leaders in dropped passes. Edwards is no stranger to being in trouble with the law either. In October 2009, Edwards was accused of punching a man outside a Cleveland nightclub, then he was arrested and charged with a DWI in 2010. Edwards recently pled guilty to the drunken driving charge and could face jail time for a probation violation stemming from the Cleveland incident. The Jets have said the re-signing fellow free agent Santonio Holmes is their highest priority, so Edwards could be expendable. Fortunately, there are enough wide receiver hungry teams that will likely make a play for his services. The Chicago Bears are rumored to have a serious interest in Edwards. Landing in a pass-happy offense like Chicago could prove to be a huge boost for Edwards and his fantasy value. 

Santana Moss (Washington Redskins)   **RE-SIGNED WITH WASHINGTON REDSKINS**

Moss is coming off the second best statistical season of his career, posting a career-high 93 receptions for 1,115 yards and six touchdowns in 2010. The 11-year veteran showed that he can still make an impact despite his advancing age (32) and while playing on an underwhelming Washington Redskins offense. Moss’ great hands and elusiveness in the open field make him an ideal third receiver for any team.  At 5’10”, Moss doesn’t have the height or leaping ability that many of the other 2011 free agent wide receivers possess, yet he delivered excellent results catching balls in the slot.  Moss has made it known that he prefers to re-sign with the Redskins, and head coach Mike Shanahan is reportedly interested in having him back this season. Should the two sides work out a new deal, Moss should post numbers close to last season given the team’s lack of talent at wide receiver. Fantasy owners can comfortably draft him in the middle rounds as a WR3. If he signs elsewhere, then reassess his value based on the situation and quarterback throwing him the ball.

Mike Sims-Walker (Jacksonville Jaguars)   **SIGNED WITH ST. LOUIS RAMS**

Sims-Walker was expected to breakout in 2010 and instead was plagued by inconsistency. While he posted two 100-yard games, Sims-Walker had a tendency to disappear some weeks, registering two or fewer catches in six games. The fourth-year wideout hauled in a disappointing 43 receptions for 562 yards and seven touchdowns in 14 games. Sims-Walker has a lot going for him including good size (6’2”, 214 lbs.), athleticism, excellent in the open field, and he’s tough to bring down after the catch. He’s also a terrific red-zone threat, in fact, all seven Sims-Walker touchdowns came inside the 20-yard line. On the downside, Sims has been troubled by nagging leg injuries during his career, missing 26 games in four seasons, the majority, leg-related and he’s yet to live up to his talent or potential. The Chicago Bears, Miami Dolphins and Washington Redskins have been linked to Sims-Walker this offseason. Unless he lands in a good situation and kicks it up a notch, Sims-Walker is best drafted as a WR4 or WR5 for fantasy teams.

Randy Moss (Tennessee Titans)   **RETIRED FROM FOOTBALL**

Moss really managed to kill his free agent value after a tumultuous 2010 season. Three teams in one season, attitude issues and a weak second half (six receptions in eight games with the Tennessee Titans) do not add up to big free-agent dollars. After three straight 1000-yard, double-digit touchdown seasons, Moss finished the year with 28 receptions, 393 yards and five touchdowns. He still has the size (6’4”), great balance and soft hands to make an impact in the NFL, but it’s hard to know what to expect from him. His agent reports that Moss is in “freakish” shape and has a huge chip on his shoulder heading into 2011. That said, his age (34), reputation for taking off plays and having a “diva” like attitude could make it difficult for Moss to find many suitors during free agency.  He may need to accept a one-year deal to get his chance at reclaiming the “old Randy Moss.” The New York Jets are rumored to have an interest in him. Drafting him as anything more than a reserve receiver would be a huge risk. 

Steve Smith (New York Giants)

Smith no doubt wishes that he was a free agent after his breakout 2009 season when he caught 107 balls for 1,220 yards and seven touchdowns. Instead he’s hitting the market while still rehabbing his knee following microfracture surgery on his left knee in late December. Smith tore his ACL in the New York Giants’ Week 14 contest against the Minnesota Vikings that prematurely ended his season. He’d previously missed four games after he tore a pectoral muscle in practice. He finished the 2010 season with 48 receptions for 529 yards and three touchdowns over nine games. When healthy, Smith’s solid route running skills, great hands and ability to make plays after the catch make him an excellent possession receiver. There’s talk that Smith will begin the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Since many teams will shy away from courting Smith because of his ailing knee, he’s likely to agree to a one-year deal with the Giants. This will give him a chance to rebuild his stock and test the market in 2012. While Smith is typically a No.2 fantasy option especially in PPR leagues, his injury situation makes him a risk for fantasy owners. Lower expectations and draft him as a low-end WR3 or WR4. If Smith comes back healthy, he could turn out to be a true Draft Day steal.

Terrell Owens (Cincinnati Bengals)

Who said that T.O. couldn’t play at a productive level anymore? After a dismal 2009 season with the Buffalo Bills, Owens bounced back in a major way last season. The 16-year veteran posted 79 receptions for 983 yards and scored nine touchdowns in 14 games with the Cincinnati Bengals. Owens used precise route running and his size to dominate defensive backs. He tore his meniscus late in the season and underwent surgery in December. It was a given that Owens had played his final down as a Bengal and the speculation began about where he’d sign in the offseason. Then word got out that the 37-year-old had surgery to repair a torn ACL in late May, which called the 2011 season into question.  Owens’ agent claims that he’ll be ready to roll Week 1, but that seems like a longshot. His age, attitude and recent injury issues might make some teams think twice about signing him, however there are enough teams in need of quality wide receivers that Owens should generate interest. Where he lands and how soon he’ll be ready to play are open questions at this point. Fantasy owners should play it somewhat safe and draft him in Round 10 or later.

Malcom Floyd (San Diego Chargers)

Floyd became the San Diego Chargers’ No. 1 wide receiver last season thanks to a missing in action Vincent Jackson, who held out for most of the year. Floyd caught 37 balls for 717 yards and six touchdowns in 11 games, then missed five games due to a hamstring injury. While Floyd showed big-play ability in the Chargers’ pass-friendly offense, he didn’t always make the most of his golden opportunity. His size (6’6”), speed,  and decent hands make him a solid red-zone target, yet physical defensive backs can bully him. It looks less likely that the Chargers will re-sign Floyd as the team has expressed interest in veteran Steve Smith who wants out of Carolina. Should Floyd stay with San Diego, he would be a solid WR3 for your 2011 fantasy team. Otherwise, Floyd’s fantasy value in 2011 is directly tied to whether or not he lands in a good situation. 

Lance Moore (New Orleans Saints)   **RE-SIGNED WITH NEW ORLEANS SAINTS**

Moore reestablished his great chemistry with quarterback Drew Brees last season after an injury-riddled 2009. He bounced back to the tune of 66 receptions for 763 yards and eight touchdowns. Moore proved to be a difficult cover in the red zone on account of his solid speed, great route running, and soft hands. In fact, Moore led all wide receivers in red-zone receiving yardage (112) and scored five of his eight touchdowns in the red zone. Moore is expected to resign with the New Orleans Saints. He doesn’t have a great deal of upside, however if you’re looking for a consistent No. 3 or No. 4 receiver for your fantasy roster, then Moore is a good choice.

James Jones (Green Bay Packers)   **RE-SIGNED WITH GREEN BAY PACKERS**

Even though he was typically Aaron Rodgers’ third favorite target last season, Jones managed (surprise, surprise) to have his best NFL season (50 receptions, 679 receiving yards, five touchdowns)in a contract year.  A solidly built 6’1”, Jones is strong enough to contend with physical defensive backs and is difficult to bring down. On the downside, he lacks explosive speed and can sometimes be careless with the football. The Green Bay Packers have so many solid receiving options–Greg Jennings, Jermichael Finley, Donald Driver, Jordy Nelson –and the recently drafted Randall Cobb–that it’s unlikely that they’ll re-sign Jones. Regardless of where he lands as a result of free agency, you’re better off drafting him as a reserve player on your fantasy football roster.

Plaxico Burress (FA)   **SIGNED WITH NEW YORK JETS**

Considered by some to be the ultimate “Wild Card” of the 2011 free-agent class, Burress has expressed interest in playing for a number of NFL teams including the Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets. Whether or not the interest is mutual or how deep it runs remains to be seen.  Also unclear is just how much Burress’ once impressive skills and athleticism have diminished in the two years that he’s been away from football. Though he appears to be in decent shape, fantasy owners are well advised to remember that he’ll be 34 in August and he hasn’t played a down since Week 12 of the 2008 season when a hamstring injury forced him off the field. While there’s temptation to compare Burress to Michael Vick, keep in mind Vick had a full season to get back to game shape before his comeback in 2010. No doubt Burress could sign on with a team looking for a deep threat or red-zone target, but at this point it’s difficult to gauge his fantasy value. Keep an eye on where he signs and how he looks in training camp and in the preseason. Regardless, he’s less of a risk as a late-round flier. 

Mark Clayton (St. Louis Rams)

Clayton appeared to be on his way to a career year in 2010 until he suffered a season ending knee injury against the Detroit Lions in Week 5. He showed great chemistry with quarterback Sam Bradford and was the leading receiver for the St. Louis Rams after four weeks.  Clayton has solid hands and is great at producing yards after the catch. The Rams and Clayton were close to a deal before the lockout, so re-signing with the team seems like the most likely scenario for the veteran wideout.

Jacoby Jones (Houston Texans)   **RE-SIGNED WITH HOUSTON TEXANS**

Many fantasy experts predicted that Jones would break out in 2009 and again in 2010 and he failed to deliver both times. His 78 receptions (51 catches in 2010) for 999 yards over two seasons are way below what the Houston Texans expected of the fifth-year wideout. Jones has great speed and he’s elusive in the open field, however he struggles in bracket coverage. Expect the Texans to make a push to re-sign him and see whether he can nudge Kevin Walter out of the starting lineup opposite Andre Johnson. Jones has upside based on the strength of Houston’s passing game, however he needs to up his game and be more consistent before he can be more than a reserve player on your fantasy bench.