Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

- Written by Lane Rizzardini
- Edited by Marc Caviglia
- Predictions are based on Staff Consensus

::WEEK 1 RANKINGS UPDATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 11, 2010::

1. Larry Fitzgerald (Arizona Cardinals) @ St. Louis

With all the chaos surrounding the Arizona offense this offseason many would be surprised to find Fitzgerald at the top of the list. The part people are forgetting is that he is still by far the team’s biggest play maker. If Arizona wants to compete they will try to get Fitzgerald the ball a lot, and against the abysmal St. Louis Rams’ defense he should have no problem turning those targets into a monster fantasy football day.
Point Projection: 20 points

2. Andre Johnson (Houston Texans) vs. Indianapolis

Last year’s top receiver gets a match up against the division rival Indianapolis Colts’ right off the bat Week 1. The Colts’ seem to have his number, as in 12 career games he has only reached the end zone three times. However, the Texans have been improving and will have to throw like crazy to keep up with Peyton Manning, meaning plenty of targets for Andre Johnson.
Point Projection: 18 points

3. Reggie Wayne (Indianapolis Colts) @ Houston

Wayne is coming off his second 100-reception season and is one of the most reliable receivers in the game, due in most part to quarterback Peyton Manning. The Houston Texans have made some improvements to their defense but the Colts are 15-1 all-time against them and have won the last five meetings. Manning should have no problem shredding them again, with Wayne as the main beneficiary.
Point Projection: 18 points

4. Brandon Marshall (Miami Dolphins) @ Buffalo

Marshall gets to make his Miami debut against one of the worst teams in football, giving him a prime opportunity to start his Dolphins’ career with a bang. He is aiming for a whooping fifth consecutive hundred-reception season, and with the Dolphins’ beginning to trust Chad Henne it should lead to plenty of opportunity and targets for Marshall. Expect him to continue to be an elite receiver in his new uniform - starting in Week 1.
Point Projection: 18 points

5. Calvin Johnson (Detroit Lions) vs. Chicago

Megatron looks to rebound from a disappointing 2009 against the division rival Chicago Bears in the season opener. Johnson is considered one of the most gifted receivers in the NFL and won’t be held back by Matthew Stafford like he was last year. Johnson has the ability to put up monster numbers wherever he goes and the mediocre Bears’ secondary won’t be able to contain him.
Point Projection: 17 points

6. Steve Smith (Carolina Panthers) @ New York Giants

Smith is a prime bounce back candidate this season due to the nauseating play of Jake Delhomme keeping him from being all he has shown he can be. When current starter Matt Moore stepped in Week 12 Smith’s numbers improved dramatically, and there’s no reason to think that won’t continue this season. With Dwayne Jarrett and Brandon LaFell the only other options at wide out, Smith will be relied on heavily this season by the young Moore. It will show Week 1, even against a Giants defense that is expected to bounce back after a mediocre 2009 showing.
Point Projection: 16 points

7. Randy Moss (New England Patriots) vs. Cincinnati

Moss is entering a contract year and has been expressing his frustration in the media about the lack of negotiations between him and the Patriots, which has some worried he will quit on his team. That can’t be considered a possibility yet, not with quarterback Tom Brady’s contract currently being worked out. Worry less about the attitude and more about Cincinnati’s excellent corners, though they will have a hard time shutting down the elite Moss.
Point Projection: 16 points

8. Malcom Floyd (San Diego Chargers) @ Kansas City

A popular sleeper pick in drafts this preseason, Floyd will be the No.1 option for quarterback Phillip Rivers for the foreseeable future and possibly all season due to Vincent Jackson’s suspension and continued hold out. Floyd is a major big play threat, which will be a problem against defenses with a good pass rush because of left tackle Marcus McNeill’s hold out, but against the Kansas City Chiefs porous secondary he will get some big play opportunities. Watch Floyd shine on Monday Night Football.
Point Projection: 15 points

9. Johnny Knox (Chicago Bears) @ Detroit

With the Mike Martz offense coming to Chicago everyone in the offense gets a boost, as his system has time and time again taken mediocre talent and turned them into fantasy football studs. Every year his offense produces a 1,000 yard receiver, so what better place to start than with the current number one on the depth chart? Knox is fast and will find all kinds of room in the lackluster Detroit Lions secondary.
Point Projection: 15 points

10. Miles Austin (Dallas Cowboys) @ Washington

One of the big stars to emerge last season, Austin enters this year as the undisputed number one and favorite target for quarterback Tony Romo. Austin will see plenty of work against the Cowboys’ divisional opponent Washington Redskins, who sport a weak pass rush that should give Romo all night to throw. The Redskins won’t be able to handle Austin, tight end Jason Witten, and rookie Dez Bryant. Austin is definitely a top-10 option this week.
Point Projection: 15 points

11. Greg Jennings (Green Bay Packers) @ Philadelphia

Another guy poised for a big rebound, Jennings enters the year in one of best offenses in the NFL. His low touchdown total from last season will get a big boost from an improved offensive line which will give quarterback Aaron Rodgers more time to deliver the deep ball. Philadelphia is a tough opponent for Week one, but Rodgers will find a way to get him involved, and with Jennings that usually means a long touchdown toss.
Point Projection: 14 points

12. Percy Harvin (Minnesota Vikings) @ New Orleans

With the loss of Sidney Rice for at least the first seven games of the season, you can make a case for Harvin as every week WR2 in 12-team fantasy football leagues. He will be active all over the field and is in line for a lot more targets considering his only competition at receiver is Bernard Berrian and new comer Greg Camarillo. Against the Darren Sharper-less New Orleans’ secondary he will find a lot of room to run. Expect big things Thursday night.
Point Projection: 13 points

13. DeSean Jackson (Philadelphia Eagles) vs. Green Bay

DeSean Jackson enters 2010 trying to live up the ridiculous 18.5 yards per reception average he put up last year. The switch to Kevin Kolb shouldn’t really hurt him too much, as Kolb has proven the ability to put up big numbers and orchestrate the offense. Barring an unexpected Kolb implosion, Jackson will get the ball plenty as the Eagles will have to throw to keep up with Aaron Rodgers’ and friends.
Point Projection: 13 points

14. Hakeem Nicks (New York Giants) vs. Carolina

Nicks is looking to build on a promising rookie season after clearly winning the No.2 receiver job over Mario Manningham and continues to push Steve Smith for the lead wide out role in New York. He has the talent and versatility to be a major tool in this offense opposite reception machine Steve Smith. Smith will get more yards, but Nicks will get the touchdown against the Carolina Panthers in Week 1.
Point Projection: 13 points

15. Chad Ochocinco (Cincinnati Bengals) @ New England

The reality show and Twitter star has not been a top five wide out since he was a Johnson, but hopes to bring back memories of 2007 with a supposedly rejuvenated Carson Palmer throwing him the ball and Terrell Owens joining him at the other wide out spot. Whether you believe the hype or not, the New England Patriots defense isn’t what it used to be. He will find some holes and is should fare well in his first game with TO..
Point Projection: 13 points

16. Michael Crabtree (San Francisco 49ers) @ Seattle

Crabtree enters his second season with a full training camp under his belt and an entire offseason to develop a relationship with quarterback Alex Smith. He was great down the stretch after joining the 49ers in the middle of last season, so expect excellent WR2 numbers from him the entire season, the weak-armed Smith being the only factor holding him back from WR1 status. However, the Seattle Seahawks defense will make anyone look good, so expect results from the 49ers offense this week.
Point Projection: 12 points

17. Robert Meachem (New Orleans Saints) vs. Minnesota

Projecting points for the Saints’ receiving core will be a headache all season, as their frequent use of three and even four wide outs means production gets spread out and touchdowns could end up in anyone’s hands. Robert Meachem has a knack for finding the end zone, as he showed with nine touchdowns last year including six in five weeks. He is the bet this week for a big score against a Minnesota Vikings defense that will be without cornerbacks Cedric Griffin and Chris Cook. Keep in mind this prediction includes Meachem finds paydirt.
Point Projection: 11 points

18. Marques Colston (New Orleans Saints) vs. Minnesota

Colston was a disappointment last season to many who expected him to continue thriving in the explosive Saints offense. His upside has been capped by how many options the Saints have, but he remains one of the most consistent receivers in the game. He could just as easily have a touchdown as Meachem, and will find a way to put up points against the stout Minnesota defense, like he usually does.
Point Projection: 10 points

19. Roddy White (Atlanta Falcons) @ Pittsburgh

The elite wide receiver gets a big boost with the healthy return of quarterback Matt Ryan. White is considered a very solid WR1 this season and should be counted on for upwards of 90 receptions, 1200 yards and 7-8 touchdowns. Unfortunately, he plays a healthy Steelers’ defense who will have to carry the team till Ben Roethlisberger comes back. Don’t panic if your best wide out puts up only mediocre numbers Week 1; however make sure he is in your lineup because you don’t bench your studs right out of the gate.
Point Projection: 10 points

20. Dwayne Bowe (Kansas City Chiefs) vs. San Diego

Bowe has been having an excellent training camp and would be a popular option if it weren’t for the lackluster skills of entire Chiefs passing offense. With Chris Chambers being the only other receiving option of note, Bowe should continue to see an increase in targets and hopefully drop less of them this year. He might be low on yards this week against the San Diego Chargers. Start him as your low-end WR2 and hope Kansas City gets behind early and has to throw the entire second half.
Point Projection: 10 points

21. Steve Smith (New York Giants) vs. Carolina

Smith is looking to build on a surprise hundred reception season in 2009. With Hakeem Nicks in the picture he might not get there, though he still will be a productive fantasy wide out. The fourth year receiver will have a major role in the offense, and many don’t realize that quarterback Eli Manning was a 4,000 yard passer last year. He gets a big boost in PPR leagues, but 80-90 yards seems about right for Smith in his 2010 debut.
Point Projection: 9 points

22. Pierre Garcon (Indianapolis Colts) @ Houston

Garcon starts 2010 in the very lucrative No. 2 wide out spot for the Indianapolis Colts. Garcon will have an underappreciated role in one of the best offenses in football. Considering the Colts’ past history of success against the Houston Texans, look for Garcon to provide at least solid WR2 points this week, though he does rely on the big play and his value does take a hit in PPR formats.
Point Projection: 9 points

23. Jeremy Maclin (Philadephia Eagles) vs. Green Bay

Maclin will start the year opposite DeSean Jackson in the Eagles pass-happy offense. He had a promising rookie year in 2009 which he is plenty capable of building on with Kolb at the helm. The Green Bay Packers have a solid defense but they will be without cornerback Al Harris, which gives Maclin a nice match-up against Tramon Williams. Look for the second year pro to over in the 80-90 yard range in Week 1 and be a breakout candidate in 2010.
Point Projection: 9 points

24. Wes Welker (New England Patriots) vs. Cincinnati

Welker is coming off a major knee injury and wasn’t supposed to be ready for Week 1. Miraculously, he has recovered enough to not only suit up, but be the starter. Welker has admitted he isn’t quite 100-percent, but he remains a big fantasy football producer, especially in PPR leagues, and will find holes even in Cincy’s excellent secondary. Look for Welker to have a typical day in which he catches 6-7 pigskins and sits in the 80-90 yard range.
Point Projection: 9 points

25. Anquan Boldin (Baltimore Ravens) @ New York Jets

This is a really low ranking for Boldin, but remember people, Darrelle Revis Island is one of the games’ best defensive backs and teams often are afraid to throw in his direction. Revis shut down every team’s top receiver last season and despite a little possible rust from his holdout he remains a guy you just don’t mess with. The Ravens will find ways to get Boldin the football but it won’t be enough for him to be relied on as his typical top 15-20 self.
Point Projection: 8 points