Bears Blitz

2011 Fantasy Football Stock Watch: Wide Receivers Who Are Rising and Falling

Published by Matt DiAntonio on August 11, 2011
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

The wide receiver position is thin at the top, but deep through the middle tiers in 2011. It will be important to keep track of who is rising and falling so that you can maximize the value for your middle round draft selections.

For those of you who rely on magazine or printed lists to draft, please take note of the players below. Their value has likely moved since your sheet was published.

The new Gridiron-Guru dynamic decision engine is churning out updates daily based on news, stats and environmental factors. My goal is to summarize the most important changes in our fantasy football rankings so that you can get an edge in your league.

For those interested, our dynamic rankings sheets are the first “full access” display of our decision engine, giving you complete access into our world. They are free and we welcome your feedback.

Value Increasing Sharply:

Roy Williams, Bears WR#21 GIG: 58.7

Chad Ochocinco had been quoted as saying he landed in heaven when he was dealt to the Patriots. Roy Williams must have felt something pretty similar when he was dealt to Chicago. With the Bears, Williams becomes a primary target again. He is also playing in a system that he had thrived in during his time in Detroit. Williams has something to prove and the guru predicts a turnaround in 2011.

Value Increasing:

1. Brandon Lloyd, Broncos WR#17 GIG: 61.6

Brandon Lloyd sees a notable increase in value with Kyle Orton under center. The two players hooked up early and often in 2010. Lloyd was last season’s “come outta nowhere” fantasy super star. If Orton remains the starter, Lloyd should continue to produce good fantasy value.

2. Santonio Holmes, Jets WR #18 GIG: 61.4

The Jets have dealt off all of the wide outs that had experience in their system, leaving Santonio Holmes as the only option who had a connection with Mark Sanchez previous to the lockout. That should mean that Holmes will get more looks from Sanchez—especially in the early going.

3. Chad Ochocinco, Patriots WR#22 GIG: 58.4

The Patriots made a bold move to bring in Chad Ochocinco and so far in camp he has been a model citizen. There is no questioning Ochocinco’s ability to make plays and his smooth route running. If he is motivated—and it appears that he is—the Patriots may have found a new WR1 in the aging superstar.

4. Malcom Floyd, Chargers WR#28 GIG: 52.8

Malcom Floyd is an ideal WR2. He does not have the speed or wiggle to defeat double teams, but if he is locked up one on one and can use his impressive size to win the battle nearly every time. Norv Turner ‘s creative offensive mind coupled with Philip River’s accuracy and arm strength down the field all but ensures that Floyd will improve his numbers in 2011.

5. Mike Sims-Walker, Rams WR#57 GIG: 42.1

Perhaps no player earned the moniker of “fantasy dud” quite like Mike Sims-Walker in 2010. He watched his fantasy value plummet into the toilet and was unceremoniously shown the door in Jacksonville. Sims-Walker has a chance at a renaissance in St. Louis. Reports out of camp have him looking the part of the deep threat for Sam Bradford. He is worth a flier in most formats.

6. A.J. Green, Bengals WR#45 GIG: 45

There is little to be excited about in Cincinnati, so the explosive talent of A.J. Green and his circus catches jump out at you. Green’s value will be capped by the fact that he will likely be hauling in passes from another rookie, Andy Dalton. Still, Green’s skill set makes him attractive and the Bengals figure to be down in enough games that garbage time yardage and TDs are a distinct possibility for bolstering Green’s value.

Deep Sleeper Potential—Value Rising:

Dezmond Briscoe, Buccaneers WR#98 GIG: 26.1

A buzz has started to build about Dezmond Briscoe. He has been elevated to the Buccaneer’s WR3 and could begin to push Arrelious Benn for the starting spot opposite Williams. Take a shot on Briscoe late in your draft. It could pay dividends should he continue his ascent.

Value Decreasing:

1. Deion Branch, Patriots WR#29 GIG: 52.5

Deion Branch’s value may be decreasing due to the arrival of Chad Ochocinco, but he still has significant value in 2011. He is one of the most undervalued WRs on the board in my opinion and often gets overlooked due to his seasons of obscurity in Seattle. His return to New England put him back on the fantasy radar and a full summer of work will only strengthen his report with Tom Brady.

2. Ben Obomanu, Seahawks WR#67 GIG: 31.4

Ben Obomanu was a fantasy hero last season for teams that were limping into the playoffs with a team full of dinged WRs. Obomanu’s deep speed and the lack of better options in Seattle blended perfectly with their desperate need to win the last few games to back into the playoffs. The payoff was a number of long pass plays and valuable fantasy production from a waiver wire addition. Sadly, don’t look for the magic to continue in 2011. The Seahawks have added Sidney Rice and Zach Miller to the passing attack which adds much needed depth. In addition, Golden Tate continues to work and improve at the slot position which will push Obomanu’s playing time further down.

Please consult our dynamic rankings for WR for daily updates to the position: