Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Rankings for the 2010 Season

After previously ranking the top quarterbacks and running backs for the upcoming 2010 fantasy football season, my personal picks for fantasy receivers will now be revealed.

Tier 1
1. Andre Johnson, Texans: Expect a repeat performance from the top overall fantasy receiver in 2009, as long as Schaub manages to keep healthy. Johnson amazingly produced 100+ catches, 1,500+ yards, and 8+ touchdowns for the second consecutive season.

2. Randy Moss, Patriots: Brady should perform better in post-surgery year two, allowing Moss's potential return towards '07 form. Regardless, 57 touchdowns in three seasons with the Patriots, remains a remarkable feat for the future Hall of Famer.

3. Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals: No Boldin + no Warner + one of the NFL's most complete receivers + a more balanced offensive identity in Arizona = ????????

Tier 2
4. Calvin Johnson, Lions: Johnson disappointingly ranked No. 25 in WR fantasy scoring last season, but a 1,331-yard, 12-touchdown '08 campaign shows the sky is the limit for Megatron in 2010. A huge risk/reward pick, but I think I have made clear where I stand on Johnson's return to fantasy greatness.

5. Reggie Wayne, Colts: Wayne still serves as the Colts' No. 1 option at receiver for the time being, fresh off a sixth consecutive 1,000+ yard season.

Tier 3
6. Brandon Marshall, Dolphins: Marshall's physical skill set rivals any WR in the NFL, while the Dolphins' offense should serve as an upgrade from the '09 Broncos. Expect Marshall to challenge for top-five fantasy receiver production.

7. Roddy White, Falcons: White continues to quietly assert himself as a year-in, year-out top-10 fantasy receiver and 2010 should be no different for Matty Ice's favorite target.

8. Miles Austin, Cowboys: After a breakout 2009 season, owners would be wise not to doubt Austin's ability and continued role, as the featured deep threat for Romo and Co.

9. Greg Jennings, Packers: With Rodgers at the helm of the Packers' explosive offense, Jennings remains a great safe pick to provide top 10 WR scoring totals, in spite of a slightly disappointing '09 campaign.

10. Anquan Boldin, Ravens: Boldin serves as my sleeper top-5 fantasy receiver in 2010. After sharing the spotlight with Fitzgerald in Arizona, Boldin emerges as the featured target for the Ravens' budding offense. Boldin's '08 totals projected over an entire season... 118 receptions, 1,384 receiving yards, and 14 touchdowns.

11. DeSean Jackson, Eagles: Jackson remains one of the most electric big-play threats in the NFL, but was feast or famine for the Eagles in 2009 (five 100-yard, touchdown performances, but six games under 50 receiving yards).

12. Marques Colston, Saints: Colston remains a borderline No. 1 fantasy WR, as Brees' go-to red zone target. Great safe pick to approach double-digit touchdowns in 2010.

Tier 4
13. Sidney Rice, Vikings: Rice stunningly ranked No. 8 in WR fantasy production, but a lingering hip injury/Favre uncertainty serves as a buyer-beware forewarning.

14. Steve Smith, Giants: Startlingly, Smith became one of only three receivers in 2009 to produce 100+ catches, 1,200+ receiving yards, and 7 or more touchdowns. Nicks' improvement and a more balanced New York offense, may cause a slight decrease in Smith's 2010 totals.

15. Steve Smith, Panthers: Smith served as a relative disappointment in 2009, but should rebound slightly this season to the tune 1,000+ yards and eight scores.

16. Chad Ochocinco, Bengals: Expectations are high in Cincy... how all of Carson Palmer's new weapons will affect Ochocinco's fantasy value remains an intriguing speculation.

17. Vincent Jackson, Chargers: Bad news- A three-game suspension and on-going relationship issues with the Chargers' front office. Good news- Jackson ranked No. 9 amongst WRs in scoring in '09.

18. Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs: Bowe appears primed for a breakout season in Kansas City, after a difficult first season with Todd Haley in charge.

Tier 5
19. Hakeem Nicks, Giants: Nicks contributed admirably throughout his rookie season, showed flashes of brilliance as a must-needed red zone target for Manning and the Giants.

20. Michael Crabtree, 49ers: Solid No. 2 fantasy receiver as the featured wide-out for an up-and-coming San Francisco offense.

21. Mike Sims-Walker, Jaguars: Sims-Walker served as a pleasant surprise in '09, but struggled considerably during the second half of the season.

22. Terrell Owens, Bengals: T.O.'s upside remains high and well worth a roster slot as your second or third receiver.

23. Hines Ward, Steelers: Ward continues to consistently deliver in Pittsburgh. Without Santonio Holmes, Ward's role within the offense remains a near-certain commodity.

24. Robert Meachem, Saints: Meachem showed flashes of big-play brilliance in '09, producing nine touchdowns and an impressive average of 16 yards-per-catch.

25. Wes Welker, Patriots: The verdict remains out on Welker's knee, after a third straight 1,100+ yard season in 2009.

The Rest
26. Percy Harvin, Vikings

27. Pierre Garcon, Colts

28. Mike Wallace, Steelers

29. Dez Bryant, Cowboys

30. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Seahawks

31. Santana Moss, Redskins

32. Donald Driver, Packers

33. Derrick Mason, Ravens

34. Malcom Floyd, Chargers

35. Santonio Holmes, Jets

36. Braylon Edwards, Jets

37. Kenny Britt, Titans\

38. Jeremy Maclin, Eagles

39. Steve Breaston, Cardinals

40. Lee Evans, Bills

41. Devin Thomas, Redskins

42. Devin Aromashodu, Bears

43. Chaz Schilens, Raiders

44. Demaryius Thomas, Broncos

45. Donnie Avery, Rams

References: All statistics and player information as referenced on Pro-Football-Reference.com
"2009 Fantasy Football Season Statistics" available on ESPN.com's Fantasy Football page.