Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) prepares to catch a pass before the start of the game against the Oakland Raiders. Source: Cary Edmondson-US PRESSWIRE

The fantasy football season is almost underway and wives across the country are already getting sick of constant fantasy football chatter.  Some teams have drafted, while others still have yet to draft.  To help you this fantasy football season, here are my complete wide receiver rankings for the upcoming season:

1. Calvin Johnson, DET – “Megatron” has completely transformed the wide receiver position in fantasy football.  Johnson’s 15-touchdown performance was utterly dominating from the wide receiver position.   Johnson has become the ultimate red-zone receiver, due to his combination of raw speed and size (6-5 236).  The Lions are completely dedicated to throwing to Johnson 20 times a game, something that fantasy owners always like to see.  Johnson may not repeat his 15 touchdowns and nearly 1,700-yard performance from 2011, but he will still be the top wideout in all of fantasy in 2012.

2. Larry Fitzgerald, ARI – Fitzgerald is the best receiver in the game at catching the ball at its highest point, as he seemingly snatches the ball out of the air.  Fitzgerald is averaging a very impressive 9.13 touchdowns per season throughout his career, but was obviously at his best with future Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner throwing him the ball.  He has very long arms and could be the perfect red-zone target, but only if the Cardinals can figure out who will be throwing him the ball.   Fitzgerald is still an elite receiver and a bonafide number one fantasy option, but he could be so much better with a capable NFL quarterback.  Expect around 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns from “Fitz” in 2011, but the potential is there for so much more.

3.  Wes Welker, NE – Welker has become the poster child for 100-plus-reception seasons over the last couple years.  Over his last five seasons, Welker has averaged 1,051 yards and a league-leading 110.8 receptions per season.  He is the ultimate weapon out of the slot and quarterback Tom Brady has complete faith in Welker, even if Brady’s supermodel wife does not agree.  Welker knows how to read a defense and is perfect at finding a spot to sit in the zone.  Welker is an amazing number one wideout, because he continues to do it year after year.

4. Andre Johnson, HOU – Johnson is not the guaranteed top-tier fantasy receiver that he was a couple seasons ago.  He has missed 12 games over the last two years and is still not 100% healthy following lingering hamstring injuries.  However, when healthy, Johnson is hands down one of the best in the game.  He can rack up yardage in bunches, evident by his 79.15 yards per game through his career.   Johnson may not be the guaranteed number one wideout, but he is still an elite receiving option.  He will likely fall into the second round this year, but if he remains healthy he could be the steal of the middle rounds.

5. Roddy White, ATL – White is the most underrated wide receiver every fantasy season, which is ironic because all he does is fill the stat sheet.  White has hauled in 215 passes for an insane 2,685 passes over his last two seasons, including at least 83 receptions and 1,200 yards for the last five seasons.  He is as consistent as it gets from the receiver position and has not missed a game in his entire seven-year career.

6. Greg Jennings, GB – With Jordy Nelson hauling in a ridiculous 15 touchdowns in 2011, Jennings is being somewhat disregarded in the first couple rounds this fantasy season.  However, Jennings is the number one option for MVP quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, and with that title, comes more red-zone looks then a wide receiver can handle.   Jennings’ 2011 season was cut short by a torn MCL, and he has had some concussion problems this off-season, but the fact remains that Jennings is one of the elite receivers in the entire game.

7.  Julio Jones, ATL – Jones has more pre-season hype than any other player in the entire league, as he has completely skyrocketed up the draft board this off-season.  Jones is a very physical wide out downfield, and combines it with the speed to outrun most corners in the game.   However, the youngster is still the number two option on the team and is a little raw in his route running.  With that being said, Jones is the next elite receiver, but fantasy fans have to realize that Jones still has a couple things to work on before he is in the same league as Calvin Johnson.  He will be a great wideout in 2012 and will easily have a career season, but do not let his hype cause him to be drafted ahead of the aforementioned “Megatron” and Jennings.

8. Dez Bryant, DAL – Bryant may be a bit of a headache for fantasy owners just as much as owner Jerry Jones.  However, the Cowboys’ receiver is a true star in the making.  The 23-year old has improved in each season and his 9 touchdown receptions last season was tied for ninth best in the NFL.  Bryant is back from his knee tendonitis issues and will be quarterback Tony Romo’s main red-zone target with tight end Jason Witten still recovering from a spleen issue.

9. A. J. Green, CIN – Green is one of the best up and coming wideouts in the game.  He went over 1,000 yards in his freshman season and was able to haul in a very respectable 7 touchdowns.  Green has built a strong rapport with quarterback Andy Dalton from day one and their chemistry together will only help Green post bigger fantasy numbers as they mature together. Green is easily a number one wideout, and fantasy owners should expect him to easily match his numbers from last season.

10. Brandon Marshall, CHI - Marshall is finally reunited with his favorite quarterback, Jay Cutler.  The duo played together in Denver in 2007-08, and averaged an amazing 1,295 receiving yards per season.  Expect Marshall to have another Pro Bowl season in 2012, as he already has a proven track record with his new quarterback.

Just Missed: Hakeem Nicks (NYG), Marques Colston (NO), and Mike Wallace (PIT)

Predictions:

MVP: Calvin Johnson, DET

Rookie of Year: Justin Blackmon, JAC

Bust: Steve Smith, CAR

Mega Bust: Brandon Lloyd, NE

Sleeper: DeMaryius Thomas, DEN

Super Sleeper: Darrius Heyward-Bey, OAK

Fantasy Over/ Under:

Calvin Johnson TD: 15 – Under

Wes Welker Rec.: 100 – Over

Kenny Britt Suspensions: 2 – Over

Andre Johnson Games Played: 12 – Over

Terrell Owens Personal Workouts: 1 – Over

Let’s Take a peek:

• Andrew Luck, QB – After three games, Peyton Manning’s replacement has gone 40/64 for 514 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions.  He has looked strong in the pocket, has a look of determination and great focus on almost every play, and he is winning over his teammates with the control he has of the offense.  On the whole, Luck is looking like everything he was promised to be: a franchise quarterback.
• Justin Blackmon, WR - Blackmon has only played in two of the first three preseason games but has already established himself as the best receiver on the roster.  He has eight catches for 120 yards (15 yards per reception), and one touchdown.  He has outplayed defenders, catches the ball well out in front of him, and is easily the most aggressive and physical receiver the Jags have on their roster at this point.
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  Could Kendall Wright Outplay Justin Blackmon through the season? Source: Jim Brown-US PRESSWIRE

  Kendall Wright, WR – Wright it quickly making himself a strong receiver for the Titans. He has eight catches for 100 yards (12.5 yards per reception), and one touchdown.  He has looked the like the threat they need with Kenny Britt facing off-field struggles yet again.  Some, like myself, worried about his transition to the big leagues but he has shown that he can be an NFL caliber receiver.  With Jake Locker taking over at quarterback he may get even more targets.

• Whitney Mercilus, OLB – Mercilus has to transition from defensive end to outside linebacker in Wade Phillips’ Houston defense.  Fortunately for the Texans, he appears to be doing just fine.  He has been in on six tackles and 2.5 sacks.  Reports are that he is making strides and earning more reps with the first-team offense.  He should be a solid addition to an already stout defense.

On the whole it looks like the AFC South is going to have a strong group of first-rounders that could transition into franchise keys for years to come.  So far, Luck will undoubtedly have the most effect on his team but it may be Wright that could have the most immediate effect and get the Titans over the hump and back into the playoffs – assuming Locker can hit him consistently.

- Luke N. Sims

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Britt was recently arrested for a DUI in Kentucky.

While seeing NFL players suspended and having a negative impact on the game is never fun, Kenny Britt’s removal from (some) games will make the job of defenses playing the Titans a whole lot easier.  Britt has physical tools that Nate Washington simply does not have.  He also has the mental abilities that Kendall Wright has yet to develop and has yet to display in a game.  After Wright, the drop-off in production (while the receivers will be in more familiar 3-5 receivers) is highly noticeable.

Britt helps to make Chris Johnson a more legitimate threat by presenting a threatening target for Matt Hasselbeck/Jake Locker and draws the defense away from stacking the box.  CJ2K is good, but he is no Maurice Jones-Drew and won’t be winning a rushing title against nine-man fronts.  Without Britt, Washington and Wright need to outperform their potential, break through their respective ceilings and become legitimate threats in order for the focus of head coach Mike Munchak to actually have an impact.  The loss of the top receiving threat (who missed games past game three last season) will be difficult if Jake Locker does step past Hasselbeck and begins starting.

While there has been no action on Britt yet (And I don’t doubt Justin Blackmon will be in trouble as well), the potential loss in production for the Titans offense while he is away could be spirit-breaking for the team and could help the opponents to take advantage of the Titans early in the year.

- Luke N. Sims

Feel free to leave comments on here or visit us at Facebook or Twitter!

You can also find me on Twitter @LukeNSims