1. Larry Fitzgerald: Your local high school’s third string QB could start for the Cardinals and Larry Fitz could still put up top 5 numbers. I expect big things for Beanie Wells and Michael Floyd will keep defenses from being able to focus solely on stoping Fitzgerald. Out of the top 3 WRs, I have faith that Fitzgerald is the only one who unquestionably will stay healthy for the entire year so he’s my number one.

2. Andre Johnson: Andre Johnson hasn’t been healthy for the entire season the past two years but this year I think he breaks the trend. In that explosive offense he can be an unstoppable force as long as Schaub can stay healthy himself. He’s 31 years old and coming off a lack luster season last year so I expect Johnson to have quite possibly a career year.

3. Calvin Johnson: Calvin Johnson is only number 3 on my list solely due to the fact that he was on the cover of Madden 13. I don’t think it will be as severe as it was for Peyton Hillis last year but more of Larry Fitzgerald type of curse (Madden 10 co-cover boy) where he slows down a bit. Calvin has easily the biggest potential of all the WRs but with the Lions being a mess right now with distractions I wouldn’t be surprised if the team and Calvin underachieve.

Jan 7, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) eludes New Orleans Saints strong safety Roman Harper (41)during the 2011 NFC Wild Card Playoff game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Lions 45-28. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE

4. Greg Jennings: With no noticeable running game GB spreads the ball out all over the place, which is why Jordy Nelson ended up having the best year of all GB receivers last year (along with Jennings’s injury). I think Jennings will end up staying healthy and go back to being Rodgers’s favorite target so he’s ahead of Nelson for me.

5. Brandon Marshall: I would not be surprised one bit if Marshall ended up having the most targets among WRs this year. Jay Cutler will want to give his former teammate the ball and other than rookie Alshon Jeffery there is no real threat to take away balls from Marshall. Even if Marshall has one of those years where he’s dropping more balls then he should, the passing game will still be ran through him.

6. Mike Wallace: It’s weird to see Pittsburg as a pass first team but that’s what they’ve become with the maturation of Big Ben and an injury to Mendenhall. Mike Wallace is the big benefactor fantasy wise, becoming a top ten WR last year even with nagging injuries to his starting QB. I expect an even bigger year for Wallace this year, even though I think the rest of his team will underachieve.

7. Julio Jones: You can draft White or Jones and sleep safe knowing that you got yourself a big time WR. Jones was scary good the last 4 games of the season last year and I think that’s how he’ll play the majority of the year this year. I think Matt Ryan will put up big numbers and Jones will be a big reason why. I’m one the few people higher on Jones than other second year wideout A.J. Green but when it’s all said and done I think Jones’s play will back me up.

8. Roddy White: White has been as consistent as they come at WR that past few years and there is no reason to think he won’t be the same this year. I think it’s his last year as a top tier fantasy WR, with Julio Jones starting to emerge as a star and starting to take away targets from White. I’m not high on his long term production but a firm believer in his short term value.

9. Victor Cruz: Being a top 5 fantasy WR is rarely a fluke so I’m selling on the one-year wonder talks. He was consistent all year long and with Mario Manningham gone he becomes even more important to the offense. I think the NYG offense will go back to trying to be a run first team so I think his stats will fall down a little and knock him out of the top 5 but still in the top ten.

10. Wes Welker: If you’re in a PPR league you could easily argue that Welker is a top five guy for this year (Welker was still a top-5 guy in non PPR leagues last year). New England added a couple pretty good weapons in Brandon Lloyd and Visanthe Shiancoe so I do think he has a chance to lose some targets from Tom Brady. He’s still going to be around 100 catches this year (he had 122 last year) so he’s still a valuable receiver.

11. Steve Smith: Good to see Steve Smith back to being a big time receiver. Cam Newton injected some new life into Smith and Smith responded by being a top 8 fantasy WR last year. He is 33 years old but with no real threat to take away targets from Smith he will continue to put up some big numbers. Whenever I draft him he puts up terrible numbers and when I don’t draft him he has a huge year so I’ll let you know what to expect from Smith after my draft later next month.

12. Percy Harvin: I do not understand how a top ten fantasy WR last year is the 20+ best WR on people’s boards this year. Ponder will be better, the offensive line will be better, and an iffy Peterson means Harvin will have a huge role in the offense. He is the WR with the most upside where you will get him so I’m extremely high on Harvin this year.

13. Hakeem Nicks: If I had faith that Nicks would be healthy all year I would have had him and Cruz switch places. I obviously do not believe that to be true so I have him at 13. Other than Cruz there is no one to take away targets so he still is a close number 1 WR for teams in your league.

14. AJ Green: I am not high on Green this year. It’s nothing against his skill as a wide receiver, I’m just not sold on his QB and he plays in a really good defensive division. He’s still probably a little too high on my list but when a rookie puts up numbers like he did last year, I’ll give him some respect and put him near where he was last year.

15. Dez Bryant: As long as Bryant doesn’t go around laying the smack down on Tony Romo or Jerry Jones I think he’ll put up some pretty good numbers this year. He’s had injury problems and has had a tendency to disappear late in games when he isn’t being thrown the ball early and often but I think he has the type of year to put those problems to rest. Expect a career year from Bryant but for him to become an elite WR next year.

16. Jordy Nelson: I don’t think anyone expected the type of year Nelson had last year coming. He had 5 games with 5 points or fewer but still ended up being the number 2 overall WR last year. I think it has more to do with the fact that he plays in an offense with no running game and the teams number 1 WR missed a few games with injuries. I don’t think he will show any type of consistency this year from week to week so that puts him here on my list.

17. Marques Colston: Don’t expect Colston to play all 16 games this year but expect that when he does play he’s good for 7 catches and whatever yardages and TDs that brings. The Saints have A LOT of bad karma going against them this year so every Saints player carries a bit of risk. Even if Brees were to get hurt I’d expect him to finish here because his size makes him appealing to any QB, especially someone inexperienced.

18. Jeremy Maclin: I think Vick likes Maclin more than DeSean Jackson so I have him here. When healthy he’s shown that he can be a really good receiver and I expect Vick and the Eagle will have a good year, so that makes Maclin an attractive option. Someone’s going to have to be the man at wideout for this team and I think Maclin will be that guy.

19. Demaryius Thomas: Peyton’s got to throw the ball to someone and with someone as physically gifted as Thomas I think it’s him. Peyton can make an a below average WR look like a semi-star so as long as Thomas is willing to put in the time and effort Peyton will hold up his end.

20. Vincent Jackson: There was no one as frustrating to have on your fantasy last year at wideout than Vincent Jackson. Ignoring his nagging injuries from week to week the guy would put up 30 points one week, next to nothing the next week, a game with points in the teens the week after that, than 3 straight stinkers. Now add in the fact that inconsistent Vincent Jackson goes to TB to play with inconsistent Josh Freeman and you got yourself a major headache. If you enjoy playing Russian Roulette (fantasy football style), Jackson  is your man.

Have any questions or comments? Feel free to email me at vikingagefantasy@yahoo.com or reach me on twitter at https://twitter.com/PHowell02

Dec 4, 2011; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stephen Burton (11) during warmups before the game against the Denver Broncos at the Metrodome. Broncos won 35-32. Mandatory Credit: Greg Smith-US PRESSWIRE

Relatively Unknown:

We all know the big names. The Antoine Winfields. The Matt Kalils. The Adrian Petersons. Those taken in the 1st round of the NFL Draft, the 10-year vets or those mugshots of players being arrested on a weekly basis. However, not many know the no-names, the bench warmers, guys on “the bubble,” or practice squad victims. In this week’s column, we highlight a player relatively unknown to most Vikings fans (until recently it seems) and investigate if he has a legitimate shot at contributing to this year’s team or if he’s going to be riding the coat tails of the practice squad.

So… What makes Stephen Burton so special?

The media has been building up this second year wide receivers improvement online over the last few weeks. The word is, Burton is someone who is expected to have quite an impact on this year’s squad. I know I’ve been one to buy into the recent pre-camp hype, as I’m sure you many of you have as well.

“Stephen Burton primed for breakout year with Vikings”~Rant Sports

“Relaxed Stephen Burton opening eyes in Vikings workouts” ~1500 ESPN

“Vikings’ Burton making leaps in 2nd year” ~FSN North

As little information/videos/anything as there is on this kid, I’m left to assume what has made Burton stand out to the local media. So instead, I’m looking into Burton’s past to determine what his future might be. Let’s go back to where it all started, shall we?

With the 236th pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings select Stephen Burton – West Texas A&M.

Quick Stats:

4.53 40 yd dash
34.5 vertical
6’1 – 221 lbs

In 2011, Burton recorded 70 receptions for 1,021 yards and scored 11 touchdowns. He also registered three 100-receiving yard games. Burton was also known for his return ability, averaging 23.9 yards per return on 23 kick attempts in 2010.

Notable 7th Round WRs:

1999 – Donald Driver
2001 – TJ Houshmandzadeh
2006 – Marques Colston

It wasn’t assumed that Stephen would contribute much last year. The fact that he made the team and was activated to the 53 man roster for 3 games last year, was more than one would expect out of a 7th round selection in his first year.

Burton recorded 2 receptions last year in one game, for a total of 38 yards. From the footage I’ve seen, Burton isn’t overly quick. However, he has shifty feet and can make a man miss. There were a few catches in his West Texas A&M days, where he wasn’t able to be wrapped up on the first hit. I also noticed that it takes a lot to take him down. Indicating that he has an immense amount of lower body strength. My thoughts of this were confirmed when I saw one of Burton’s training videos, in which I saw the size of his calf muscles. Although Burton isn’t the most dynamic jumper, he plays “bigger” than he is. There was no indication that he was shy of contact. Even in blocking, he is willing to put his entire body on the line. I recall one block during a running play for West Texas A&M, where Stephen drove his guy literally off the field. One knock on Burton coming out of college was his unreliable hands. And although I can’t comment too much on that area. I can say, that in the minimal number of video clips available, he was able to make a smooth catch in full stride.

Conclusion:

Nothing is gauranteed for a player drafted in the 7th round. However, with this young core of wide receivers and a disgruntled Percy Harvin, Burton should have every opportunity to carve a role for himself in this offense. Especially with the coaching staff jumping on the youth movement and possibly cutting veteren players. From the little I have learned, watched and observed of Stephen Burton, I have come to the understanding that he has the attitude and basic abilities to be a solid receiver in the NFL. There is nothing flashy about his play, rather he is ready to catch the ball, take a hit and gain extra yards the hard way. He isn’t going to be a receiver that gets a huge amount of separation or makes a spectacular play. But, he will be a workhorse and a reliable option for the young Christian Ponder. If he can find time over Greg Childs and Jarius Wright that is.

Another interesting note about Burton: He’s been posting to Facebook/Twitter pretty regularly since being drafted by the Vikings. Reading his tweets/posts gives you insight into the life of a young, unproven and hard-working player in the NFL. Seems like the kid has a good head on his shoulders. You can find Stephen Burton at:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephen-The-Beast-Burton/147546761982985

Twitter: @sburton_11

And more importantly… you can find me at: @cbrusoewriter

-Cristy

Reggie Wayne(87)Mandatory Credit: Matt Stamey-US PRESSWIRE

As we all continue to debate which free agent wide receiver we want to see in a Minnesota Vikings jersey in 2012, the names most frequently mentioned are Vincent Jackson and Dwayne Bowe.  While both are wonderful targets, let me throw a name at you that is almost being forgotten:  Reggie Wayne.  Thanks to the Indianapolis Colts Owner Jim Irsay, apparently wanting to move in a different direction, and showing more interest in re-signing Colts wide-out Pierre Garcon, it seems Reggie Wayne will most likely be a free agent who is up for grabs.  Sure when you think about the incredible size and talents of V-Jax, maybe Wayne isn’t the “sexier” option to shoot for…but maybe he’s a little more realistic of an option.  As I mentioned (more…)