Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

If week 1 reaffirmed anything about the wide receiver position, it was the idea that out of all the fantasy positions wide receivers are the hardest to predict. Sure, some big names like Reggie Wayne and Randy Moss rose to the occasion in week 1, but others like Andre Johnson and Terrell Owens came up short. Meanwhile, fantasy owners are feverishly trying to learn everything they can about guys like Oakland Raider rookie wide receiver, Louis Murphy.

Luckily, for Bruno Boys Nation, the Bruno Boys are here to make your decision in regards to the wide receiver position a bit easier with the Bruno Boys Fantasy Football Week 2 Rankings.

1. Larry Fitzgerald (Arizona Cardinals) @ Jacksonville

Despite Arizona’s relative struggle to throw the ball against the 49ers in Week 1, Fitzgerald put up respectable numbers with six catches for 71 yards and a touchdown. The team is still transitioning from the play-calling of offensive coordinator Todd Haley last year to head coach Ken Whisenhunt this season, so look for them to be more in sync this week.
Point Projection: 18 points

2. Randy Moss (New England Patriots) @ New York Jets

The Jets did an outstanding job shutting down Andre Johnson in their Week 1 win over Houston, but Tom Brady is no Matt Schaub. Moss lit up the Bills with 12 catches for 141 yards in their come-from-behind win on Monday Night Football, and though The Freak didn’t haul in a touchdown pass, that’ll change this week.
Point Projection: 17 points

3. Andre Johnson (Houston Texans) @ Tennessee

Johnson was one of the bigger disappointments for fantasy owners in Week 1, as he managed only four catches for 35 yards. Just twice last season, he had games with fewer receiving yards, and a bounce-back is in order against a Titans team that was skewered for 321 yards by the Steelers last week, not to mention the fact he’ll have Kevin Walter back to take some of the burden off of him.
Point Projection: 17 points

4. Reggie Wayne (Indianapolis Colts) @ Miami

Wayne was utterly dominant in the Colts’ win over the Jaguars last week, catching 10 passes for 162 yards and one touchdown. The Dolphins do not possess the personnel to slow Wayne, a University of Miami product, who should take some comfort in playing in the city where he did his thing in college.
Point Projection: 16 points

5. Greg Jennings (Green Bay Packers) vs. Cincinnati

Jennings had a rock-solid first week, with 106 receiving yards and one touchdown against the Bears. He’ll continue his ascension in becoming one of the NFL’s elite wideouts this week against the Bengals. Cincy was pretty good against the pass against Denver – for most of the game, that is – but Aaron Rodgers is far more talented than Kyle Orton.
Point Projection: 16 points

6. Calvin Johnson (Detroit Lions) vs. Minnesota

Unfortunately, the one who may suffer the most with Matthew Stafford being the starter in Detroit is Megatron himself. Case in point: Johnson had three catches for 90 yards, which are respectable numbers, but he was targeted 13 times. It’s great that Stafford looked for him so much, but his accuracy is an issue. Nonetheless, Johnson’s as talented a receiver as there is in the NFL, and he’ll still produce, just maybe not as much as he would with a veteran quarterback.
Point Projection: 15 points

7. Roddy White (Atlanta Falcons) vs. Carolina

The Panthers gave up fewer than 100 passing yards to the Eagles in their Week 1 loss. Then again, with Philly starting inside the opponent’s 50 every time due to Jake Delhomme’s errant passes, there weren’t a lot of yards to be had. White had just five catches for 42 yards in the opener, but those numbers will jump significantly this week.
Point Projection: 15 points

8. Marques Colston (New Orleans Saints) vs. Philadelphia

Colston caught three passes for 30 yards and a touchdown against the hapless Lions, and the damage could have been much greater, but Drew Brees was being generous and spreading the ball around to everyone. Colston is a big, tough, target, and even against an opponent as hearty as the Eagles, he’ll produce.
Point Projection: 14 points

9. Roy Williams (Dallas Cowboys) vs. New York Giants

It was nice to see Williams make the big plays we all knew he was capable of. He caught just three passes against the Buccaneers in Dallas’ Week 1 victory, but took one of them 66 yards to the house and wound up with 86 receiving yards. Tony Romo is okay to go this week, and so too is Williams.
Point Projection: 14 points

10. Steve Smith (Carolina Panthers) @ Atlanta

The horrific play of Jake Delhomme cannot be understated, and that led to Smith catching just three passes for 21 yards despite being targeted 13 times. Still, we’ll give Delhomme the benefit of the doubt for one more week. Smith flambéed the Falcons secondary twice last year, coming up with a total of 14 catches for 264 yards and one touchdown. For him to do so again, Delhomme needs to stop throwing to the opposing team.
Point Projection: 13 points

11. Terrell Owens (Buffalo Bills) vs. Tampa Bay

Once a week, Owens will display a case of alligator arms – it’s a fact fantasy owners have had to live with for some time. He did it again in Buffalo’s loss to New England on Monday, and wound up with just two catches for 46 yards. This week, however, he goes up against a Tampa pass defense that was absolutely scorched by the Cowboys.
Point Projection: 13 points

12. Vincent Jackson (San Diego Chargers) vs. Baltimore

Jackson and Co. face the Ravens on Sunday, in a match-up that looked tougher before the season began. That’s because Kansas City’s Brodie Croyle threw for two touchdowns en route to a 116.1 passer rating – the fourth highest of the week. Jackson is big and fast and can beat any opponent on any given play, as he did in the team’s win against Oakland when he had five catches for 56 yards and a touchdown.
Point Projection: 13 points

13. Bernard Berrian (Minnesota Vikings) @ Detroit

Fantasy owners shouldn’t have been too disappointed in Berrian’s zero-catch, zero-yard performance on Sunday when you consider that many people did not think he would even suit up due to a hamstring issue. With another week to heal, Berrian should be ready to torch the Lions’ pass defense.
Point Projection: 12 points

14. Anquan Boldin (Arizona Cardinals) @ Jacksonville

Boldin is suffering from a sore hamstring, and it was a surprise to many that he played in Week 1. He did not suffer a setback, which means he should be good to go this week in Jacksonville. Look for his numbers to improve as his hammy gets healthier.
Point Projection: 12 points

15. Chad Ochocinco (Cincinnati Bengals) @ Green Bay

It is yet to be determined if Ochocinco is truly back, but he took a nice step towards that on Sunday, despite losing in heart-shattering fashion to the Broncos. Ochocinco was on the receiving end of five Carson Palmer passes, and accumulated 89 yards to give fantasy owners a taste of what they could be in store for this year.
Point Projection: 12 points

16. Dwayne Bowe (Kansas City Chiefs) vs. Oakland

Many thought last Sunday would be a very tough match-up for Bowe, but he proved those naysayers wrong, hauling in a touchdown among his four catches. Bowe had a good performance last season when facing the Raiders at home, catching six passes for 90 yards in Week 6. If Matt Cassel is back, things could go even better for him.
Point Projection: 12 points

17. Brandon Marshall (Denver Broncos) vs. Cleveland

Marshall had just four catches for 27 yards in the Broncos’ miracle win over the Bengals in Week 1. Still, it says something that he was even out there after the display of petulance he showed this preseason. Despite his relatively poor numbers, Marshall was targeted seven times, which was three more than any other Broncos player.
Point Projection: 12 points

18. T.J. Houshmandzadeh (Seattle Seahawks) @ San Francisco

Housh is now the essence of a possession receiver – a big guy with good hands who won’t go downfield often. As such, he caught six passes in the Seahawks’ Week 1 rout of the Rams, but for only 48 yards. He’s big enough to give the 49ers’ smallish corners trouble this week, though, and is due for an end zone jaunt shortly.
Point Projection: 12 points

19. Wes Welker (New England Patriots) @ New York Jets

Welker did what he routinely does in the Pats’ Week 1 win over the Bills – catch a lot of passes for a handful of yards at a time. He was on the receiving end of 12 Tom Brady throws Monday night, but accumulated just 93 yards. Still, he’s a threat to score on a weekly basis.
Point Projection: 11 points

20. Santonio Holmes (Pittsburgh Steelers) @ Chicago

Holmes caught nine passes for 131 yards and a touchdown in the NFL’s opening game last Thursday. He’s a former first-round pick who started showing his talents in the postseason last year. Many actually doubted that he would continue to ascend, but his talent is evident, as is the trust Ben Roethlisberger has in him.
Point Projection: 11 points

21. Antonio Bryant (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) @ Buffalo

Bryant had to leave the game against the Cowboys in the second half as his knee injury started to bother him. He maintained that he’ll be just fine for this week, however, and if that’s true, he has a favorable match-up against the Bills. Be cautious with him due to the injury, but if he is healthy he presents problems for Buffalo’s secondary and will easily improve on his two-catch effort from last week.
Point Projection: 11 points

22. Santana Moss (Washington Redskins) vs. St. Louis

Moss’ two catches for eight yards in Week 1 were yawn-inducing, but that was against a tough Giants defense, which is not the word that can be used to describe the defense he’ll face this week in the Rams. Moss still has the speed to make big plays, and the Rams allowed three touchdown passes last week, and should give up at least a couple this week.
Point Projection: 11 points

23. Braylon Edwards (Cleveland Browns) @ Denver

Edwards was a no-show for the Browns in their season opener, catching one measly pass for 12 measly yards. It would have been two measly catches, but for a not-so-measly touchdown if he had not stepped out of bounds before coming back into play and catching a Brady Quinn pass in the end zone. Alas, it was, and Edwards had a poor game. He should get better this week against Denver, despite the fact the Broncos held the Bengals down somewhat.
Point Projection: 10 points

24. Lee Evans (Buffalo Bills) vs. Tampa Bay

The presence of Terrell Owens did not lead to any big plays for Evans this week, but it will in time. In fact, it could happen this week. The Bills face Tampa this week, a team that allowed three touchdowns of at least 40 yards to Dallas in Week 1. Evans has the same type of game-breaking ability.
Point Projection: 10 points

25. Jerricho Cotchery (New York Jets) vs. New England

Cotchery looked like he had a good rapport with rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez in the team’s Week 1 win over the Texans, catching six passes for 90 yards. This week, however, he goes up against a tougher pass defense in New England that didn’t allow any Bills wide receiver even 50 yards.
Point Projection: 10 points

26. DeSean Jackson (Philadelphia Eagles) vs. New Orleans

The explosive playmaker was neither explosive nor made plays – at least from the wide receiver position. Jackson managed just two catches for nine yards on Sunday in the team’s win over Carolina, but did take a punt 85 yards to the end zone. He’s too talented not to put up numbers this week against a Saints defense that allowed the Lions to put up 27 points in week 1 even without McNabb under center.
Point Projection: 10 points

27. Hines Ward (Pittsburgh Steelers) @ Chicago

Ward had yet another big game for the Steelers in their Week 1 win, one of many he’s had in his career. The Georgia product caught eight passes for 103 yards, a nice effort despite the fact he did not find the end zone. Santonio Holmes will steal a bit of Ward’s thunder this year, but he’ll still be plenty relevant.
Point Projection: 10 points

28. Devin Hester (Chicago Bears) vs. Pittsburgh

Despite Jay Cutler’s awfulness in the Bears’ Week 1 loss to the Packers, Hester managed to snare four passes for 90 yards and a touchdown. That was significant because the two did not seem to be on the same page in the preseason. The team has a tougher match-up this week against the Steelers, so we’ll see if the chemistry between Cutler and Hester can continue to blossom.
Point Projection: 10 points

29. Antwaan Randle El (Washington Redskins) vs. St. Louis

Randle El had a nice beginning to the 2009 season, with seven catches for 98 yards. Now that he gets to go up against the Rams pass defense, those numbers are certainly repeatable. In last year’s contest vs. St. Louis, he had five catches for 87 yards.
Point Projection: 9 points

30. Steve Smith (New York Giants) @ Dallas

Smith was solid against the Redskins as he steps into the role of possible No. 1 receiver for Eli Manning. He caught six passes for 80 yards, and was targeted eight times, which was double the amount of any other player on the Giants. He had 10 catches in two games against the Cowboys last season, including his only touchdown catch of the season.
Point Projection: 9 points

31. Eddie Royal (Denver Broncos) vs. Cleveland

Royal’s two catches for 18 yards were a big-time disappointment, but considering the balky finger of Kyle Orton, this was always a possibility. He should rebound nicely against Cleveland.
Point Projection: 9 points

32. Justin Gage (Tennessee Titans) vs. Houston

Gage is the go-to guy for Kerry Collins, which was proven as the veteran QB targeted Gage 11 times, which was five more than any other player. Gage responded with seven catches for 78 yards and a touchdown, and has a much better match-up this week.
Point Projection: 9 points

33. Derrick Mason (Baltimore Ravens) @ San Diego

Steady as she goes. That’s Mason in a nutshell. He caught four passes for 47 yards in the team’s surprisingly tough game against the Chiefs, but he was targeted eight times. Look for him to make a statistical improvement this week, and possibly find the end zone.
Point Projection: 9 points

34. Josh Morgan (San Francisco 49ers) vs. Seattle

Morgan had just three catches for 38 yards in the 49ers’ win over the Cardinals in Week 1. Still, he remains the team’s most talented wide out and presents match-up problems for a Seattle secondary missing Marcus Trufant.
Point Projection: 9 points

35. Donnie Avery (St. Louis Rams) @ Washington

Avery started the Rams’ season ominously, by fumbling the opening kickoff and giving the Seahawks possession. It didn’t go all that well from there on out for him either, as he finished the day with only 46 yards despite six catches. Last year, Avery went up against the Redskins and had four catches for 73 yards, a performance he could easily repeat.
Point Projection: 8 points

36. Louis Murphy (Oakland Raiders) @ Kansas City

Murphy has shown himself to be the best rookie receiver on the Raiders, and that’s a distinction that should prove true over the course of the year. He had four catches for 89 yards and a touchdown on Monday night against the Chargers, and it would have been five catches for over 100 yards and two touchdowns, but his second TD catch was eliminated after review in a questionable call.
Point Projection: 8 points

37. Donald Driver (Green Bay Packers) vs. Cincinnati

Driver managed just four catches for 39 yards against the Bears in Week 1, a number that should rise this Sunday against the Bengals. He remains a reliable No. 2 receiver in Green Bay, and a reliable No. 3 WR for fantasy owners.
Point Projection: 8 points

38. Mark Clayton (Baltimore Ravens) @ San Diego

Five catches for 77 yards and a touchdown was all anyone could ask of the former first-round pick. He’s underachieved for most of his Ravens career, but this may be the season he breaks out due to the natural improvement that Joe Flacco will see.
Point Projection: 8 points

39. Domenik Hixon (New York Giants) @ Dallas

Hixon was not a big-time contributor in Week 1, but it’s okay to still believe in him anyway. He had just one catch for 10 yards, but he’ll get his share of receptions this week, especially with Hakeem Nicks down for a few weeks. Last season against the Cowboys he had six catches for 60 yards.
Point Projection: 8 points

40. Laurent Robinson (St. Louis Rams) @ Washington

Robinson is a virtual unknown, but if he continues to put up solid numbers, that won’t last long. The third-year pro was good for five catches and 87 yards against the Seahawks. He is big and has excellent speed, and should be a problematic match-up for Washington.
Point Projection: 8 points

41. Nate Burleson (Seattle Seahawks) @ San Francisco

Burleson has had the potential to be a fantasy contributor, but it has never really clicked for him for one reason or another. That may change this year, with the start of it being his seven-catch, 74-yard, one touchdown performance against the Rams in the team’s Week 1 victory.
Point Projection: 7 points

42. Percy Harvin (Minnesota Vikings) @ Detroit

Harvin ran for 22 yards and was on the receiving end of three passes for 36 yards with a touchdown in the Vikings’ win over the Browns. A nice debut to be sure, but the real fun could come this weekend. Harvin and the Vikings take on the Lions, who essentially did wind sprints up and down the field trying to catch the Saints’ receivers last week.
Point Projection: 7 points

43. Patrick Crayton (Dallas Cowboys) vs. New York Giants
The Cowboys’ No. 2 receiver had a monster day, with four catches for 135 yards and one touchdown. He’ll continue to get a solid number of looks from Tony Romo as other teams will undoubtedly pay more attention to Roy Williams and Jason Witten.
Point Projection: 7 points

44. Lance Moore (New Orleans Saints) vs. Philadelphia

Moore was essentially a bystander against the Lions, as he caught just two passes for 38 yards. He shouldn’t be soured on, however, as the Saints spread the ball around so everyone could join in the fun. He’ll be a more critical piece of the offense this week.
Point Projection: 7 points

45. Kevin Walter (Houston Texans) @ Tennessee

Walter did not play in the Texans’ loss to the Jets in Week 1 due to a hamstring injury. He will suit up this week, though, and does so with a good match-up. The Titans allowed over 100 receiving yards to both Santonio Holmes and Hines Ward last week.
Point Projection: 7 points

46. Chansi Stuckey (New York Jets) vs. New England

Stuckey has established himself as the No. 2 wideout for the Jets with a four-catch, 64-yard performance in Week 1 that also saw him find the end zone. He was targeted eight times in that game, which was actually one more than fellow receiver Jerricho Cotchery.
Point Projection: 7 points

47. Devery Henderson (New Orleans Saints) vs. Philadelphia

Henderson was excellent in Week 1, with five catches for over 100 yards and a touchdown. But the excitement over his numbers should be tempered somewhat considering the opponent was Detroit. He won’t get the same kind of opportunities against the Eagles.
Point Projection: 7 points

48. Miles Austin (Dallas Cowboys) vs. New York Giants

Austin needed only one catch to prove to the fantasy world that he’ll matter this season. With that one reception, he went 42 yards and into the end zone against the Buccaneers, and those are the type of plays he can provide each week, though he obviously won’t cross the goal-line with that much regularity.
Point Projection: 7 points

49. Torry Holt (Jacksonville Jaguars) vs. Arizona

Holt’s ability to get down the field is not what it once was, and he can no longer be considered a deep threat. He remains a reliable target, and though his three-catch, 47-yard performance did not inspire the greatest confidence in him, he’ll have his good weeks. This probably isn’t one of them, however.
Point Projection: 7 points

50. Kenny Britt (Tennessee Titans) vs. Houston

It was a sparkling debut for the rookie first-round pick in Week 1 against the Steelers. Britt caught four passes and led the team with 85 receiving yards. He faces a much less-talented group of defenders this week, and should have solid results.
Point Projection: 7 points

51. Mark Bradley (Kansas City Chiefs) vs. Oakland

The Bears were tired of waiting for the former second-round pick out of Oklahoma to blossom, so they jettisoned him, with the Chiefs eventually snatching him up. He paid dividends on Sunday, with four catches for 73 yards. Don’t expect that type of game every week from him, but he’ll have his moments.
Point Projection: 7 points

52. Andre Caldwell (Cincinnati Bengals) @ Green Bay

Caldwell was a third-round draft pick last season that did little in his rookie campaign. He started off this year nicely, though, catching six passes for 54 yards. He was also targeted eight times, more than any other Bengals player, which is certainly a positive looking ahead.
Point Projection: 7 points

53. Laveranues Coles (Cincinnati Bengals) @ Green Bay

Coles had just one catch for 11 yards on Sunday in the Bengals’ loss. All is not without hope, however, as fantasy owners can take solace in the fact he was targeted five times.
Point Projection: 6 points

54. Steve Breaston (Arizona Cardinals) @ Jacksonville

Breaston had a right knee injury and did not suit up for the Cardinals in their upset loss to San Francisco in Week 1. Head coach Ken Whisenhunt has said that Breaston will make his debut this week, however.
Point Projection: 6 points

55. Muhsin Muhammad (Carolina Panthers) @ Atlanta

Muhammad had four catches for 41 yards in the Panthers disaster of an opener. Considering how awful Jake Delhomme was, those are decent numbers. An improvement of some sort seems likely.
Point Projection: 6 points

56. Michael Clayton (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) @ Buffalo

Clayton got an enormous contract in the off-season that left everyone who watches football scratching their collective heads. But, he proved he was worth the money for one game, anyway, with five catches for 93 yards against the Cowboys.
Point Projection: 6 points

57. Isaac Bruce (San Francisco 49ers) vs. Seattle

Despite missing their top cornerback, the Seahawks allowed just 170 passing yards against the Rams. Bruce had four catches for 74 yards in Week 1 against the Cardinals, but 50 of those came on one play, something that can’t be counted on weekly from the veteran.
Point Projection: 6 points

58. Sidney Rice (Minnesota Vikings) @ Detroit

Rice had just two catches for 17 yards in Week 1, but he wasn’t needed much because of the beating Adrian Peterson gave to the Browns. This week against the Lions should be different.
Point Projection: 6 points

59. Ted Ginn Jr. (Miami Dolphins) vs. Indianapolis

We’re waiting. And waiting. A breakthrough would be just fine any time now, Mr. Ginn. As the ninth overall draft pick a few years ago, he’s done little to live up to those accolades, and that includes his measly two catches for 26 yards last week. Will he ever burst through to fantasy relevancy?
Point Projection: 6 points

60. Austin Collie (Indianapolis Colts) @ Miami

With the loss of Anthony Gonzalez, Collie should take on an increased load in the Colts’ offense. He had just two catches for 15 yards in his NFL debut, but should improve on those numbers against a mediocre Miami pass defense.
Point Projection: 5 points

61. Earl Bennett (Chicago Bears) vs. Pittsburgh

Bennett and his former college teammate Jay Cutler, are clearly in tune with one another. Bennett hauled in seven passes for 66 yards and was targeted a team-high 13 times by Cutler. Still, his match-up this week against the Steelers is daunting.
Point Projection: 5 points

62. Davone Bess (Miami Dolphins) vs. Indianapolis

Bess led the Dolphins with seven catches for 57 yards in the team’s Week 1 loss to the Falcons, coming up with a reception each time he was targeted. He’s a solid slot receiver, but will struggle to get in the end zone and has a tough match-up with the Colts this week.
Point Projection: 5 points

63. Robert Meacham (New Orleans Saints) vs. Philadelphia

The former first-round pick looks like he’s finally coming of age, as he caught two passes for 56 yards and a touchdown against the Lions. He has the speed to get down the field and create big plays, but he’ll have to prove he can do so consistently.
Point Projection: 5 points

64. Michael Jenkins (Atlanta Falcons) vs. Carolina

With the addition of Tony Gonzalez, Jenkins will see his role in the offense decrease. He’s never been a big-play guy, and that was true in Week 1, when he caught four passes for 41 yards, an average of just 10.3 yards per catch.
Point Projection: 5 points

65. Legedu Naanee (San Diego Chargers) vs. Baltimore

Naanee had a solid week for the Chargers in their win over the Raiders, catching five passes for 49 yards. It’s important to note he was targeted six times, which was second among the team’s wide receivers to Vincent Jackson.
Point Projection: 5 points

66. Mike Sims-Walker (Jacksonville Jaguars) vs. Arizona

Sims-Walker was shutout against a good Colts pass defense in Week 1. That’s a trend that will not continue, as the former Central Florida star is too talented not to make an impact in some capacity.
Point Projection: 5 points

67. Jabar Gaffney (Denver Broncos) vs. Cleveland

Gaffney knows this offense well, and as such, will be valuable in the slot as a possession type. He caught three passes for 25 yards last week.
Point Projection: 4 points

68. Jeremy Maclin (Philadelphia Eagles) vs. New Orleans

Maclin did not catch a pass in his initial foray into the NFL, but that will change this week, as the speedster is due to make his mark one way or another very soon.
Point Projection: 4 points

69. Mario Manningham (New York Giants) @ Dallas

Manningham is one of the many targets for Eli Manning to work with, and he responded with a touchdown catch in Week 1. How he’ll be used on a week-to-week basis is not known, however, so remain cautious with him.
Point Projection: 4 points

70. Kevin Curtis (Philadelphia Eagles) vs. New Orleans

Curtis was dealing with a knee malady, and he managed just two catches for 26 yards. With Donovan McNabb’s status unknown, the Eagles may look to control things on the ground, hurting Curtis’ potential.
Point Projection: 4 points

Week 2 Rankings:  QB | RB | WR | TE | K | DEF  (click to read)

Week 2 Start & Sit:  Start ‘Em | Sit ‘Em  (click to read)

Week 2 Waiver Wire Advice:  Pick Them Up  | Cut Them Loose

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