2009 Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Rankings: #5, Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts

Reggie Wayne is officially the guy in Indianapolis. Well, actually, it has been that way for several seasons now, but WR Marvin Harrison is now gone for good, and it’s safe to say that the torch is in good hands with Wayne.

2009 Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Rankings: #5, Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts

Some people are down on Wayne because his production dropped significantly in 2008, down 365 yards from his 2007 total. He also managed just 6 touchdowns in 2008, his lowest total in 3 years. But the fact is none of it was really the fault of Wayne. He saw a lot more coverage, especially early on in the season, because of a lack of talent around him. And he also saw just 130 targets, which was just 13th in the league, a ranking certainly not good enough when you’re the best receiver on a Peyton Manning-led team.

However, despite Wayne’s problems last year, there is good reason to believe he’ll have a fine 2009, starting with the aforementioned departure of Harrison.

The most important aspect of Harrison’s departure from Indy is the fact that Wayne will now move over Marvin Harrison’s flanker position on the right side of the field. Over the years, we have seen the Colts toy with Wayne in that position, but as long as Harrison was there, Wayne didn’t get much time in that spot. But being in that flanker position is like being the marrying a celebrity—just enjoy the ride! That flanker position is Peyton Manning’s first read on passing plays, which means that Wayne’s passing targets will increase incredibly this season, because he will get more of Manning’s attention than he has ever gotten.

Also adding to Wayne’s value this season is the fact that the people around him will be better. Anthony Gonzalez proved that he is a true threat at the wide receiver position, and his ability to get open over the middle of the field should take some of the attention away from Wayne. Also, Dallas Clark, who was banged up at the beginning of last season, and hadn’t caught a touchdown pass until late in the season, should become more of a viable option after the finish he had in 2008.

So don’t sleep on Wayne, and I certainly suggests you don’t consider his drop last year as signs of downward trend. Wayne is the truth, and he will prove it again this season, with what is likely to be a 1,300+-yard season, and probably twice as many touchdowns as he had in 2008.


Other Wide Receiver Rankings
1. Andre Johnson, Houston Texans (8/3/09)
2. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals (8/1/09)
3. Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers (7/31/09)
4. Randy Moss, New England Patriots (7/30/09)
5. Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts (7/29/09)
6. Roddy White, Atlanta Falcons (7/28/09)
7. Terrell Owens, Buffalo Bills (7/27/09)
8. Anquan Boldin, Arizona Cardinals (7/24/09)
9. Vincent Jackson, San Diego Chargers (7/23/09)
10. Wes Welker, New England Patriots (7/22/09)
11. Not Top Wide Receivers (7/21/09)

More Fantasy Football Week 1 Projections:
Fantasy Football Week 1 Projections: Quarterbacks
Fantasy Football Week 1 Projections: Running Backs
Fantasy Football Week 1 Projections: Wide Receivers
Fantasy Football Week 1 Projections: Tight Ends
Fantasy Football Week 1 Projections: Defenses

TSW Preseason Fantasy Football Rankings - Quarterbacks
1. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
2. Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers
3. Peyton Manning, New England Patriots
4. Kurt Warner, Arizona Cardinals
5. Tom Brady, New England Patriots
6. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
7. Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia Eagles
8. Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle Seahawks
9. Matt Schaub, Houston Texans
10. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys

TSW 2009 Fantasy Football Rankings - Running Backs
10. Steve Slaton, Houston Texans (7/6/09, 9AM)
09. Brandon Jacobs, New York Giants (7/6/09, 4PM)
08. Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers (7/7/09, 9AM)
07. Deangelo Williams, Carolina Panthers (7/7/09, 4PM)
06. LaDainian Tomlison, San Diego Chargers (7/8/09, 9AM)
05. Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams (7/8/09, 4PM)
04. Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons (7/9/09, 9AM)
03. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars (7/9/09, 4PM)
02. Matt Forte, Chicago Bears (7/10/09, 9AM)
01. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings (7/10/09, 12PM)

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