Wide Receivers, as many fantasy football players know, are based on a stroke of luck. In NFL fantasy football, one player could have two catches, but both of them being long touchdowns. In college, there are boatloads of receivers that can make a huge difference for your fantasy team. With over 120 teams in the FBS, and nearly half of them being pass-first teams, finding the best of the best may be difficult. Here are the top-20 wide receivers for the upcoming season.
1. Marquise Lee, USC - The number one receiver for USC will have plenty of targets in the Trojan’s pass first offense, and with a tremendous skill-set to back it up, Lee should be poised for a huge season
2. Sammy Watkins, Clemson – Watkins has the makings of the next great offensive weapon for Clemson, and many have seen his brilliance prior to this season. Expect a big season from Watkins.
3. Amari Cooper, Alabama – The number one receiver on what promises to be one of the better offenses in the country will get his fare share. Cooper will show why he is deserving of following the great Julio Jones as Alabama’s top receiver.
4. Davante Adams, Fresno St – Adams is the number one target for one of the best quarterbacks in the nation in Derek Carr. Look for him to get at least 10 targets per game this season.
5. Stefon Diggs, Maryland – This year’s Tavon Austin, an electrifying player to watch, and will see plenty of touches for the Terrapins.
6. Mike Evans. Texas A&M – Evans will be talked about next season as a top draft pick in the 2015 draft. At 6’5 and with great route running abilities, Evans will be the go to guy for Johnny Manziel.
7. Brandin Cooks, Oregon St – Cooks will look to repeat his success from last year, tallying over 1100 yards and five touchdowns in what promises to be a high flying offense.
8. Tevin Reese, Baylor – Reese will look to be the next Bear wide out to be drafted, and he will have a good chance to produce top flight numbers with Bryce Petty throwing to him.
9. Eric Ward, Texas Tech – Ward is the number one receiver for the Red Raiders. If you have watched college football over the last ten years, you know of Kliff Kingsbury, and his love for passing the football. Ward will definitely get targets, and will be poised for a good season.
10. Noel Grigsby, San Jose St – Grigsby will be the number one target for one of the top quarterbacks in the nation in David Fales, and will get his fair share of touches. Look for Grigsby to surprise some this season.
Rounding out the Top 20
11. Jordan Matthews, Vanderbilt
12. Deontay Greenberry, Houston
13. Josh Stewart, Oklahoma St
14. Quinshad Davis, UNC
15. Justin Hardy, ECU
16. Tommy Shuler, Marshall
17. Alex Neutz, Buffalo
18. Bernard Reedy, Toledo
19. Donte Moncrief, Ole Miss
20. Brandon Coleman, Rutgers
Top Tier: Lee, Watkins, and Cooper
Second Tier: Adams, Diggs, and Evans
Low Risk/High Reward: Stefon Diggs. Diggs is ranked high on this list, but likely not on others. If he is available as a second receiver, you cannot pass on him.