Week 4 Wide Receiver Rankings Reaction: Big Frown for Brown

Welcome back to my wide receiver rankings reaction. If you’re reading this, thanks for sticking with me through what has been a season full of ups and downs so far. I know that I have been way off on some of my predictions but, in my defense, so have a majority of experts who do this for a living.

Week 3 was a great one for wide receivers as 13 of them scored at least 20 Fantasy points or more in leagues that allow PPR. Two particular wide receivers worth noting are A.J. Green and Steve Smith Sr., who battled it out on Sunday both on the field and on the Fantasy scoreboard. Green ended with 39.70 points while Smith Sr. ended with 37.80, as the Cincinnati Bengals beat the Baltimore Ravens.

With all the injuries, breakouts and busts this season it’s hard to keep consistent rankings. Some wide receivers look like they’re the best in the league one week and then don’t put up any numbers the next. With that being said, I will share my reactions to the SCFE staff’s Week 4 Wide Receiver Rankings and analyze two players that I like more and two that I like less. At the end, I will give my Top 20 wide receivers for Week 4.

Week 4 Wide Receiver Rankings Reaction

Who I Like More

Rishard Matthews, Miami Dolphins

A consistent performer so far this season, Rishard Matthews broke out on Sunday in a blowout loss the Bills. Matthews tallied 113 yards and two touchdowns on six receptions. Matthews has been a silver lining for a Dolphins team that has yet to win a game thus far. Be sure to set your alarm clock early this Sunday, because Ryan Tannehill will likely look to Matthews to produce again next week, when the Dolphins take on the New York Jets in London at 8:30 a.m. C/ST.

Steve Smith Sr., Baltimore Ravens

Ever since his quiet game in Week 1, Steve Smith Sr. has made 23 receptions for 336 yards and two touchdowns in two games. The ageless wonder seems to be Joe Flacco’s target on every single pass, and despite the Ravens dropping to 0-3 this past week, Smith Sr. will continue to put up numbers for the Ravens. Smith Sr. is a solid WR2, at the very least, across all Fantasy Football formats.

Who I Like Less

Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions

I know, what an awful thing to do to someone a day after their birthday but, before you write this off as some ridiculous overreaction, realize that I am not saying that Calvin Johnson isn’t an elite wide receiver. However, wide receivers are only as good as the quarterback throwing them the ball and, if Sunday night wasn’t a good enough indication, Matthew Stafford is having a hard time doing that. It seems like Stafford doesn’t have enough confidence in Megatron or believes that there are better options (which there aren’t). Hopefully Stafford figures it out sooner than later but, in the meantime, Calvin Johnson can only be heavily relied on as a WR2.

Antontio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers

With Ben Roethlisberger out, Antonio Brown’s Fantasy production rests in the hands of Michael Vick. In his last 27 starts, Vick has thrown only 20 touchdowns and has been intercepted 15 times. At 35 years old, it’s hard to predict much passing success for the rush-happy quarterback. Just like in Calvin Johnson’s case, Brown can only be as good as the quarterback throwing him the ball. Expect to see Brown’s production decrease while Big Ben is sidelined, although he still remains a WR1 across all Fantasy Football formats.