2. Jeremy Maclin, Missouri
Following Jeremy Maclin’s amazing season at Missouri, he’s risen up into the top half of the first round of the draft. Maclin finished his 2008 campaign with 102 catches, 1260 yards and 13 touchdowns. As a possession receiver, he should be able to step in and play right away on the NFL level.

3. Percy Harvin, Florida
When the Florida Gators won the National Championship, Percy Harvin’s stock rose tremendously. Although he doesn’t possess great size, he’s fast and is a playmaker with good hands. With pro teams always looking for a difference maker, Harvin should be a hot property come draft day.

4. Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland
At Maryland, Darrius Heyward-Bey’s stats weren’t overwhelming, however his potential is undeniable. He’s a big target who can run and who becomes especially dangerous near the end zone. In the NFL, Heyward-Bay should put up even better stats than he did at Maryland.

5. Hakeem Nicks, North Carolina
In his junior season, Hakeem Nicks had 1222 yards and 12 touchdowns. In the NFL, he translates into a wide receiver with big play capabilities. Even though he’s somewhat raw, Nicks is showing good improvement year to year.

Post from: Expert Fantasy

Devin Thomas Analysis
Right now, Devin Thomas is more of an athlete than a true wide receiver. Once he catches the ball, he’s a silky smooth runner who can gain extra yardage. The problem with Thomas at the moment is he doesn’t have great technique in terms of getting open. Since he only played one real year of college football, he’s extremely raw compared to most prospects in the 2008 NFL Draft.

Devin Thomas Fantasy Projections
While Devin Thomas is shooting up the draft charts based on his natural athleticism, it’d be best to avoid him in a redraft fantasy football league in 2008. Thomas is more of a long range prospect who might pan out two or three years down the line. In a dynasty, Thomas would be a quality pick as long as you have the roster flexibility to wait on him.

Check out more 2008 NFL draft prospects.

Post from: Expert Fantasy

Mario Manningham Analysis
After three solid seasons in college, Manningham is a player every NFL team has scouted heavily. The bad news for Manningham is he didn’t test out to be as athletic as expected during the scouting combine. That could hurt his draft stock but most scouts still believe that Manningham will be drafted in the late first round or at some point in the second round.

Mario Manningham Fantasy Projections
Since Manningham isn’t a big wide receiver, he’ll likely need some time acclimating to the NFL game. He’s a good long range prospect but his 2008 production will be determined largely on which team he is drafted by. If he goes to a high powered team, there’s a chance for production in 2008. If he doesn’t, he’s likely a player to skip on draft day.

Check out more 2008 NFL draft prospects.

Post from: Expert Fantasy

James Hardy Analysis
At 6-foot-6, James Hardy is built like a star wide receiver. The thing that will probably keep him from being a first round pick is his character. He got suspended in 2006 for two games and many teams wonder who he’d handle being a professional. If Hardy didn’t have that character issue, he’d likely be a top 20 draft pick.

James Hardy Fantasy Projections
As Hardy showed in college, he’s built to catch touchdowns. In fantasy football, that makes Hardy a player to keep an eye on. If he drops into the right situation, Hardy is a player who could catch five or six touchdowns his rookie season. While he’s likely a second round pick in the 2008 NFL draft, he might be worth drafting late in a fantasy football draft.

Check out more 2008 NFL draft prospects.

Post from: Expert Fantasy

Malcolm Kelly Analysis
NFL teams love tall receivers who have strong hands. Malcolm Kelly is just that. He has the prototypical size, speed and athleticism to become a good receiver at the pro level. His smoothness when running routes impresses scouts and a lot of scouts thought Kelly would be even higher rated if he went to a more pass-friendly school. As it is, Kelly is a borderline top ten pick who should be off the board before pick number 20.

Malcolm Kelly Fantasy Projections
If any rookie wide receiver is going to be able to produce right away, it will be Malcolm Kelly. He’s an especially intriguing prospect for fantasy football because he’s built to be a red zone target. Even if begins his career as a third wideout, he’ll likely see a lot of looks in the endzone early in his career.

Check out more 2008 NFL draft prospects.

Post from: Expert Fantasy

DeSean Jackson Analysis
The thing scouts love about DeSean Jackson the most is his speed. He’s the fastest wide receiver in this draft class. To go along with his wheels, Jackson has good vision and good instincts in the open field, which makes him a dangerous kick return specialist. He’s a bit small and light (6-feet, 179) but his speed makes scouts forget about his size.

DeSean Jackson Fantasy Projections
As a rookie, the most exciting aspect of DeSean Jackson’s game will be his kick returning. The team who drafts him will be looking to use him as a kick returner right out of the gates. While his time at wide receiver early on in his career will likely be limited, his coaches will definitely try to find ways to get the ball into his hands so he can use his speed.

Check out more 2008 NFL draft prospects.

Post from: Expert Fantasy

Limas Sweed Analysis
Even though Sweed is coming off of an injury, he’s too exciting of a prospect to let drop out of the first round. If there is a wide receiver with Randy Moss type skills, Sweed is the one. He’s tall, lanky and strong. Sweed is likely to go in the middle of the first round, with a possibility that he drops to the end of the first round.

Limas Sweed Fantasy Projections
Next to Malcolm Kelly, Sweed has to be the most fantasy football friendly wide receiver in the 2008 NFL draft. Sweed should be a touchdown threat right out of the gates in his professional career. While he likely won’t catch many passes is rookie season, it’s not too unlikely that he could have four or five touchdowns in his first year.

Check out more 2008 NFL draft prospects.

Post from: Expert Fantasy

Now Booker finds himself back with the Chicago Bears after signing a deal as a free agent. And while catching passes from Rex Grossman usually doesn’t make a player a great fantasy option, the Bears are desperate. Having lost Bernard Berrian and Muhsin Muhammad to free agency, Booker has a chance to be the number one receiver in Chicago in 2008.

If that is the case, Booker should put up about 800 yards and five touchdowns. At 31-years-old, Booker isn’t over the hill but he’s definitely slowing down. However, he’s a fluid athlete and should be a decent option for the Bears.

While Booker obviously isn’t an exciting fantasy football prospect for 2008, he could be a sneaky pick in the bottom half of the draft. Although before you draft him, ensure that he indeed won a starting spot for Chicago.

Post from: Expert Fantasy

1) Randy Moss, New England Patriots
If Randy Moss stays with the Patriots, he’ll have to be the first wide receiver taken in fantasy football next season. He showed what he’s capable of when playing with Tom Brady and fantasy owners will jump at the chance of drafting him next year.

2) Terrell Owens, Dallas Cowboys
The Tony Romo to Terrell Owens hookup should continue to be a great one in 2008. Owens is getting up there in years but he keeps himself in such good shape, that shouldn’t be a major concern. All the pieces are in place for Owens to have a great 2008.

3) Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts
It appears that the baton has officially been passed from Marvin Harrison to Reggie Wayne. Wayne led the NFL in receiving yards in 2007 and should have a similarly big season in 2008. Week to week, Wayne is a very solid fantasy football option.

4) Braylon Edwards, Cleveland Browns
Edwards exploded in 2007 and now looks like a verifiable fantasy football superstar. He was second to Moss in receiving touchdowns and was seventh in the NFL in receiving yards. Edwards should only get better next season for Cleveland.

5) Plaxico Burress, New York Giants
After at times carrying the Giants to their Super Bowl victory, Burress deserves a lot of respect going into 2008. Playing on a bad ankle all season, Burress had 12 touchdowns and over 1,000. If he can get healthy in 2008, sky is the limit for Burress.

Post from: Expert Fantasy

Week 4 was his best week yet. Against the Chargers, he had 164 yards and a touchdown. With eight catches in Week 4, Bowe has the look of a star.

In a dynasty setting, Bowe is a great player to have on your team. If he can continue to learn the position and adapt to the league, he could have a special career.

That said, in redraft he might be a player you look to trade. His value is high right now and you might be able to trade him for a wide receiver that plays in a more potent offense with a better quarterback passing him the ball.

Post from: Expert Fantasy