16. Chad Ochocinco, CIN
Ochocinco enters his 10th year coming off a 1,000-yard campaign, his seventh in his career, but the Bengals are no longer a pass-happy team. Additionally, Ochocinco lacks a solid complement on the other side to draw coverage. He’s a safe No. 2 option, but no longer carries the upside from his early years.

17. Sidney Rice, MIN
Rice emerged last season with 83 catches for 1,312 yards and eight TDs with Brett Favre under center and that’s the dilemma. Take a conservative approach if Favre retires for good, as Minnesota’s passing game could deteriorate with Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels under center. However, prepare to move Rice into the Top 10 if Favre returns for another shot at the Super Bowl.

18. Michael Crabtree, SF
In 11 games, Crabtree notched 48 catches for 625 yards and two TDs in his rookie campaign. Those aren’t eye-popping numbers, but Crabtree flashed his potential down the stretch and the 49ers also showed they’re not afraid to pass the ball with QB Alex Smith. On a maturing and talented offense at all the key skill positions, take Crabtree’s tremendous upside.

19. Steve Smith, NYG
Smith answered the call in 2009 with his first 1,000-yard campaign (1,220) on 107 catches along with seven TDs. The fourth-year pro doesn’t possess blazing speed and won’t be involved in a lot of big plays down the field, but he’s perfectly suited for intermediate routes as evidenced by a career 10.8 yards per catch average.

20. Santonio Holmes, PIT
Holmes, who turns 26 in March, finally broke through with his first 1,000-yard season in 2009, averaging a solid 15.8 yards per catch. The lack of TDs is a concern, as he’s totaled just 20 in his career, but that area should eventually improve given his big-play abilities.

21. Mike Sims-Walker, JAC
Sims-Walker burst on the scene early in 2009, but then his production was erratic leading to 63 catches for 869 yards and seven TDs for the year. Don’t blame the player, however, as QB David Garrard’s passes were all over the place. Sims-Walker offers Jacksonville the WR the team has desperately needed since the days of Jimmy Smith. Now if only Garrard can consistently get the ball to his best receiver…

22. Pierre Garcon, IND
We have a situation and it’s what will the Colts do with Anthony Gonzalez when he returns from a knee injury? With Gonzalez down, Garcon produced a respectable 47 catches for 765 yards and four TDs and proved he’s capable of starting. But more importantly, the third-year WR has QB Peyton Manning’s trust. Assuming the Colts keep Garcon in the starting lineup alongside Reggie Wayne, take Garcon’s upside.

23. Dwayne Bowe, KC
Overlook Bowe’s disappointing 2009 season, a campaign where he was suspended four games and finished the season with 47 catches for 589 yards and four TDs in 11 games. The fourth-year pro has help in the form of offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, who knows a thing or two about passing offenses. Expect the Chiefs’ offense to improve overall in the coming seasons.

24. Hakeem Nicks, NYG
Hicks enjoyed a solid rookie campaign where he averaged 16.8 yards per catch and scored six TDs and was inserted in the starting lineup down the stretch. At 6-foot-3 and 212 pounds, Hicks is a perfect complement for possession WR Steve Smith and offers a big-play presence for QB Eli Manning.

25. Percy Harvin, MIN
Harvin’s impressive rookie season of 60 catches for 790 yards and six TDs had a lot to do with Brett Favre and Minnesota’s passing game takes a hit if Favre retires. Still, the Vikings will find ways to keep the versatile Harvin involved in the offense regardless what happens with Favre this offseason.

26. Donald Driver, GB
After producing a sixth straight 1,000-yard season, Driver, who turns 35 on Feb. 2, continues to defy Father Time. Of course, if Driver were on any other offense, he wouldn’t crack a Top 30 ranking. Taking him here makes him a high-end No. 3, but it wouldn’t surprise to see James Jones and Jordy Nelson more involved in the offense going forward.

27. Hines Ward, PIT
176 catches, two straight 1,000-yard seasons and 13 TDs aren’t expected of a 34-year-old WR, but that’s exactly what Ward has produced. While second-year pro Mike Wallace could see more action in 2010, Ward remains one of the more dependable No. 3 options around.

28. Santana Moss, WAS
The entire Redskins offense deserves a bump with the arrival of new coach Mike Shanahan. Moss, who turns 31 in June, has been erratic the last three seasons due to ineffective QB play, but he’s clearly the team’s best receiving threat. Unlike previous coaching regimes, expect Shanahan to keep Moss involved.

29. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, SEA
With 79 catches for 911 yards and a paltry three TDs, Houshmadzadeh’s first season with the Seahawks was a disappointment. However, he cracks the Top 30 because he’s the clear No. 1 for his team’s passing offense, a unit that should improve under new coach Pete Carroll. Houshmandzadeh isn’t a big-play WR, but he’s active enough underneath to offer value in PPR formats.

30. Derrick Mason, BAL
Mason, 36, quietly produced a third straight 1,000-yard season and is easily Baltimore’s best WR. However, will he return in 2010?

-----

The wildcards

31. Steve Breaston, ARI
Capable of starting if Anquan Boldin is on another team.

32. Josh Morgan, SF
Enters his third season and could finally make impact many expected in 2009.

33. Jeremy Maclin, PHI
Fantastic situation for Maclin, as he’s on a pass-happy team and surrounded by a strong supporting cast.

34. Robert Meachem, NO
Devery Henderson remains the starter for now, but the player to target is Meachem, who could explode in 2010.

35. Braylon Edwards, NYJ
New York’s ultra conservative offense limits upside for Edwards and even Jerricho Cotchery.

36. Antonio Bryant, TB
Durability a concern, but he’s the clear No. 1 WR for Tampa Bay’s offense.

37. Anthony Gonzalez, IND
His role for 2010 remains to be seen considering the solid play of Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie.

38. Donnie Avery, STL
The Rams must upgrade the QB position if Avery is to take the next step.

39. Lee Evans, BUF
Desperately needs a QB capable of throwing more than a 5-yard pattern.

40. Devin Aromashodu, CHI
Considering Aromashodu’s last two games of 12 catches for 196 yards and three TDs, did the Bears find a WR for QB Jay Cutler?


Up next: The tight ends

Join the Fantasy Huddle page on Facebook.

Article posted Jan. 26, 2010