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Fantasy football: Wide receivers

A look at the top receivers heading into the coming season.

Davante Adams, Packers:

Figures to benefit most after Jordy Nelson ripped up his knee. Adams had 38-446-3 last year in the regular season, but is best remembered for 7-117-1 in the playoff win over Dallas.

Nelson Agholor, Eagles: Average draft position in ESPN leagues is 83rd. Agholor is a WR4/5 with obvious high upside in Chip Kelly's offense.

Keenan Allen, Chargers: Has cleaned up his diet - literally eschewing fried food for more salads. So at least he'll be hungry for a bounce-back season.

Odell Beckham Jr., Giants: Finished fifth among WRs in fantasy scoring despite missing the first four games. Nearly as impressive was catching 70 percent of his targets, a remarkable number for a rookie.

Antonio Brown, Steelers: Has seen an astounding 348 targets over the last two years and has had 239 receptions for 3,197 yards, all are NFL bests. Should be the first receiver taken in PPR leagues.

Dez Bryant, Cowboys: So he fails to make that catch against Green Bay in the playoffs and is rewarded with a $70 million contract? What a world . . . Just kidding. Touchdown totals have gone up last three years (12-13-16) and could even rise again if Dallas gives him more red-zone looks now that DeMarco Murray is in Philly.

Randall Cobb, Packers: Probably could have gotten more on the open market than the 4-year, $40 million deal he signed in March, but he said his heart is in Green Bay and the $17 million guaranteed should last for the rest of his life. Love that attitude. And his quarterback. Besides, he just turned 25 and probably has another significant deal after this one.

Brandin Cooks, Saints: Should be the main man in New Orleans, which lost Jimmy Graham and Kenny Stills. Before drafting Cooks, what's your level of confidence in Drew Brees?

Mike Evans, Buccaneers: Stumbled down the stretch as the Yuckaneers lost their final six and finished 2-14. Evans, 22, becomes a huge piece in dynasty leagues if Jameis Winston develops into a good QB.

A.J. Green, Bengals: Look for a bounce-back season for Green, who fought injuries most of last season. Late second-, early third-round steal.

T.Y. Hilton, Colts: The nine targets he's averaged the last two years might take a hit with the Colts adding Frank Gore and Andre Johnson and drafting Phillip Dorsett in the first round. Hilton's still a good option as a WR2.

DeSean Jackson, Redskins: His 3.7 receptions per game (56 catches, 15 games) was the second lowest of his career.

Jeff Janis, Packers: Janis is worth a late flier in light of Jordy Nelson's injury. Impress everyone at your draft by dropping the nugget that Janis went to the same D-II school (Saginaw Valley State) as Todd Herremans.

Alshon Jeffery, Bears: The Bears might not win five games, but that only means they may have to throw it 45 times per contest.

Calvin Johnson, Lions: Still a WR1, but with declining numbers the last three years and a 30th birthday on Sept. 25, don't reach for Megatron if there's a run on receivers in the second round.

Julio Jones, Falcons: After missing 11 games in 2013, Jones last year put up monster numbers in everything but touchdowns (just six). Kyle Shanahan, who was able to help Pierre Garcon get 113 catches two years ago in Washington, is Atlanta's new offensive coordinator.

Jeremy Maclin, Chiefs: In his last three years here under Andy Reid, Maclin played with four different starting QBs and still posted a respectable 22 TDs. Surely he can get at least eight this year, even with Alex Smith.

Brandon Marshall, Jets: Could be in for a sneaky-good season even with Ryan Fitzpatrick as his quarterback. He's spent training camp working against Darrelle Revis. And you thought Megyn Kelly was having a long summer.

Jordan Matthews, Eagles: Next bad thing said by coaches about him this summer will be the first. As the expected No. 1 receiver on a high-powered offense, Matthews is among the 2-3 most interesting receivers this fantasy preseason.

Emmanuel Sanders, Broncos: Denver changing offensive coordinators from Adam Gase to Rick Dennison shouldn't matter much to Sanders, who posted career bests 101-1404-9. Peyton Manning runs the offense anyway. His hamstring injury is another story. Fingers crossed.

Demaryius Thomas, Broncos: How's this for versatility? Thomas led all wide receivers with 25 receptions of 20 yards or more and with the most targets (11) from the 5-yard-line on in.

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