RADIO
Since entering the league with the Baltimore Ravens, Torrey Smith has always been one of the more talented wide receivers in the entire league. Unfortunately, he has also been one of the most inconsistent wide receivers in recent memory. Despite his speed and overall talent, he has never been a reliable fantasy football option and 2015 has been no different.
The San Francisco 49ers receiver will enter Week 15 with just 24 catches for 546 yards and three touchdowns. There have been several games where he has been completely shut down and then there have been games where he has torn the opposing secondary apart.
Smith was held out of practice with the team on Thursday due to a back and toe injury, but is still expected to play on Sunday when the 49ers face the Cincinnati Bengals. However, Smith shouldn’t be considered anything more than a WR4. He is far too risky to rely on in fantasy football, especially this time of year,
One wide receiver who is becoming the exact opposite of Smith is Oakland Raiders rookie Amari Cooper. Usually rookie wide receivers struggle to develop consistency with their quarterbacks, but that hasn’t been the case for Cooper. The rookie has 62 receptions for 920 yards and four touchdowns already this season.
Although Cooper was listed as limited in practice thus far this week with a foot injury, he is fully expected to play against the Packers on Sunday. I would consider him a WR2 this week. I expect the Raiders to throw the ball early and often, which is why I also like Cooper’s teammate, Michael Crabtree, as a WR2.
Speaking of consistent wide receivers, nobody has been more consistent over the years than Arizona Cardinals veteran star Larry Fitzgerald. Although the team has used Fitzgerald more as a slot receiver this season, he has excelled in the role with 96 receptions for 1088 yards and seven touchdowns.
Fitzgerald was listed as limited in practice with an ankle injury on Thursday, but it is believed that the team is just managing his reps to keep him fresh for the long haul.
As much praise as quarterback Carson Palmer gets, his job is made easy by the talent he has at receiver. Fitzgerald should be considered a WR1 this week against the Philadelphia Eagles, but teammate Michael Floyd can be considered a high-end WR2 and John Brown can be pegged in as a WR3.
