2009 Fantasy Rankings – ACC WRs | Fantasy College Blitz

2009 Fantasy Rankings – ACC WRs

August 12th, 2009 by Nick Gerogosian

WR Jacoby Ford (thanks Icon SMI)

1. Jacoby Ford – Clemson – What can be said about arguably the fastest guy in the ACC? Ford had 55 catches last season for a total of 710 yards and 4 TDs. What makes him such a threat is his ability to run the ball as well on an end around or in open field. Dabo Swinney was not afraid to use him in the rushing game either as he racked up 96 yards on 19 rushes last year. I would expect more of the same. If Clemson can settle on a QB, I would watch out for Ford to be real close to the 1,000 yard marker this year.

2. Owen Spencer – NCST – What an unbelievable year Spencer had last year. He managed almost 700 yards and had 5 scores. On only 31 catches, Spencer averaged almost 23 yards per catch. Spencer is the slash and dash WR the QB Russell Wilson will be looking to in the open field. This kid could end up leading all WR in the ACC this year.

3. Demaryius Thomas – GT – When you think about Georgia Tech, you don’t really think about their receivers, but Thomas flew under the radar big time last year. He had over 600 yards receiving and 3 TDs. I would imagine that another year in the Spread Triple Option that this team will operate it in more efficiently which is going to allow for Thomas to put up, at the very least, similar numbers from last year.

4. Javaris Williams – NCST – Williams is a whopper of a WR. He is 6-4 inches which makes him a red zone threat at any time, but on top of that, this kid has some wheels. Believe it or not, he was third on the team last year with 26 catches for 432 yards and 4 TDs. Must be nice to have that kind of talent on one team when your third WR is still better than most team’s #1. Expect QB Russell Wilson to throw some long jump balls for Williams to go catch.

5. Jarrett Boykin – VT – Boykin was very young and raw last year, yet he still managed to lead the team with 441 yards and 2 scores. I am expecting QB Tyrod Taylor to really try to settle his feet this season and learn to become more of a passer. This will only help Boykin’s stats. He has some of the best hands in the ACC and is a threat to break one loose at any moment. The rushing attack that this team is going to have is only going to help the WR get open for long hauls

6. Rich Gunnell – BC – Gunnell is a speedster that can open the game up at any moment. He had over 550 yards last year with 4 TDs. The only draw back that I have for Gunnell is that the QB situation is uncertain and that could translate to a slow start this year. Overall, Gunnell is one of the better wide outs in the ACC, but be weary of how this team is going to operate with all of the turnover this past offseason on and off the field.

7. Aldarius Johnson – Miami – As QB Jacory Harris becomes more comfortable in Mark Whipple’s new offensive scheme, Johnson will see his numbers shoot through the roof. As only a true freshman, Johnson saw some very impressive numbers as he lead the Hurricanes with 332 yards on 31 catches and 3 TDs. Barring any sort of sophomore slump, Johnson should see those numbers increase considerably, maybe even double.

8. Marshall Williams – WF – Marshall Williams benefits from have one of the best QB in the ACC and the most accurate passer in all of college football. Wake will miss DJ Boldin and his 81 receptions, but Williams had impressive numbers in 2008 as he nearly broke 400 yards on only 26 receptions. I would expect Williams to be looked at early and often as Wake Forrest will need to have a viable WR threat if they are going to establish the run game like they want to since no one in the ACC feared their rushing game in 08.

Torrey Smith, Maryland (thanks Icon SMI)

9. Taiwan Easterling – FSU – Much was said during the offseason about FSU’s issues at receiver. Fact is that even with the exodus of Greg Carr to the NFL and Preston Parker for legal troubles, this team probably has grown closer. Add to that a new found hunger that they have to prove everyone wrong, along with the well experienced field General, Christian Ponder, and we should see all of the FSU wide outs make a big time comeback this season. Easterling is the leading returner and if he is fully recovered from Achilles tendon tear, watch for him to put up some big numbers as he is an absolute burner.

10. Torrey Smith – Maryland – All of Chris Turner’s top targets are gone, including speedy Darius Heyword-Bey. That leaves returning starter Torrey Smith to take over and he’s going to put up some nice numbers this year. Turner is a senior which means that he is going to do all he can to raise his stock and someone has to catch the ball.

Smith had a nice year in 2008 catching 24 balls for 336 yards and 2 scores. Those stats should all see a bump and watch for him to establish himself as the go-to target very early on.

11. Thearon Collier – Miami – With Miami finally settling on a QB and with the implementation of the new offense via new coordinator Mark Whipple, all of the Miami WR should see their numbers come up. Collier had an impressive 324 yards on only 26 catches and scored 2 TDs. QB Jacory Harris is going to be an adequate leader and will likely look Collier’s way frequently as a safety valve.

12. Danny Coale – VT – Danny had the highest number of receptions for VT last year at 36 for 408 yards. As Tyrod Taylor settles in and begins to look to pass more, Coale should see his number jump up quite a bit. He really should be ranked a few spots higher, but what I am worried about is that lining up on the opposite side is Jarrett Boykin who had just about as many yards on fewer catches and more red zone looks. Coale had 0 TDs in 2008.

13. Johnny Williams – Duke – I feel the same about Williams as I do Greg Little at UNC. He has to replace stud WR Eron Riley, and he has the QB that can help him do it. I’m just cautious since Duke is getting Re’quan Boyette back from injury and I think the Blue Devils will look to establish themselves as a run-first kind of team which will limit the opportunities for Williams.

14. Greg Little – UNC – Greg has the ability to really shoot up the charts here and I actually predict him to end up in the top 10 of ACC wide receivers, but there are a couple factors that have me placing him this low. QB T.J. Yates needs to come back from a couple of injuries and show he is going to lead this team. Also, with RB Shaun Draughn returning, I feel that this team will look to pound the ball more than last year simply because of the loss this team took at WR during the NFL Draft.

15. Jared Green – Virginia – This is more a result of a new scheme, with a new offensive coordinator, and with a new QB under center. The Spread Offense should allow for a several opportunities for lots of yards and TDs, but I just don’t trust any of the QB nor their ability to pick up the playbook that quickly.

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