The 2009 Big Ten Receiver class is more top heavy than an orange on a toothpick.  Two big-time pass catchers headline a group that offers practically no fantasy support or interest below them.  But if you want one of that 2-slice orange you better peel and eat quickly because they aren’t likely to last long once that inevitable early run on WRs starts…

THE STUDS (Fantasy Starter Worthy)

Arrelious Benn has 1,731 career receiving yards, ranking him 7th in the Illinois record book

1. Arrelious Benn – Illinois (pictured left courtesy Icon SMI)

This has the makings of a potentially special season for Benn… at least by oft arial challenged Big Ten standards.  The offense returns 7 others around him including the conferences elite QB.  He has 6-5 Jeff Cumberland as protection on the other side to keep secondaries honest and the Illini run game should be strong enough to keep an extra DB off the field in most situations.  His physical skills are second probably only to that beast running routes at Oklahoma State and Zook may even continue to utilize him in variations of the ground game as an added bonus.  Fans in Champaign are expecting big things this season and if it’s going to pan out the way they hope it will, start with the playmaking tandem of Juice Williams to Benn.  Don’t hesitate to make him your #1 WR.

2. Eric Decker – Minnesota

Decker also benefits from a talented and experienced returning QB to get him the ball.  He won’t have quite the explosive offense around him that Benn should but Decker was an absolute stud last season as a Junior, catching 84 passes for over a thousand yards and 7 TDs.  He will be relied on even more this year and The Gophers are likely to have to air it out to stay in games in the second half this season.  Throw in a ground game that should improve and a decent WR corps supporting him and you have a strong and steady weekly top production receiver.  At the end of or after the first run on the elite wave of WRs, Decker is a guy I am actively targeting as a big value.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY (Roster Worthy Fantasy Backups)

3. The Michigan St. WRs

In 2009 Blair White finished 2nd in the Big Ten in conference games with 71.0 receiving yards per game (thanks Icon SMI)

Blair White (6-2, 205 Sr.) and Mark Dell (6-2, 196, Jr.) are both big play threats that could emerge as guys worth rostering and starting in the right matchups but first the QB situation has to prove to be competent and Mark Dantonio has to show a willingness to let these guys shine as the offenses greatest area of skill and experience.  The other problem is the fact that both White and Dell, and even #3 wideout BJ Cunningham, are all talented enough to spread the ball around evenly.  If one emerges as the go-to guy you could have a statistical

NOTABLES (Free agent fodder to keep an eye on)

4. Martavious Odoms – Michigan

Odoms is the type of speedy playmaker that could excel once Rich Rodriguez gets the right pieces plugged into his offense.  If he can get on the same page with his freshman QB early he could pay some dividends for owners who take a late flyer on him or snag him off the wire if he and the Wolverines look good early.

Related posts:

1. Big 10 QB Preview 2009
2. Under/Over Rated WRs in 2009
3. 2009 WAC Wide Receivers Preview
4. Big 10 RB Preview
5. Quick Hit – Top 21 College Football Wide Receivers for 2009

Tags: Big 10