1. Mardy Gilyard, Cincinnati – A Bearcat columnist did not care for my earlier ranking of Gilyard at ONLY #11 - I hope this top spot in the conference will suffice.

Mardy Gilyard taps the toes in the 2009 Orange Bowl. (Icon SMI)

Coach Brian Kelly and his 18-year long OC Jeff Quinn run one of the top offensive systems in the game and that will be tested often this season with only 1 defensive starter returning. Shootouts galore I say.

2. Mike Williams, Syracuse - I will not be shocked if Williams is at the top of this list based on talent alone. But I can’t rank him at #1 given the questionable QB situation, the tough schedule that opens against two top defenses in Penn State and Northwestern, and Williams being away from the game for a year. Still, I would not be surprised.

3. Tim Brown, Rutgers – speaking of questionable QB situations…Scarlet Knights undergo huge offensive turnover but Brown was the big-play piece and returns as the top option. I like the softer-than-Charmin schedule and I have confidence in the brand name Schiano.

4. Josh Chichester, Louisville – my affinity for 6-foot-4-plus WRs goes back years, and the talented ones tend to have a high TD-to-rcatch ratio. Chichester is just a soph and had his best games late in the disastrous 2008 campaign, I like his momentum to carry over even with an unsettled QB situation. He should be the flagship of a very nice WR group.

5. Armon Binns, Cincinnati – Bearcats created two 1000 yard WR last season, I like it to happen again with 8 offensive starters and Tony Pike the clear starter in 2009. Binns is an athletic sophomore getting a lot of attention from spring practices.

6. Jock Sanders, West Virginia - Sanders’ status after a DUI arrest is still open, but honestly how often do these offenses mean a loss of playing time? Bill Stewart committed to enhancing the passing game last year, so QB Jarrett Brown has a leg up on most new full-time starters.

7. Marcus Easley, UConn - admittedly a reach, but big spring games like his (10-169-T2!!!) usually get some follow through, especially with a new system in place. No Husky since 1998 has caught for 1000 yards and this may not be the year, but I see a good WR3 option here as the season progresses with 8+ TDs in the new spread offense.

8. Doug Beaumont, Louisville - Zero TDs on 62 catches and 750 yards does not a fantasy star make, and that was Doug’s 2008 numbers. Louisville was an absolute abyss last season so I look for the highly rated recruit to grow into bigger numbers in 2009.

Others:

Jamar Howard, CIN – big JUCO who will play in the spread a lot, esp. with Vidal Hazelton ineligible.

Wes Lyons, WVU – another 6-8 plus athlete, spring and practices had him working out of the slot with some success.

Jonathan Baldwin and Oderick Turner, Pitt – Three big variables that is settled have lots of upside (1) Stull or Bostick at QB? (2) Baldwin’s legal issues. (3) Turner’s health. Both these cats will get looks from the NFL, but I am not ready to recommend them for fantasy this season.

Jessie Hester and Carlton Mitchell, USF – 1,434 yards by Carlton Mitchell. No, not last season’s numbers, but his two-year career totals that already put him at #3 career on the Bull’s list. I am not feeling a great departure from the QB Matt Grothe spreading the ball around (five with 25 catches in 2008) so no need to get too excited about either of these guys except for the easy early schedule (Wofford, at WKU and Charleston Southern)

Related posts:

1. Wide Receiver Rankings: Top 25
2. Big East Fantasy College Runningback 2009 Rankings
3. Big East “Other” 2009 rankings
4. Going Deep: Wide Receiver looks for Week 3
5. GOING DEEP: Wide Receiver Looks for Week 5

Tags: Big East