Lions receiver Calvin Johnson has scored in consecutive games. (Getty)
Their numbers are practically identical and All-Pro selections appear to be in their future.
Wide receivers Julio Jones of the Falcons and DeAndre Hopkins of the Texans are two of the league’s best and the stats back that statement up. So who would you rather have the rest of the season, fantasy-wise? Here are their cases:
Julio Jones, Falcons — Jones burst out of the gate, but has slowed recently as the Falcons have found a running game. Jones has 58 receptions (90 targets) for 730 yards and 5 touchdowns, though just 1 over the past 4. He’ll continue to be the No. 1 target for 3-time Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Ryan. You can say Julio is in a good situation.
DeAndre Hopkins, Texans — Hopkins’ numbers (58 catches, 776 yards, 5 TDs) are practically the same as Jones’ though the Texans WR gets a few more targets per game (102 total). Thing is, the Texans have no running game (just lost Arian Foster) and Brian Hoyer as their quarterback. And defenses know Hopkins is getting the ball. Yet he still gets it done.
The Choice: Give me Hopkins and his nearly 15 targets per game. Let’s face it, the Texans are going nowhere and will be playing catch-up often. Garbage points can win a lot of fantasy games. Hopkins has a legitimate shot to catch 135-140 passes this season. Jones won’t approach that as the Falcons’ offense is much more balanced. A sign of a great receiver is being able to produce regardless of who is under center. And Hopkins has shown the ability to do that.
Remember to bookmark our fantasy football rankings 2015 page to keep up-to-date on the latest projections and rankings so you know you who to start and who to sit each week.
Bye weeks: Bills, Eagles, Jaguars and Redskins
Here are my top 50 running back rankings for Week 8:
1. Julio Jones, Falcons, vs. Buccaneers
2. DeAndre Hopkins, Texans, vs. Titans
3. Keenan Allen, Chargers, at Ravens
4. Antonio Brown, Steelers, vs. Bengals
5. Calvin Johnson, Lions, at Chiefs (in London)
6. Odell Beckham Jr., Giants, at Saints
7. Julian Edelman, Patriots, vs. Dolphins
8. A.J. Green, Bengals, at Steelers
9. Demaryius Thomas, Broncos, vs. Packers
10. Brandon Marshall, Jets, at Raiders
11. Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals, at Browns
12. T.Y. Hilton, Colts, at Panthers
13. Alshon Jeffery, Bears, vs. Vikings
14. Jarvis Landry, Dolphins, at Patriots
15. Emmanuel Sanders, Broncos, vs. Packers
16. Mike Evans, Buccaneers, at Falcons
17. Jeremy Maclin, Chiefs, vs. Lions (in London)
18. John Brown, Cardinals, at Browns
19. Steve Smith, Ravens, at Chargers
20. Randall Cobb, Packers, at Broncos
21. Martavis Bryant, Steelers, vs. Bengals
22. Amari Cooper, Raiders, vs. Jets
23. Stefon Diggs, Vikings, at Bears
24. Travis Benjamin, Browns, vs. Cardinals
25. Brandin Cooks, Saints, vs. Giants
26. Kendall Wright, Titans, at Texans
27. Eric Decker, Jets, at Raiders
28. James Jones, Packers, at Broncos
29. Golden Tate, Lions, at Chiefs (in London)
30. Tavon Austin, Rams, vs. 49ers
31. Rishard Matthews, Dolphins, at Patriots
32. Nate Washington, Texans, vs. Titans
33. Anquan Boldin, 49ers, at Rams
34. Danny Amendola, Patriots, vs. Dolphins
35. Ted Ginn Jr., Panthers, vs. Colts
36. Donte Moncrief, Colts, at Panthers
37. Marvin Jones, Bengals, at Steelers
38. Michael Crabtree, Raiders, vs. Jets
39. Michael Floyd, Cardinals, at Browns
40. Willie Snead, Saints, vs. Giants
41. Brandon LaFell, Patriots, vs. Dolphins
42. Rueben Randle, Giants, at Saints
43. Roddy White, Falcons, vs. Buccaneers
44. Mohamed Sanu, Bengals, at Steelers
45. Terrance Williams, Cowboys, vs. Seahawks
46. Stevie Johnson, Chargers, at Ravens
47. Mike Wallace, Vikings, at Bears
48. Andre Johnson, Colts, at Panthers
49. Doug Baldwin, Seahawks, at Cowboys
50. Jeremy Kerley, Jets, at Raiders
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Fantasy Football Rankings 2015: NFL Week 8 Wide Receivers