In fantasy football, wide receivers have become as dominant, if not more, than running backs in the past seven or eight years because of the rise of points-per-reception (PPR) leagues. A more average wide receiver with less yards and less scores can be as productive as a wide receiver with more yards and more scores because of the number of receptions they haul in during a season. Players like Wes Welker and T.J. Houshmandzadeh helped their fantasy football stock in that way.
As most fantasy football leagues are twelve-team leagues, we’ll focus on the top twelve wide receivers, then rank the next best twelve and so on, until we reach wide receivers who’ll likely need an injury to become relevant outside of the bye weeks.
The ranking below is for non-PPR fantasy football leagues. At the end, we’ll note which players get a boost in the rankings in PPR fantasy football leagues.
1. Antonio Brown Steelers
2. DeAndre Hopkins Texans
3. Odell Beckham Jr. Giants
4. Julio Jones Falcons
5. Keenan Allen Chargers
6. A.J. Green Bengals
7. Michael Thomas Saints
8. Davante Adams Packers
9. T.Y. Hilton Colts
10. Mike Evans Buccaneers
11. Tyreek Hill Chiefs
12. Demaryius Thomas Broncos
The ‘cream of the crop’ of fantasy football wide receivers. These are players expected to haul in 1,000-plus yards receiving, with at least five expected to top 1,200 yards. At least three will top 100 receptions on the season. Antonio Brown is assuredly a top-five fantasy football draft pick in all formats and DeAndre Hopkins will likely sneak into the top five in PPR leagues.
13. Amari Cooper Raiders
14. Stefon Diggs Vikings
15. Doug Baldwin* Seahawks
16. Adam Thielen Vikings
17. Larry Fitzgerald Cardinals
18. Josh Gordon* Browns
19. Allen Robinson Bears
20. Marvin Jones Jr. Lions
21. JuJu Smith-Schuster Steelers
22. Jarvis Landry Browns
23. Michael Crabtree Ravens
24. Corey Davis Titans
A few of the above players are no stranger to the fantasy football wide receiver rankings. Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen, and Larry Fitzgerald look like sure bets to finish at least in this second tier. The rest are in good situations and have the talent to finish this high.
Genuine concern abounds on Josh Gordon who has yet to report to camp. Don’t be surprised to see his name fall further down the fantasy football ranks.
25. Brandin Cooks Rams
26. Golden Tate Lions
27. Chris Hogan Patriots
28. Marquise Goodwin 49ers
29. Robby Anderson Jets
30. Alshon Jeffery* Eagles
31. Sammy Watkins Chiefs
32. Robert Woods Rams
33. Cooper Kupp Rams
34. Kenny Stills Dolphins
35. Will Fuller V Texans
36.Julian Edelman Patriots
Here are potential breakthrough fantasy football wide receivers. Among this group, Marquise Goodwin is intriguing. Goodwin is reportedly having a great camp and has emerged as Jimmy Garoppolo’s number one wide receiver. On the rest, they are players who will likely have good weeks but be held back by other great wide receivers on their team.
Among this group, be cautious of Alshon Jeffery (shoulder). He’s been notorious for missing games due to soft tissue injuries. There is concern he may start the season on the PUP list and this would hurt his fantasy football value further.
37. Emmanuel Sanders Broncos
38. Nelson Agholor* Eagles
39. Kelvin Benjamin Bills
40. Jamison Crowder* Redskins
41. Randall Cobb* Packers
42. Pierre Garcon 49ers
43. Jordy Nelson Raiders
44. Allen Hurns Cowboys
45. Devin Funchess Panthers
46. DJ Moore Panthers
47. Mike Williams Chargers
48. Marqise Lee Jaguars
In this fantasy football group, various issues surround the wide receivers which include quarterback talent (Kelvin Benjamin) or other good wide receivers on the roster (Jordy Nelson). If Alshon Jeffery misses time, Nelson Algohor gets a boost in value into the third group of fantasy football receivers. Allen Hurns is an intriguing prospect as the Cowboys look to replace the production of the departed Dez Bryant. However, Hurns is also an injury concern.
49. DeVante Parker* Dolphins
50. Kenny Golladay Lions
51. Anthony Miller Bears
52. Michael Gallup Cowboys
53. Rishard Matthews* Titans
54. Ted Ginn Saints
55. Dez Bryant FA
56. Keelan Cole Jaguars
57. Sterling Shepard Giants
58. Josh Doctson* Redskins
59. Geronimo Allison Packers
60. Tyler Lockett Seahawks
These are fantasy football wide receivers with a lot of talent expected to have the occasional breakout game. Kenny Golladay is a great late round pick as his game seems to be coming together as is veteran Dez Bryant who should instantly become the number one wide receiver for whatever team eventually signs him.
In PPR leagues, rank Stefon Diggs, Jarvis Landry, Golden Tate, and Emmanuel Sanders five spots higher than they are ranked above.
“ * “ denotes an injury at the time of writing.
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