In contrast to the real NFL, the running backs probably have the highest value in fantasy football. But even a good receiver corp can make the difference between weal and woe in your fantasy season. sport.de tells you which wide receivers you should build on in the coming season.
In contrast to the running backs, there are far more possible options in the fantasy draft among the wide receivers, which is not least due to the fact that they continue to play an important role in their respective NFL teams well beyond their rookie contract. But at some point every wide receiver will take its toll, which we absolutely have to take into account when putting together our NFL Fantasy Roster.
So that you don’t lose track in the rush of the draft, a ranking will help you tremendously in your fantasy draft. Especially when you categorize the players by “Tiers”, you are always aware of how many wide receivers are still available at the same level.
Tiers also allow you to keep track of which position should be drafted. For example, in Tier 1, all receivers, running backs, quarterbacks, and tight ends are gone. It’s your turn and in Tier 2 you have one wide receiver, three quarterbacks and no running back on your board. So at this point, you should be drafting the last available wide receiver in Tier 2.
One last note on the rankings. They refer to a “PPR league” in which players receive one point per reception (PPR) in addition to points for yards and touchdowns. Especially wide receivers, which are often alluded to, have a higher priority here.
Tier 1: The best wide receiver
Justin Jefferson / Minnesota Vikings
The top wide receiver in the 2023 NFL Fantasy Draft is Justin Jefferson. The competition in their own team hasn’t gotten any better and, especially in the first few weeks, quarterback Kirk Cousins will rely more on Jefferson’s strengths than giving the ball to his rookie Jordan Addison. The absence of running back Dalvin Cook should also play into the star receiver’s cards.
Tier 2: Sure bet
Ja’Marr Chase / Cincinnati Bengals
Cooper Kupp / Los Angeles Rams
Tyreek Hill / Miami Dolphins
If you missed Justin Jefferson, these three wide receivers should make a safe bet assuming they stay fit. We should therefore continue to monitor the situation surrounding Cooper Kupp’s thigh injury in particular until our draft.
Ja’Marr Chase should be good for another 1,000-yard-plus season and is boasting a lot of touchdowns. In his own words, the self-confident Tyreek Hill is aiming for the 2,000 mark. Even if he doesn’t make it, Hill is one of the best wide receivers in fantasy football.
Tier 3: Possible top ten wide receivers
Stefon Diggs / Buffalo Bills
CeeDee Lamb / Dallas Cowboys
A.J. Brown / Philadelphia Eagles
Davante Adams / Las Vegas Raiders
Amon-Ra St. Brown / Detroit Lions
From Tier 3 we speak of potential top receivers. Stefon Diggs should be treated with more caution this year. The praise given to Buffalo Bills training camp’s Dawson Knox and rookie tight end Dalton Kincaid should be taken seriously. As play percentages decrease, so does Fantasy Football.
The same applies to CeeDee Lamb, AJ Brown and Amon-Ra St. Brown, whose competition never sleeps in their own team. Davante Adams could even compete with Justin Jefferson with the right quarterback. But Jimmy Garoppolo does not help him for a better placement.
Tier 4: Solide Wide Receiver
Garrett Wilson / New York Jets
Jaylen Waddle / Miami Dolphins
Chris Olave / New Orleans Saints
Tee Higgins / Cincinnati Bengals
DeVonta Smith / Philadelphia Eagles
DeVonta Smith is breathing down AJ Brown’s neck and at the same time the Philadelphia Eagles are looking to step up their running game. With their offensive line, no one is surprised. Tee Higgins and Jaylen Waddle are clearly their team’s number two in an admittedly very pass-heavy offense.
Chris Olave is missing quarterback, which Garrett Wilson has in turn. Depending on how you rate the quality of Aaron Rodgers after his move to the New York Jets, you can also put Wilson up a notch. The young wideout definitely has the skills of a top five receiver.
Tier 5: There is potential
DK Metcalf / Seattle Seahawks
Amari Cooper / Cleveland Browns
Deebo Samuel / San Francisco 49ers
Keenan Allen / Los Angeles Chargers
Calvin Ridley / Jacksonville Jaguars
As you can see, in Tier 5 it’s getting harder and harder to rank wide receivers properly. Previous injuries play into my rating as well as the lack of quality on quarterback.
This is the list of the next five play stations, with the exception of DK Metcalf. On a good day, he can be the most prolific wide receiver in the NFL. But you have to accept that there are games in which he falls short of his potential.
Tier 6: Surprise possible
DeAndre Hopkins / Tennessee Titans
Terry McLaurin / Washington Commanders
Drake London / Atlanta Falcons
Christian Watson / Green Bay Packers
Jerry Jeudy / Denver Broncos
Chris Godwin / Tampa Bay Buccaneers
D.J. Moore / Chicago Bears
Tyler Lockett / Seattle Seahawks
Brandon Aiyuk / San Francisco 49ers
Christian Kirk / Jacksonville Jaguars
Diontae Johnson / Pittsburgh Steelers
If you went running back, tight end, and quarterback in the early rounds, the top 20 should be almost out of reach. Then it is important to rely on the potential for surprises and to find the hidden jewels.
The drop is certainly greater than other wide receivers. But Christian Kirk saved quite a few fantasy seasons last year. Why shouldn’t it be Christian Watson or Drake London this time?
Tier 7: More wide receivers in the Fantasy Draft
Michael Pittman Jr. / Indianapolis Colts
Mike Evans / Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mike Williams / Los Angeles Chargers
Jahan Dotson / Washington Commanders
Marquise Brown / Arizona Cardinals
Treylon Burks / Tennessee Titans
Jordan Addison / Minnesota Vikings
George Pickens / Pittsburgh Steelers
The wobbly candidates follow in the last tier. They’re all wide receivers that I wouldn’t trust every week. But when a shutdown cornerback is thrown in at the best man, Mike Williams is capable of giving you the win.
Overall, these pass recipients will also get their points. But inconsistent quarterback play or competition within their own team cast doubt on their strong performance week after week.
One last recommendation for this ranking: Especially as a draft nerd, I get a rookie receiver in the last few rounds. Anyone who chooses the right one from Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Co. will reap their harvest later in the season.
Next week we continue with the quarterbacks. This is followed by the tight ends so that you can go into your fantasy draft well prepared.
About the author: Philipp Forstner alias “Draft Nerd” is commentator assistant at RTL and moderates the conference of the German Football League. As a podcaster for “Footballquark” and an author, his expertise on the NFL and college football is in demand. Philipp will be reporting on fantasy football every Thursday for the next few weeks.
2023-08-03 15:07:21
#NFL #Fantasy #Football #Rankings #Wide #Receiver
