I have already given you my Top 20 WRs, so now I am back to give you 21-40.
Good tidings fantasy footballers! What can I say? The wide receiver position holds a special place in my heart. I have analyzed the data for hours and painstakingly flip-flopped on my decisions time-after-time. But alas, I have made my final rankings. Now let’s get started, shall we?
Wide receiver rankings are based on PPR scoring.
*- Designates injury or suspension to a player
Tier 5: Contingency Plans
21. Tyler Lockett, (Seattle Seahawks)- Lockett was one tier above this before the Tyreek Hill news broke. However, upon a further look into the data, you will find that much of Lockett’s numbers last season were inflated by TDs. He only managed 57 receptions on 70 targets and 970 receiving yards. However, he had 10 receiving touchdowns. With the hole that was left by former Seahawk Doug Baldwin, there will be plenty of opportunities for Lockett to succeed. His ceiling will be limited by the Seahawks’ run-heavy scheme, but Lockett’s explosive play leaves room for plenty of upside.
22. Cooper Kupp, (Los Angeles Rams)- Kupp was on pace to be one of the best receivers in fantasy before he got hurt last year. In a span of eight games, Kupp secured 40 receptions on 55 targets for 566 yards and six touchdowns. That means he was on pace for 80 receptions, 1,132 yards, and 12 receiving touchdowns. Kupp would have finished as the 12th best WR in PPR last year given those numbers. Kupp is ranked behind Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods due to coming off an injury. As I said before, I do not expect the Rams to be as electric as last season; this is mostly due to Todd Gurley and Cooper Kupp returning from injury. Expectations must be managed.
23. *Calvin Ridley, (Atlanta Falcons) tweaked hamstring, should be ready for the start of the regular season– Ridley burst on to the scene last season right out of the gate. He finished with 64 receptions, 821 yards, and 10 receiving touchdowns. Now in year two, Ridley looks to improve on an already incredible rookie campaign. With upgrades to the offensive line, Devonta Freeman looking like his old self, and Matt Ryan playing his best football, Ridley could easily crack the top-20 WRs this year.
24. Chris Godwin, (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)- As I said in the write-up about Mike Evans, the Buccaneers could be playing from behind a ton this season. Jameis Winston should have close to the highest passing attempts in the league. Enter Chris Godwin. Adam Humphries is now in Tennessee and Godwin is the only other viable receiver the Bucs have. For years, Mike Evans has done it on his own. Now it is time for him to get a solidified sidekick.
25. D.J. Moore, (Carolina Panthers)- I am not as high on Moore as some of the QBL staff. Cam Newton is a highly inaccurate passer and he is coming back from injury. There is no question that Moore is talented, but he is limited in this offense. Since Newton got to Carolina, it has been a run-heavy attack. All of these factors are working against Moore, and I think it is unlikely that he will be any higher than the 25th best WR this year.
26. Allen Robinson, (Chicago Bears)- Allen Robinson saw 94 targets last season before getting hurt. However, he only caught 55 of those. Robinson has struggled with drops and injuries since coming into the league. He has not reached 1,000 yards receiving since 2015, but he has the skill and the frame to be a legit threat on the outside and in the red zone. If he can stay healthy, there is no question he will crack the top-25, even in a crowded wide receiver corps.
27. Jarvis Landry, (Cleveland Browns)- Landry finished 24 yards shy of 1,000 receiving last season. He did that on 86 receptions but sadly only scored four receiving touchdowns. Now with Odell Beckham Jr. in town, Landry will have more room to operate underneath. He should still see plenty of targets, but the touchdowns remain a concern and that’s why I slot Landry in this spot.
28. Tyler Boyd, (Cincinnati Bengals)- Boyd essentially came out of nowhere last season, and he was a waiver wire gem as a result. He was everything that people were hoping John Ross was going to become. Even with A.J. Green back in the fold, I think that Boyd can be a very effective compliment. Green has also struggled with injuries in the past three years. If he were to go down, Boyd would be an automatic top-15 WR. Who knows, perhaps last year was a passing of the torch to Boyd in Cincy. Even if not, he still has value.
Tier 6: The Other Guys
29. Robby Anderson, (New York Jets)- Anderson has been flirting with top-25 WR numbers for the last two years. He has tremendous height at 6′ 3″, but an immensely skinny frame and it might have helped contribute to him getting hurt last year. He can burn DBs with ease but is not built to withstand a beating. Durability will be an issue for him, but with Sam Darnold in his second year, Anderson could surprise people.
30. Mike Williams, (Los Angeles Chargers)- Williams only caught 43 passes last year for 664 yards. However, he scored 10 touchdowns–tied for fifth-best in the league amongst receivers. Williams is a large and physical receiver who can be a force in the red zone. With Hunter Henry back in the fold, Williams will likely see his touchdown number decline. With another year to gel with Philip Rivers, though, Williams should still land safely in the top-30.
31. Marvin Jones, (Detroit Lions)- Jones was hurt for seven games last season. Before he was injured, he managed 35 receptions, 508 yards, and five receiving touchdowns. Now that Golden Tate is out of the picture, Jones will be a great value pick in later rounds. When healthy, Jones put up WR2 numbers 33% of the time. He should have no problem ranking in the top-30 WRs and providing a good return value for his draft cost.
32. *Sterling Shepard, (New York Giants) broken thumb, may miss week one– Shepard finds himself in an odd position with Golden Tate now in New York. Shepard operated primarily out of the slot when OBJ was with the Giants, but Tate will likely take over that role. Shepard has been pedestrian on the outside, to say the least. In 62 targets over the last two seasons, Shepard has not scored when lined up outside. That being said, the volume will be there with OBJ out of the picture.
33. Will Fuller, (Houston Texans)- Fuller is coming off an ACL tear, but he should be fully healthy to start the season. Fuller’s chemistry with Deshaun Watson is astounding; on average, Fuller has four receptions, 71 receiving yards, and a touchdown per game with his quarterback. He is the definition of boom-or-bust, but his boom games will make you glad that you picked him.
34. Sammy Watkins, (Kansas City Chiefs)- Speaking of boom-or-bust players, Watkins is very similar to Fuller. If he were in another offense, Watkins would not be ranked nearly this high. However, you can’t help but salivate at the thought of Watkins catching bombs from Patrick Mahomes. If Tyreek Hill were to get injured, Watkins would be a bonafide top-ten WR. One downside is Watkins’ troubling foot injury, which should be monitored during the preseason.
35. Larry Fitzgerald, (Arizona Cardinals)- Larry is the most experienced wideout on the team by a huge margin. The Cardinals expect to be airing it out early and often this season, and they will need a guy who has been there before–not just to be a reliable playmaker, but to coach the young WRs. Fitzgerald keeps his body in tremendous shape and will be able to hold his own in the up-tempo offense. Rookie Kyler Murray will likely look to Fitz as a security blanket underneath. For the price tag, you could do a lot worse than Fitz.
36. Dante Pettis, (San Francisco 49ers)- Little is known about Pettis. He did not come on strong until late last season. However, from week 10-16 Pettis was the number 20 WR in fantasy. That was with Nick Mullens playing quarterback and so it is hard to judge Pettis. He has a lack of chemistry with Jimmy Garoppolo, but this is still a major upgrade at the QB position.
37. Corey Davis, (Tennessee Titans)- Davis must prove that he is worthy of the hype that he has received for much of his career. The Titans will have him on a short leash this year. They added Adam Humphries and rookie A.J. Brown to their WR corps. Davis was rarely a WR3 in most of 2018, but his current situation should finally make his value clear; it will either propel him to perform or slide him down the depth chart.
38. Christian Kirk, (Arizona Cardinals)- Kirk has not yet surpassed Larry Fitzgerald, but it is only a matter of time. He flashed during his rookie season and showed that he is worthy of being a top-two option in Arizona. The Cardinals will be going four and five wide often this season, giving Kirk plenty of chances to prove he is the best receiver on the Cardinals’ roster.
39. *Golden Tate, (New York Giants) facing four-game suspension due to PED violation– Golden Tate has had limited time in New York, but there is a lack of options at the WR position. It will be interesting to see where he fits in opposite Sterling Shepard because they both operate primarily out of the slot. There is no question that the volume will be there for both of them. Tate has demonstrated the ability to be a top-30 WR in the past, but expectations should be tempered.
40. Courtland Sutton, (Denver Broncos)- Courtland Sutton capped off a lackluster season with just over 700 yards receiving. He now has a quarterback known for the deep-ball arm strength. Joe Flacco should improve Sutton’s yardage and touchdown totals. Sutton has a large frame that is perfect for the red zone. Unfortunately, Flacco’s accuracy concerns and a run-first mentality on the Broncos’ part will limit Sutton’s upside.
(Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire)