I did my first version of wide receiver tiers in the middle of July, just before the start of training camp. Now, it's time for an update.
The biggest change was at the top where Tyreek Hill has moved ahead of CeeDee Lamb because of his contract situation. But many other changes have also happened, including Rashee Rice rising, Christian Kirk falling and a lot of movement with the rookie. I'll explain all of this below.
For context, this is based on PPR, as well as one point for every 10 yards rushing and receiving. Hopefully, these tiers can help with any draft decisions you have to make this year.
Tier 1
Tyreek Hill
CeeDee Lamb
A lot is going on in this tier, which is tough because these are all first-round picks. But after Hill, who should be considered the No. 1 receiver this season, you have Lamb and Chase in contract squabbles, and Jefferson could have a terrible quarterback in Sam Darnold after J.J. McCarthy (knee) was lost for the season.
I'm hopeful we get good news on Lamb and Chase no later than next week. It would be a surprise if either missed time in the regular season, but holdouts (or hold-ins for Chase) always bring some level of concern. We could see Jefferson, St. Brown and Brown move ahead of Lamb and Chase as we get closer to Labor Day weekend if there's no resolution.
I'm fine with Jefferson as the No. 3 receiver for now. While Darnold isn't the ideal quarterback, we saw Jefferson excel in the final four games last year when he was catching passes from Nick Mullens. You have to trust two things here: Jefferson's talent and Kevin O'Connell. The system will allow Jefferson to remain a star with many targets, even if Darnold might struggle.
St. Brown and Brown are the safe options after Hill. I have no problem if you want to skip past Lamb, Jefferson and Chase and draft St. Brown or Brown first. I just believe the top trio offers slightly more upside if everyone is playing a full season.
Tier 2
Wilson is worth drafting in Round 1, and I'm excited to see him play a full season with Aaron Rodgers (Achilles). And Nacua can still be drafted toward the end of Round 1, although Fantasy managers are concerned about his knee injury. It seems like he'll be ready for Week 1, so I have no hesitation drafting Nacua in the first 15 overall picks.
It feels like Harrison might be getting drafted too soon, although his Average Draft Position on CBS is No. 18 overall. I expect him to be a star with the Cardinals, and he's my No. 9 receiver right now.
London comes in as the No. 10 receiver, and his ADP is in Round 3 at 34.5. I would draft London in the middle of Round 2, and I'm excited to see him with Kirk Cousins as the new quarterback in Atlanta.
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Tier 3
Samuel will move into the Round 1-2 range if Brandon Aiyuk is traded, but even if Aiyuk stays in San Francisco, I'm still expecting a big season from Samuel. He's my favorite 49ers pass catcher to draft this season, and I would select him in Round 2.
I'm also expecting a big year for Waddle, who will hopefully be fully healthy all season. He's a steal at his current ADP of 47.1, and I would draft Waddle toward the end of Round 2.
I'm going to target Olave in Round 2 as well, and he should have a third-year breakout campaign with new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. And Collins is my favorite Texans receiver after his third-year breakout in 2023. Even with Stefon Diggs in Houston and Tank Dell back at 100 percent, Collins should remain the go-to target for C.J. Stroud. Collins is worth drafting in early Round 3.
Tier 4
This tier starts with the older receivers of Kupp, Adams and Evans, and the earliest they should be drafted is Round 3. All of them are 31, and there are red flags for this trio. Kupp battled injuries in 2023, Adams started to show some decline with his production and Evans could lose production with an improved Chris Godwin, as well as the addition of rookie Jalen McMillan.
Nabers could be a star in his rookie campaign, but Fantasy managers are worried about Daniel Jones as the Giants quarterback. It's a valid concern, but Nabers can still stand out while Jones struggles, especially if Nabers gets at least 130 targets.
I would draft Nabers toward the end of Round 3, with Metcalf not far behind. He should have a big season with new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb calling plays for the Seahawks and opening up the passing game.
Tier 5
Brandon Aiyuk
Rashee Rice
Michael Pittman Jr.
This is one of my favorite tiers of receivers because the value is incredible for some of these guys, including Pickens (ADP of 60.8), Higgins (65.4) and Rice (77.8). Rice's ADP should continue to rise the closer we get to the season and the less likely he'll be suspended.
Pickens could be an amazing value pick if Aiyuk isn't traded to the Steelers. And Higgins should rebound from a down season in 2023 with a healthy Joe Burrow, along with Higgins looking to prove he deserves a long-term contract.
Aiyuk (43.7) and Smith (44.5) are being drafted in Round 4, but I would rather have Smith right now given Aiyuk's contract situation. I'm excited for Smith on his own, but he has top-10 upside if someone in Philadelphia were to get hurt, which has happened in each of the past two seasons with Dallas Goedert.
I'm lower on Pittman and Moore than most, but I still like them as No. 2 Fantasy receivers in early Round 5. I just don't want to reach for either one, and Moore is now part of a crowded receiving corps in Chicago with Rome Odunze and Keenan Allen.
Tier 6
Tank Dell
Stefon Diggs
Chris Godwin
Christian Kirk
I have these guys ranked as No. 3 receivers, but all of them would be fine as No. 2 options this year. This is a good group to find a receiver in the Round 5-6 range.
Diggs (ADP of 52.6) is being drafted ahead of Dell (66.3), but I like Dell better. And I'm hopeful Cooper will have a healthy Deshaun Watson (shoulder) for the majority of the season, but Cooper is worth drafting in Round 5.
Godwin is incredible value based on his ADP (85.2), and I'm excited about him moving back to the slot. I'm drafting Godwin in Round 6, as well as Ridley. We'll see if he benefits with DeAndre Hopkins (knee) being banged up early in the season.
McLaurin is also worth drafting in Round 6, and we'll see if he gets a target boost with Jahan Dotson now traded to Philadelphia. Jayden Daniels should pepper McLaurin with targets, and this could be the best season of his career.
As for Kirk and Flowers, I'm a little concerned about both. Kirk is dealing with a calf injury, and Brian Thomas Jr. and Gabe Davis could be huge factors for Trevor Lawrence. And Flowers needs to prove he can succeed with a healthy Mark Andrews since Flowers did his best work last year with Andrews out.
Tier 7
I have Watson and Reed ranked back to back, but Reed (ADP of 83.3) is being drafted ahead of Watson (94.5). While both are quality No. 3 receivers, Watson has a higher ceiling if he hits -- and stays healthy.
Johnson feels like a safe No. 3 PPR receiver, and he should be the No. 1 option for Bryce Young in Carolina. I'd prefer to have Johnson on my bench, but he's not a bad starter if you wait on drafting receivers.
Brown is dealing with a shoulder injury, and he could be out for Week 1. But once he's healthy, he should be a quality No. 3 receiver since he'll be a key contributor for Patrick Mahomes. Brown has become a fantastic value pick at his current ADP (113.8).
Tier 8
Brian Thomas Jr.
Rome Odunze
Jaxson Smith-Njigba
Keenan Allen
This is one of my favorite tiers because there's a ton of upside here with the rookies (Thomas, Odunze, Worthy, Coleman and McConkey), and Williams and Smith-Njigba have breakout potential. I'd love to get two or three receivers from this tier.
I've changed the order of these rookies several times, but Thomas is my favorite now given Kirk's injury, as well as what Thomas has done in training camp. He could be the No. 1 receiver for Jacksonville this year.
I like Odunze better than Allen, and Coleman is my favorite Bills receiver based on upside. I also like McConkey better than Josh Palmer for now. As for Worthy, his value is on the rise, but I still like Brown more than him barring a setback with his injury.
I was hesitant to draft Sutton earlier this offseason, but Bo Nix has performed well, which should help Sutton be a potential No. 3 Fantasy receiver. He's an incredible value pick at his ADP (118.5).
Tier 9
Josh Palmer
Another one of my favorite tiers, especially given the upside for Palmer and Shakir. Both could be the best receivers on their respective teams.
I'm concerned about Addison this season, and he's currently dealing with an ankle injury. While I'm confident Jefferson can survive with subpar quarterback play, I don't have as much faith in Addison.
Doubs is a great late-round pick at his ADP (137.9), and he should be a go-to target for Jordan Love despite the Packers having a crowded receiving corps. And Shaheed should be the No. 2 receiver for the Saints, and I expect him to excel in the new offense in New Orleans under Kubiak.
Tier 10
This is the last group of receivers I have in my top 60, and all of these guys are fantastic late-round picks. Samuel could still be the best receiver for the Bills, but he's currently dealing with a toe injury. And Polk could be the No. 1 receiver in New England, which could make him a No. 4 Fantasy receiver.
Meyers, Lockett and Williams are solid veterans to stash on your bench. And Wicks and Mooney could be nice sleepers as secondary receivers on their team. Wicks is a great insurance policy if you draft Watson, Reed or Doubs with an earlier pick.
Tier 11
Gabe Davis
Jalen McMillan
Depending on how deep your bench is, these are great receivers to stash on your roster. Downs (ankle) will likely move up a tier if he gets healthy prior to Week 1, and I'm also excited about Douglas, who could be the No. 1 receiver for the Patriots.
There also are some intriguing rookies here with Legette, McCaffrey, Mitchell, McMillan and Burton, and all of them could be significant contributors this year. Legette is my favorite since he could have a big role for Carolina, and McCaffrey's role should grow with Jahan Dotson getting traded to Philadelphia.
Cooks is the best veteran to target with Lamb dealing with his contract situation. Cooks should be a prime target for Dak Prescott this year.
