Dave Richard's Wide Receiver Tiers 3.0: Malik Nabers takes a jump, Courtland Sutton slides

The name of the game when it comes to receivers is targets. You can't score or get yardage or receptions without them. 

But you knew that. The point is, draft receivers who are going to get seven-plus targets per game (eight-plus in the early rounds). 

You might think that's something every receiver will do. It's not. 

Nineteen qualifying wide receivers averaged at least seven targets per game last year, while 18 averaged between 6.0 and 6.9 targets per game. The seven-plus target number was 29 in 2024 and 2023!  

So when you waltz through these Tiers, think about how many targets per game each receiver will get, then think about how many 100-yard games and how many touchdowns they could realistically get. The fewer names who can get all of these wonderful numbers, the more inclined you should be to draft this position early on. 

Lastly, the more catches are worth in your scoring, the more you should chase high-volume receivers. In half-PPR, that edge only goes so far -- the 10th-best receiver in half-PPR last year on a per-game basis would have ranked 18th among the running backs last year. So the premium you might put on stud receivers in half-PPR might not be as good in full PPR.

• Draft Strategy: What to look for when drafting a WR

Tier 1

Round 1 in half-PPR

Ja'Marr Chase WR CIN Cincinnati • #1 Age: 26 • Experience: 6 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 125 TAR 185 REYDS 1412 TD 8 FPTS/G 15.7

Puka Nacua WR LAR L.A. Rams • #12 Age: 25 • Experience: 4 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 129 TAR 166 REYDS 1715 TD 11 FPTS/G 19.4

Jaxon Smith-Njigba WR SEA Seattle • #11 Age: 24 • Experience: 4 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 119 TAR 163 REYDS 1793 TD 10 FPTS/G 17.7

Amon-Ra St. Brown WR DET Detroit • #14 Age: 26 • Experience: 6 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 117 TAR 172 REYDS 1401 TD 11 FPTS/G 15.6

CeeDee Lamb WR DAL Dallas • #88 Age: 27 • Experience: 7 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 75 TAR 117 REYDS 1077 TD 3 FPTS/G 11.7

Studs with high target volume from week to week. Not much else to think about here, other than one name in the group doesn't carry the same kind of track record of success as the others. That's the minimal risk you'll take with Smith-Njigba, whose previous high in half-PPR was 11.9 per game.

These will mostly be Round 1 picks expected to land north of 15 half-PPR points per game.

Tier 2

Round 2 in half-PPR

A.J. Brown WR NE New England • #1 Age: 29 • Experience: 8 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 78 TAR 121 REYDS 1003 TD 7 FPTS/G 12.1

Justin Jefferson WR MIN Minnesota • #18 Age: 27 • Experience: 7 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 84 TAR 141 REYDS 1048 TD 2 FPTS/G 9.4

Nico Collins WR HOU Houston • #12 Age: 27 • Experience: 6 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 71 TAR 120 REYDS 1117 TD 7 FPTS/G 12.7

Malik Nabers WR NYG N.Y. Giants • #1 Age: 23 • Experience: 3 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 18 TAR 35 REYDS 271 TD 2 FPTS/G 14.3

Drake London WR ATL Atlanta • #5 Age: 25 • Experience: 5 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 68 TAR 112 REYDS 919 TD 7 FPTS/G 14.0

Studs with high target volume from week to week, but also a wee bit of downside due to quarterback, injury, and/or age concerns. Any could finish top 5 and no one would be shocked, but it would mean carrying high target volume through most of the regular season without a drop-off in play from their quarterback. Honestly, it's not too much to ask for from any of these guys. Jefferson is the one most people are expecting a huge resurgence from -- you already know his track record. Nabers is a fast riser after he showed up healthy to training camp.

Most of these receivers will be second-round picks with an expectation of 14 half-PPR points per game.

Tier 3

Round 3 in half-PPR

George Pickens WR DAL Dallas • #3 Age: 25 • Experience: 5 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 93 TAR 137 REYDS 1429 TD 9 FPTS/G 14.4

Tee Higgins WR CIN Cincinnati • #5 Age: 27 • Experience: 7 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 59 TAR 98 REYDS 846 TD 11 FPTS/G 12.1

Emeka Egbuka WR TB Tampa Bay • #2 Age: 23 • Experience: 2 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 63 TAR 127 REYDS 938 TD 6 FPTS/G 9.7

Chris Olave WR NO New Orleans • #12 Age: 26 • Experience: 5 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 100 TAR 156 REYDS 1163 TD 9 FPTS/G 13.6

Rashee Rice WR KC Kansas City • #4 Age: 26 • Experience: 4 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 53 TAR 78 REYDS 571 TD 6 FPTS/G 15.5

DeVonta Smith WR PHI Philadelphia • #6 Age: 27 • Experience: 6 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 77 TAR 113 REYDS 1008 TD 4 FPTS/G 9.6

A slim majority of these guys have quarterback concerns but also have incredible talent. Nearly every receiver here has really good target volume ahead of them, and every single player in the group could justifiably finish inside the top 10 or outside the top 20 at receiver and no one would be surprised either way. 

Figure this group has a shot at 13 half-PPR points per game, but with volatility. Only Rice, Olave and Pickens were top-12 in consistency rate last year.

Tier 4

Round 4 in half-PPR

Jaylen Waddle WR DEN Denver • #17 Age: 27 • Experience: 6 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 64 TAR 100 REYDS 910 TD 6 FPTS/G 10.1

Garrett Wilson WR NYJ N.Y. Jets • #5 Age: 26 • Experience: 5 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 36 TAR 59 REYDS 395 TD 4 FPTS/G 11.6

Ladd McConkey WR LAC L.A. Chargers • #15 Age: 24 • Experience: 3 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 66 TAR 106 REYDS 789 TD 6 FPTS/G 9.2

Zay Flowers WR BAL Baltimore • #4 Age: 26 • Experience: 4 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 86 TAR 118 REYDS 1211 TD 6 FPTS/G 11.8

DJ Moore WR BUF Buffalo • #2 Age: 29 • Experience: 9 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 50 TAR 85 REYDS 682 TD 8 FPTS/G 8.5

Terry McLaurin WR WAS Washington • #17 Age: 31 • Experience: 8 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 38 TAR 60 REYDS 582 TD 3 FPTS/G 9.5

This tier frankly isn't that different from the tier prior. In fact, there are more receivers with better quarterbacks than in Tier 3. Problem is these guys don't necessarily have the same kind of expected target volume as the others, save for Wilson, but he's not promised a ton of touchdowns. I'm not sure any of these guys are -- of the six, there have been seven times combined when one receiver has scored at least seven times in a season. A lot of these guys have been around a while. That's a little more alarming in half-PPR where their reception tally isn't quite as important. 

They're best drafted as No. 2 options. This tier might be expected to land closer to 12 half-PPR points per game.

Tier 5

Round 5 in half-PPR

Tetairoa McMillan WR CAR Carolina • #4 Age: 23 • Experience: 2 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 70 TAR 122 REYDS 1014 TD 7 FPTS/G 10.4

Davante Adams WR LAR L.A. Rams • #17 Age: 33 • Experience: 13 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 60 TAR 114 REYDS 789 TD 14 FPTS/G 13.8

Luther Burden III WR CHI Chicago • #10 Age: 22 • Experience: 2 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 47 TAR 60 REYDS 652 TD 2 FPTS/G 8.6

Christian Watson WR GB Green Bay • #9 Age: 27 • Experience: 5 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 35 TAR 55 REYDS 611 TD 6 FPTS/G 11.5

Very different profiles in this foursome. Burden could lead them all in targets and catches but finish last in touchdowns. His camp injury doesn't help his cause. Adams could lead them all in touchdowns but finish last in catches and yards. McMillan and Watson have high ceilings and depressing floors. And yet it's the last stop on the wide receiver tiers before you get to players who are better served as No. 3 options. 

Feel free to think of the players in this tier with an 11 half-PPR points per game expectation. 

Tier 6

Round 6 in half-PPR

Parker Washington WR JAC Jacksonville • #11 Age: 24 • Experience: 4 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 58 TAR 95 REYDS 847 TD 5 FPTS/G 9.7

Brian Thomas Jr. WR JAC Jacksonville • #7 Age: 23 • Experience: 3 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 48 TAR 91 REYDS 707 TD 3 FPTS/G 8.2

Jameson Williams WR DET Detroit • #1 Age: 25 • Experience: 5 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 65 TAR 102 REYDS 1117 TD 7 FPTS/G 11.0

Rome Odunze WR CHI Chicago • #15 Age: 24 • Experience: 3 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 44 TAR 90 REYDS 661 TD 6 FPTS/G 10.3

Marvin Harrison Jr. WR ARI Arizona • #18 Age: 24 • Experience: 3 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 41 TAR 73 REYDS 608 TD 4 FPTS/G 8.9

Mike Evans WR SF San Francisco • #5 Age: 33 • Experience: 13 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 30 TAR 62 REYDS 368 TD 3 FPTS/G 8.7

Tier 7

Round 7 in half-PPR

Michael Wilson WR ARI Arizona • #14 Age: 26 • Experience: 4 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 78 TAR 126 REYDS 1006 TD 7 FPTS/G 10.7

Carnell Tate WR TEN Tennessee • #14 Age: 21 • Experience: Rookie

Chris Godwin WR TB Tampa Bay • #14 Age: 30 • Experience: 10 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 33 TAR 51 REYDS 360 TD 2 FPTS/G 7.4

Alec Pierce WR IND Indianapolis • #14 Age: 26 • Experience: 5 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 47 TAR 84 REYDS 1003 TD 6 FPTS/G 10.7

Jordan Addison WR MIN Minnesota • #3 Age: 24 • Experience: 4 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 42 TAR 79 REYDS 610 TD 4 FPTS/G 9.7

Tier 8

Round 8 in half-PPR

Courtland Sutton WR DEN Denver • #14 Age: 30 • Experience: 9 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 74 TAR 124 REYDS 1017 TD 7 FPTS/G 10.8

Michael Pittman WR PIT Pittsburgh • #11 Age: 28 • Experience: 7 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 80 TAR 111 REYDS 784 TD 7 FPTS/G 9.6

Quentin Johnston WR LAC L.A. Chargers • #1 Age: 25 • Experience: 4 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 51 TAR 84 REYDS 735 TD 8 FPTS/G 10.4

Josh Downs WR IND Indianapolis • #2 Age: 25 • Experience: 4 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 58 TAR 88 REYDS 566 TD 4 FPTS/G 6.7

Tier 9

Round 9 in half-PPR

KC Concepcion WR CLE Cleveland • #1 Age: 21 • Experience: Rookie

DK Metcalf WR PIT Pittsburgh • #4 Age: 28 • Experience: 8 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 59 TAR 99 REYDS 850 TD 7 FPTS/G 10.5

Jordyn Tyson WR NO New Orleans Age: 22 • Experience: Rookie

Wan'Dale Robinson WR TEN Tennessee • #4 Age: 25 • Experience: 5 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 92 TAR 140 REYDS 1014 TD 4 FPTS/G 10.7

Xavier Worthy WR KC Kansas City • #1 Age: 23 • Experience: 3 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 42 TAR 73 REYDS 532 TD 1 FPTS/G 6.4

Jayden Reed WR GB Green Bay • #11 Age: 26 • Experience: 4 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 19 TAR 22 REYDS 207 TD 1 FPTS/G 5.6

Jakobi Meyers WR JAC Jacksonville • #3 Age: 29 • Experience: 8 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 75 TAR 110 REYDS 835 TD 3 FPTS/G 8.6

Jalen Coker WR CAR Carolina • #18 Age: 24 • Experience: 3 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 33 TAR 43 REYDS 394 TD 3 FPTS/G 6.7

Matthew Golden WR GB Green Bay Age: 23 • Experience: 2 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 29 TAR 44 REYDS 361 TD 0 FPTS/G 4.0

Solid Backups

Rounds 10+ in half-PPR

Stefon Diggs WR WAS Washington • #3 Age: 32 • Experience: 12 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 85 TAR 102 REYDS 1013 TD 4 FPTS/G 9.9

Denzel Boston WR CLE Cleveland • #12 Age: 22 • Experience: Rookie

Deebo Samuel WR SF San Francisco • #19 Age: 30 • Experience: 8 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 72 TAR 99 REYDS 727 TD 6 FPTS/G 11.8

Makai Lemon WR PHI Philadelphia • #9 Age: 22 • Experience: Rookie

Rashid Shaheed WR SEA Seattle • #22 Age: 28 • Experience: 5 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 59 TAR 92 REYDS 687 TD 2 FPTS/G 7.1

Romeo Doubs WR NE New England • #87 Age: 26 • Experience: 5 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 55 TAR 85 REYDS 724 TD 6 FPTS/G 8.6

Jalen Nailor WR LV Las Vegas • #9 Age: 27 • Experience: 5 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 29 TAR 53 REYDS 444 TD 4 FPTS/G 5.1

Jayden Higgins WR HOU Houston • #81 Age: 23 • Experience: 2 yrs. 2025 Stats REC 41 TAR 68 REYDS 525 TD 6 FPTS/G 7.6