5 Must-Draft WRs

Today I’m giving you the lowdown on 5 WRs you have to target in drafts… in two minutes or less.

Devonta Smith (PHI), ADP 56.2, WR24

Smith finished 15th in fantasy points per game last year, even with career lows in raw targets and yards. He hit a career-best 2.14 yards per route and scored a personal-high 8 touchdowns. But the Eagles were the run-heaviest team in football, with Jalen Hurts averaging just 25.5 pass attempts in his healthy starts. That capped the ceiling for both him and A.J. Brown, yet Smith still posted WR15/WR16 finishes across the major formats.

So if tighter game scripts force them to throw more against the NFL’s 8th-easiest passing schedule, and with Smith’s elite 100% route participation plus a career-high slot usage last season, he’s a locked-in WR2 who can jump into the Top 15 again… and maybe higher.

Chris Olave (NO), ADP 80.4, WR35

Olave played only eight games last season, but still set career highs in catch rate (72.7%) and yards per target (9.1). He’s been over 2.0 yards per route every season of his career, and in his healthy games he posted a 22.5% target share with Top-30 marks in separation and route win rate. But now Kellen Moore takes over. He’s an OC whose offenses have ranked top-8 in plays per game in five of six years, and the Saints own the NFL’s 2nd-easiest passing schedule. Even with a rookie QB, Moore’s slot-friendly scheme should boost Olave’s usage after a career-low 21.1% slot rate last year.

So at WR35 cost, you’re getting a player with proven efficiency, a volume-friendly system, and matchup leverage… the kind of bet-on-talent play that can swing leagues.

George Pickens (DAL), ADP 66.2, WR29

Pickens ranked 4th in deep targets, posted the 3rd-best explosive rating, and averaged 15+ yards per catch for the third straight season. Dallas had 100 more dropbacks than Pittsburgh last year, and the Cowboys’ new HC Brian Schottenheimer says Pickens’ ability to track and finish downfield is “uncanny”… exactly what their offense lacked in explosive plays. But his move also comes with the NFL’s 3rd-toughest passing schedule, which should ironically force them into more passing volume. And Dak Prescott has ranked top-4 in deep ball passer rating since 2016.

So even if Lamb remains the alpha, Pickens’ spike weeks are going to hit harder…. and more often. In that kind of pass volume, a WR29 cost turns into legit WR2 upside.

Ladd McConkey (LAC), ADP 25.6, WR11

McConkey’s rookie year ended with 82 catches for 1,149 yards and 7 TDs, but his production exploded once the Chargers shifted to a more neutral pass rate midseason. From that point on he averaged 88.4 yards per game over his final 10, 2nd-most from the slot. He was also 7th in yards per route run and 8th in yards per target despite ranking 66th in average depth of target. But he’s now locked in as Justin Herbert’s clear WR1, and Herbert’s offense got more vertical weapons to stretch the field. Herbert also ranked 5th in adjusted yards per attempt last season.

So McConkey’s high floor is now paired with a Top-12 ceiling at WR11 price, in an offense that proved it can lean pass-heavy when the matchup demands. I like him even now that Keenan Allen is back in town.

Tap HERE for a veteran WR with HUGE upside

So now you know why these 5 players are ending up on most of my drafted teams this year.

As promised, in two minutes or less.

Over 12,000 players used this to prep last season. My 2025 Draft Kit is open now, but only a few dozen spots are available this year. I’m keeping it limited so I can give members my full attention.

See you tomorrow,

-Joe

P.S. Not ready for the full kit? You can still grab my updated Top-150 rankings for free.