Best and Worst WRs in Rounds 1-5

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Wide Receiver has become the most important position in PPR fantasy football leagues. Knowing how to consider these players in each round of your draft could put you on a path to grabbing a playoff spot this season.

Today in 5 minutes or less, you’ll learn:

• The best and worst WRs in each round 👍  

• How to access the 2024 Draft Guide for FREE 🏆

• The latest news from around the NFL 🏈

Round 1

Best: Tyreek Hill (MIA)

Hill has easaily been the most consistent fantasy wideout in football over the last 4 years. He’s finished as PPR WR2 in 3 of them. He does it with the maximum combination of opportunity and talent. He led the league in yards per route run with 3.80, scored 13 TDs, was 2nd in juke rate, and 1st in route win rate. Jaylen Waddle has proven he’s not eating into Hill’s shares enough to make a difference. So, the Cheetah will sprint to another elite finish.

Worst: Ja’Marr Chase (CIN)

Chase may have reached a career high in receptions last season, but his fantasy points per game fell to its lowest ever at 16.4. That’s not nothing, and it still came in 11th among all WRs. Many Chase drafters are counting on the return of a healthy Joe Burrow to get Chase closer to his ceiling. I’m not saying that won’t happen, but I think Amon-Ra St. Brown and Justin Jefferson represent better values as top-5 picks.

Round 2

Best: Drake London (ATL)

London is a prime breakout candidate in 2024, pending the return of Kirk Cousins from his injury. Consider that Cousins has thrown for for passing yards and 13 more touchdowns than the Falcons WRs over the past 2 seasons… in 9 FEWER games. He should be able to help London realize his former first round potential.

Worst: Deebo Samuel (SF)

The Swiss Army Knife for San Francisco is a tremendous football player. But, there are weeks when he doesn’t garner enough targets to make a dent. Consider that in 2023, he had weeks of 5.2, 1.1, and 0.6 fantasy points. I don’t want my second round WR disappearing like that, so I think there are better options, including Brandon Aiyuk.

Round 3

Best: Michael Pittman (IND)

I’m still skeptical about the Anthony Richardson hype. But, that doesn’t mean Pittman isn’t a good choice in the 3rd round. He had the best fantasy points per game of his career last season, with career highs in receptions, yards, and air yards. If he can find the end zone more than just 4 times this year, his stock will automatically rise and he’ll be worth the 3rd rounder.

Worst: Stefon Diggs (HOU)

That Diggs, Nico Collins, and Tank Dell all have ADPs within a round of each other is not comforting. It tells me that there’s a lot of guessing about how the target share will shake out in Houston, and at least one of these guys is massively overvalued. Considering the way things ended for Diggs in Buffalo, I’m leaning toward it being him.

Round 4

Best: Christian Kirk (JAX)

Kirk was on pace to be a strong WR2 before his injury last season. But that was in a target battle with Calvin Ridley, who is now in Nashville. A healthy Kirk can be Trevor Lawrence’s top target, and his ceiling gives him one of the better values here in round 4.

Worst: George Pickens (PIT)

Buyer beware! Pickens’ value will almost certainly depend on his quarterbacks being able to get it to him downfield. He ranked 5th in yards per target and 1st in yards per reception last season. But, he finished as the WR36 in points per game. Russell Wilson ranked 27th in deep ball completion percentage, indicating Pickens might face a similar plight this year.

Round 5

Best: Terry McLaurin (WAS)

Terry had a career-low fantasy output in 2023. He ranked 34th in PPR points per game (12.3). But, he did prove he was still the Commanders’ number 1 guy. He has 128 targets and went over 1,000 yards with poor QB play. In fact, he was 13th in total air yards but had the 9th-most unrealized air yards. That’s because he was 76th in catchable target rate. So Jayden Daniels and his NFL-ready talent might fix that. If he can be more accurate than Sam Howell, then Terry’s fantasy value rises, and this draft price looks like a value in hindsight.

Worst: Jayden Reed (GB)

After taking a closer look at the Packers’ WR situation, Christian Watson is their number 1 guy if healthy. All indications seem to point to that being the case after he found a specialist to address his hamstring issues. Reed should be relegated to battling for the team’s no. 2 spot with at least 2 other players, while you can get Watson a round later.

👎 Joey Bosa Exits Practice with Hand Injury

✍️ Titans Sign Safety Quandre Diggs for 1 Year

✅ Doubs, Watson Lead Packers in Family Night Snaps

🦅 Eagles' Johnny Wilson Steps Up with First-Team

🐈‍⬛ Panthers' Legette Day-to-Day with Foot Injury

🥶 Rams' Puka Nacua Ices Knee After Leaving Practice

🩼 Saints' Shaheed Misses Practice with Hamstring Issue

🧀 Packers to Work Out Kicker Jonathan Garibay

🚨 Browns Release Brian Allen with Injury Settlement

🦬 Bills' Dawson Knox Out with Groin Strain

I’ll be back tomorrow with more advice as your draft season ramps up. Don’t miss it!

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