Every year there are players throughout fantasy football that cause people at the end of the season to ask, “How did I not see that coming?” Whether it be caused by injury or the looming presence of another fantasy-relevant player on their team, these players fly under the radar and are then deemed “underrated.” Here are 15 underrated fantasy wide receivers going into this season.
Rankings noted using FantasyPros half-PPR Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) and Consensus ADP.
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ECR WR12 | ADP WR10
The 2021 season represented the latest installment of Keenan Allen just being straight a baller and one of the most perennially underrated wide receivers in the NFL. He caught 100-plus passes for the fifth straight season and finished as the WR14 overall and in fantasy points per game (12.8).
– Andrew Erickson
ECR WR14 | ADP WR16
Just because a player’s ceiling is capped by his QB doesn’t mean his annual consistency isn’t valuable. You can basically set your watch to D.J. Moore’s 1.1K yards and four TDs. He will likely finish around the top 20 WR for the 4th straight year, and drop in drafts because of his lack of upside.
– Joe Pisapia
ECR WR21 | ADP WR25
Brandin Cooks is underrated every season, and 2022 is no different, even though he finished the 2021 season as the WR20 (WR22 points per game). Cooks has finished worse than the fantasy WR20 only once since 2015, and that was due to injury. He has eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards six times with four different teams during that span
– Andrew Erickson
ECR WR25 | ADP WR24
Darnell Mooney’s just like Jerry Jeudy. Except. 1) He didn’t go to Alabama. 2) He wasn’t a 1st-round pick. 3) He’s actually produced in the NFL – WR27 points/game and 24% target share in 2021. 4) He is cheaper to acquire in fantasy drafts.
– Andrew Erickson
ECR WR28 | ADP WR28
Garrett Wilson is the new, exciting WR, but Elijah Moore had some incredible moments last year, in an epic run fueled by multiple QBs. I still have my long-term doubts about Zach Wilson, but Moore’s breakout stretch should not be forgotten or dismissed just because it was with a myriad of different guys under center in meaningless games.
– Joe Pisapia
ECR WR29 | ADP WR37
Rashod Bateman has Keenan Allen-esque potential. Lamar Jackson‘s options in the passing game are limited, so Bateman is either going to step up and be “the guy” or the Ravens will be in the WR market next season. Bateman’s 2021 seemed doomed from the start with an injury in training camp setting him back, then Lamar Jackson not being healthy at the same time as Bateman. If the stars align, this duo could create big waves.
– Joe Pisapia
ECR WR43 | ADP WR43
Everyone is mocking the big contract of Christian Kirk. However, analytically speaking, Kirk has all the potential to profile as a No. 1 WR in an offense. The trouble is, the Jags are already paying him as though he is. That “negative” connotation may scare off some fantasy players, and actually make Kirk an intriguing value in some drafts if he reaches that potential.
– Joe Pisapia
ECR WR45 | ADP WR42
Chase Claypool is big (6-4, 238 pounds) and fast (4.42-second 40-yard dash), and he has averaged 8.1 yards per target in the NFL despite playing with dead-armed QB Ben Roethlisberger for the first two years of his career. He really might be the best wide receiver on the Steelers.
– Matthew Freedman
ECR WR58 | ADP WR64
There’s no clear No. 1 wide receiver for the Chiefs right now, only theories. Skyy Moore was impressive at the combine, and his tape is excellent. He has speed and is not afraid of contact. If Patrick Mahomes establishes an early connection with his, Moore has the upside to be a league winner in 2022.
– Joe Pisapia
ECR WR70 | ADP WR78
Kendrick Bourne posted an 83% catch rate and finished 14th in yards per route run last season.
– Andrew Erickson
ECR WR108 | ADP WR118
In his two career games with a snap rate of at least 80%, Isaiah McKenzie is 17-190-3 receiving on 21 targets (with a punt return touchdown). Can someone please give this guy a full-time slot role?
– Matthew Freedman
ECR WR138 | ADP N/A
Kyle Philips is poised to become the Titans’ version of Hunter Renfrow. A fifth-round rookie from UCLA, Philips drew raves at the Titans’ rookie minicamp in May and has a chance to claim a significant share of targets in a Titans offense that doesn’t appear to have overwhelming firepower at receiver.
– Pat Fitzmaurice
If you want to dive deeper into fantasy football, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you navigate your season. From our Start/Sit Assistant – which provides your optimal lineup based on accurate consensus projections – to our Trade Analyzer – which allows you to instantly find out if a trade offer benefits you or your opponent – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football season.
Mike Maher is an editor and content manager at FantasyPros and BettingPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive, follow him on Twitter @MikeMaher, and visit his Philadelphia Eagles blog, The Birds Blitz.
