It seems like the wide receiver position is getting loaded with more talent each season, with numerous rookie receivers having the upside to be fantasy football WR1s. To qualify as a WR1 for this exercise, we’ll look at receivers who could finish inside the top 12 in PPR fantasy football formats.
The current WR1s per FantasyPros’ average draft position (ADP) data includes:
- CeeDee Lamb
- Tyreek Hill
- Ja’Marr Chase
- Justin Jefferson
- Amon-Ra St. Brown
- A.J. Brown
- Puka Nacua
- Garrett Wilson
- Marvin Harrison Jr.
- Drake London
- Chris Olave
- Nico Collins
We’ll look at receivers being drafted beyond that in fantasy football to see who could finish inside the top 12 in 2024. Let’s check it out.
- 2024 Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- 2024 Dynasty Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- 2024 Best Ball Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- Free Fantasy Football Mock Draft Simulator
Identifying the Next Fantasy Football WR1s
(All statistics courtesy of Pro Football Reference)
George Pickens (WR – PIT)
As the WR27, George Pickens is in an excellent position to emerge as a WR1. In 2023, Pickens caught 63 passes on 106 targets for 1,140 yards and five touchdowns. This all came with various quarterbacks throwing him the ball, including Kenny Pickett, Mitchell Trubisky and Mason Rudolph.
In 2024, he’ll have Russell Wilson with Justin Fields as the backup. In 2023, Wilson played with the Broncos and threw for 3,070 yards and 26 touchdowns across 15 games.
On top of that, Pickens won’t need to contend with Diontae Johnson for targets as he’s now with the Carolina Panthers. The starting receivers, in addition to Pickens, include rookie Roman Wilson and Van Jefferson.
The only potential kryptonite here could be how often the Steelers plan to run the ball. They brought in Arthur Smith, one of the best rushing offense coaches, and have overhauled the offensive line.
However, if we were to add five more touchdowns to Pickens’ total last season, he would’ve gone from WR29 to WR16, closing in on WR1 territory.
He’ll be the No. 1 receiver in this offense with limited competition other than the rushing attack.
Calvin Ridley (WR – TEN)
Playing with the Jacksonville Jaguars last season, Calvin Ridley finished as the WR18, with Zay Jones and Christian Kirk fighting for targets. Now, with the Titans, Ridley will compete with DeAndre Hopkins, Tyler Boyd and Treylon Burks.
However, Ridley signed a massive deal worth around $92 million and will be the No. 1 option in this offense.
His quarterback is Will Levis, who’s entering his second season after playing nine games last season. He completed 58.4% of his passes for 1,808 yards, eight touchdowns and four interceptions. His skill set complements what Ridley does well — getting down the field and making big plays. This will be extremely helpful as Hopkins is another year older, too.
Ridley is currently going as the WR36, so this is certainly a dart throw, but he’ll be the No. 1 option in the offense, has a quarterback with a big arm and the team will likely be behind more than in front, so there’s plenty of opportunities for garbage time statistics.
Again, it’s a dart throw, but it’s worth monitoring, given Hopkins is now 32 years old.
After all, Hopkins finished as the WR22 last season, so a big season from Ridley alongside the progression of Levis is possible.
Zay Flowers (WR – BAL)
The current WR25 in PPR leagues, Flowers is the No. 1 wide receiver in the Ravens’ offense, but it remains to be seen if he’ll be the No. 1 pass-catcher with tight end Mark Andrews still in the picture.
In 2023, Flowers was a rookie and finished as the WR30 in PPR leagues, averaging 12.9 points per game.
The offense could shift in 2024 with Jackson losing some weight to become more elusive and the addition of running back Derrick Henry. Last season, Jackson completed 307-of-457 passes for 3,678 yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
The passing yards were the most he’s had in his career and the touchdowns are the most since 2020. Of course, he missed two games in 2020, five in 2021, five in 2022 and one in 2023.
This offense will continue to be massively productive. Flowers saw 108 targets last season, catching 77 for 858 yards and five touchdowns. If we add five more touchdowns, Flowers would have been the WR15.
If Andrews takes a bit of a backseat to Flowers, he has an excellent chance at getting into WR1 territory or close to it.
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