When preparing for your fantasy football drafts, knowing which players to target and others to avoid is important. The amount of information available can be overwhelming, so a great way to condense the data and determine players to draft and others to leave for your leaguemates is to use our expert consensus fantasy football rankings compared to fantasy football average draft position (ADP). In this way, you can identify players the experts are willing to reach for at ADP and others they are not drafting until much later than average. Let’s dive into a few notable second-year fantasy football wide receivers below.
- 2024 Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- 2024 Fantasy Football Rankings
- 2024 Dynasty Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- Fantasy Football Mock Draft Simulator
Fantasy Football Second-Year Wide Receivers: Draft Advice
Second-Year Wide Receivers
Everyone HURRY! Get it. Grab it. Got it? Good. Pop the tops on those Puka Juice 40s; it’s time to CHUG! Nacua had a rookie season for the ages, finishing as the WR6 in fantasy points per game. He set rookie records for receptions and receiving yards. Even after Cooper Kupp returned, he led the duo in target share (25.4%), air-yard share (32.7%), YPRR (2.61, and fantasy points per game (WR12). Nacua could access another level in his sophomore campaign if Matthew Stafford stays healthy and Kupp’s powers diminish just a tiny bit more. Nacua could finish as a top-three option at the position this season if everything breaks his way.
– Derek Brown
In his rookie season, Jaxon Smith-Njigba managed 63 receptions from 93 targets, totaling 628 yards and 4 touchdowns. Despite a slow start due to a wrist injury, he began to find his rhythm from Week 6 onwards, averaging 8.2 points per game. With more opportunities ahead in 2024, the 22-year-old wideout is poised as a breakout candidate for the Seahawks in what should be a pass-happier offense under new OC Ryan Grubb.
– Andrew Erickson
Rookie Zay Flowers quickly established himself as Lamar Jackson‘s go-to receiver in Baltimore, securing a 24% target share. He led the Ravens in air yards/target share, accumulating over 1,000 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns in 18 games. However, his final rankings as WR29 overall and WR31 in points/game hint that he may have underperformed relative to his opportunities. When Mark Andrews was active in the lineup (Weeks 2-10) Flowers averaged 8.2 points/game with a 22% target share. When the TE missed, Flowers posted a 24% target share and 13.2 points/game (WR14).
– Andrew Erickson
Yes, Dell now has to contend with Stefon Diggs for targets, too, but we need to put respect on Dell’s name and understand that he could still fight for the team lead in targets in 2024. Last year, in the seven full games that Dell and Nico Collins played together, Dell bested him in every meaningful category. Dell led the duo in target share (22.5 vs. 22.1%), air-yard share (35.9 vs. 25.3%), weighted opportunity (59.0 vs. 50.9), and fantasy points per game (18.7 vs. 18.1). Overall last year Dell posted monster numbers in YPRR (2.40) and FD/RR (0.115) ranking 16th and 14th in these statistics. His recovery from a broken fibula will be huge, but if he is still the same guy we saw in 2023, there’s plenty of reason to invest heavily in him smashing in 2024.
– Derek Brown
Jordan Addison had a solid rookie campaign, recording 70 receptions for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns on a 17% target share. His consistent contributions earned him an average of 11 fantasy points per game, ranking him as WR28 overall. Despite his promising performance, his fantasy outlook for 2024 is clouded by uncertainty at the quarterback position following Kirk Cousins‘ departure. At least, the absence of T.J. Hockenson due to injury could boost Addison’s role in the offense to open the season.
– Andrew Erickson
Jayden Reed made an impact in his rookie season, as a primary slot receiver for the Packers. Despite not always playing a full-time role, he was heavily targeted, with a 25% target rate per route run and just under 2 yards per route run. Reed led all Packers wide receivers in points/game with 10.6 and ten touchdowns. He finished as a top-12 WR in 33% of his games (12th) and ranked fourth in fantasy points per snap.
– Andrew Erickson
Rashee Rice showcased promise in his rookie season with the Chiefs, tallying 105 receptions for 1,200 yards and 8 touchdowns in 20 games, earning him a 19% target share. Despite an average of 10.9 fantasy points per game, he surged post-Week 6, averaging 12.1 points and ranking within the top 20. However, concerns arise due to increased competition from additions like Marquise Brown and Xavier Worthy. Additionally, Rice’s legal issues stemming from a high-speed hit-and-run crash may result in a multi-game suspension, casting doubt on his availability for the upcoming NFL season.
– Andrew Erickson
Josh Downs had a promising rookie season with the Colts, showcasing his skills with 68 receptions and 771 receiving yards. Despite his strong performance, Downs struggled to find the end zone, recording only two touchdowns. However, his production dipped after sustaining a knee injury, impacting his performance in the latter part of the season. Nonetheless, Downs displayed potential from Weeks 1-8, leading the Colts in yards per route run and maintaining a solid 19% target share.
– Andrew Erickson
Dontayvion Wicks made significant contributions to the Packers’ offense during Christian Watson’s absence, showcasing his big-play ability and reliability as a target. With 39 receptions for 581 yards and 5 touchdowns, Wicks demonstrated his potential to be a valuable asset in the passing game. Despite being a fifth-round rookie, he ranked among the top rookies in yards per route run, hinting at his promising future in an offense led by Jordan Love. As a deep sleeper, Wicks has the opportunity to emerge as a key playmaker in the Packers’ ascending offense.
– Andrew Erickson
Demario Douglas emerged as a surprise contributor for the Patriots in 2023, showcasing his playmaking ability despite failing to find the end zone. Leading the team with 561 receiving yards without a touchdown, he demonstrated consistent involvement in the passing game with an 18% target share. From Week 7 onwards, Douglas maintained a significant role, posting a 21% target share and earning praise for his performance. However, the Patriots’ decision to draft two wide receivers this year introduces competition, potentially impacting Douglas’s role in the offense moving forward.
– Andrew Erickson
The highlight of Week 18? Rookie Michael Wilson. Six targets (21% target share) and 6 receptions for 95 yards. 68 air yards and 40% air yards share. The rookie posted a very under-the-radar campaign as a highly involved Cardinals WR. He ran a route on 80% of the dropbacks (35th among all WRs) which locks him into a full-time role in this offense next season, as long as he can fend off Zay Jones. Wilson also finished his season on a high note, averaging 15.5 points per game after his last two contests with Marquise Brown out.
– Andrew Erickson
Other Fantasy Football Second-Year Players
Fantasy Football Draft Rankings
Check out the consensus 2024 fantasy football draft rankings from our experts.
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