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 fantasy football third-year 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 Third-Year Players: Wide Receivers
Third-Year Wide Receivers
Garrett Wilson‘s 2023 season saw impressive peripheral metrics despite lackluster QB play. He tallied 95 receptions from 168 targets for 1,042 yards but only managed three touchdowns. With a 30% target share and a league-leading 46% air yards share, Wilson showcased his potential. If the Jets’ quarterback situation stabilizes in 2024, Wilson’s fantasy ceiling could soar even higher.
– Andrew Erickson
Drake London‘s 2023 usage was notable, commanding a 23% target share and 31% air yards share, but his lack of touchdowns limited his fantasy impact, finishing as the WR39 overall. Until the Falcons improve their quarterback situation, London’s fantasy value may remain capped. However, with the potential for improved QB play, London’s rising ADP suggests fantasy managers are banking on a breakout.
– Andrew Erickson
Chris Olave showcased impressive usage metrics, commanding a 25% target share and a 40% air yards share, highlighting his integral role in the Saints’ offense. Despite tallying 87 receptions for over 1,100 yards and 5 touchdowns, he’s often perceived as a fantasy WR2. With Derek Carr returning at QB, there’s hope for continued improvement, especially given their improved chemistry in the latter part of the season. Olave ranked second in catchable target rate (89%) post bye week.
– Andrew Erickson
George Pickens emerges as the primary beneficiary of the Steelers’ offense following Diontae Johnson‘s departure. Despite competition from rookie third-rounder Roman Wilson, Pickens’ consistent growth hints at a potential breakout in his third year. During the first five weeks of the 2023 season with Johnson sidelined, Pickens averaged 12.8 points per game (19th) and nearly 80 yards per game. With Russell Wilson or Justin Fields‘ vertical threat, Pickens could flourish, as seen in his WR13 performance during Johnson’s absence last season. But be wary that the run-heavy nature of an Arthur Smith offense could doom Pickens’ breakout.
– Andrew Erickson
Christian Watson‘s sophomore season was completely derailed by hamstring injuries. He missed the first three weeks of the season entirely and struggled to put together any consistent production until his last three games in the regular season when he hurt his hamstring again. He scored four TDs, while averaging 17.1 points per game. Watson has a high ceiling when healthy as both a big-play and red-zone threat, but it cannot be realized until he solves his hamstring woes. Offseason reports have been positive regarding Watson’s hamstring, providing some hope that he can put it together in Year 3 and recapture his rookie form that saw him post fringe fantasy WR1 numbers.
– Andrew Erickson
Jameson Williams has faced challenges in his first two years in the NFL, including a torn ACL in his rookie season and a slow start due to a suspension in his second year. While he has displayed flashes of big-play potential, injuries and inconsistencies have hampered his progress. Heading into his third year, Williams is expected to take on a larger role in the Lions’ offense with the WR2 position likely up for grabs. However, his limited target share and inconsistent performance in 2023 raise questions about his potential breakout. Williams may be overrated based on his draft capital, and he faces competition for targets in a crowded receiving corps in Detroit. Still, it’s noteworthy that his HC has already labeled Jamo as the team’s most improved player this offseason. Year 3 seems like it will be a career-best for the former Alabama product.
– Andrew Erickson
Romeo Doubs showcased improvement in his 2nd season, becoming a consistent target in their passing game. With 69 receptions on 105 targets for 908 yards and 9 touchdowns, he proved to be a valuable asset, particularly in the red zone. However, Doubs fell short of maximizing his potential within the offense, scoring fewer points than his expected output, creating doubt about his 2024 ceiling. Despite this, his performance solidified him as a reliable WR4 option in fantasy leagues.
– Andrew Erickson
Rashid Shaheed enjoyed a solid 2nd season, as a boom-or-bust option. He totaled over 1,000 air yards on just 75 targets (14% target share). Shaheed excelled in making big plays, as seen in his 31 catches of over 20 yards (14th). He scored 132.6 fantasy points, averaging 8.3 points per game. Shaheed was ranked 49th among wide receivers in points per game.
– Andrew Erickson
Khalil Shakir concluded his second season on a high note, shining in the absence of Gabe Davis with impressive performances. Over the last three games, he caught 16 of 17 targets for 180 yards and 2 touchdowns, showcasing his reliability and big-play ability. Shakir topped the NFL in catch rate (88%) and generated the highest passer rating (141.5), while leading the Bills in receiving EPA and ranking 16th overall in the league. Despite earning a larger role in the offense for 2024, he faces competition for targets from second-round rookie Keon Coleman and veteran slot WR Curtis Samuel.
– Andrew Erickson
Jahan Dotson‘s 2023 season was disappointing after a promising rookie campaign, characterized by inefficiency in a pass-heavy Commanders offense. However, Curtis Samuel‘s departure to the Bills opens up opportunities for Dotson to rebound in Year 3. Despite his struggles, Dotson showed flashes of potential in games where Samuel was absent or limited, posting strong numbers. With the Commanders’ passing game relying heavily on volume over efficiency, Dotson, along with teammate Terry McLaurin, will depend on improved quarterback play from Jayden Daniels to elevate their fantasy value. Dotson’s red-zone involvement in 2023 signals his potential for increased scoring opportunities with better quarterback performance.
– Andrew Erickson
Fantasy Football Draft Rankings
Check out the consensus 2024 fantasy football draft rankings from our experts.
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