There are multiple ways to dominate your fantasy football draft. One of those ways is finding wide receivers outside the top 24 that could end the year as a top 12 guy.
According to FantasyData, three wide receivers had an ADP outside the top 24 heading into the 2023 season who finished the year as a WR1 in half-point PPR scoring. Puka Nacua went undrafted in almost every league but finished as the WR4. Mike Evans had an ADP as the WR33 but ended the year as the WR5. Nico Collins was a popular sleeper candidate, getting drafted as the WR56 off the board on average, but finished the season as the WR9.
Which wide receivers drafted in the 25-36 range have a chance to finish top-12 in 2024? Let’s look at five potential candidates.
- 2024 Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- 2024 Dynasty Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- 2024 Best Ball Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- Free Fantasy Football Mock Draft Simulator
WR3s with WR1 Potential
Amari Cooper (CLE): ADP 46.7 | WR25
Cleveland started five quarterbacks last year. Yet, Cooper was the WR18, averaging more half-point PPR fantasy points per game (12.7) than Davante Adams, Michael Pittman Jr. and Jaylen Waddle. Furthermore, the veteran was outstanding playing with any quarterback besides Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Cooper averaged 15.1 fantasy points per game in the 12 contests he played that Thompson-Robinson didn’t start, which would have made him the WR6 on a points-per-game basis. If Deshaun Watson stays healthy for all 17 games, Cooper could be a top-12 receiver despite the arrival of Jerry Jeudy.
George Pickens (PIT): ADP 50.7 | WR27
Many believe Pickens will have a breakout season after the Steelers traded away Diontae Johnson. The third-year player was outstanding in the four games without Johnson in 2023. He was the WR13, averaging 14.5 half-point PPR fantasy points per game during those four weeks, posting the eighth-highest fantasy points per route ran rate (0.49) among wide receivers with at least 110 routes (per Fantasy Points Data). Expect Pickens to be significantly better on downfield throws after the Steelers added Russell Wilson and Justin Fields to their quarterback room this offseason.
Tank Dell (HOU): ADP 54.7 | WR29
The Texans have arguably the most talented wide receiver core in the NFL. While Houston traded for Stefon Diggs and gave Nico Collins a massive extension, don’t forget about Dell. The explosive receiver missed the final five games of his rookie year with a broken fibula. However, he was the WR16 on a points-per-game basis, averaging 12.9 half-point PPR fantasy points per contest, posting a higher average than Davante Adams, DK Metcalf and Chris Olave. While Collins should get drafted ahead of him, Dell is underrated at his WR29 ADP.
Christian Kirk (JAX): ADP 56.7 | WR30
Kirk is the perfect combination of safe floor and upside at the wide receiver position. He was the WR11 in 2022, averaging 11.8 half-point PPR fantasy points per game as Trevor Lawrence’s No. 1 guy. Furthermore, Kirk was the WR16, averaging 11.7 fantasy points per game from Week 2 through Week 12 last season, despite Calvin Ridley seeing a 20% target per route run rate during those contests (per Fantasy Points Data). He should dominate the middle of the field with Gabe Davis and Brian Thomas Jr. challenging defenses downfield.
Chris Godwin (TB): ADP 64.3 | WR33
Fantasy players struggled with starting Godwin, as he scored 9.6 or fewer half-point PPR fantasy points in 64.7% of the games last season. Furthermore, he averaged under 10 fantasy points per game for the first time since 2018. However, Godwin is prime for a bounce-back year, with the Buccaneers moving him back into the slot. The veteran averaged 0.41 fantasy points per route run in the slot compared to 0.26 lined up outside last season (per Fantasy Points Data). There is a chance Godwin outscores Mike Evans in 2024.
- QB2s With Top-5 Upside: Feb | Mar | Apr | May | June
- RB3s With RB1 Upside: Feb | Mar | Apr | May | June
- WR3s With WR1 Upside: Feb | Mar | Apr | May | June
- TE2s With Top-5 Upside: Feb | Mar | Apr | May | June
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
