Looking to dominate your fantasy football league in 2024? Finding the right wide receivers who can break out or emerge as sleepers is crucial for success. In this article, we’ll dive into the top WR candidates for both categories, featuring expert insights and predictions from Featured Pros analysts. Whether you’re drafting early or late, these picks could be the game-changers you need to secure a championship this season.
Wide Receiver Breakouts
Which one wide receiver inside the top-40 in our half-PPR WR consensus rankings do you think has the highest potential to break out relative to his draft cost and why?
“I am all aboard the George Pickens‘s hype train. Pickens is WR27 in the consensus rankings as of this writing after finishing last season as WR26. Make it make sense. Diontae Johnson – who I strongly considered for this as well – is now with the Panthers, making Pickens the quintessential third-year receiver ready to bust out. More opportunities headed his direction and better quarterback play, regardless of who that is, is a recipe for a breakout campaign for Pickens.”
– Joe Serpico (Pressbox)
“George Pickens (WR27 in the ECR) has been a popular breakout candidate this offseason, and for good reason. The Pittsburgh Steelers traded away Diontae Johnson, making Pickens the team’s unquestioned No. 1 wide receiver. He was the WR13, averaging 14.5 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, posting the eighth-highest fantasy points per route ran rate (0.49) among wide receivers with at least 110 routes (per Fantasy Points Data) in the four contests without Johnson last season. The former Georgia star should put up even better numbers catching passes from Russell Wilson or Justin Fields. Unless the Steelers trade for Brandon Aiyuk, don’t be surprised if Pickens is this year’s Nico Collins.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
“At a cost of WR27, it’s wheels-up time for George Pickens. Through the early part of his career, Pickens has been a walking highlight reel but has never really turned into a target hog. With Diontae Johnson departing for Carolina, Pickens is the only bonafide receiver on the Steller’s roster. Tight end Pat Freiermuth could easily be second on the team in targets but has little chance of pushing Pickens for the team lead. Pickens was solid last season even with Kenny Pickett at quarterback. This season, he will start the season with Russell Wilson throwing him the ball, and even if Justin Fields eventually starts for the Steelers, both offer more upside for Pickens than Pickett. He is being drafted as a WR3 and has legitimate top 5 upside. Consider Pickens a massive swing for the fences.”
– Aaron St Denis (Fantasy Football Universe)
“Not all rookies, or even draft classes, are cut from the same cloth. Marvin Harrison Jr. is special. He’s big (6’4?), he’s fast (estimated 40 time- 4.39), he runs crisp routes, and gosh darn it, fantasy football analysts named Mark Ringo like him, haha! Marvin will be an impact player on day one as long as he and Kyler Murray can stay healthy, imo. Murray is the best QB Harrison has ever played with, and the Cardinals figure to either be in shootouts or trailing in the 4th Qtr. and forced to pass in most games with their defense still very much a work in progress. There are a lot of garbage yards, receptions, and TDs there for the taking. Ringo’s comp- Harrison Jr. is bigger and faster than his dad, who was an all-pro WR for the Colts. He reminds me of Julio Jones in his prime. Honorable mention- Cooper Kupp. Kupp has already broken out, but if Puka is out for any length of time, Kupp’s fantasy stock soars to the moon.”
– Mark Ringo (Sleepers and Busts)
“Injury risk aside, Christian Watson was a scoring machine as a rookie (7 TDs) and scored another five last year. He did this despite missing three games in 2022 and eight last year. So far in his career, he’s averaged 17 fantasy points per game where he’s seen 6+ targets. Green Bay’s passing game is wide open, but he’s the alpha if he can stay on the field, and as WR40, the risk is non-existent.”
– Kevin Roberts (Breaking Football)
“At this point in time, it’s looking like Rashee Rice will not face a suspension until the 2025 season. That makes his WR37 price tag very appealing. Rice performed well as a rookie, and he is poised for a second-year leap. With Marquise Brown struggling with a shoulder injury and Xavier Worthy being a rookie, Rice is poised to open the season as Patrick Mahomes‘ WR1. As long as Rice is not suspended, gamers can expect a breakout season. Enjoy the discount in drafts.”
– Dave Ventresca (FF Faceoff)
“Rashee Rice. Is he even getting suspended this year? Doesn’t seem like it. With Hollywood Brown already injured and an aging Travis Kelce competing for targets, we like the upside here. As long as he plays, the second year wideout has 100 catch potential being tied to this Patrick Mahomes guy at QB. We heard he is pretty good.”
– Fantasy Football Goonz (Fantasy Football Goonz)
“Chris Godwin is due for some serious positive TD regression. Since 2019 (His first full season), Godwin and Mike Evans are almost dead even in target share, snap share, total targets, total yards, AND red zone targets, but Evans has over twice as many TDs. Statistically speaking, if Godwin and Evans maintain their similarities, then Godwin should see another 1,000+ yard season, but with an increase of TDs to 7-9. For reference, that would put him in the same category as 2023 Justin Jefferson, D.K. Metcalf, and Davante Adams (that’s some good company to be around), all of whom are currently ranked significantly higher than he, but in much murkier 2024 outlooks. I’m expecting to see him go from WR33 to at least WR15 by season’s end.”
– Avery Thrasher (The Branded Sports)
“Christian Kirk is back to being the WR1 for the Jaguars. Two years ago, when he was the WR1 for the team, Kirk posted 1,108 yards on 133 targets. Those targets should return with Calvin Ridley now on the Tennessee Titans. Behind Kirk is rookie Brian Thomas, Jr, who will be learning the NFL game, and Gabe Davis, who is the example of a boom-or-bust wide receiver. Combine that with a healthy Trevor Lawrence and Kirk should outplay his WR30 ADP and take fantasy owners to the next level!”
– Adam Dove (The Fantasy Couriers)
“Jaylen Waddle has a good opportunity if he can stay injury-free, and the team doesn’t hand the ball to the backfield as often in the red zone. Waddle has been a good fantasy asset in his career- doing it through volume and (separately) efficiency. Working opposite Tyreek Hill, he is constantly getting the secondary coverage. Currently going as WR17, he could end up sneaking in as a WR1 if things align for him. If that were to happen, then Tua obviously becomes an interesting play, too, as he would be supporting two WR1s for fantasy.”
– Richard King (King Fantasy Sports)
“The one wide receiver inside the top-40 inside of the half-PPR WR consensus rankings that I think has the highest potential to break out relative to his draft cost is Jaylen Waddle. Just because a wide receiver is not the top wide receiver on his team does not mean that he can’t make a significant contribution to your fantasy football team. He is overshadowed by Tyreek Hill in the Miami offense, but Hill turns 30 this season. Waddle had over 1,000 receiving yards last season but only four TDs. This is the primary reason why he is being drafted as the 17th wide receiver off draft boards in 2024. This is too low as his TD total for this season should be in the range of 7-10, making him a top 12 receiver. He’s a steal in round 3 of your fantasy football league drafts.”
– Jeff Boggis (Fantasy Football Empire)
“Diontae Johnson has huge breakout potential relative to draft cost. The Dave Canales offense and year two of former-number-one-pick Bryce Young offer reasons to be bullish on the Carolina passing game in general, and Johnson looks poised to be the primary beneficiary. Canales said as much recently, “As we build our offense, we really try to feature someone. And for us right now, where is Diontae Johnson at?” The new Panthers WR will be the unquestioned focal point of the passing game and should soar past his WR38 ADP.”
– Jason Willan (Gridiron Experts)
Wide Receiver Sleepers
Which sleeper wide receiver candidate outside the top-40 in our half-PPR WR consensus rankings do you think has the most upside relative to his draft cost and why?
“Jakobi Meyers is being criminally underrated in the consensus rankings, currently ranked as WR50, which is inexcusable considering he was WR24 last season. Let this sink in: Meyers finished as a WR1 four times last season, the same number as his teammate Davante Adams. Adams will always be the top target, Brock Bowers is now in the mix, and touchdown regression is possible, but Meyers should still flirt with 100 targets, making his current ECR entirely too low. He’s a solid WR3, not a fringe WR4/WR5.”
– Joe Serpico (Pressbox)
“Jameson Williams has star potential. Williams torched SEC defenses, including the National Champion Georgia Bulldogs, who had one of the best defenses in college history. And with Josh Reynolds now in Denver, Williams should get more playing time and take a huge step forward this season. Finally, NFL Senior Writer Nick Baumgardner (who is based in Michigan) reported during the NFL combine that, “Something I heard this week more than a few times: Detroit believes Jameson Williams is going to be a dude next year. And uh, to be clear: That’s the first time I’ve heard that type of firm optimism about Williams from Lions people in honest moments since he got there.” Ringo’s comp- Jameson Williams reminds me a little of Randy Moss.”
– Mark Ringo (Sleepers and Busts)
“Quentin Johnston. The guy that drops balls constantly and was erratic as a rookie? Yep, same one. Why? Because he is an athletic freak with terrific size and a potentially huge role. QJ had five games of 10+ fantasy points as a raw rookie, so we know the production can be there. Serious target share is up for grabs, as Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are gone and his only competition is a rookie and Josh Palmer. QJ could bust, but the upside is massive, and you’re not risking much at WR76.”
– Kevin Roberts (Breaking Football)
“Dontayvion Wicks once again showcased his play-making ability in Green Bay’s preseason opener with a 65-yard touchdown reception. He’s a crisp route-runner and knows how to get open. There are very fair playing time concerns surrounding him, but players like Wicks have a way of succeeding. Gamers should expect a slow start to the year, but Wicks can emerge as the season progresses and he establishes himself as a go-to option in Green Bay’s offense.”
– Dave Ventresca (FF Faceoff)
“I have been a massive fan of Javon Baker (WR82 in the ECR) all offseason, picking him in nearly every dynasty rookie draft and many of my best ball teams. We have seen NFL Draft Day 3 picks turn into fantasy stars as a rookie, including Puka Nacua and Amon-Ra St. Brown. Baker had the 11th-high PFF receiving grade in the draft class last season and posted a higher yards per route run average than Rome Odunze (3.21 vs. 2.93). Yet, fantasy players can draft the rookie receiver with their final-round pick, like Nacua last year. Don’t be surprised if Baker turns into Jacoby Brissett or Drake Maye‘s go-to receiver, especially after making several impressive plays during training camp.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
“The player with the most upside under new OC Kliff Kingsbury is the 2022 16th overall draft pick: Jahan Dotson. WAS has seemingly moved Dotson into the slot (which was highlighted in their preseason opener and seeing his slot exposure increase from 28% as a rookie to 39% last year), and that’s good news for him as Kliff Kingsbury loves his slot WRs (ARI had 434 catches by slot WRs from 2019-22 ranking 2nd over that span). Curtis Samuel and Logan Thomas are no longer with the team, which leaves roughly 150 targets up for grabs. If Dotson soaks up even just a third of them, he could easily out-perform Terry McLaurin (WR31 according to ECR) and be the team’s WR1. With that upside, his talent, a Heisman Winner at QB, Kliff at OC, and Dotson in a prove-it year, 63rd ranked WR (according to ECR) is criminal.”
– Avery Thrasher (The Branded Sports)
“I think Jahan Dotson has as much upside as any receiver relative to draft cost. Coming off the board all the way down at WR58, Dotson should be poised for a bounce-back third season with an improved offensive scheme in Washington, the best quarterback he’s yet played with in Jayden Daniels, and the departure of Curtis Samuel freeing up additional targets. Dotson was a popular fantasy choice a year ago following 523 yards and seven touchdowns in his rookie year, and I’m expecting him to get back on the upward trajectory in 2024.”
– Jason Willan (Gridiron Experts)
“We love Romeo Doubs. Reports out of camp are extremely positive, and we like Jordan Love. The Packers offense looks to be one of the best in the league and considering Christian Watson has trouble consistently staying on the field, there is a realistic scenario where Doubs leads the Packers in targets in 2024.”
– Fantasy Football Goonz (Fantasy Football Goonz)
“The Atlanta Falcons quietly added nice depth to their WR corps in the offseason with the signings of Rondale Moore and Darnell Mooney. Neither of these players is going to be WR1, but Darnell Mooney could have a breakout season with the change in scenery, the addition of Kirk Cousins, the season-ending injury to Rondale Moore, and defenses keying in on the running backs, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts. With all those factors and an early connection being made with Kirk Cousins, Mooney could come close to (or even eclipse) his 1,055-yard season in 2021, making his WR69 ADP a steal for fantasy owners!”
– Adam Dove (The Fantasy Couriers)
“The answer for me is Terry McLaurin. Everything has been there in his career except for touchdowns. He is the clear WR1, with a huge target share. Gets free downfield, too. Considering the QBs that have thrown him the ball in his career, he has been a fantastic performer on the field. Is Jayden Daniels going to be able to help McLaurin find the endzone more often? Well, even if he isn’t able to, McLaurin is ranked at WR31, which has to be his absolute floor.”
– Richard King (King Fantasy Sports)
“My sleeper wide receiver candidate outside of the top-40 in the half-PPR WR consensus rankings do I think has the most upside relative to his draft cost is Xavier Worthy. Worthy is entering an ideal spot in a Patrick Mahomes high-powered offense. He could end up being the top target in Kansas City, especially with the potential of Hollywood Brown‘s status being up in the air to start the season.”
– Jeff Boggis (Fantasy Football Empire)
Who are you favorite wide receiver sleepers to target this season? Hop into the FantasyPros Discord and let us know!
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