Fantasy Football Draft Targets: Jaylen Waddle, DeVonta Smith, Malik Nabers

The RB Dead Zone has notoriously been a place in fantasy football drafts to consider avoiding running backs for one reason or another. If you’re avoiding running backs, that means that there should be other positions to target, perhaps none more pivotal than wide receiver. We’ll help you fill out your wide receiver room with our top WRs to draft in the RB Dead Zone.

Wide Receivers to Draft in RB Dead Zone

Jaylen Waddle (MIA)

Jaylen Waddle faces a different fantasy draft landscape in 2024, likely drafted later due to a less impressive previous season as the WR34 overall and WR24 in points per game. Despite recording over 1,000 receiving yards in 14 games, his scoring was limited to four touchdowns. However, his 24% target share and improved efficiency metrics indicate potential for a bounce-back season. Considered a buy-low candidate, Waddle’s draft position might not reflect his true value.
– Andrew Erickson

DeVonta Smith (PHI)

Smith has been entrenched as a playmaking WR2 in fantasy football over the last two seasons (WR20, WR14). Smith should run it back again this year with similar production. Last year, he was 21st in receiving yards per game and 29th in first read share while some of his deeper metrics sagged. Smith saw his FD/RR ranking drop to 39th, and his YPRR sat at only 33rd (minimum 50 targets). While this is concerning, the talent didn’t disappear for Smith. Philly’s offense was broken last year as rudimentary play calling held the entire show back from its potential. Smith and Metcalf go in the same range of drafts, and each player feels like a safe bet with some upside in 2024.
– Derek Brown

Malik Nabers (NYG)

While we might have worries about the landing spot, there are two undeniable facts here. Nabers is a stone-cold baller, and he will vacuum up all the targets he can handle in 2024. During his final year at LSU, Nabers ranked third in YPRR, first in PFF receiving grade, and fourth in missed tackles forced. Nabers is the clear WR1 for New York this season, and it’s not particularly close. No Giants wide receiver managed over a 16.9% target share last year, so there’s no one standing in Nabers’ way of soaking up a 23-25% target share in his rookie season. The Giants threw the ball 518 times last year. If Nabers can earn a 25% target share and the Giants don’t pass any more than they did last season, he will theoretically see 130 targets. That would have been tied for 19th in targets among wide receivers last season. I’m willing to invest in Nabers’ talent, and I’m just praying that we get at least league-average quarterback play from Daniel Jones and company this season.
– Derek Brown