Wide Receiver Breakouts: Christian Kirk, Jaylen Waddle, George Pickens

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.

Want to see more fantasy football wide receiver breakouts, according to the experts we asked? Check out our complete 18 Wide Receiver Breakouts and Sleepers article.

Wide Receiver Breakouts

Christian Kirk (JAC)

“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 (MIA)

“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)

George Pickens (PIT)

“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)

NFL Christian Kirk Calvin Ridley Brian Thomas Gabe Davis Trevor Lawrence Jaylen Waddle Tyreek Hill George Pickens Diontae Johnson Russell Wilson Justin Fields Brandon Aiyuk Nico Collins Pat Freiermuth Kenny Pickett