Everyone has heard of the Zero-RB draft strategy. However, the Zero-WR strategy rarely gets mentioned. Yet, it’s one of my favorite draft strategies because of the depth at the wide receiver position.
How does the Zero-WR draft strategy work? Like a Zero-RB strategy, you don’t avoid that position the entire draft. Instead, you focus on other positions early in the draft before targeting wide receivers starting in the fifth or sixth round.
Ideally, you load up at the running back position in the early rounds, grabbing two star-caliber guys. Fantasy players also want to draft an elite quarterback and tight end before picking their first wide receiver with this draft strategy. The point of this strategy is to sacrifice at the wide receiver position to have a star-studded lineup everywhere else.
Here are 10 wide receivers I am targeting this year when using a Zero-WR draft strategy. Ideally, I want to leave my draft with at least four of these wide receivers on my team. Below we dive into a few notable wide receiver fantasy football draft targets.
- 2024 Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- 2024 Dynasty Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- 2024 Best Ball Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- Free Fantasy Football Mock Draft Simulator
Zero WR Wide Receiver Draft Targets
Malik Nabers (NYG): ADP 55.7 | WR25
While the Giants have one of the least appealing passing attacks, Nabers is my favorite WR1 target when using a Zero-WR draft build. Following Darren Waller’s retirement, the former LSU star will be the focal point of the team’s passing attack. Meanwhile, he ranked first in the NFL Draft class in yards per route run (3.64) among wide receivers with at least 20 targets last season (per PFF). Nabers has made several highlight-reel receptions during camp. He should challenge Marvin Harrison Jr. for the league leaders in targets among rookies.
George Pickens (PIT): ADP 59.3 | WR28
Pickens is one of my wide receivers to draft this year because of his league-winning upside. The former Georgia star was outstanding in the four games without Diontae Johnson last season. 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). Don’t be surprised if Pickens is this year’s Nico Collins after the team significantly upgraded at the quarterback position this offseason.
Tank Dell (HOU): ADP 65.3 | 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, a higher average than Davante Adams, DK Metcalf and Chris Olave. While Collins should get drafted first, Dell has similar upside at a far cheaper price.
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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.