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.
Below 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.
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.
Below 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Fantasy players struggled with starting Godwin in 2023, as he scored 9.6 or fewer half-point PPR fantasy points in 64.7% of the games. 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 this year.
Johnson was the WR8 in 2021, averaging 13.8 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Unfortunately, the veteran has averaged only 8.8 fantasy points per game over the past two years despite seeing 7.8 targets per contest. He has struggled because of awful quarterback production, ranking 70th in catchable target rate last season (per PlayerProfiler). Thankfully, he gets a quarterback upgrade in Carolina and gets to play in Dave Canales’ fantasy-friendly offense. The head coach recently said that Johnson will be the focal point of the team’s passing attack in 2024.
Many expect the Chargers to have one of the most run-heavy offenses this year under Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman. While the team’s wide receiver core is far from elite, McConkey could become a star early in his rookie season. The former Georgia star has shined since getting drafted. More importantly, McConkey has been working with the first-team offense during training camp. The rookie is the most likely candidate to adsorb a massive chunk of Keenan Allen’s 150 targets from last year. He should quickly become Justin Herbert’s go-to receiver.
The concern with Watson is his inability to stay healthy. He has missed 32.4% of the games in his career because of injury, including eight contests last season. However, Watson has been productive when healthy, averaging 10 half-point PPR fantasy points per game for his career. Furthermore, he had the sixth-most end zone targets (15) and ninth-most end zone touchdowns (five) in the NFL last year despite missing nearly half the season (per Fantasy Points Data). If Watson can stay healthy, the third-year player could be a league-winning pick.
Mooney was an afterthought on an inconsistent Chicago Bears passing attack last year, averaging only 4.2 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Yet, there is hope for the veteran in Atlanta with Kirk Cousins under center. The veteran quarterback has produced two top-12 wide receivers in the same season twice during his time with the Minnesota Vikings (2018 and 2020). While Mooney won’t be a top-12 guy, the veteran is a capable receiver, putting up a 1,000-yard receiving season in his career. He should easily outperform his ADP.
Fantasy players have seen NFL Draft Day 3 picks turn into stars as a rookie, including Puka Nacua and Amon-Ra St. Brown. Baker could join that group in 2024. He had the 11th-high PFF receiving grade in the draft class last year and posted a higher yards per route run average than Rome Odunze (3.21 vs. 2.93). While Ja’Lynn Polk is a popular late-round sleeper, fantasy players shouldn’t be surprised if Baker turns into Jacoby Brissett or Drake Maye’s go-to target, especially after making several impressive plays during training camp.
Mike Fanelli is a featured contributor for FantasyPros. He is also a featured contributor for BettingPros, RotoBaller, Pro Football Network, and the Faceoff Sports Network. Mike is also the former Editor in Chief and fantasy football expert for Prime Time Sports Talk. Follow him on Twitter @Mike_NFL2 and reach out anytime for fantasy football help.
Do Not Sell
Are you looking to contact Customer Support about a subscription or account related question?
