I’ve by no means written tiers earlier than, however Adam Aizer requested me to deal with them for our Fantasy Soccer At the moment podcast (INSERT LINK HERE). Since I already gave him the record, I assumed it made sense to place them in a column as effectively. So right here we go.
These are my extensive receiver tiers previous to the beginning of coaching camp. These tiers can — and certain will — change previous to the tip of August. However that is how I might draft these extensive receivers in the midst of July.
And for context, that is primarily based on PPR, in addition to one level for each 10 yards dashing and receiving. Hopefully, these tiers can assist with any draft selections it’s a must to make this yr.
Tier 1
CeeDee Lamb
Tyreek Hill
Justin Jefferson
Ja’Marr Chase
Amon-Ra St. Brown
All 5 of those guys are in place to be the No. 1 Fantasy receiver this yr. Final season, Lamb (23.7), Hill (23.5), St. Brown (20.7), and Jefferson (20.2) all averaged a minimum of 20 PPR factors per sport. And Chase performed 9 video games with Joe Burrow (wrist) wholesome, and Chase was averaging 20.1 PPR factors per sport with Burrow beneath middle.
I might not be shocked to see all of those receivers drafted within the first six total picks after Christian McCaffrey comes off the board at No. 1 total. However all 5 of those receivers will get drafted within the first eight total picks in PPR.
The receiver on this group with the most important query mark is Jefferson with Kirk Cousins (Atlanta) gone and both J.J. McCarthy or Sam Darnold as the brand new quarterback in Minnesota. I am hopeful that Jefferson performs with McCarthy or Darnold like he did with Nick Mullens final yr over the ultimate 4 video games. Over that span, Jefferson averaged 22.1 PPR factors per sport.
Tier 2
A.J. Brown
Garrett Wilson
Puka Nacua
Marvin Harrison Jr.
You may also make an argument that Brown belongs in Tier 1. In two seasons in Philadelphia, Brown has 194 catches for two,952 yards and 18 touchdowns on 303 targets. Solely Hill (3,509) and Lamb (3,108) have extra receiving yards than Brown previously two seasons.
Wilson ought to profit in an enormous approach with Aaron Rodgers (Achilles) again, and hopefully, Wilson performs like he did in his rookie marketing campaign in 2022 when Zach Wilson wasn’t the quarterback. Garrett Wilson averaged 17.6 PPR factors per sport in seven outings with Joe Flacco or Mike White beginning, together with three video games with a minimum of 24 PPR factors over that span.
Nacua ought to construct off his spectacular 2023 marketing campaign when he set NFL rookie data for catches (105) and yards (1,486). The priority for Nacua is Cooper Kupp being wholesome, and Nacua solely averaged 15.7 PPR factors per sport in 12 video games with Kupp. However Nuca additionally had six outings with a minimum of 18.7 PPR factors when Kupp was wholesome.
I am anticipating Brown, Wilson, and Nacua to be drafted in Spherical 1, with Harrison coming off the board in early Spherical 2. I like the setup for Harrison because the go-to choice for Kyler Murray, and he ought to be dominant in his rookie marketing campaign.
Tier 3
Drake London
Chris Olave
Jaylen Waddle
Nico Collins
You may make a powerful argument to mix Tiers 3 and 4 since all 10 receivers will seemingly be drafted from the center of Spherical 2 to the tip of Spherical 3 in some order. However I choose the 4 receivers in Tier 3 to the remainder due to both a breakout marketing campaign coming (London and Olave) or them replicating near their finest seasons (Waddle and Collins).
London and Olave ought to be third-year breakouts in 2024. For London, the addition of Cousins and new Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson ought to lastly unlock his potential. And Olave ought to profit with new Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, in addition to a spike in targets this yr.
Waddle battled accidents in 2023, however he ought to return to his 2022 stage of manufacturing — or higher — when he averaged 15.3 PPR factors per sport. And Collins would possibly regress from his 17.4 PPR factors per sport in 2023 with Houston including Stefon Diggs to a receiving corps that already included Tank Dell. However I nonetheless count on Collins to be the alpha for the Texans and play like a top-12 Fantasy receiver this season.
Tier 4
Davante Adams
Mike Evans
Brandon Aiyuk
Deebo Samuel
Michael Pittman
Cooper Kupp
Adams (32), Evans (32) and Kupp (31) make me nervous due to their age, however I am not going to fully ignore them. Kupp is the one one who struggled with accidents final season, which is why I might solely draft him in Spherical 4, however I might nonetheless accept Adams and Evans in Spherical 3 in the event that they make it there.
We’ll see what occurs with the 49ers and Aiyuk, however I count on him to stay in San Francisco this season. He is value drafting in Spherical 3, together with Samuel, however each would seemingly profit with a commerce. Each would seemingly get extra targets if separated (Aiyuk has by no means had greater than 114 in a season and Samuel topped out at 121 in 2021), however they confirmed in 2023 they may each dominate with every scoring a minimum of 15.6 PPR factors per sport.
As for Pittman, I like him as a No. 2 Fantasy receiver, and he ought to have the prospect for 140-plus targets once more. Hopefully, Anthony Richardson can assist Pittman discover the tip zone extra typically (he is scored 4 touchdowns or much less in three of 4 seasons and has a excessive of six in 2021), however he stays a candidate for 100-plus catches and 1,100-plus yards.
Tier 5
George Pickens
DK Metcalf
Tee Higgins
DeVonta Smith
D.J. Moore
Christian Kirk
Tank Dell
Stefon Diggs
This tier has a number of of my favourite receivers to focus on with Pickens, Metcalf, Higgins, Smith, Kirk, and Dell. I are likely to keep away from Moore and Diggs, however they belong on this vary.
Moore might undergo with a crowded receiving corps in Chicago with the addition of Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze, together with a rookie quarterback in Caleb Williams. And I count on Diggs to be the No. 3 receiver in Houston behind Collins and Dell, though he ought to be productive, simply not elite. Diggs can be going to show 32 in November.
Pickens ought to have a breakout third season with Russell Wilson now in Pittsburgh, in addition to Dionate Johnson gone. And Metcalf ought to profit in Seattle with new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb.
I am hopeful Higgins may have an enormous yr whereas attempting to show he ought to get an enormous contract subsequent offseason, and hopefully Burrow stays wholesome as effectively. And Smith ought to nonetheless be a productive second receiver for the Eagles behind A.J. Brown.
Kirk might be my favourite receiver to draft this season primarily based on his value, and he ought to be the No. 1 choice for the Jaguars with Calvin Ridley and Zay Jones gone. And I like drafting Dell in his return from final yr’s damaged leg. Dell has sometimes gone after Collins and Diggs in most drafts, and his worth is unbelievable since he might be the No. 1 receiver for the Texans this yr.
Tier 6
Chris Godwin
Malik Nabers
Zay Flowers
Amari Cooper
Calvin Ridley
Terry McLaurin
Based mostly on early common draft place knowledge, this tier is in all places. Nabers and Flowers go effectively forward of this group, however I view each as high-end No. 3 receivers. I might like to draft each, however I am not choosing both one earlier than Spherical 5.
Godwin ought to profit along with his transfer again to the slot, and I might even contemplate drafting him as a Tier 5 receiver. I’ll have numerous inventory in Godwin this yr if he could be drafted after Spherical 6.
I am going to solely draft Cooper, Ridley, and McLaurin as No. 3 receivers in Spherical 6 or later. Whereas I like all three, I’ve issues about all of them. Cooper is now 30 and may need a contract challenge in coaching camp. Ridley has to show he is higher than DeAndre Hopkins and develop a rapport with Will Levis. And McLaurin has to show he can succeed with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, who will depend on his legs to make performs as a lot as his arm.
Tier 7
Jayden Reed
Ladd McConkey
Marquise Brown
Diontae Johnson
Christian Watson
Rashee Rice
DeAndre Hopkins
There are two Packers and two Chiefs on this tier, and I might like to get a minimum of one participant from every of these receiving corps if potential. Watson might see his worth rise if he makes it via coaching camp at 100% after battling hamstring points final yr. And Rice’s potential suspension will decide what occurs to him and Brown, in addition to Xavier Worthy.
I am enthusiastic about McConkey, who will hopefully step into Allen’s function because the go-to goal for Justin Herbert. Josh Palmer can be somebody to focus on a bit of later, however I consider McConkey has extra upside in his rookie marketing campaign.
Johnson ought to be a pleasant shock along with his transfer to Carolina, and he ought to lead the Panthers in targets. And whereas Hopkins is 32 and now has to take care of Ridley, he nonetheless has the potential to be a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in Tennessee’s revamped offense.
Tier 8
Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Keenan Allen
Rome Odunze
Courtland Sutton
Jameson Williams
I am enthusiastic about Smith-Njigba heading into his sophomore marketing campaign, and hopefully, he can earn a much bigger function forward of Tyler Lockett and be Seattle’s No. 2 receiver behind Metcalf. Grubb’s offense ought to be good for Smith-Njigba and assist him enhance on a quiet rookie marketing campaign.
Allen is coming off an incredible season in 2023 the place he averaged 21.6 PPR factors per sport and led all gamers at 11.5 targets per sport. However he is 32, going to play with a rookie quarterback in Caleb Williams, and is becoming a member of a crowded receiving corps in Chicago with Moore and Odunze. I am not planning to draft Allen until he falls to Spherical 8 or later. And this is similar vary that I might draft Odunze.
Sutton stays the No. 1 receiver for the Broncos, however he is headed for regression along with his touchdowns after scoring 10 instances final yr. Hopefully, Bo Nix will proceed to lean on Sutton in 2024. As for Williams, he might be a third-year breakout candidate this season after two disappointing campaigns in Detroit. However with Josh Reynolds gone, the chance is there for Williams to step up behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta.
Tier 9
Jordan Addison
Keon Coleman
Brian Thomas Jr.
Xavier Worthy
Addison continues to fall in my rankings, and we’ll see if he faces a suspension following his arrest in July on suspicion of driving beneath the affect. He additionally has issues with the quarterback state of affairs in Minnesota, and he is trying extra like a No. 4 Fantasy receiver than a No. 3 choice.
It is a heavy rookie tier, and Coleman might be the No. 1 receiver in Buffalo, the place solely Khalir Shakir returns from final yr. Whereas I am enthusiastic about Shakir and Curtis Samuel, I might nonetheless draft Coleman first primarily based on upside.
Thomas is also a big playmaker for the Jaguars because the No. 2 receiver behind Kirk. And I am enthusiastic about Worthy as effectively, however he ought to open the season behind Brown and Rice (suspension pending). Nonetheless, being tied to Patrick Mahomes is a superb factor for Worthy’s upside.
Tier 10
Rashid Shaheed
Josh Palmer
Khalil Shakir
Curtis Samuel
Romeo Doubs
Shaheed and Palmer are two receivers who proceed to rise in my rankings. Shaheed ought to be the No. 2 receiver in New Orleans behind Olave, and he has the potential to emerge as a top-30 Fantasy choice this season. And whereas I like McConkey because the No. 1 Chargers receiver, it would not be a shock if Palmer is best. He is undoubtedly the higher worth.
There’s going to be numerous debate over who’s the very best Payments receiver coming into the yr. I might draft Coleman first, however Shakir and Samuel will seemingly be extra dependable Fantasy choices, particularly early within the season. Shakir is the one receiver in Buffalo who has caught passes from Josh Allen in a sport, and he stepped up final season when Gabe Davis went down in Week 18. However Samuel has a historical past with offensive coordinator Joe Brady from their time in Carolina, which provides him an edge.
Doubs feels just like the forgotten receiver in Inexperienced Bay with all of the hype going towards Reed, Watson, and Dontayvion Wicks. However Doubs stays a go-to choice for Jordan Love and is getting into his third season within the NFL. He additionally scored eight touchdowns and had 9 video games with 11 or extra PPR factors final yr.
Tier 11
Jahan Dotson
Tyler Lockett
Dontayvion Wicks
Xavier Legette
Jakobi Meyers
Mike Williams
I’ve Wicks barely behind Doubs in my rankings now, however that would change if Wicks continues to get extra hype. He is considered one of my favourite late-round picks this season.
I am additionally intrigued by Dotson with a late-round decide as he enters his third season, and hopefully, he develops a strong rapport with Daniels. Legette can be value a late-round flier since he might be a strong contributor for the Panthers beneath new coach Dave Canales.
Lockett, Meyers and Williams do not carry a lot upside heading into the season, however that would change. Lockett has to carry off Smith-Njigba in Seattle’s new offense, and Williams (ACL) must show he is wholesome since he is beginning coaching camp on the PUP record.
Tier 12
Demario Douglas
Josh Downs
Roman Wilson
Troy Franklin
Jerry Jeudy
Adam Thielen
Quentin Johnston
Gabe Davis
Wan’Dale Robinson
Brandin Cooks
Rashod Bateman
Ja’Lynn Polk
This last tier is the receivers outdoors of the highest 60 in my rankings, however I count on many of those guys to get drafted in PPR. I will be curious to see which Patriots receiver goes first out of Douglas or Polk, and I am excited to see how Douglas does in Yr 2.
Downs is one other sophomore receiver that I am excited to see, particularly with Richardson again at 100%. And I believe Robinson has upside as a third-year receiver for the Giants.
I would like to see issues click on for Johnston in his second yr for the Chargers, however he’ll be powerful to belief. And rookies like Franklin and Wilson ought to emerge because the season goes on.
