Tier-Based WR Rankings for Redraft Fantasy Leagues

Frankie Taddeo -

Over the past decade, fantasy football roster construction has undergone a significant transformation. Wide receivers are now the prevailing position selected in the opening rounds of drafts due to the rise in popularity of PPR scoring formats. 

Previously, managers utilized premium draft assets on bell-cow running backs. However, due to NFL teams placing more emphasis on dynamic passing attacks — combined with the additional points for receptions — drafting a roster stacked with top wideouts has become the predominant philosophy. 

Last season, 12 WRs eclipsed 100 catches, while 18 WRs surpassed the 1,100-yard plateau, so there’s plenty of talent to pick from as you contemplate your depth charts. Here’s a closer look at the position and potential breakout stars, split into tiers with the help of Sleeper’s redraft PPR ADP rankings and projections. 

Need rankings for your fantasy drafts? Read our free QB tier-based rankings and RB tier-based rankings. 

Tier 1 - Top Dogs 

  • CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (ADP 1.3 / WR1)
  • Tyreek Hill, Dolphins (ADP 3.3 / WR2)
  • Justin Jefferson, Vikings (ADP 4.3 / WR3)
  • Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals (ADP 5.9 / WR4)
  • Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (ADP 6.9 / WR5)
  • A.J. Brown, Eagles (ADP 9.9 / WR6)
  • Garrett Wilson, Jets (ADP 12.6 / WR7) 

Lamb is not only the consensus No. 1 WR being chosen in redraft leagues — he’s overtaken Christian McCaffrey as the overall No. 1 player off the board. While the Cowboys star owns Sleeper’s highest reception projection (115) and second-highest receiving-yard projection (1,455), he has not been in camp with his teammates. After leading the NFL with 135 catches last season, Lamb is holding out amid a contract dispute. As long as a deal gets done soon, he’ll be on the field in Week 1 to begin the work of validating that ADP. 

Oddsmakers may have St. Brown listed as the betting favorite to lead the NFL in catches this season, but Sleeper has the Lions dynamo listed third with a projection of 111 behind Lamb (115) and Hill (112). St. Brown scored double-digit fantasy points in 16 of 17 regular-season games last season on the strength of nine 100+ receiving efforts as well as 13 games of six-plus receptions. Detroit’s stud is poised to challenge for the crown as top overall scoring wideout in 2024. 

The true value in Tier 1 belongs to Wilson. Despite confronting atrocious quarterback play in his first two NFL seasons, Wilson has impressively hauled in 178 receptions for 2,145 yards and seven TDs.

Wilson is primed for a monster season with a healthy Aaron Rodgers piloting the Jets’ aerial attack. Mark our words: Wilson, who owns Sleeper’s sixth-highest reception projection (99) and the seventh-highest receiving-yards projection (1,256), will outperform his ADP. 

Tier 2 - Potential League-Winners 

  • Marvin Harrison Jr., Cardinals (ADP 15.4 / WR8) 
  • Davante Adams, Raiders (ADP 17.0 / WR9) 
  • Puka Nacua, Rams (ADP 17.3 / WR10) 
  • Drake London, Falcons (ADP 18.5 / WR11) 
  • Chris Olave, Saints (ADP 21.8 / WR12) 
  • Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers (ADP 26.3 / WR13) 
  • Mike Evans, Buccaneers (ADP 29.0 / WR14) 
  • Nico Collins, Texans (ADP 30.1 / WR15) 
  • Stefon Diggs, Texans (ADP 31.7 / WR16) 
  • Deebo Samuel, 49ers (ADP 33.3 / WR17) 
  • Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins (ADP 35.0 / WR18) 
  • DJ Moore, Bears (ADP 36.8 / WR19) 
  • Michael Pittman, Colts (ADP 39.2 / WR20) 
  • Cooper Kupp, Rams (ADP 39.8 / WR21) 
  • Malik Nabers, Giants (ADP 42.6 / ADP22) 
  • DK Metcalf, Seahawks (ADP 43.5 / WR23) 
  • DeVonta Smith, Eagles (ADP 47.9 / WR24) 
  • Zay Flowers, Ravens (ADP 52.6 / WR25) 

Due to the focus on top RB1s and WR1s and elite pass-catching TE's, proven commodities like Diggs, Samuel, Kupp and Metcalf are being pushed outside the top 30 picks. 

The best value in Tier 2, though, belongs to Pittman, the Colts’ high-volume WR who finished with the ninth-most targets (156) last season.

With a healthy Anthony Richardson back at QB for Indianapolis, it is a near certainty that the fifth-year wideout will soar beyond Sleeper’s projections of 88 receptions for 985 and five touchdowns. Expect big things from the Richardson-Pittman connection in 2024. 

Tier 3 - High-Upside WR2/3 

  • Tank Dell, Texans (ADP 53.1 / WR26) 
  • George Pickens, Steelers (ADP 55.7 / WR27) 
  • Amari Cooper, Browns (ADP 58.4 / WR28) 
  • Tee Higgins, Bengals (ADP 59.1 / WR29) 
  • Keenan Allen, Bears (ADP 61.6 / WR30) 
  • Christian Kirk, Jaguars (ADP 66.7 / WR31) 
  • Terry McLaurin, Commanders (ADP 68.2 / WR32) 
  • Rome Odunze, Bears (ADP 70.7 / WR33) 
  • Rashee Rice, Chiefs (ADP 71.2 / WR34) 
  • Jayden Reed, Packers (ADP 73.9 / WR35) 
  • Xavier Worthy, Chiefs (ADP 76.3 / WR37) 
  • Calvin Ridley, Titans (ADP 83.0 / WR39) 

Two of the best targets here are Dell and Rice. The former was a rookie sensation in 2023, scoring seven TDs in just 11 games. Sleeper is projecting 80 receptions for 1,105 yards and six TDs for C.J. Stroud’s dangerous slot weapon. Playing alongside Diggs and Collins, the dynamic Dell will have weekly top-12 upside due to avoiding the opposition's top cornerbacks in coverage. 

Meanwhile, Rice’s stock is on the rise following the news that he will likely not face any imminent league suspension for his involvement in a street-racing incident in the spring that left several people injured.

Hollywood Brown’s preseason shoulder injury means Rice should see a high target share early in the season for the high-powered Chiefs. Sleeper’s projection of 81 catches, 873 yards and six TDs can easily be eclipsed in his second season playing with Patrick Mahomes. 

Tier 4 - Breakout Targets Outside The Top 40 

  • Ladd McConkey, Chargers (ADP 89.0 / WR41) 
  • Diontae Johnson, Panthers (ADP 93.3 / WR42) 
  • Christian Watson, Packers (ADP 101.5 / WR46) 
  • Jameson Williams, Lions (ADP 111.6 / WR48) 
  • Curtis Samuel, Bills (ADP 117.9 / WR50) 
  • Romeo Doubs, Packers (ADP 118.4 / WR51) 
  • Ricky Pearsall, 49ers (ADP 177.3 / WR68) 
  • Luke McCaffrey, Commanders (ADP 211.5 / WR78) 

Last season, managers who drafted rookies Nacua and Dell in this ADP range were likely rewarded with the coveted league hardware. This year’s rookie class has McConkey, Pearsall and McCaffrey who could potentially fit that profile. 

With the unproven McConkey owning the highest ADP here, the value among these deep-sleeper targets may belong to an eight-year veteran.

The departure of both Diggs and Gabe Davis this past offseason, opens the door for Samuel to emerge as Josh Allen’s new WR1 in Buffalo. He enjoyed his best season (77/851/3) in 2020 under Joe Brady in Carolina and will now be reunited with his former offensive coordinator. 

Time to Cast a Wide Net 

Drafting a roster consisting of both sure-fire WR1s and low-risk/high-reward breakout candidates is imperative in order to compete for fantasy championships. It’s a wideout’s world when it comes to fantasy gold, and you can’t afford to miss on the position. 

For more draft intel, do the research yourself for FREE this fantasy season with the fantasy football research tool to check real-time ADP, mock drafts and more, all available in the Sleeper app. 

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