As fantasy football transitions more and more to PPR formats, the wide receiver position is at a premium. Having four, five, or even more wide receivers who can finish in the top 24 at the position in any given week provides a massive edge for fantasy GMs. This article aims to identify players being drafted after WR36 who have WR24 (or higher) upside on a weekly basis.
Upside running backs likely require an injury or two ahead of them to become starters for our fantasy teams. At wide receiver, though, we're seeking a combination of players who would benefit from an injury ahead of them and players who may already be on the field but could command more opportunities with high-end play.
Signs of WR1 Potential
In fantasy football, the offensive unit as a whole has a significant impact on the production of a player. For wide receivers, this is especially true as they are dependent on quarterback play. There are also additional factors that can point to top-24 WR potential:
- Offense: how good is the unit and its quarterback?
- Target Projection: how often is he on the field? Is he able to earn targets in a rich environment?
- Big Play Ability: can the player score 10+ fantasy points with one touch?
- Red Zone Prowess and Usage: a receiver often targeted on fades and jump balls has more fantasy appeal than a possession receiver
Here are a few late-round selections (WR36 or later as of this writing) and their current situations.
| Player | Offense | Targets | Big Plays | Red Zone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gabe Davis | x | x | x | x |
| Michael Thomas | x | x | x | |
| Jordan Addison | x | x | x | |
| Van Jefferson | x | x | ||
| Donovan Peoples-Jones | x | x |