Wide receivers have become one of the most valuable positions to target early in drafts. We are good at projecting their stats. They don't typically get injured as frequently as running backs (yes, I'm aware of what happened last year). And considering the rise in half-PPR and PPR formats, they score a lot of points!
As always, these articles are just one staffer's opinion. If you're looking for our full consensus rankings, you can find those here.
Let's dive in, starting with a tier of true difference-makers.
The Elites
These receivers have all finished as the overall WR1 over the last three years. All are between 25 and 26 years old, in their athletic primes. All will contest as this year's WR1. Don't overthink it. These guys should go in the top half of the first round regardless of your PPR scoring or not.
- WR1 - Ja'Marr Chase - Fresh off a triple crown, Chase is one of the best receivers in NFL history in a perfect offensive environment and warrants consideration in all formats as the first overall pick.
- WR2 - CeeDee Lamb - Lamb was the overall WR1 with Dak Prescott just two years ago, who is back to 100% health after an injured 2024 campaign.
- WR3 - Justin Jefferson - Quarterback uncertainty is the only thing that pushes Jefferson to the bottom of this tier, but he's proven to be mostly quarterback-proof.
The Borderline Elites
The only thing separating this tier from the tier above is that none of these players have finished as the overall WR1. But this tier has youth on its side, and potentially untapped ceilings. These receivers should not fall out of Round 1.
- WR4 - Malik Nabers - After setting the all-time record for rookie target share, Nabers gets a much-improved quarterback room heading into Year 2.
- WR5 - Nico Collins - When healthy, Collins is a dominant WR1 who can make plays at every level of the field.
- WR6 - Brian Thomas Jr. - After a massive rookie campaign, Thomas will hope to continue his growth in what's expected to be a better Jacksonville offense.
- WR7 - Puka Nacua - The unique role Nacua plays in Sean McVay's system gives him consistent usage and opportunities to create big plays after the catch, but Matthew Stafford's back injury gives a slight pause.
Low-End WR1s
This is a tier worth aggressively targeting, as many of these receivers project better than the running backs going near them in drafts. There's a mix of ascending talents and familiar faces here.
- WR8 - Drake London - Consistent quarterback play last year finally helped London join the WR1 discussion, and a second year with Michael Penix Jr. should only aid his ascension.
- WR9 - Ladd McConkey - McConkey developed into a weapon that could win all over the field as a rookie and should pick up right where he left off in Year 2.
- WR10 - Jaxon Smith-Njigba - With DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett out of the picture, the path is finally cleared for Smith-Njigba to take over as the WR1 he was drafted to be.
- WR11 - Amon-Ra St. Brown - Slight dips in usage last year are concerning, but St. Brown has been a stalwart in this Lions' passing attack.
- WR12 - A.J. Brown - Brown can easily outpace this ranking if the Eagles up their pass rate, but last year's lean on the run makes him a boom-bust receiver, unfortunately.
High-End WR2s
This tier is full of talented receivers. However, when looking at ADP, these players are typically grouped with running backs that I prefer. Every receiver in this tier has a high ceiling and a shaky floor, making them challenging to invest in with early-round picks. The receivers here project similarly to receivers going in later rounds.
- WR13 - Garrett Wilson - Wilson's usage over the last few years has been inspiring, but a Justin Fields-led offense could potentially signal another disappointing season.
- WR14 - Tyreek Hill - Hopefully, last year's falloff can be written off by injury and not a sign of Hill's end.
- WR15 - Marvin Harrison Jr. - Although Harrison didn't live up to last year's hype, he put some good things on tape and will hope for more consistent usage in Year 2.
- WR16 - Tee Higgins - Undeniably productive when on the field, Higgins' major red flag is his lengthy injury history.
- WR17 - Davante Adams - On his third team in two years, Adams' value will likely hinge on whether Matthew Stafford can return to his previous level of play.
High-Ceiling WR2s
I'm trying to walk away from every draft with one of these two receivers. They are much lower in ADP, but the upside makes them very alluring targets who could smash their draft-day cost.
- WR18 - Jameson Williams - A pre-Draft ACL tear and Year 2 gambling suspension caused a slow start to Williams' career, but he started putting it together over the second half of last year.
- WR19 - Tetairoa McMillan - Top-ten draft capital for a rookie receiver shouldn't go ignored, and McMillan fits a massive need as an X-receiver in Dave Canales' offense.
Aging WR2s
Most rankings and ADPs will have these guys ahead of the "High-Ceiling WR2s" I listed above. Catching guys on the downslopes of their careers, especially with looming contract disputes, isn't something I like to do in drafts.
- WR20 - Terry McLaurin - His usage and yardage weren't much different last year than previous seasons, but a career touchdown rate aided a breakout season for McLaurin.
- WR21 - Mike Evans - The team did everything they could to get Evans over 1,000 yards again last year, but it'll be tough to keep that streak going with added target competition and expected offensive regression.
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