Heading into the 2024 Fantasy season there are some really valuable wide receivers to grab in the Late to middle rounds. Here is a breakdown of the top 5 sleeper fantasy wide receivers heading into the 2024 NFL season.
Also, be sure to check out the list of sleeper running backs for the fantasy season.
Khalil Shakir
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 21: Khalil Shakir #10 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during the third quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Highmark Stadium on January 21, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York.
Shakir took a major leap forward in the circle of trust last year for Josh Allen, and that connection has only grown stronger during the offseason. Shakir caught 39 passes for 611 yards, and two touchdowns for the Buffalo Bills last year, and the Athletics’ Joe Buscaglia is reporting that Shakir “has been one of the most consistent, dependable players in Bills training camp.” With star wideout Stefon Diggs being shipped to the Houston Texans, and Gabriel Davis joining the Jacksonville Jaguars, Shakir figures to have an every-down role with the team and could emerge as Josh Allen’s number-one target. Shakir can wind up being a high-end wide receiver two by the end of the year as it is expected that he will continue to form a great connection with Allen in what figured to be a potent offense.
Gabe Davis
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 26: Gabe Davis #13 of the Buffalo Bills carries the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of the game at Highmark Stadium on October 26, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York.
Davis left Josh Allen, and the Buffalo Bills for Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars this past off-season signing a 3-year-39-million-dollar contract with the team. Davis is a trustworthy receiver who was expected to have a breakout campaign last season with the Bills, and it just never formulated. Davis caught 45 passes for 746 yards, and seven touchdowns last year, and you can expect a major jump in the yardage department if he can stay healthy coming in as the expected number-one option. Davis who signed a 3-year contract this past off-season with the Jaguars, is expected to replace the team’s prior number one target Calvin Ridley who left for the Titans on a massive deal. With Lawrence looking to take that next step, Davis is going to play a big role in the Jaguars offense this upcoming season. Look for Davis to produce solid WR3 numbers with the potential for WR2 numbers if he can find a strong connection with Lawrence.
Cooper Kupp
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 31: Cooper Kupp #10 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on prior to a game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on December 31, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Kupp missed 5 games last season due to an ankle injury and to the public perception has fallen behind his younger sophomore teammate Puka Nacua who is going much higher then Kupp in drafts. The value difference between these two players is probably about two rounds which is a big difference early on in fantasy drafts. With Nacua already dealing with an injury and quarterback Mathew Stafford having a winning history with Kupp, it can be expected that Kupp will be in for a huge bounce-back season at age 31. If you can get Cooper Kupp in the 4th or 5th round of fantasy drafts that pick could prove to be a league winner because he’s capable of returning first-round value in the high-octane offense he plays in.
Xavier Worthy
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – MAY 22: Wide receiver Xavier Worthy #1 of the Kansas City Chiefs participates in OTA Offseason workouts at The University of Kansas Health System Training Complex on May 22, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Worthy was taken number 28 overall in this year’s NFL Draft by the Kanas City Chiefs, so he instantly enters a great situation for his first few years as a pro. Mahomes tends to love speedy receivers who can get open down the middle of the field and Worthy will do just that in Kansas City. Worthy is going later in drafts because he has a low floor in his first year, but his ceiling could be as high as a WR2 during his first season in Kansas City. With Mahomes not having as many options as in years past, and the Chiefs using a first-round pick on Worthy you’d have to expect the Chiefs have big plans for Worthy, not just for this year but for the future as well, making him a great dynasty draft selection. Worthy may start the season of slow as he adjusts to the NFL and the Chief’s offense, but the reports are he looks like a star in training camp so he may be ready to go right out of the gate. Whether he returns to production the whole year or a few weeks in after adjusting to the NFL, Worthy is going to be a great value pick once he and Mahomes form some real chemistry and trust.
Dionte Johnson
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JANUARY 06: Diontae Johnson #18 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter of a game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on January 06, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Johnson was traded from Pittsburgh this past off-season to the Carolina Panthers where he will bring a veteran presence to a wide receiver room that is young, and also gives sophomore quarterback Bryce Young a veteran target on the field. Johnson has been a reception hog his entire career and is expected to be much of the same in Carolina. Johnson’s great route-running ability and ability to catch screen passes and turn them into chunk gains will play right into what Bryce Young does best, so look for Johnson to be Young’s favorite target this year. If Johnson can stay healthy, he will catch over 100 passes and wind up as a WR2, especially in PPR formats which will mean he finishes higher than his current draft selection has him going. Someone in the Carolina offense has to be productive and Johnson has shown the ability to be productive in bad offenses because he did it in Pittsburgh.
