With fantasy football season just a month and a half away, here is a breakdown of the top 5 wide receivers that should be going in your fantasy drafts this upcoming season.
Ja'Marr Chase
CINCINNATI, OHIO – JANUARY 07: Ja’Marr Chase #1 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs with the ball while defended by Vincent Gray #31of the Cleveland Browns at Paycor Stadium on January 07, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Chase has been extremely consistent over his first three seasons as a pro, and last year might have been his most impressive season because of the challenges he had to play through. Chase played without his quarterback Joe Burrow for the majority of the year and still had an extremely productive year. A season that saw him produce 100 catches for 1200 plus yards and 7 touchdowns playing with a backup quarterback, can really solidify his draft position for the next few years as a guy who produces no matter the situation. This year with Burrow heading into camp with no limitations, the Bengals coming off of a year where they didn’t make the playoffs, and Chase playing for a contract extension, Chase is fully expected to have his best year to date, and that is saying something because he has had some great years. Odds are in your draft he won’t be the first wide receiver off the board, but he should be.
CeeDee Lamb
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JANUARY 14: CeeDee Lamb #88 of the Dallas Cowboys walks on the sideline during the NFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Green Bay Packers at AT&T Stadium on January 14, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. The Packers defeated the Cowboys 48-32. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Lamb is coming off of an incredible year that saw him produce 1600 plus yards and double-digit touchdowns on 130 receptions making him arguably the best fantasy wide receiver last year. Lamb and Quarterback Dak Prescott have a connection that may be unmatchable in today’s NFL. In a contract year for Prescott, it is fully expected that he peppers his number one target A LOT again this year. Expect Lamb to produce 100 plus catches 1400 plus yards and double-digit touchdowns once again this season.
Tyreek Hill
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JANUARY 13: Tyreek Hill #10 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates with Jaylen Waddle #17 after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Wild Card Playoffs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 13, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Hill is a guy who can easily be number one on this list, but heading into the year there are similarly talented players with more to play for. Last year Hill was record chasing, but a few injuries limited his ability to perform at his elite level every game despite playing in 16 of 17 games. Hill is as consistent as you get when it comes to numbers at the end of the year, but he can fall victim to disappearing for a few games. Hill has the most potential to have a 35-point fantasy game any given week, but sometimes that game is followed by a 2-point dud. Despite those duds Hill has the ability to win you weeks by himself making him extremely valuable and worthy of a top fantasy pick this upcoming draft season.
Justin Jefferson
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – DECEMBER 24: Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts after the team’s 30-24 loss against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
The sure-fire number-one wide receiver in years past certainly has the potential to still be wide receiver one when the season ends, but losing his quarterback may certainly be an issue. Jefferson was in the midst of another fantastic year before he got hurt and then lost his quarterback Kirk Cousins. Jefferson will be coming into the season with 2 potential QBs throwing him the ball, veteran Sam Darnold and first-round draft pick JJ McCarthy. No matter who is throwing him the ball it is expected that Jefferson will get his targets, but he no longer has a guy like Kirk Cousins getting him the football, making his first season without Cousins a little weary. When talking about Jefferson and other big named receivers it is important to take the quarterback situation into consideration. Jefferson could wind up being a steal if he’s the fourth or fifth wide receiver off the board in drafts, you just can’t be comfortable taking him number one with his quarterback situation the way it currently is.Garrett Wilson
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 10: Garrett Wilson #17 of the New York Jets runs the ball during the third quarter in the game against the Houston Texans at MetLife Stadium on December 10, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Wilson might be a controversial pick to get into the top five for fantasy wide receivers this season, and you can probably get him for a steal in the second or maybe even third round making him a great value pick. Taking him over a guy like Amon-Ra St. Brown could show up big in the health department, and with Aaron Rodgers finally healthy Wilson could be in for his biggest season as a pro. Wilson is as talented as anyone, and he finally has a guy who can throw the football at an elite level, Rodgers who was supposed to be throwing him the ball last year, got hurt four plays into the season leaving fantasy managers who took Wilson in shambles. If Rodgers and Wilson can stay healthy this season, Wilson will be a top five wide receiver when the season is over, and we very well may be talking about him as a top 10 picking heading into next year’s draft.
