With the evolution of passing offences, from the ground level of football up, there are more WRs than ever capable of becoming stars. This makes targets and opportunity one of the most important things to look for when drafting a receiver.
1. Davante Adams, GB
115 receptions, 1374 receiving yards, 18 TDs, 300.9 points.
Despite missing two games, Adams reached the rarefied air of a 300-point season by a WR and has double-digit TDs in four of his five campaigns.
2. Tyreek Hill, KC
87 receptions, 1276 receiving yards, 17 TDs, 285.4 points.
The best big-play threat in the league also rarely comes up short, thanks largely to his 57 total TDs in five seasons.
3. Stefon Diggs, BUF
127 receptions, 1535 receiving yards, 8 TDs, 265.1 points.
In his first season with the Bills, Diggs led the league in targets, receptions and receiving yards.
4. DeAndre Hopkins, ARI
115 receptions, 1407 receiving yards, 6 TDs, 230.3 points.
Tied his career high for catches last season, his first with the Cards, on three fewer targets.
5. Calvin Ridley, ATL
90 receptions, 1374 receiving yards, 9 TDs, 236.5 points.
He was the WR4 last year with Julio Jones in town and averaged 109 YPG in games that Jones missed.
6. DK Metcalf, SEA
83 receptions, 1303 receiving yards, 10 TDs, 229.8 points.
Broke out in his sophomore season and has a league-leading 34 end-zone targets since entering the league.
7. Justin Jefferson, MIN
88 receptions, 1400 receiving yards, 7 TDs, 230.2 points.
Starting in Week 3, Jefferson saw a 28% target share, averaging 8.6 per game and was fourth in WR scoring.
8. A.J. Brown, TEN
70 receptions, 1075 receiving yards, 11 TDs, 212.5 points.
Missed just two games with a supposed season-ending injury and should be in for another big season, even with Jones aboard.
9. Keenan Allen, LAC
100 receptions, 992 receiving yards, 8 TDs, 195.1 points.
Chargers vet was second to Adams in targets per game and produced an outlier season as a WR1 with a rookie QB.
10. Terry McLaurin, WAS
87 receptions, 1118 receiving yards, 4 TDs, 180.3 points.
An upgrade at QB should make Terry even scarier season and Fitzmagic’s deep-ball ability can add even more big plays.
11. CeeDee Lamb, DAL
74 receptions, 935 receiving yards, 7 TDs, 180.7 points.
Dak’s return is great news for Lamb, who was WR11 with the star QB but WR35 without him in the lineup.
12. Allen Robinson II, CHI
102 receptions, 1250 receiving yards, 6 TDs, 211.9 points.
Despite the Bears’ underwhelming QB play, Robinson has put together two straight top-12 finishes in fantasy.
13. Chris Godwin, TB
65 receptions, 840 receiving yards, 7 TDs, 158.5 points.
Took a step back from great 2019 season, averaging 15 fewer YPG, but remained a consistent WR2 option.
14. Mike Evans, TB
70 receptions, 1006 receiving yards, 13 TDs, 213.6 points.
Kept up his streak of 1,000-yard seasons even while marking a career-low in targets and target share.
15. Amari Cooper, DAL
92 receptions, 1114 receiving yards, 5 TDs, 190.8 points.
Before Dak Prescott got hurt last year, Cooper was WR3 overall and has been WR8 overall since joining Dallas.
16. Julio Jones, TEN
51 receptions, 771 receiving yards, 3 TDs, 120.6 points.
Injuries derailed Jones’ final season in Atlanta, but should be in another high-usage situation with the Titans, health permitting.
17. Robert Woods, LAR
90 receptions, 936 receiving yards, 8 TDs, 200.1 points.
Not the sexiest name to draft, but Woods has averaged 134 targets over the past three seasons and finished in WR2 range.
18. Diontae Johnson, PIT
88 receptions, 923 receiving yards, 7 TDs, 177.8 points.
Had the seventh most targets in the league, but only had a catch rate of 61% while leading the league in drops.
19. Tyler Lockett, SEA
100 receptions, 1054 receiving yards, 10 TDs, 215.4 points.
Put up a solid total finishing as WR9 but lacked consistency, scoring astounding 105 points in just three games.
20. Cooper Kupp, LAR
92 receptions, 974 receiving yards, 3 TDs, 162.7 points.
The big reason why Kupp fell from WR4 to WR27 despite similar targets and rates: Regressing from 10 TDs in 2019 to three.
21. DJ Moore, CAR
66 receptions, 1193 receiving yards, 4 TDs, 178.5 points.
Posted similar yardage to his 2019 season on 21 fewer targets, but also saw his catch rate drop from 64% to 55%.
22. Adam Thielen, MIN
74 receptions, 925 receiving yards, 14 TDs, 217 points.
At 31 years old, he’s a candidate for regression after a career-high in TDs and Jefferson emerging as the team’s top target.
23. Tee Higgins, CIN
67 receptions, 908 receiving yards, 6 TDs, 161.1 points.
In games in which he started with Joe Burrow last season, Higgins was the WR11 overall.
24. Brandon Aiyuk, SF
60 receptions, 748 receiving yards, 7 TDs, 154.5 points.
Former first-rounder has the talent, but target share is a concern with returns of Deebo Samuel and George Kittle.
25. Jerry Jeudy, DEN
52 receptions, 856 receiving yards, 3 TDs, 131.6 points.
His rookie stats were similar to that of Metcalf, but was saddled with much worse QB play.
26. Kenny Golladay, NYG
20 receptions, 338 receiving yards, 2 TDs, 55.8 points.
A hamstring injury all but wiped out his 2020 season in Detroit and is already dealing with one again, now in New York.
27. Odell Beckham Jr., CLE
23 receptions, 319 receiving yards, 4 TDs, 75.3 points.
Has played just one full season in his past four and saw his yards per game tumble to a meager 45.6 in 2020.
28. Chase Claypool, PIT
62 receptions, 873 receiving yards, 11 TDs, 183.9 points.
Struggled a bit with consistency during rookie season, but flashed his potential by tying for fifth among WRs in TDs.
29. Robby Anderson, CAR
95 receptions, 1096 receiving yards, 3 TDs, 176.6 points.
His first season in Carolina led to career highs in targets, receptions, yardage and catch rate.
30. DeVonta Smith, PHI
2021 rookie
The reigning Heisman winner figures to have a big role in Philly but there are questions about the Eagles offence.
31. Deebo Samuel, SF
33 receptions, 391 receiving yards, 1 TD, 64.2 points.
Like seemingly every 49er, Samuel had an injury-plagued 2020, but his playmaking ability makes him a good WR3 option.
32. Ja’Marr Chase, CIN
2021 rookie
Has had issues in training camp, but the fifth-overall pick figures to be the big part of a pass-heavy offence.
33. Courtland Sutton, DEN
3 receptions, 66 receiving yards, 8.1 points.
Had his season end in Week 1 with a torn ACL, but has shown all the makings of star WR in 2019.
34. Corey Davis, NYJ
65 receptions, 984 receiving yards, 5 TDs, 158.9 points.
After a solid season as the second-banana in Tennessee, Davis should be the top target in a Jets offence that will be trailing a lot.
35. JuJu Smith-Schuster, PIT
97 receptions, 831 receiving yards, 9 TDs, 185.6 points.
Considering among WRs he ranked seventh in receptions but just 36th in yards, the fifth-year man is far more valuable in PPR formats.
36. Will Fuller V, MIA
53 receptions, 879 receiving yards, 8 TDs, 162.4 points.
Was finally able to stay fairly healthy and put up career numbers in Houston last year before getting popped for PEDs.
37. Antonio Brown, TB
45 receptions, 483 receiving yards, 4 TDs, 94.6 points.
You shouldn’t expect the Steelers-era AB, but the mercurial WR should be a solid FLEX option.
38. Laviska Shenault Jr., JAC
58 receptions, 600 receiving yards, 5 TDs, 128.1 points.
Injury to Travis Etienne should mean a lot more slot targets and a potential breakout for Shenault.
39. Tyler Boyd, CIN
79 receptions, 841 receiving yards, 4 TDs, 153.1 points.
Averaged a whopping 16.1 PPR points per game in Burrow’s starts last season.
40. Brandin Cooks, HOU
81 receptions, 1150 receiving yards, 6 TDs, 191.5 points.
His first season in Houston was the fifth 1,000-yard campaign of his career and a rebound from a rough 2019 with the Rams.
41. Jarvis Landry, CLE
72 receptions, 840 receiving yards, 4 TDs, 151.9 points.
A consistent performer as a WR3, but has limited upside. Failed to shine with Beckham out last year.
42. Marquez Callaway, NO
21 receptions, 213 receiving yards, 31.8 points.
Sophomore could be looking at a role as the Saints’ top receiver as long as Thomas is out.
43. Jaylen Waddle, MIA
2021 rookie
Has chemistry with Tua and should get a lot of opportunities to use his playmaking ability out of the slot.
44. Michael Gallup, DAL
59 receptions, 843 receiving yards, 5 TDs, 143.8 points.
The most under-appreciated of the Cowboys’ three WRs, Gallup is more of a boom-or-bust option and sneaky handcuff.
45. DJ Chark Jr., JAC
53 receptions, 706 receiving yards, 5 TDs, 127.1 points.
Took a step back in 2020 due some injuries and had the third-highest rate of off-target passes in the league.
46. Curtis Samuel, WAS
77 receptions, 851 receiving yards, 5 TDs, 173.6 points.
Will he be used mainly as a depth threat, as coach Rivera did in 2019, or as a more effective intermediate WR like last year?
47. Michael Pittman Jr., IND
40 receptions, 503 receiving yards, 1 TD, 78.9 points.
Deep-play ability pairs well with new QB Wentz and has the talent to be the Colts’ top WR option.
48. Marquise Brown, BAL
58 receptions, 769 receiving yards, 8 TDs, 154 points.
In his final six games of 2020, the speedster was the WR11 overall, but in the previous four games had just 55 total yards.
49. Mike Williams, LAC
48 receptions, 756 receiving yards, 5 TDs, 129.7 points.
Is in a good situation as the Chargers WR2 and is a big red-zone target, but has failed to live up to the hype.
50. Michael Thomas, NO
40 receptions, 438 receiving yards, 63.9 points.
When he’s on the field, he has WR1 potential after setting the reception record in 2019. Too bad he’s likely until October.
51. Marvin Jones, JAC
76 receptions, 978 receiving yards, 9 TDs,
An under-rated option at WR that could shine with Jags thanks to familiarity with offensive system.
52. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, GB
33 receptions, 690 receiving yards, 6 TDs, 120.8 points.
He’s second in line for targets in Green Bay and has greatly improved over the off-season.
53. Darnell Mooney, CHI
61 receptions, 631 receiving yards, 4 TDs, 121.6 points.
Didn’t become a full-time starter until Week 8 and had some very bad QB play to deal with (45% catchable ball rate).
54. Henry Ruggs III, LV
26 receptions, 452 receiving yards, 2 TDs, 71.1 points.
The top WR taken in 2020 was utilized as almost exclusively as a deep threat and didn’t provide much fantasy value.
55. DeVante Parker, MIA
63 receptions, 793 receiving yards, 4 TDs, 134.8 points.
Looks like he might be the odd man out behind Waddle and Fuller.
56. Russell Gage, ATL
72 receptions, 786 receiving yards, 4 TDs, 145.0 points.
Behind Ridley in line for targets, but remains one of the team’s two best WRs.
57. Nelson Agholor, NE
48 receptions 896 receiving yards, 8 TDs, 161.6 points.
One of the Pats big off-season additions, Agholor broke out with the Raiders last year.
58. Jalen Reagor, PHI
31 receptions, 396 receiving yards, 2 TDs, 71.7 points.
Hype is building after he made several highlight-reel catches during training camp.
59. Elijah Moore, NYJ
2021 rookie
Looked great during off-season workouts and the Jets should be forced to air it out.
60. Mecole Hardman, KC
41 receptions, 560 receiving yards, 5 TDs, 107.6 points.
An electric playmaker, but doesn’t show much consistency.