RADIO
One of the best features of any dynasty league is the fact that it takes place year-round. Owners do not have to wait until late July or August to draft their rosters, they can make moves to positively or sometimes negatively impact their fantasy teams throughout the off-season, pre-season and regular season.
As with any season-long format, rankings are consistently shifting and moving depending on player performance and outlook for the remainder of that season. For dynasty rankings, the jostling not only has to do with 2017 projected performance, but also performance in future years.
Here is the list that we will be going by to determine the wide receiver tiers, which is subject to change throughout the 2017 preseason and regular season.
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2017 Dynasty Wide Receiver Tiered Rankings
Tier One
1. Odell Beckham Jr.
2. Mike Evans
3. Antonio Brown
4. Julio Jones
The top tier in dynasty leagues looks different to everyone, but these four are generally in it, sometimes along with a few others. Odell Beckham Jr. has recorded at least 90 receptions, 1,300 yards, and 10 touchdowns in each of his first three seasons, and he's still only 24 years old. Mike Evans is a target hog that has at least 1,000 yards in each of his first three seasons, as well. He's also only 23 years old, and he's a big body that has elite touchdown potential. Antonio Brown and Julio Jones are both elite wide receivers that consistently produce. They can each lead the league in fantasy points, but they are 29 and 28 respectively, which is why they fall below the other two younger stars.
Tier Two
1. A.J. Green
2. Amari Cooper
3. Michael Thomas
4. DeAndre Hopkins
Simply put, A.J. Green is as consistent of a player that there is in fantasy football. He is not in the top tier, but he is a WR1 year in and year out. Amari Cooper is averaging a 78/1,112/5.5 line in his first two seasons, and he is still only 23 years old. He is locked into the second tier because of his low touchdown rate and the threat of Michael Crabtree in Oakland. Michael Thomas displayed elite potential as a rookie, but there are a few concerns surrounding him. He is almost certain for regression after a 76% catch rate as a rookie. Also, Drew Brees is nearing the end of his career and the backup quarterback situation in New Orleans is far from ideal. DeAndre Hopkins enjoyed a good season last after having an elite season in 2015. He's still only 25 years old and finally will have a consistent quarterback in Deshaun Watson, so it's premature to say he doesn't belong here.
Tier Three
1. Sammy Watkins
2. T.Y. Hilton
3. Allen Robinson
4. Brandin Cooks
5. Keenan Allen
Sammy Watkins has elite potential and will benefit with a move to Sean McVay's offense in Los Angeles. He's still only 24 years old, and while he has been labeled injury-prone, he has only missed 11 games in three seasons. Hilton has seen at least 130 targets in each of his last four seasons. He is also playing with one of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL. Allen Robinson has the potential to be a top-5 wide receiver in the NFL. He is in the third tier because of the uncertainty surrounding the Jaguars quarterback. Brandin Cooks is a high upside fantasy option, but there are a lot of mouths to feed in the New England offense, which may limit Cooks' potential. Keenan Allen is a PPR monster and only 25 years old. He has only played nine games in the last two years, though, and has dealt with a plethora of injuries throughout his career.
Tier Four
1. Dez Bryant
2. Davante Adams
3. Doug Baldwin
4. Corey Davis
5. Stefon Diggs
When healthy, Dez Bryant is a WR1, but he has not played a full season since 2014. He's also getting up there in age at 28 years old. Davante Adams broke out last season, but still was not able to top 1,000 yards. He's a player extremely dependent on touchdowns. Doug Baldwin has recorded at least 1,000 yards in each of his last two seasons, and he has 21 touchdowns in those years. He's 28 years old, though, and has only seen 100 or more targets in two seasons. Corey Davis was an elite wide receiver in college, but he played in the MAC conference. He's a massive receiver, who will be paired with Marcus Mariota for years to come. Stefon Diggs has displayed tremendous upside, but he has yet to stay fully healthy for an NFL season. He also comes with questionable touchdown potential.
Tier Five
1. Alshon Jeffery
2. Jarvis Landry
3. Jordy Nelson
4. Martavis Bryant
5. Terrelle Pryor
6. Tyreek Hill
7. Demaryius Thomas
8. DeVante Parker
9. Jamison Crowder
Alshon Jeffery has played extremely well when he has been on the field. There is also uncertainty around his future, as he's on a one year deal and may not be in a great situation near year. Landry is another player that has played well throughout his career, but is on the final year of his deal, and a move could potential hurt his fantasy value. Jordy Nelson is an elite wide receiver right now, but he is 32 years old and may not play many more seasons. Martavis Bryant, Terrelle Pryor, and Tyreek Hill are three players that come with elite upside, but questions keep them in the fifth tier. Bryant has off-field issues, while Pryor is somewhat new to the position, while Hill is a combination of the both. Demaryius Thomas has been an extremely consistent fantasy option throughout his career, and that will be the case for the foreseeable future, as well. He's a borderline WR1, who has a few seasons left. DeVante Parker and Jamison Crowder are two young receivers that have gotten better in each of their first two seasons, and they will are looking at expanded roles this season.
Tier Six
1. Donte Moncrief
2. Golden Tate
3. Michael Crabtree
4. Kelvin Benjamin
5. Willie Snead
6. Josh Doctson
7. Corey Coleman
8. Sterling Shepard
9. Cameron Meredith
10. Jordan Matthews
This tier is loaded with young, high upside wide receivers. Golden Tate and Michael Crabtree are the two outliers, as they are aging wide receivers have that played well recently and look to have a couple more years left. Donte Moncief, Kelvin Benjamin, and Willie Snead have a few years under their belt, and they all come with good potential. Josh Doctson, Corey Coleman, and Sterling Shepard are each one year pro, and they each flashed as rookies. They are all in good positions to enjoy long, successful careers. Cameron Meredith broke out in a big way last season, but he's a college quarterback that is still learning the position and he will likely be forced into number two duties if Kevin White can stay healthy. Jordan Matthews was recently traded to the Bills, who feature a run heavy offense. He should see the majority of the targets, but he is on the last year of his deal, and could re-sign in Buffalo, who is known to be targeting a wide receiver in the draft.
Tier Seven
1. Mike Williams
2. John Brown
3. John Ross
4. Kenny Britt
5. Adam Thielen
6. Julian Edelman
7. Eric Decker
8. Marvin Jones
9. Randall Cobb
Mike Williams, John Brown, and John Ross are three receivers that come with tremendous upside, but cannot seem to get rid of the injury bug. If any three of these receivers can consistently stay healthy, they would work their way up multiple tiers. Kenny Britt and Adam Thielen both broke out last season, and they are two underrated wide receivers. Britt will be a target hog in Cleveland, while Thielen is an extremely efficient player in Minnesota. Julian Edelman, Eric Decker, Marvin Jones, and Randall Cobb have all been around the NFL for some time and we seemingly know what we have in each of them. Currently, Edelman is the top option of the group, but Jones has the most long term upside.
More 2017 Dynasty League Strategy
Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.
