RADIO
Wide receivers are one of the most critical components, and a core building block, for all fantasy football teams. This is especially true in PPR formats, where fantasy owners are rewarded for every catch that a wide receiver makes. We are here to help you plan your wide receiver draft strategy, and to target the right players on each NFL team.
Below are our 2015 fantasy football wide receiver depth charts as of Week 4 of the NFL and fantasy football season. For each team you will find the primary wide receiver (WR1), the secondary wide receiver (WR2), the third wide receiver (WR3), and dynasty values. Players listed under "Dynasty Value" have added value in dynasty/keeper league formats and can be targeted on draft day.
It’s important to stay on top of the wide receiver situations and any depth chart changes throughout each week of the fantasy football season, so be sure to check back regularly. By staying on top of all the depth charts changes, preseason position battles, and in-season injuries, you can draft the right receivers, adjust your rosters off the waiver wire, find sleepers, potential breakouts, and dominate your fantasy football leagues.
All WR1/WR2/WR3 listings are based off current Fantasy Football projections, not NFL depth chart values. Players listed under "Dynasty Value" have increased value in a Dynasty league.
AFC EAST: Fantasy Football Wide Receiver (WR) Depth Charts
| Baller Stability Rating | Team Name |
Primary Wide Receiver (WR1) | Second Wide Receiver (WR2) | WR3 & Longshots | Dynasty Value |
| Solid | Patriots | Julian Edelman | Danny Amendola | Aaron Dobson / Brandon LaFell | N/A |
| Solid | Jets | Brandon Marshall | Eric Decker (INJ) | Quincy Enunwa / Jeremy Kerley | N/A |
| Questionable | Bills | Sammy Watkins | Percy Harvin | Robert Woods | Sammy Watkins |
| Questionable | Dolphins | Jarvis Landry | Rishard Matthews | DeVante Parker / Kenny Stills / Greg Jennings | DeVante Parker |
It's getting a bit harder to tell who the top option is in Buffalo. In their Week 3 rout of the Dolphins, Tyrod Taylor only targeted Sammy Watkins twice, which he converted into one catch for 39 yards. Percy Harvin, on the other hand, was targeted eight times, with tight end Charles Clay getting seven looks. Harvin has ascended to WR3 status, and I'm currently benching Watkins in all formats, as he simply isn't being looked at enough to start. It's likely partially due to opposing defenses trying to shut him down, but regardless he is a risky weekly play.
Perhaps it was a result of the game being a blowout, but rookie DeVante Parker got seven looks in Week 3. This may be significant, as the Dolphins (theoretically) are looking to ease him into a larger role, as he is a dynamic play-maker in all aspects of the receiving game. Kenny Stills and Greg Jennings appear to be non-factors at this point in the season, and I don't see either of them returning to relevance.
It's worth monitoring Eric Decker's status, as a sprained PCL may keep him out another week or two. If he is in fact out again, Quincy Enunwa makes for an interesting deep-league play. And don't forget about longtime Jet Jeremy Kerley, who saw 11 targets in week 3.
AFC WEST: Fantasy Football Wide Receivers (WR) Depth Charts
| Baller Stability Rating | Team Name |
Primary Wide Receiver (WR1) | Second Wide Receiver (WR2) | WR3 & Longshots | Dynasty Value |
| Solid | Broncos | Demaryius Thomas | Emmanuel Sanders | Jordan Norwood | Cody Latimer |
| Solid | Chiefs | Jeremy Maclin | De'Anthony Thomas | Jason Avant | Albert Wilson |
| Solid | Raiders | Amari Cooper | Michael Crabtree | Andre Holmes | Amari Cooper |
| Solid | Chargers | Keenan Allen | Stevie Johnson | Malcom Floyd | Keenan Allen |
There hasn't been any jockeying of position in this division, although it was nice to see Alex Smith finally hit a wide receiver in the end zone. As long as the Chiefs offense is playing well Maclin will be a WR2 and should hopefully see a few more looks in the red zone.
Michael Crabtree--WR2? He saw nine targets in the Raiders' Week 3 victory over the Browns and is averaging six catches per game. Amari Cooper is the unquestioned WR1 on the team (and is approaching that role in the fantasy community), but with Derek Carr slinging the ball at the rate he is Crabtree has all of a sudden become very fantasy-relevant. He's a locked-in WR3 with WR2 upside.
Keenan Allen is a target and reception monster, and should be treated as such in all fantasy circles. Stevie Johnson is still a distant second, and is only a WR3 for me in leagues with 12 or more teams.
AFC NORTH: Fantasy Football Wide Receivers (WR) Depth Charts
| Baller Stability Rating | Team Name |
Primary Wide Receiver (WR1) | Second Wide Receiver (WR2) | WR3 & Longshots | Dynasty Value |
| Solid | Ravens | Steve Smith | Marlon Brown | Kamar Aiken | Breshad Perriman |
| Solid | Steelers | Antonio Brown | Darrius Heyward-Bey | Markus Wheaton | Martavis Bryant |
| Solid | Bengals | A.J. Green | Marvin Jones | Mohamed Sanu | N/A |
| Questionable | Browns | Travis Benjamin | Brian Hartline | Andrew Hawkins | N/A |
The Steelers depth chart will shift once Martavis Bryant returns from suspension, and unfortunately for him and all Steelers receivers they will be without Ben Roethlisberger for the next 4-6 weeks. An MCL sprain and deep bone bruise will sideline the QB1 and open the door for Michael Vick. Vick, to be blunt, isn't good--all Steelers receivers take a fantasy hit. Antonio Brown is still a WR1, but with Roethlisberger out he has been supplanted by Julio Jones as the top wide receiver in fantasy.
Recipe for fantasy success: One part Andy Dalton, one part A.J. Green. Stir in 13 targets, mix well. Serve with red wine. And don't sleep on Marvin Jones in this week's waiver wire.
The Browns are going to be playing from behind more often than not, which means there is some fantasy value to be had here. The problem is finding the source--in Week 3, Brian Hartline bounced back from a zero-catch game with 96 yards on five catches. This isn't enough to make him fantasy-relevant yet. Travis Benjamin is still the top dog, as he got 10 looks from Josh McCown, but his boom-or-bust nature makes him a WR3 at best.
AFC SOUTH: Fantasy Football Wide Receivers (WR) Depth Charts
| Baller Stability Rating | Team Name |
Primary Wide Receiver (WR1) | Second Wide Receiver (WR2) | WR3 & Longshots | Dynasty Value |
| Solid | Colts | T.Y. Hilton | Donte Moncrief | Phillip Dorsett / Andre Johnson | Phillip Dorsett, Donte Moncrief |
| Solid | Texans | Deandre Hopkins | Cecil Shorts III | Nate Washington | Jaelen Strong |
| Volatile | Titans | Kendall Wright | Harry Douglas | Dorial Green-Beckham | Dorial Green-Beckham, Kendall Wright |
| Solid | Jaguars | Allen Robinson | Allen Hurns | Marqise Lee | Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns, Marqise Lee |
I think Week 3 was the death knell for Andre Johnson. Chuck Pagano and Andrew Luck know where the talent is, and it isn't in Johnson's old legs. Donte Moncrief has established himself as a consistent fantasy WR3, and for Johnson...well, I'll borrow Matthew Berry's phrase: "Welcome to Dumpsville".
DeAndre Hopkins is a WR1, plain and simple. After him I'm not comfortable guessing between Nate Washington and Cecil Shorts for who comes in second on targets. Both are rosterable in deep leagues, but you're not starting either unless you have no other choice.
Dorial Green-Beckham has now caught touchdowns in back-to-back games, and is showing us the talent that led to the Titans' picking him despite his off-the-field troubles. At the moment he is the Dwayne Allen of wide receivers--two catches for 20 yards and a touchdown--but that may change as both he and Marcus Mariota get more comfortable with each other.
NFC EAST: Fantasy Football Wide Receivers (WR) Depth Charts
| Baller Stability Rating | Team Name |
Primary Wide Receiver (WR1) | Second Wide Receiver (WR2) | WR3 & Longshots | Dynasty Value |
| Solid | Giants | Odell Beckham | Victor Cruz (INJ) | Rueben Randle | Odell Beckham Jr. |
| Questionable | Eagles | Jordan Matthews | Nelson Agholor | Riley Cooper | Josh Huff, Nelson Agholor, Jordan Matthews |
| Solid | Cowboys | Terrance Williams | Cole Beasley | Devin Street | Dez Bryant (INJ) |
| Solid | Redskins | Desean Jackson (INJ) | Pierre Garcon | Jamison Crowder | Ryan Grant |
Exactly zero wide receivers besides Jordan Matthews had a reception Sunday against the Jets, and while that can't possibly continue I don't think there's a soul in this receiving corps worth rostering besides Matthews.
I don't think there is enough consistency to start any Washington wide receiver besides Pierre Garcon, but they do like Ryan Grant quite a bit and he's the one I would want for a dynasty league. DeSean Jackson should return either this week or next week, and will be a WR3 at best when healthy.
Terrance Williams put up a doughnut in week three and showed owners why there's legit reason for concern with Brandon Weeden under center. Look for Weeden to play the check-down game with Cole Beasley and RB Lance Dunbar in line for increased touches.
NFC WEST: Fantasy Football Wide Receivers (WR) Depth Charts
| Baller Stability Rating | Team Name |
Primary Wide Receiver (WR1) | Second Wide Receiver (WR2) | WR3 & Longshots | Dynasty Value |
| Questionable | 49ers | Anquan Boldin | Torrey Smith | Quinton Patton | N/A |
| Solid | Seahawks | Doug Baldwin | Jermaine Kearse | Tyler Lockett/Chris Matthews | Tyler Lockett |
| Solid | Cardinals | Larry Fitzgerald | John Brown | Michael Floyd | John Brown |
| Volatile | Rams | Kenny Britt | Tavon Austin | Brian Quick/Stedman Bailey | N/A |
Colin Kaepernick threw for a grand total of 67 yards in a Week 3 bloodbath against the Cardinals. The 49ers' Week 1 victory is a distant memory, and with this team playing so poorly in every aspect of the game I don't feel safe starting anyone. Boldin is likely still the most consistent receiver, but you have to have no other options to do anything but flex him and hope for a score.
The conversation about who the top receiver is in Arizona is over. Larry Fitzgerald has returned to top form, and has an absurd five touchdowns in his last two games. John Brown is getting 4-5 catches per game in the slot, but with Carson Palmer under center Fitz is the clear number one on both the depth chart and most fantasy teams.
Kenny Britt had a big game against the Steelers in Week 3, but it was the first time he had more than two catches in a single game in the young season. I expect Brian Quick to ascend to the top of the depth chart once he is activated, but until then I'm not starting any St. Louis wide receivers.
NFC NORTH: Fantasy Football Wide Receivers (WR) Depth Charts
| Baller Stability Rating | Team Name |
Primary Wide Receiver (WR1) | Second Wide Receiver (WR2) | WR3 & Longshots | Dynasty Value |
| Solid | Packers | Randall Cobb | James Jones | Ty Montgomery | Davante Adams, Ty Montgomery |
| Solid | Lions | Calvin Johnson | Golden Tate | Lance Moore | N/A |
| Solid | Bears | Alshon Jeffery | Eddie Royal | Marquess Wilson | Kevin White |
| Solid | Vikings | Mike Wallace | Charles Johnson | Cordarrelle Patterson | N/A |
With Davante Adams re-aggravating his high-ankle sprain in Monday night's win over the Chiefs, James Jones will become the de facto number two behind Randall Cobb (if he wasn't already). With Adams out and Aaron Rodgers firing on all cylinders, Jones is an instant low-end WR2, and rookie Ty Montgomery gains flex appeal in deeper leagues.
As long as Matthew Stafford is banged up and the Lions offense is struggling to move the ball, it's hard to trust any wide receiver outside of Calvin Johnson, and even he isn't producing up to his typical standards. Golden Tate is a desperation flex at the moment, and Megatron is a high-end WR2 at best.
I'm not quite sure what to write about the Bears. This team is in fire sale mode already and they were shut out by the Seahawks in Week 3. Alshon Jeffery has been injured and is still likely questionable for Week 4, and no one else is going to produce with Jimmy Clausen filling in for the injured Jay Cutler. It's a hard pass for me on all Chicago Bears right now.
With Adrian Peterson back and running angry, I don't expect any Vikings wide receiver to be regularly startable. Mike Wallace is still the deep threat and is getting most of the targets, while preseason darling Charles Johnson hasn't produced at all. I'm avoiding all Minnesota receivers for the time being.
NFC SOUTH: Fantasy Football Wide Receivers (WR)
| Baller Stability Rating | Team Name |
Primary Wide Receiver (WR1) | Second Wide Receiver (WR2) | WR3 & Longshots | Dynasty Value |
| Questionable | Saints | Brandin Cooks | Marques Colston | Willie Snead | Brandin Cooks, Brandon Coleman |
| Questionable | Falcons | Julio Jones | Leonard Hankerson | Roddy White | N/A |
| Volatile | Panthers | Corey Brown | Ted Ginn Jr. | Jerricho Cotchery | Devin Funchess, Kelvin Benjamin |
| Solid | Buccaneers | Mike Evans | Vincent Jackson | Louis Murphy | Mike Evans |
This might be the most volatile division in football as far as wide receivers go. The Saints, for example, are in total flux with Drew Brees injured, and while Brandin Cooks is likely the top target in New Orleans he hasn't been the WR1 that many drafted him as. Willie Snead seems to have supplanted Brandon Coleman as the third option, but that may shift at a moment's notice. Right now I don't want to own any Saint but Cooks, and even he is a WR2 in PPR leagues, WR3 in standard.
After two straight weeks without a catch, I don't think there's any doubt that Roddy White has fallen behind Leonard Hankerson on the Falcons' depth chart. Julio Jones is now fantasy's WR1 with Michael Vick throwing to Antonio Brown, and could be the year's top fantasy producer not named Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady. Julio is on pace for 2,347 receiving yards. Yes, that would be an NFL record.
The Panthers receiving corps is a guessing game every week. Cam Newton rekindled his love affair with Greg Olsen in Week 3, peppering him with targets at every spot on the field. It's tough to justify owning any Carolina receivers except for deper formats.
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