Wide Receivers - Best-Ball Tiered Rankings and Analysis Part 2

Each transformation of the fantasy landscape has compelled managers to expand their involvement in best-ball drafts, and this process has accelerated as we progress through the offseason.

The unwavering popularity of this format remains intact for multiple reasons. That includes the opportunity to complete all forms of roster management at the conclusion of each draft. However, that also makes it critical for you to assemble a team that can remain productive throughout the season without having the option of using a waiver wire.

That is why the team at RotoBaller delivers a non-stop arsenal of news, analysis, and tiered rankings to help you capture your best-ball leagues. We also provide breakdowns of our rankings after each update - including our two-part series that will examine the wide receiver position. This article will focus on Tiers 4-9, and you can find the breakdown of Tiers 1-3 here.

WR Best-Ball Rankings

Tier 4

D.J. Moore, Diontae Johnson, CeeDee Lamb, Adam Thielen,  Cooper Kupp, Tyler Lockett, Odell Beckham Jr. 

Tough catch in traffic?
Not a problem for D.J. Moore.@Panthers | @idjmoore pic.twitter.com/vOiNyB5se2

— NFL (@NFL) March 24, 2021

Moore just turned 24-years old in April. But the former first-round draft selection (2018) has already garnered 335 targets (7.3 per game) and accumulated 3,156 yards (68.6 per game). That includes his usage and production since 2019 (253 targets/8.4 per game), 2,368 yards/78.9 per game). Moore’s target and reception totals last season (118/66) did not match his results from 2019 (135/87). However, he did establish a new high in receiving yardage (1,193), while his career-best 18.1 yards per reception average placed him third overall. Newcomer Terrace Marshall Jr. will siphon a percentage of targets. But Moore will operate with Christian McCaffrey and Robby Anderson as the primary receiving options within Carolina’s restructured attack.

Johnson functioned as Pittsburgh’s WR1 last season, while leading the Steelers in targets (144/9.6 per game), and receiving yards (923/61.5 per game). He paced all wide receivers in targets from Weeks 7-16 (114/11.4 per game), while vaulting to WR4 in PPR scoring during that sequence. His extensive usage during the season elevated him to sixth overall, as he collected a league-best 10+ targets in 10 different matchups.

Johnson attained a team-high 22.9 target share, while JuJu Smith-Schuster (19.7), and Chase Claypool (16.7) eclipsed 16+. Ben Roethlisberger will consistently locate all three of his receiving weapons. But Johnson will remain Pittsburgh’s primary option.

Lamb quickly rose to WR10 in scoring as a rookie before Dak Prescott’s absence became a debilitating factor. He remained among the top seven in targets (51/8.5 per game) receptions (36/6 per game) and receiving yards (497/82.8 per game) entering Week 7, and was tied for the league lead with 10 receptions of 20+ yards. Lamb was also averaging 14.8 yards per reception entering Week 6. But that decreased to 7.3 during five of his next six matchups, while his per-game averages dropped from Weeks 7-17 (6.0 targets/3.8 receptions/43.8 yards). However, Lamb's talent and Prescott’s reemergence should propel Lamb to high-end WR2 status during his second season.

After missing six contests during 2019 (hamstring), Thielen was able to evade health issues last season. His only absence resulted from a false positive during COVID-19 testing, and he capitalized by generating a career-high 14 touchdowns.

HE GONE.

Adam Thielen with the long touchdown to put the Vikings up 14! #LARvsMIN pic.twitter.com/XU8oqwMZiv

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 19, 2017

That placed him third overall while he also finished third in red zone targets (20). However, his final numbers in other categories (108 targets/74 receptions/925 yards) failed to approach his usage and output from 2017-2018, when he averaged 147.5 targets, 102 receptions, and 1,325 yards. Jefferson has confiscated Minnesota’s WR1 responsibilities following his exceptional rookie season, while Thielen will function as the Vikings’ WR2.

Kupp paced the Rams in receptions (92/6.1 per game), and receiving yards (974/64.9 per game), while his 124 targets (8.3 per game) placed him just five behind teammate Robert Woods. But he failed to match his 2019 yardage total (974/1,161) as his yards per game average dropped from 72.6 to 64.9. Kupp’s touchdown total also plummeted after he had finished second overall during the previous season (10/3), while his red zone targets also decreased (21/13). However, the upgrade from Jared Goff to Matthew Stafford provides a reason for optimism that Kupp can justify his current ADP (57/WR21).

Lockett was 10th overall in targets after Week 9, (70/8.8 per game) while Russell Wilson was ninth in passing attempts (297/37.1 per game), and seventh in completions (211/26.4 per game). Lockett was also eighth in receptions (53/6.6 per game), and fourth in touchdowns (7) entering Week 10. But a reduction in Wilson’s attempts (225/32.1 per game) and completions (153/21.9 per game) from Weeks 10-16 relegated Lockett to just one additional touchdown, along with averages of 6.9 targets, and 5.0 receptions per game.

Lockett signed a four-year contract extension on March 31 and remains Seattle's WR2. But his numbers are dependent on the frequency with which the Seahawks rely on Wilson and his receiving weaponry.

Beckham had entered 2020 averaging 10.1 targets, 6.2 receptions, and 86.8 yards per game during his first six seasons. But his averages were less inspiring during 2020 (6.1 targets/3.3 receptions/45.6 yards per game) before a torn ACL in Week 7 prematurely ended his season. He has also manufactured 16 touchdowns during his last four years combined, after scoring 35 times from 2014-2016. Beckham will turn 29 in November, and managers should not expect a revival of the statistical excellence that he delivered during his most prolific years.

Tier 5

Will Fuller, Brandon Aiyuk, Courtland Sutton, Tee Higgins, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyler Boyd, Chase Claypool, D.J. Chark, Deebo Samuel 

Fuller had already established new career highs in receptions (53) receiving yardage (879), touchdowns (8), and 100-yard performances (5) before his season-ending suspension in November.

He would have assembled 109 targets, 77 receptions, and 1,278 yards if his pace had continued throughout Week 17 (6.8 targets/4.8 receptions/79.9 yards per game). But he will now resurface in Week 2 as a vertical weapon for Miami. Fuller will intersperse highly productive outings with disappointing performances, due to the Dolphins' Round 1 selection of Jaylen Waddle and the presence of DeVante Parker. But this is less problematic in the best-ball format.

AIR AIYUK!

Brandon Aiyuk hurdles into the end zone! @THE2ERA

?: #PHIvsSF on NBC
?: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/8qeyjAHMyI pic.twitter.com/IrBtZu83mU

— NFL (@NFL) October 5, 2020

Aiyuk overcame a hamstring injury (Weeks 1-2) to average 9.1 targets, 5.7 receptions, and 71.2 yards per game from Weeks 3-15, while his expanded usage from Weeks 8-15 vaulted him to a league-high 12.4 targets per game. San Francisco’s hefty investment in Trey Lance has signaled an eventual transition from Jimmy Garoppolo. But Aiyuk has already proven to be a productive resource regardless of who is spearheading the 49ers attack. Kyle Shanahan’s schematic approach will also maximize Aiyuk’s opportunities to achieve separation. That provides the incentive to select him during Round 6 of your drafts.

Sutton has recovered from the torn ACL that limited him to just one matchup during 2020. He had previously finished at WR19 in scoring during 2019 while averaging a league-high 43.4 percentage share of air yards. He will resurface in a revamped Denver offense that includes second-year receivers Jerry Jeudy and K.J. Hamler, Sutton and Jeudy should operate as the Broncos’ top two receiving weapons, and Sutton remains capable of functioning as a WR3 for managers. His outlook will also improve if the Broncos address their current inadequacies at quarterback, by upgrading the position before Week 1.

Nine rookie receivers were selected before Higgins during the majority of 2020 best-ball drafts. However, he exceeded expectations by finishing third in scoring among all newcomers and WR21 overall from Week 2-16. Higgins also averaged 7.1 targets, 4.3 receptions, and 62.9 yards per game with Joe Burrow under center (Weeks 1-11), and was a candidate to deliver a breakout season during 2021. However, Ja'Marr Chase will soon become Burrow’s most productive weapon, while curtailing Higgins’ prospects of achieving high-end WR2 status.

Smith-Schuster finished 15th in targets (128/8 per game), fourth in red zone targets (19), and eighth in touchdowns (9) during 2020. But he was just 36th in receiving yardage (831/51.9 per game), while his air yard total (703) remained significantly lower than teammates Claypool (1,438), and Johnson (1,144). Smith-Schuster’s 8.6 yards-per-reception average was also 5.3 yards below the average that he attained from 2017-2019 (13.9), and his yards-per target average also dropped for a fourth consecutive season (11.6/8.6/7.9/6.5). The combined presence of Johnson and Claypool should delay your selection of Smith-Schuster until Round 7.

Boyd was WR14 in scoring entering Week 12 (16.2 per game). He was also on pace to accumulate career highs in receptions (110), and receiving yards (1,136), if he had maintained the per-game averages that he attained from Weeks 1-11 (8.7 targets/6.9 receptions/71.0 yards). But those encouraging results were not sustained after Burrow’s knee injury, as Boyd's scoring plummeted to just 6.0 points per game. His per-game averages also dropped to 4.6 targets, 2.0 receptions, and an anemic 26.2 yards. Boyd will now share targets with Chase and Higgins, which will prevent him from matching his season-long output during 2018-2019 (83 receptions/1,037 yards).

YOU CANNOT STOP CHASE CLAYPOOL. FOUR TOUCHDOWNS.

?: #PHIvsPIT on FOX
?: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/BGCKhfX8uY pic.twitter.com/RhFzFu2IMA

— NFL (@NFL) October 11, 2020

Claypool finished ninth among all receivers in air yards (1,438), and eighth in touchdowns (9) which was also the highest total among all members of his 2020 rookie class. He also tied for second among first-year receivers in red zone targets (13) and fourth in both targets (109/6.8 per game), and receptions (62/3.9 per game). Claypool will be sharing opportunities with Johnson and Smith-Schuster, just as he did during 2020. But he should surpass last season’s percentages in target share (16.7%) and snap share (63%).

Chark averaged 7.9 targets, 4.9 receptions, and 67.2 yards per game during 2019, while also finishing seventh overall in touchdowns (8). Optimism that a statistical surge was imminent during his third season propelled his ADP to Round 5 during the 2020 draft process. But his averages declined (7.2 targets/4.1 receptions/54.3 receiving yards). while his touchdown total (5) and catch rate (61.9/57.0) also decreased. Any enthusiasm for Chark due to the arrival of Trevor Lawrence should be offset by the realization that Travis Etienne, Marvin Jones Jr., and Laviska Shenault Jr. will also commandeer targets.

Samuel’s 2020 season was derailed by multiple health issues (hamstring/foot) which limited him to just seven games, 44 targets, and 391 yards. But managers have opted to select him in Round 8 of current drafts due to optimism that he can replicate the results that he attained in 2019. Samuel led San Francisco in receiving yards during the final eight games of his rookie season (575/71.9 per game) while pacing 49er wide receivers in targets (49/6.1 per game), and receptions (35/4.4 per game). However, Samuel’s previous pathway toward operating as San Francisco’s WR1 has now been obstructed by the emergence of Aiyuk.

Tier 6

Robby Anderson, Jerry Jeudy, Ja'Marr Chase, Brandin Cooks,  Jarvis Landry, DeVante Parker, Curtis Samuel

Anderson thrived during his first year with Carolina, as offensive coordinator Joe Brady concocted a strategic approach that capitalized on his versatility. This propelled him to career-best totals in targets (136/8.5 per game), receptions (95/5.9 per game), and receiving yards (1,096/68.5 per game). The arrival of Sam Darnold also allows Anderson to rekindle his relationship with a familiar face under center, as Anderson averaged 6.3 targets, 3.4 receptions, and 52 yards per game with Darnold during 2018-2019.

The results of Jeudy's rookie season contained encouraging usage as a vertical weapon, as Jeudy finished sixth in air yards (1,541), and 14th in yards before catch per reception (11.0). But those numbers were blended with inefficiency, as he was second overall in drops (10), while his catch rate languished at 46%. However, Jeudy’s limitless talent should not be dismissed, and he should reduce the mistakes that impacted his 2020 production. His prospects during his second season will rise even further if Denver obtains a quarterback that performs with greater proficiency than Teddy Bridgewater and Drew Lock.

Here are all 20 touchdowns from Ja'Marr Chase's epic 2019 season. pic.twitter.com/5HkQl9TPI3

— James Simpson (@JS_Football) March 31, 2021

The anticipation surrounding Chase’s entrance into the NFL never wavered, after he captured the Biletnikoff Award (2019), and led all wide receivers in both receiving yards (1,780/127.1 per game) and receiving touchdown (20). After months of speculation regarding his landing spot, Cincinnati’s decision to select Chase fifth overall will reunite him with collegiate teammate Burrow. His acceleration, explosiveness, and dependable hands should fuel a statistical impact during his first season.

Talent has been systematically extracted from Houston’s offense which presents managers with rationale for avoiding Cooks during the draft process. But his uncontested path toward operating as Houston’s WR1 might persuade you to reconsider excluding him from your rosters. He finished 10th in receiving yardage during 2020 (1,150/76.7 per game), has exceeded 1,000 yards in five of his last six seasons, and has accomplished it while performing with four different franchises.

Landry is not a candidate to explode for astronomical yardage totals in the Cleveland offense. But he did collect 6+ targets in 10 of his 15 matchups while averaging 9.5 per game from Weeks 12-15. Landry has also collected 100+ targets in seven consecutive seasons since he entered the NFL while averaging 136.9 per year and 8.6 per game during that span. At age 28, Landry remains a viable option at his Round 10 ADP.

Parker finished fourth among all receivers in receiving yards (1,202/75.1 per game), in 2019 while placing 13th in targets (128/8 per game), and 20th in receptions (72/4.5 per game). But the positive momentum from his breakout season dissipated during 2020, as his averages dropped to 7.4 targets, 4.5 receptions, and 56.6 yards per game. Miami's additions of Waddle and Fuller will also create sizable competition for targets.

Highest passer rating when targeted 20+ yards downfield in 2020

? Curtis Samuel - 157.9 pic.twitter.com/WU5kuHEieX

— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) April 20, 2021

Samuel’s exceptional talent was fully unveiled during his fourth season, as he constructed new career highs in receptions (77/5.1 per game), receiving yards (851/56.7 per game), rushing attempts (41/2.7 per game), and rushing yards (200/13.3 per game). He is currently contending with a groin issue but could flourish as Washington's WR2. However, that is dependent upon the creativity of offensive coordinator Scott Turner.

Tier 7

Michael Gallup, Corey Davis, Michael Pittman Jr. Laviska Shenault Jr. Marquise Brown, DeVonta Smith, Marvin Jones Jr. Mike Williams, Antonio Brown, T.Y. Hilton, Jalen Reagor

Gallup paced the Cowboys with 69 targets (7.7 per game), and 40 receptions (4.4 per game) from Weeks 8-17. But he only averaged 5.6 targets and 3.4 receptions per game with Prescott under center.

Davis averaged 6.6 targets and 4.6 receptions yards per game during his final season with Tennessee, while also establishing new career highs in yardage (984/70.3 per game) and touchdowns (5). He now resurfaces as the theoretical WR1 in New York, although newcomer Elijah Moore could surpass him as the Jets’ most effective receiver.

Pittman accumulated 15 targets (7.5 per game), 11 receptions (5.5 per game), and 157 receiving yards 78.5 per game) during the most productive sequence of his rookie season (Weeks 9-10). He could emerge as the Colts’ primary receiving weapon. But Hilton will also contend for that role, after finishing with a team-high 18.8% target share.

Jones established new career highs in targets (115/7.2 per game), and receptions (76/4.8 per game), while generating nine touchdowns for the third time in four seasons. His versatile teammate Shenault also led the Jaguar receivers in receptions (58/4.1 per game), and yards after catch (298). Both players will now compete for targets with Chark and Etienne in Jacksonville’s restructured attack.

Marquise Brown collected 100 targets (6.3 per game) within a Raven offense that ranked 32nd in attempts per game (25.4). This placed constraints on his production (3.6 receptions/48.1 yards per game). The addition of Rashod Bateman is also an unfavorable development, unless offensive coordinator Greg Roman elects to expand his usage of Baltimore’s receiving weaponry.

Smith collected nearly 4,000 yards (3,965), 46 touchdowns, and one Heisman Trophy during his tenure with Alabama. Now his versatility and reliability should quickly propel him atop Philadelphia’s depth chart. His teammate Reagor should function as the Eagles’ WR2 while attempting to rebound from a forgettable rookie year.

Williams can deliver productive outings during the season, but his numbers will be largely inconsistent. Antonio Brown averaged 14.6 points per game with Tampa Bay. But that average remained third behind Godwin (15.9), and Evans (15.5).

Tiers 8-9

Darnell Mooney, Elijah Moore, Cole Beasley, Jamison Crowder, Sterling Shepard, Nelson Agholor, Rashod Bateman, Christian Kirk, Jaylen Waddle, John Brown, Henry Ruggs III, Parris Campbell, Denzel Mims, Emmanuel Sanders, Gabriel Davis, Rondale Moore, A.J. Green, Darius Slayton

Mooney should function as Chicago’s WR2 after finishing second on the Bears in targets (98/6.1 per game), receptions (61/3.8 per game), and receiving yards (631/39.4 per game). He also joins promising rookie Moore in spearheading the collection of 18 receivers that are also located from WR53 to WR70 in our rankings. A number of factors could develop during the offseason that would elevate them to a higher tier or cause them to drop from relevancy.

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