It’s not baseball season yet, so why not plan next season’s fantasy football team? Here are some more way-too-early receiver rankings to help you plan your path to success.
Way Too Early Fantasy Wide Receiver Rankings – Part 4
37. Jaxon Smith-Njigba
The Seahawks receiver had an injury-hit first season. But he demonstrated his talent when he did get on the field. The problem is he only played 23 games in his three years at Ohio State too. If he can play a full season, he could put up big points, but it seems unlikely he can.
Smith-Njigba did play in all 17 games and scored 149.8 fantasy points in 2023, but he only started three of those games. And he only caught more than four passes on four occasions. He averaged 9.97 yards per catch though, so if he can start more games next season he will score more.
38. Drake London
There’s a new coaching team in Atlanta and that’s good news for everyone on the offense. They have a new QB in Kirk Cousins too. If London can be the Falcons’ Justin Jefferson, he will have a big fantasy season. That’s a pretty steep ask for the 6-foot-4-inch receiver. London doesn’t have Jefferson’s speed, but he is a very powerful runner when he has the ball. So, he could rack up plenty of yards after the catch.
But Raheem Morris seems like the sort of head coach who will want to establish the run and might not throw a lot. London averaged 13.1 yards per reception in 2023, but only caught two touchdown passes as the Falcons only scored 17 passing touchdowns. He scored 174.38 fantasy points last season. Let’s hope Raheem follows God’s plan. Or London might develop some trust issues.
39. Tyler Boyd
He’s a free agent, but he’s a very big wide receiver who averaged 11.7 yards per reception throughout his career. So, he could score big points if he finds himself in a favorable situation. He hasn’t caught more than five scoring passes since 2018 though. So, he’s not guaranteed to improve on his 144.8 fantasy points from 2023.
40. Christian Kirk
Jacksonville just signed Gabe Davis. If that’s to replace Calvin Ridley that has to be good news for Kirk. He scored 241.9 fantasy points in 2022 when Ridley was suspended. But Ridley could return to Jacksonville and that would muddy the water somewhat. Kirk only managed 150.26 last season when he had to compete for targets.
The end of the Jaguars’ 2023 season was concerning though, they only won one of their final six games. A Trevor Lawrence injury and some inconsistent offensive line play wrecked their playoff chances. It’s impossible to know if they will turn it around in 2024.
41. DeAndre Hopkins
The Titans have Tony Pollard and some new coaches, so who knows what the plan is? But Hopkins proved last season that he’s got plenty left in the tank. 2023 was his seventh 1,000+ receiving yards. He caught 75 passes, his most since 2020. And he averaged 13.8 yards per touch. That was his best average since 2017 when he was playing in Houston.
Veteran receiver Hopkins scored a whopping 223.6 fantasy points last year. He might do that again this year, but with the upheaval in Tennessee, it seems a tough ask.
42. Marquise Brown
Brown is currently a free agent. The former Cardinals and Ravens receiver scored 134.7 fantasy points in 2023. But he only played in 14 games.
He only caught 50.5% of his targets last season. But the Cardinals had to deal with three different starting quarterbacks. He should have a better season in 2024 if he signs with a team with better luck.
43. Jahan Dotson
Dotson is a very exciting receiver, but the Commanders don’t seem to be able to convert excitement into efficiency. Kliff Kingsbury will be calling the plays though. And there should be a new quarterback throwing the passes. Austin Ekeler’s arrival seems to throw up a few questions though. The first one was “Why did they sign Austin Ekeler?”.
Dotson scored 124.8 fantasy points in 2023 and if the Commanders’ new players and coaches can gel cohesively, he could be even better in 2024.
44. Lil’Jordan Humphrey
Is Sean Payton trying to turn the Broncos into his Saints team? Maybe. The one thing we can say for certain is Humphrey became a regular fixture in the Broncos offense at the end of 2023. 12 of his 19 targets came in the last nine games of 2023.
He only scored 47.2 fantasy points last season, but he only started eight games. With Jerry Jeudy now in Cleveland it seems likely Humphrey will play more in 2024. And the more time he’s on the field the more opportunities he will have.
45. Tutu Atwell
Atwell is buried under Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp on the Rams’ depth chart. But he’s still a nightmare to defend. The former Louisville receiver averaged 11.7 yards per touch in 2023. And on with the moves they have made in free agency Sean McVay’s offense promises to be even more explosive in 2024.
Atwell only scored 112.4 fantasy points last season, but the 39 passes he caught were 21 more than 2022. If his involvement increases in a similar fashion in 2024, he’ll have plenty of opportunities to score more.
46. Diontae Johnson
Diontae Johnson was traded to Carolina to link up with Bryce Young. That might not be great news for Bryce Young who had some success throwing to a sure-handed receiver in Adam Thielen. Thielen caught 75.2% of his targets. Johnson is one of the fastest receivers in the league, but he only caught 58.6% of his targets last season. And that seems like a problem.
Johnson scored 152.7 fantasy points in 2023 and that was with three different quarterbacks throwing him passes. If he can stay healthy, he will be a fine foil to George Pickens.
47. Odell Beckham Jr.
Beckham Jr. Only caught 35 passes in 2023, but boy did he look good doing it! Beckham Jr. averaged 16.1 yards per touch!
He only scored 107.5 fantasy points in 2023. He should improve on that in 2023 wherever he is playing.
48. Courtland Sutton
Sutton was Russell Wilson’s red zone superstar in 2023. He made any catch look simple in the endzone. But he had more problems with catches outside the red zone.
6 feet 4-inch receiver Sutton only scored 190.2 fantasy points in 2023. But with a quarterback Sean Payton likes he should score a lot more.
Main Photo: Joe Rondone/The Republic-USA TODAY NETWORK
