Wide receiver one options in fantasy football can be difficult at times to figure out once the big names get taken off the board like Amon-Ra St. Brown or A.J. Brown. Knowing the underrated wide receiver ones is essential to having a good season, and three of them will be revealed here.
Underrated Wide Receiver One Options for Fantasy Football
Michael Pittman, Indianapolis Colts
Michael Pittman is going for his third 1,000-yard season in four years in 2024, and it should be easier for him to achieve than ever before. He has a healthy Anthony Richardson who can put the ball on a rope anywhere he wants, and Pittman already has a great relationship with him. Pittman recorded 1,152 yards last year with Gardner Minshew as his quarterback, meaning 1,300+ is a possibility for him in 2024.
Anthony Richardson 🚀 Michael Pittman Jr
(🎥 @Colts)
pic.twitter.com/aRMkvl0pSi— PFF (@PFF) August 7, 2024
Pittman’s current ADP is 32, and he provides great value as a late third round or early fourth round pick. He’s the clear wide receiver one in the Colts offense, and should see a high volume of targets even with Adonai Mitchell in the offense now. The Colts know Mitchell will make Pittman better without taking opportunities away from him. Expect Pittman to have a breakout year.
Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints
Chris Olave is perceived in the fantasy world to be a WR2, but he’s far from it. His issues last year were a result of poor quarterback play. He caught just 63% of his targets in 2023, a horrendous number for any wide receiver. This is a guy who is going into just his third year in the league and has had 1,000+ yard seasons with 70+ receptions both years.
He’s the real deal in New Orleans, and those around the league know it. Olave saw 25% of the targets from Derek Carr last year and recorded just under 13 yards per reception. Carr and Olave have great chemistry, now it’s just a matter of execution.
Chris Olave is too smooth. pic.twitter.com/Zj2vLP0UP2
— Chase Brown (@chaseabrown__) August 4, 2024
It’s easy to say last year was Carr’s first in a new system. However, he’s an experienced player in the NFL and needs to bounce back this year. This sets up Olave to be an underrated wide receiver one in fantasy this year with an ADP of 23.
George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers
This time last year was a completely different story for George Pickens. With Diontae Johnson now in Carolina, there’s no question who the main target is in Pittsburgh. Pickens finished last year with over 1,100 yards despite catching passes from Kenny Pickett and Mitch Trubisky.
Arthur Smith’s offense is very run heavy, but the Steelers know what they have in Pickens. They won’t let that talent and athleticism go to waste, especially not with the upgrade at quarterback. Whether it’s Russell Wilson or Justin Fields, they’ll find a way to make sure Pickens has a career year. Pickens led the NFL last season with 18.1 yards per reception. If that doesn’t let you know he’s a dangerous player, nothing will.
GEORGE PICKENS IS A FREAK OF NATURE!!
🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯
🎥: @PickensBurgh #NFL #Steelers
pic.twitter.com/soNYCMpIMU— The Standard (@TheStandard412) August 7, 2024
Pickens has an ADP of 53 right now which seems a little low. The fifth or sixth round may also be too late to grab your first wide receiver unless you’re choosing the rare no-wide-receiver strategy. He’s a player you can get wide receiver one production from at a wide receiver two price but if necessary, he could be the primary pass catcher on your team.
Main Image Courtesy of Trevor Ruszkowski – USA Today Sports
