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As the Football season starts to close in, we’re starting to roll out fantasy football content for Dynasty and Redraft leagues. Fantasy Football expert Bill Dubiel takes a look at the tier 1 wide receivers. We’ve already looked at Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tiers 3 & 4 for 2015 Dynasty Running Backs and Dynasty Quarterbacks as well.
Here we’ll take a look at the top dynasty wide receivers. In PPR formats these can be some of the most valuable players, and they typically have a pretty long career span (compared to running backs, anyway). These are the rankings for keeper/dynasty formats, and while age isn’t necessarily the only factor, it plays a huge role in these rankings versus redraft leagues. Tiers 2-4 will be out in the coming days.
More rankings: Quarterbacks, Running Backs (Tier 1), Running Backs (Tiers 3, 4), Wide Receivers (Tier 2), Wide Receivers (Tiers 3, 4), Wide Receivers (Tiers 5, 6), Tight Ends (Tiers 1, 2), Tight Ends (Tiers 3, 4), Top 200 (Standard), Top 200 (PPR), Rookie Rankings
Tier 1 - Dynasty/Keeper Wider Receiver Rankings
1. Antonio Brown, 26, PIT
Antonio Brown emerged as the number one fantasy receiver last season, and I’m a huge believer in him thanks to his consistency. Ben Roethlisberger will still be around for a few more years, and the chemistry between the two is dynamite, particularly in the red zone. Big Ben peppers him with targets, and I think that the addition of Martavis Bryant will only benefit Brown—defenses need to mind Bryant over the top, allowing Brown to run wild underneath. Brown is a young veteran, and I think last year’s performance was the first of many outstanding fantasy campaigns to come.
2. Julio Jones, 26, ATL
Julio Jones is similar to Brown in that he’s been a huge fantasy asset while still entrenched in his prime. As Roddy White declines, Jones will get more and more looks, especially with new offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, who likes to utilize his number one wideout. His huge 6’3” frame makes him a matchup nightmare for any corner, either in the red zone or going deep. I expect him to continue to dominate, especially as the Atlanta fun game (hopefully) improves over the next couple seasons.
3. Dez Bryant, 26, DAL
Thanks to a healthy amount of touchdowns every season, Dez Bryant is a virtual lock for WR1 production every year. Tony Romo loves looking his way in the red zone, and Dez is always capable of a huge game yardage-wise on any given Sunday. Over the last three seasons, he’s averaged 13.67 touchdowns per year along with 1,311 receiving yards. Personality flaws aside, come hell or high water Dez Bryant is a fantasy stud.
4. Odell Beckham, Jr., 22, NYG
Odell Beckham Jr. might be the most entertaining receiver in the NFL. The freakish catches are only part of the tale, though—he has 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns in only 12 games last year. He’s far and away Eli Manning’s best option in the red zone, so a 15-touchdown season is not out of the question. Victor Cruz will be back, and although we don’t know how effective he’ll be, he’s still another weapon that defenses needs to pay attention to. Beckham Jr. might be the number one fantasy receiver in only his second year in the league—I expect at least 5-7 years of WR1 production going forward.
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5. Demaryius Thomas, 27, DEN
Demaryius Thomas’ yardage numbers have been staggering over the last three years—he’s averaging 1,494 yards per season with Peyton Manning under center. He also tallied at least 10 touchdowns in each of those seasons, making him one of the most valuable players in fantasy in recent memory. This may be Manning’s last season, but Thomas’ talent should transcend to whoever comes next in Denver. Don’t overthink it—this guy is a bona fide WR1 in 2015 and beyond.
6. Mike Evans, 21, TB
Mike Evans managed to put up an incredible season in 2015 despite playing on one of the worst teams in football. He peaked in Week 11, terrorizing the Redskins defense for 209 receiving yards and two touchdowns. That’s the level of talent this physical freak (6’5”, 230 lbs) possesses. The Tampa Bay quarterback play should be improved with Jameis Winston under center, and it’s quite possible Evans ends up leading the league in touchdowns—he saw 19 end zone targets last year and I don’t see them abandoning that successful game plan. Evans has displaced Vincent Jackson as Tampa Bay’s WR1, and he should have the same status on your fantasy team for the foreseeable future.
7. A.J. Green, 26, CIN
The perennial Pro-Bowler A.J. Green has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in each of his four professional seasons with Andy Dalton as his quarterback—no easy task. That’s simply how good he is. He’s averaged 14.8 yards per catch over his career along with 81.2 yards per game, and he should continue to provide similar numbers in years to come. Dalton can’t possibly be as bad as he was last year, and with Marvin Jones back opposite Green he should have even more opportunities to break loose. He might not ever be a top three fantasy wideout, but he’s likely to be top ten every single year.
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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.
