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Danny Boily ranks the top-32 wide receiver duos for the 2024 fantasy football season. Which of these duos should you target during fantasy drafts for your team?
The wide receiver landscape has become a land of opportunity in the NFL. Gone are the days of a star receiver carrying a sorry receiving corps. Now, teams need a dynamic duo to truly dominate the passing game. Think Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins lighting up defenses for the Bengals or the potential explosion of a healthy Cooper Kupp alongside second-year receiver Puka Nacua in Los Angeles.
Deciphering which duos will reign supreme is a fantasy labyrinth. Does a proven star paired with a rookie flyer outweigh a rising young stud alongside a veteran possession receiver? What about target share and offensive schemes? As we journey through these rankings, expect to see some familiar faces at the top -- dynamic duos who have already proven their worth. But don't be surprised if a few under-the-radar pairs sneak into the upper (or lower) echelons.
Prepare to disagree vehemently (that's half the fun!) and ultimately dominate your fantasy league with the knowledge you're about to receive.
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Bottom-Tier Duos
32.) Demario Douglas and Ja’Lynn Polk, New England Patriots
If rookie quarterback Drake Maye knows what’s good for him, he should hope to learn from the bench this season. While Douglas and Polk are both talented young receivers, they need time to develop to start becoming serious NFL threats. This duo is at least a season away.
31.) Diontae Johnson and Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers
Offseason acquisition Johnson and this season's first-round draft pick in Legette are upgrades to Carolina's receiving corps. Johnson is a proven veteran and Legette provides explosiveness (a 4.39 40 time) that is sorely needed. Despite the improvement, the Panthers are far from competing in the passing game.
30.) Josh Palmer and Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers
Palmer led the team with 15.3 yards per reception, but only managed two touchdowns and 581 receiving yards. Meanwhile, Johnston's rookie season saw a disappointing 431 receiving yards and 38 receptions. Justin Herbert is going to earn his pay in 2024.
29.) Marquise Brown and Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs
This ranking would be much higher if Rashee Rice were guaranteed to be here, but the Chiefs are planning for a lengthy suspension. Brown’s 2023 catch rate of just 53.7% and Worthy's rookie status suggest a ceiling that screams mediocrity. Patrick Mahomes starts the season again with a below-average receiver group.
28.) George Pickens and Roman Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pickens, who showed flashes of brilliance last year, remains plagued by inconsistent target share and a catch rate of just 60%. Though speedy, Wilson is still a rookie third-round draft pick.
27.) Courtland Sutton and Marvin Mims Jr., Denver Broncos
Sutton, who has struggled to recapture his 2019 form, managed just 772 receiving yards but added 10 touchdowns last season. Mims, who had an up-and-down rookie season, faces an uphill battle in an offense with rookie quarterback Bo Nix.
Marvin Mims gets his first NFL touchdown.
— Matt Blackwell (@Cap_405) September 17, 2023
Lots Of Question Marks
26.) Marvin Harrison Jr. and Greg Dortch, Arizona Cardinals
While the combination of rookie Harrison and the often-underrated Dortch in Arizona might sound promising, there are significant red flags. Harrison's transition to the NFL, despite his impeccable college stats (1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns), remains an untested variable. Though a reliable target, Dortch saw just a 7.5% target share last season, ranking sixth on the Cardinals.
25.) Malik Nabers and Wan’Dale Robinson, New York Giants
While Nabers dazzled in college with his explosiveness, translating his 1,569-yard, 14-touchdown season to the NFL stage is no guarantee. Meanwhile, Robinson flashed promise but has been hampered by subpar quarterback play and injuries. Together, their success hinges on overcoming these hurdles, which makes them a high-risk, high-reward duo in your fantasy draft.
24.) Keon Coleman and Curtis Samuel, Buffalo Bills
Coleman's explosive collegiate stats (13.2 yards per catch at FSU) suggest he could be a downfield threat, yet his rookie status makes him an unpredictable fantasy asset. Meanwhile, Samuel's versatility and consistency show promise for the Bills, but his history of being a No. 3 receiver in his career is concerning.
23.) Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson, Washington Commanders
McLaurin's 1,002 yards last season came with just four touchdowns. Dotson’s season was a bigger disaster. After high expectations for 2023, he also managed only four touchdowns but added only 518 yards receiving for an average of 30.8 yards per game. Will a new QB and a new offensive coordinator make fantasy managers forget 2023?
22.) Christian Kirk and Gabe Davis, Jacksonville Jaguars
Kirk and Davis are an intriguing pair heading into the 2024 season, but their fantasy value remains murky. While Kirk posted a solid 787 yards last season in 12 games, his target share dropped to 19.5% with Calvin Ridley emerging as Trevor Lawrence's favorite weapon. Meanwhile, Davis's tantalizing big-play ability needs to be more consistent, which raises questions about how he will contribute with the expectation of a more significant role. Rookie Brian Thomas Jr. may overtake both Kirk and Davis as the season progresses.
21.) Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens
The arrival of rookie burner Zay Flowers added another weapon to Lamar Jackson's arsenal last season. Flowers led the Ravens with a 22.7% target share and 387 yards after the catch (YAC). Baltimore's receiving upside is still a question mark, though. Despite Bateman flashing at times, the former first-round draft pick has been disappointing and often injured.
20.) Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts
Pittman's inconsistent receptions (fluctuating between one and 11 in 2023) paired with Downs' rookie-year red-zone struggles (a paltry three end-zone targets) paint a picture of a receiving corps that's more "meh" than marvelous. Fantasy managers should consider the uncertainty of Anthony Richardson's injury and development as a passer before drafting Pittman or Downs.
19.) Amari Cooper and Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland Browns
While Cooper and Jeudy bring tantalizing potential to Cleveland's passing attack, Cooper’s boom-or-bust tendencies (five games with 100+ yards, but six with fewer than 50 in 2023) and Jeudy's lack of production (not one 1,000-yard season in four years) should make fantasy managers pause.
18.) Drake London and Darnell Mooney, Atlanta Falcons
London boasts elite size and athleticism, but the Falcons haven't exactly been a QB haven. Enter Kirk Cousins to help him live up to expectations. Mooney's big-play ability is undeniable, but his target share could shrink with London firmly established as the top target.
DRAKE LONDON TOUCHDOWN
1 game made y’all forget about him 🤣🤣🤣#DirtyBirds pic.twitter.com/fktpXhNhCa
— 𝙁𝙖𝙡𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙈𝙪𝙨𝙚 (@ATLFalconsMuse) September 17, 2023
Good-to-Great Duos
17.) Jayden Reed and Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers
While injuries are a concern when considering Watson, his 17.5% touchdown rate over two seasons paired with Reed's breakout rookie season last year (eight TDs and 793 yards receiving) hint at a ceiling that could leave fantasy managers starry-eyed. If Jordan Love continues his ascension, this connection (don’t forget Romeo Doubs as a No. 3) could mature from "good" to "great.”
16.) DeAndre Hopkins and Calvin Ridley, Tennessee Titans
Hopkins, a target magnet who averaged 62.2 yards per game last season, joins forces with the electric Ridley. While both wideouts come with question marks thanks to Hopkins' age and Ridley's time away from the game, their combined talents can swing fantasy leagues if Tennessee's passing attack takes flight in 2024.
Elite WR1, Questionable WR2
15.) Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans Saints
Olave's back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns in his first two seasons in the NFL have been impressive. The question mark lies with Rashid Shaheed, a boom-or-bust deep threat whose 15.6 yards per catch average in 2023 masked an inconsistent target share.
14.) Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers, Las Vegas Raiders
Davante Adams, fresh off a 1,144-yard season, remains a WR1 with elite route running and a knack for finding the end zone. But question marks surround Jakobi Meyers. Can he maintain his steady target share (106 in 2023) playing alongside a target hog like Adams?
13.) Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams, New York Jets
Wilson, the receiving phenom with a smooth 163 targets and 95 receptions in 2023, is poised for a monster year with the legendary Aaron Rodgers at the helm. But can Williams, a boom-or-bust big-bodied receiver coming off an ACL tear, recapture his touchdown magic and not turn this into a one-person show for Wilson?
12.) Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions
St. Brown's route-running precision and sticky hands have cemented his elite status, evidenced by his 119 receptions from last season. Still, Williams' potential remains as "what if," leaving fantasy managers to ponder whether his 4.3 speed will finally translate into more than just occasional flashes of brilliance.
11.) DJ Moore and Keenan Allen, Chicago Bears
The Bears' offseason has fantasy managers salivating over DJ Moore and Keenan Allen. The most excitement comes from the first overall draft pick, Caleb Williams, who is considered a generational talent at QB. The wild card? Chicago's drafting of the talented Rome Odunze could help open the passing game for the wideouts above. Allen's age-related decline and injury history open the door for Odunze to enter the No. 2 role.
DJ MOORE (RUSHING) TOUCHDOWN pic.twitter.com/0VTRJK0aLJ
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) December 10, 2023
Tier 2 Duos
10.) Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mike Evans' 13 touchdowns speak for itself and Chris Godwin, with 83 receptions and three straight 1,000-yard seasons, is a PPR dream. This duo demands double coverage, leaving the other wide open for chunk plays. Don't overthink it -- Evans and Godwin are a proven fantasy force.
9.) Stefon Diggs and Nico Collins, Houston Texans
Diggs, the route-running maestro, brings his perennial 1,000-yard floor to Houston, where he'll feast on single coverage thanks to Collins' meteoric rise (1,297 yards and eight TDs in 2023) and their young gunslinger C.J. Stroud's sophomore leap. With Diggs' four straight seasons with over 100 receptions and Collins' jaw-dropping 11.9 yards per target, this tandem is primed to make defensive coordinators lose sleep.
8.) DK Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks
Metcalf, a physical marvel with 16.9 yards per reception in 2023, provides the boom to Smith-Njigba's precise route-running zoom -- a combination that saw them rack up a combined 1,742 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. This pair could ascend from above average to elite (especially when you consider Tyler Lockett is still on the team), offering savvy fantasy managers a chance to double-dip in Seattle's passing game without breaking the bank.
7.) CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks, Dallas Cowboys
CeeDee Lamb was the top receiver in fantasy football last season. Coming off a scintillating 1,749-yard, 12-touchdown season, Lamb has firmly established himself as Dak Prescott's go-to target. Add Brandin Cooks, who remains a deep-threat dynamo (despite a modest 657 yards last season) with six 1,000-yard campaigns under his belt.
What a catch by Ceedee 🖐️ pic.twitter.com/LuObqedcTi
— NFL Retweet (@NFLRT) October 1, 2023
Elite Pairs
6.) A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles
In 2023, Brown and Smith combined for an impressive 187 receptions, 2,522 yards, and 14 touchdowns, showcasing their synergy with Jalen Hurts. With Brown's physical prowess and Smith's route-running precision, they offer fantasy managers a lethal combination of reliability and explosive potential, making them indispensable assets in any fantasy lineup.
5.) Deebo Samuel Sr. and Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers
Deebo Samuel's hybrid role as a receiver and rusher (892 receiving yards, 225 rushing yards in 2023) makes him a fantasy cheat code, while Brandon Aiyuk's blazing speed (1,342 yards, seven touchdowns in 2023) stretches the field and creates big-play opportunities.
4.) Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings
Jefferson, who was held back for seven games with a hamstring injury, is considered a fantasy stud (maybe the best in the game) at only 25 years old. Even with question marks at QB, he remains a cornerstone of Minnesota's aerial attack. Pair him with Addison, the highly touted second-year player who caught 10 touchdowns and averaged 13 yards per reception in 2023, and you have a recipe for fantasy gold.
3.) Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
It was considered a down year for Chase in 2023, yet he still reeled off 1,216 yards receiving, while Higgins' elite route running generates a healthy 15.62 yards per reception. Defenses can't double-team both, leading to a potential bonanza for a healthy Joe Burrow and your fantasy squad.
2.) Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
Kupp's downfall has been greatly exaggerated. Expect him to continue to be a target hog of Matthew Stafford in Sean McVay’s offense. Pair that with Nacua, who broke out with 1,486 receiving yards as a rookie, and you have a tandem that combines elite route running with an uncanny knack for finding the end zone. It makes them one of the most compelling and productive WR duos in fantasy football this season.
1.) Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins
Last season, the dynamic duo combined for a staggering 2,813 yards and 17 touchdowns, leveraging their blazing speed to dominate the field. Hill’s 168 targets and Waddle’s 10.1 average depth of target (aDOT) make these two a lethal combination, ensuring fantasy managers a wealth of points each week. Add Odell Beckham Jr. to the mix and the Dolphins look unstoppable.
🎥 Jaylen Waddle in his sole game without Tyreek Hill in 2023 (vs. New York Jets):
➖ 8 receptions
➖ 142 receiving yards
➖ 1 receiving touchdown #FinsUp pic.twitter.com/gUkT3AM24W— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) February 21, 2024
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