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Lance reveals WR3s you must target and avoid in fantasy football for the 2024 NFL season. He breaks down who offers value and who doesn't.
The WR3 in an NFL roster differs from the WR3 in fantasy football. The third-best wide receiver in a squad can still fall within the top 20 wideouts. However, WR3s are typically ranked 25th to 36th among wideouts.
Fantasy experts derived this tier from the typical number of players in a fantasy football league. Hypothetically, if there are 12 players in a league, drafting all wide receivers means the ones ranked 1st to 12th are WR1s. Those ranked 13th to 24th are the WR2s.
However, WR3s in fantasy are not created equal. While their projected stats are close, making the right decision can be the difference in winning your league. Therefore, here are the WR3s you must avoid and the ones you must prioritize for your squad.
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Five Fantasy Football WR3s to Target
Tank Dell – Houston Texans
Dell had a promising rookie season, tallying 47 receptions for 709 yards and seven touchdowns. He could have had more if not for the fractured fibula that limited him to 11 games. While the Texans added Stefon Diggs to their wide receiver corps, it should hinder Dell’s ability to dominate slower opponents.
I’m confused why Tank Dell is being drafted 2+ Rounds behind Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs in fantasy football.
Anyone else?
— Joe Orrico (@NoExpertFF) June 20, 2024
As he showed by scoring a touchdown during the Texans’ preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the former University of Houston standout will take advantage of the defensive gaps and use his speed to gain more yards. Those attributes make him a nifty target who could yield massive results for your fantasy squad.
Zay Flowers – Baltimore Ravens
Without question, Flowers will be the Ravens’ primary receiver for 2024 as Odell Beckham Jr.’s departure bolstered his place. When football fans hear Flowers’ name, they will easily remember the fumbled catch that could have helped Baltimore win the AFC Championship Game over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Lamar 🎯 Zay Flowers
(🎥 @Ravens) pic.twitter.com/AQWsSykbWT
— PFF Fantasy & Betting (@PFF_Fantasy) July 29, 2024
However, judging him by that mistake detracts from his fantastic rookie season. Flowers had 77 receptions for 858 yards and five touchdowns in 16 regular-season games. Of his receiving yards, 391 came after the catch. He should build on that solid start and have an even better second year.
George Pickens – Pittsburgh Steelers
Pickens should get the lion’s share of catches this season after the Steelers traded Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers. The wideout from Georgia was already impressive last season, finishing with 63 receptions for 1,140 yards and five touchdowns.
George Pickens preseason highlights 🔥
Top 3 in the NFL in year 3 is crazy.
— PickensBurgh🫡 (Tino) (@PickensBurgh) August 10, 2024
If his 18.1 yards per catch in 2023 was already astonishing, the potential to have a monster season is there now that he’s the Steelers' undisputed top receiver. The only question remains whether Russell Wilson or Justin Fields will help him reach top-tier status.
Terry McLaurin – Washington Commanders
McLaurin may not make much noise, but he has been consistent since entering the league in 2019. After collecting 919 receiving yards in his rookie season, he’s had 1,000-yard seasons from 2020 to 2023. More importantly, the 2022 Pro Bowler missed only three games in five seasons.
Terry McLaurin’s route running doesn’t get talked about enough. pic.twitter.com/chZ0cCJSob
— 𝒆𝒍𝒊… (@CMNDERS) August 3, 2024
Those numbers made it a no-brainer for the Commanders to give him a three-year contract extension in 2022. This season, though, he could benefit from having a dual-threat quarterback in Jayden Daniels. As opponents respect Daniels’ mobility, they might load the box more often, giving McLaurin favorable coverages downfield.
Malik Nabers – New York Giants
Nabers has the opportunity to make an immediate impact in his rookie season because he’s easily the best wideout the Giants have. While Wan'Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton had good numbers last season, they’re not as talented as the former LSU standout.
Malik Nabers is ALWAYS open pic.twitter.com/14BqKAN2yQ
— Marshall Green (@MarshallGreen_) August 9, 2024
If Nabers can replicate his final season with the Tigers (89 receptions, 1,569 yards, 14 touchdowns), the Giants will have a star in their midst. Nabers must develop incredible chemistry with quarterback Daniel Jones for that outcome.
Five Fantasy Football WR3s to Avoid in 2024
Marquise Brown – Kansas City Chiefs
Brown’s performance during the 2024 NFL season will determine whether he gets another contract from the Chiefs or another NFL team. However, he’s off to a rough start after injuring his collarbone during their first preseason game.
Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown
Injury update
He suffered a SC (sternoclavicular) dislocation. This is a very serious injury, and is sometimes life-threatening.
The collarbone or clavicle, attaches to the sternum with a bunch of ligaments. The collarbone can pop out and dislocate… pic.twitter.com/GOlJkddBqC
— Jesse Morse, MD (@DrJesseMorse) August 11, 2024
It’s good that the injury won’t force him to miss significant playing time during the regular season. Still, another physical burden is a cause for concern because he missed eight games in the last two seasons. Worst yet, his performance declined from 1,008 in 2021 with the Ravens to 574 last year with the Arizona Cardinals.
Christian Watson – Green Bay Packers
The Packers have high hopes for Watson after selecting him in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. However, he hasn’t played an entire season because he only played 14 games in his rookie year. Lingering hamstring injuries dropped his game total to nine in 2023.
With Green Bay having promising wideouts like Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, and Romeo Doubs in the rotation, Watson could be the odd man out if he doesn’t stay healthy. Seeing limited action isn’t suitable for his fantasy football production.
Courtland Sutton – Denver Broncos
Sutton finished the 2023 season tied for fourth in receiving touchdowns (10). However, he did it with the fewest receptions (59) and receiving yards (772). While he will still be Denver’s top wideout, the roster changes this season might not work in his favor.
Marvin Mims Jr. could have a breakout season after the Broncos traded Jerry Jeudy. Likewise, rookie Troy Franklin could unseat him from the starting rotation. Tim Patrick’s return could also take away some catches from Sutton.
Christian Kirk – Jacksonville Jaguars
Kirk had a respectable 57 receptions for 787 yards and three touchdowns last season. However, injuries limited him to 12 games in 2023. He could deliver more, as proven by his 1,108 yards and eight touchdowns for the Cardinals in 2022.
But even that season is more of an outlier for the former Texas A&M standout because he started all 17 regular-season games. As he enters his third season with the Jaguars, he will be lining up with Gabe Davis and rookie Brian Thomas Jr. Those receivers, plus tight end Evan Engram, could take away some fantasy points from Kirk.
Keenan Allen – Chicago Bears
Allen had a Pro Bowl season last year, finishing with 1,243 yards and seven touchdowns. However, he missed four games due to injury. The year before, he played in only 10 games. While he remains one of Caleb Williams’ main targets, how often will they connect if the Bears also have DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, and tight end Cole Kmet?
Likewise, his injury history is a concern, mainly if you compete in a fantasy league with slim margins. His absence could remove the points that could help you win weekly matchups to enter the fantasy playoffs.
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