Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Rankings - Best Ball Leagues

April 5, 2022

Wide receiver rankings analysis for 2022 best ball drafts for WRs in the top tiers. Phil Clark breaks down the best values relative to ADP for best ball leagues.

We have progressed beyond the most dormant weeks of this offseason, and the player movement that has already transpired during free agency is fueling encouraging rises and concerning falls in the stock of various players. Several blockbuster trades have also created notable shifts in the fantasy landscape, while directly impacting a cluster of high-profile wide receivers.

The Best Ball draft process is also escalating, as fantasy managers embrace the opportunity to assemble rosters that will not require any additional management following the conclusion of each draft. That’s why the team at RotoBaller is providing the latest updates on our tiered rankings, that will help you prepare for every draft in this popular format. This article will place the focus on wide receivers that are located in tiers 1-3, which includes the aforementioned receivers who were involved in recent trades.

These players will function as integral components in their new environments. They will also be prioritized as critical resources by fantasy managers during upcoming drafts, along with the other receivers that are contained in the top tiers of these rankings. We will continually update our rankings in every format throughout the offseason and you can find the latest fantasy football rankings here.

Wide Receiver Best-Ball Rankings

Tier 1

Cooper Kupp, Justin Jefferson, Ja'Marr Chase, Davante Adams, 

RT if you think @CooperKupp had the greatest season ever from a wide receiver. pic.twitter.com/aoV2OJGkhM

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) March 2, 2022

Kupp universally outperformed all expectations during his historic 2021 season, while providing fantasy managers with a monumental reward for their original investment of a fourth-round draft selection. Kupp led all wide receivers in targets (191/32% share) while his league-best 11.2 per game average was constructed with 14 games of 10+. Kupp also became just the fourth receiver to pace the NFL in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns, which included his franchise-record 145 catches (8.5 per game). His overall total was assembled with double-digit totals in five matchups and 10 different games of 8+.

Kupp eclipsed 1,000 yards in early November, which paved his path toward the establishment of a franchise-record 1,947 (114.5 per game). Kupp also generated a league-best 16 touchdowns and paced his position in first downs (89), yards after catch (650), red zone targets (38), and yards per route run.

Kupp’s career-best numbers will be difficult to replicate, but they do justify selecting him before any other receiver.

Try not to Griddy while watching this. It might be tough.@JJettas2's Top 10 plays of the season are 💯@Vikings | #Skol pic.twitter.com/JRB5gZymfb

— NFL (@NFL) March 14, 2022

Jefferson followed up his stellar rookie season in 2020 by finishing at WR4 during 2021. He was also fourth overall in both targets (167/9.8 per game/28.9% share), and receptions (108/6.4 per game), while his 1,616 receiving yards (95.1 per game), placed him second behind Kupp.

Jefferson also led all wide receivers in yards before catch (1,134), stockpiled a league-high 2,107 air yards, and finished third with a 45.9% share of air yards. Jefferson also finished third in first down receptions (75) and sixth in touchdowns (10).

Former Rams’ offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell will begin his first season as Minnesota’s head coach and will be joined by first-year OC Wes Phillips. Their arrival will not alter the Vikings’ heavy reliance on Jefferson as the team’s primary receiving option, while Kirk Cousins’ one-year contract extension has ensured that the tandem should sustain their success for another season. This supplies your incentive for selecting Jefferson midway through Round 1 of your upcoming drafts.

Most receiving yards vs press coverage last season

🥇 Cooper Kupp: 1,452
🥈 Ja’Marr Chase: 1,140
🥉 Davante Adams: 1,091 pic.twitter.com/jzsSTRAOgP

— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) March 8, 2022

Chase commandeered his place among the league’s top-tier receivers during his first season, while finishing at WR5, and escorting managers to fantasy championships in Week 17. Chase eclipsed 100 yards during his NFL debut, exceeded 150 yards in three different outings, and ultimately finished the regular season with the most yards of any rookie during the Super Bowl era (1,455). That included his 266-yard explosion in Week 17, which secured yet another rookie receiving record.

Chase also captured 11 of his 12 targets while generating three touchdowns and 55.6 points in that contest, which vaulted him to WR1 during that week’s crucial fantasy matchups. He also finished second in yards per target (11.4), and yards per reception (18.0), third in both yards after catch (651), and touchdowns (13), and was also eighth in air yards (1,617). Chase rewarded fantasy managers for their investment at the most opportune time of the season as a rookie and should only enhance his proficiency during his second season.

Coming soon to Vegas…@tae15adams | @Raiders pic.twitter.com/CiKN43usZg

— NFL (@NFL) March 18, 2022

Adams surged to career-highs in multiple categories during his final season in Green Bay, while collecting 123 receptions (7.7 per game), generating 1,553 receiving yards (97.1 per game), and delivering eight 100-yard performances. He also tied his previous high with 169 targets (10.6 per game/31.7% share), while finishing second overall in targets, receptions, and first downs (84).

Adams eschewed the option of playing under the franchise tag with the Packers and preferred to sign a multi-year contract with the Raiders. This triggered the trade that allowed Adams to resurface with Las Vegas, where he will be reunited with college teammate Derek Carr. He will be functioning as the primary option in the Raiders’ aerial attack, where the presence of Darren Waller and Hunter Renfrow should deter opposing defenses from double-teaming Adams with the same frequency that he encountered in Green Bay. Josh McDaniels and Carr will be incentivized to distribute a significant share of targets to Adams, whose ability to capitalize will keep him entrenched among the top four at his position.

Tier 2

Deebo Samuel, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Stefon Diggs, A.J. Brown, CeeDee Lamb

Deebo is a cheat code. Watch @19problemz highlights from Week 18.

📺 CBS#SFvsDAL pic.twitter.com/QKmWRDtMA4

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) January 11, 2022

Samuel’s statistical eruption in 2021 allowed him to shatter previous career-highs in multiple categories while launching him into the second tier of wide receivers. Samuel completed the year at WR3, after accruing the league’s fifth-highest yardage total (1,405/87.8 per game). He also led all receivers in yards per target (11.6), yards per reception (18.2), and yards after catch per reception (10), while finishing second behind Kupp in yards after catch (768).

He was also second overall with a 32.3% target share after Week 9 (81/10.1 per game). However, Kyle Shanahan entrusted Samuel with a weekly workload as a rusher from Weeks 10-18 (53 carries/6.6 per game), and Samuel responded by amassing 343 yards (42.9 per game) and seven touchdowns. His effectiveness as a rusher also vaulted him to the league lead among wide receivers in attempts (59/4.9 per game), rushing yardage (365/30.4 per game), and rushing touchdowns (8) from Weeks 1-18. His talent and versatility will keep him highly involved in San Francisco’s attack while providing fantasy managers with a proficient WR1 option.

HOW 😱😱😱

📺: #KCvsLAC on FOX pic.twitter.com/2XkAulxlkr

— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) December 17, 2021

Hill was jettisoned to Miami in an unexpected trade that instantly altered the projected target distribution for both the Chiefs and Dolphins. Hill will now be infused into a receiving arsenal that also contains Jaylen Waddle while operating with full dependence on Tua Tagovailoa to locate him with accuracy and frequency.

Hill will be challenged to replicate the numbers that he averaged from 2017 to 2020 (125 targets/83.6 receptions/1,207 yards/10 touchdowns). He also finished among the top eight in points per game scoring during four of those five seasons and placed among the top three twice. Hill also established career-highs in targets (159/9.4 per game), and receptions (111/72.9 per game) during 2021, and exceeded 1,200 receiving yards for the third time in four seasons (1,239/72.9 per game).

His ADP has dropped from 12 to 19 since the trade was announced. However, his descent from the top tier should not prevent you from targeting him as a WR1, as he should still garner sufficient usage to warrant a second-round selection.

.@Tua ➡️ @D1__JW for 6️⃣! 🐧

📺: Watch #NEvsMIA on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/RplrfIbb51

— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) January 9, 2022

Waddle easily justified Miami’s decision to select him sixth overall during the 2021 NFL Draft, by performing proficiently as the Dolphins’ primary receiving weapon. He also supplied fantasy managers with a WR2 option as his rookie season progressed, while completing the year at WR13. Hill’s infusion into Miami’s revamped offense will impede Waddle from matching last year’s numbers,  when he captured a 24.6% share, and finished 10th overall in targets (141/8.8 per game). He also established a new rookie record with 104 receptions (6.5 per game), while becoming just the second rookie receiver in NFL history to collect 100+. Waddle was also one of just six receivers who averaged 10+ targets per game during that sequence (10.1), while his role as the Dolphins’ WR1 also enabled him to eclipse 1,000 yards (1,015/63.4 per game).

Hill’s arrival has tapered the pathway that had previously existed for Waddle to approach WR1 status during his second season, as Hill will provide formidable competition for targets that did not exist in 2021. However, Waddle should remain highly productive in Mike McDaniel’s redesigned attack and can operate as a high-end WR2 for fantasy managers.

The outstanding numbers that Diggs assembled during 2020 launched him to first overall in targets (166/10.4 per game), receptions (127/7.9 per game) and receiving yards (1,535/95.9 per game). Diggs also rose to second in first downs (73), and yards before catch (1,071), while finishing at WR3 in scoring, and second in Football Outsiders’ DYAR (Defense-Adjusted Yards Above Replacement). Unfortunately, matching the results of that magical season proved to be an arduous task, as Diggs experienced a decline in his 2021 numbers.

A thing of beauty. 😍

📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/mL7138XGiK

— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 9, 2022

However, that did not prevent him from finishing at WR7 in scoring. He was also fifth in targets (164/9.6 per game), sixth in receiving yards (1,225/72.1 per game), and eighth in receptions (103/6.1 per game) while finishing second in both air yards (1,827), and red zone targets (34). Diggs was also fourth in yards before catch (899), and garnered a career-best 10 touchdowns. He is now positioned to function as a proficient WR1 once again.

Brown’s overall numbers were negatively impacted by two injuries (hamstring/chest) that affixed him to the sideline during four matchups. However, his most prolific performances during the year reinforced his status as a top 10 receiver. Brown also functioned as Tennessee’s most critical receiving weapon, while completing the year at ninth overall in target share (27.0%), and finishing fifth with a 41.5% share of air yards. Brown was targeted 8+ times in eight different contests and exceeded 130 yards in three of those games.

Love to see it. @1kalwaysopen_

📺: Watch #TENvsHOU on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/WD63UI5WFv

— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) January 9, 2022

No outing affirmed his ability to provide a dynamic presence more clearly than the Titans’ matchup with San Francisco in Week 16, which was his first game after resurfacing from injured reserve. Brown commandeered a career-high 16 targets (53.3% share), collected 11 receptions, and generated 146 yards. This vaulted him to WR3 for the week, while his performance also propelled fantasy managers to wins in their postseason matchups. Brown can be targeted as a WR1, and can be secured in Round 2 of your drafts.

Dak Prescott to Ceedee Lamb WALK OFF TOUCHDOWN 👋

pic.twitter.com/jU2aenQC69

— Eric Rosenthal (@ericsports) October 17, 2021

Enthusiasm for Lamb has been surging following the Cowboys’ decision to extract Amari Cooper from their offensive equation. Cedrick Wilson's migration to Miami has provided additional fuel to the escalating passion surrounding Lamb, whose current ADP resides at 17 (WR6). This underscores the confidence of fantasy managers that they will evade a second consecutive season of disappointment. 

Lamb’s ADP rose to 27 (WR10) during 2021 drafts and he began the year by finishing second in targets (15), and third in air yards (159) during Week 1. He also surpassed 80 yards during five of his first seven matchups, but only reached that number twice during his final nine games. He still finished at WR18, was 11th in yards after catch (441), ninth in yards per route run (2.06), and 14th in receiving yards (1,102/68.9 per game).

Lamb should commandeer a sizable percentage of the 165 targets that were distributed to Cooper and Wilson last season while operating as the primary option for Dak Prescott. This will allow him to fulfill the expectations of anyone who is targeting him as a low-end WR1.

Tier 3

Mike Evans, Keenan Allen, Tee Higgins, Amari Cooper, DeAndre Hopkins 

Evans has now surpassed 100 targets and 1,000 yards during each of his eight professional seasons while accumulating 75 touchdowns. He also collected 114 targets (7.1 per game) and generated 1,035 yards (64.7 per game) during 2021, while his 14 touchdowns were second only to Kupp.

MIKE EVANS IS NOW YOUR BUCS ALL-TIME LEADING TOUCHDOWN SCORER pic.twitter.com/MGX5437HF7

— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) November 23, 2021

Evans also finished the year at WR8, and was 10th in both yards before catch (776), and first down receptions (56). He was also 12th in red zone targets (18), 14th in air yards (1,484), and finished fourth in Football Outsiders’ DYAR (Defense-Adjusted Yards Above Replacement).

Evans accumulated these numbers despite a 16.5% target share that trailed Chris Godwin (21.2%), and Antonio Brown (21.8%). However, Evans will not be competing with Brown for targets moving forward, and it is unclear when Godwin will resurface following January knee surgery. Uncertainty surrounding the team’s situation under center was also eviscerated by Tom Brady’s decision to end his retirement. All of which should encourage you to select Evans at his Round 3 ADP (36/WR14).

Allen will turn 30 this month and is entering his 10th season. However, he was a dependable roster resource during 2021 and is primed to function as a low-end WR1 once again in 2022. He has now averaged 149.6 targets during his last five seasons, after collecting 157 (25% share) in 2021. That placed him eighth overall, while his 9.8 per game average was the league’s fifth-highest. He also eclipsed 100 receptions for the fourth time since 2017, while placing sixth overall (106/6.6 per game).

He also finished 12th in receiving yards (1,138/71.1 per game), and fourth in routes run (653). Allen was also seventh in yards before catch (801), sixth in first downs (66), and fifth in red zone targets (23), while also finishing at WR14. Mike Williams has re-signed with the Chargers, and will also commandeer a respectable target share. However, Allen should operate as Justin Herbert’s primary weapon for at least one more season.

The monstrous numbers that were assembled during Chase’s record-breaking rookie season did not prevent Higgins from joining his teammate as a highly-productive resource for both the Bengals and anyone who had secured him during the draft process. That includes Higgins’ output in Weeks 13-16, when he skyrocketed to WR2 while finishing seventh in targets (37/9.3 per game), fifth in receptions (28/7 per game, and second in receiving yards (469/117.3 per game). Higgins also led the league with 10 receptions of 20+ yards and was second with three 100-yard performances.

Higgins vaulted to WR1 during Week 16, while accruing league-highs in receptions (12), receiving yards (194), and touchdowns (2).

A career day for @teehiggins5 ⤵️

•12 receptions
•194 total yards
•2 touchdowns pic.twitter.com/UMWWwV4wly

— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) December 26, 2021

He also accumulated 110 targets (7.9 per game), 74 receptions (5.3 per game), and 1,091 receiving yards (77.9 per game) from Weeks 1-18 while finishing seventh in yards before catch (801), and 15h in first downs (53). Chase’s presence will not prevent Higgins from providing fantasy managers with a high-end WR2 who will deliver WR1 scoring during various weeks of the season.

📈 Career production for the 4-time Pro Bowler

📰 » https://t.co/NjzLZ1aCea pic.twitter.com/rY41Lnydn6

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) March 18, 2022

Cooper accumulated 429 targets (7.7 per game), 292 receptions (5.2 per game) 3,893 receiving yards (69.5 per game), and 27 touchdowns during his 56 regular season games with Dallas. Those numbers represented a slight increase over the results that he assembled in 52 games with the Raiders: 7.5 targets/4.3 receptions/61.2 yards per game/19 touchdowns. However, last year’s numbers were the lowest during his three full seasons with the Cowboys (104 targets/6.9 per game), (68 receptions/4.5 per game), (865 yards/57.7 per game).

Cooper’s contributions also did not dissuade the Cowboys from dispatching him to Cleveland, and it initially appeared that he would be relegated to WR3 status while operating as the primary receiving weapon for Baker Mayfield. However, Cleveland’s widely discussed trade that secured Deshaun Watson has altered Cooper’s 2022 outlook. The potential of a suspension is lurking for the Browns’ newly acquired signal-caller, and it is also uncertain whether Cleveland will bolster their wide receiving arsenal during the upcoming months. However, Cooper is currently unchallenged as the team’s WR1 and can be prioritized in Round 5 of your drafts.

Hopkins entered 2021 having accrued 1,200+ targets, and 10,000+ yards during his career. He had also averaged 10.2 targets, 6.3 receptions, and 83.7 yards per game from 2014 to 2020, and his annual presence among the top tier at his position compelled fantasy managers to secure him in Round 2 of their 2021 drafts. Unfortunately, anyone who made that investment was forced to contend with his seven-game absence and a sizable drop in Hopkins’ per game averages (6.4 targets/4.2 receptions/57.2 yards).

He was sidelined by multiple health issues (hamstring/ACL), which limited him to just two contests from Weeks 9-18. Hopkins only reached a double-digit target total once after accomplishing that in nine different games during 2020. He also failed to reach 100 yards just one year after exceeding that total seven times.

WELCOME BACK Kyler Murray AND DEANDRE HOPKINS
pic.twitter.com/ipwr7rRn1K

— PFF (@PFF) December 5, 2021

Hopkins will also turn 30 in June. However, he is currently primed to garner a sizable target share in Arizona’s reshaped passing attack, following the departures of  Christian Kirk, Chase Edmonds, and (potentially) A.J. Green. That justifies his selection near the conclusion of Round 3.

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