Best Ball Late-Round Targets - Wide Receiver

Phil Clark identifies the top wide receivers to target in best-ball drafts with a late-round ADP. These WRs could be league winners in 2021 best ball leagues.

Week 1 kickoffs are rapidly approaching which has incentivized many of you to increase your preparations for upcoming redraft leagues. Many of you will also remain highly involved in best-ball drafts until the regular season is underway. You will develop a strategy before you begin building your roster in any format, and it is recommended that you remain flexible in your decision-making based upon the flow of each draft.

But regardless of how you construct your roster during the early and middle rounds, the decisions that you make in the late rounds will also determine your chances of capturing a league championship. That’s why the team at RotoBaller continues to deliver non-stop news, data-fueled analysis, and updated rankings that provide your pathway toward maximizing all selections during your draft.

That includes our resources for managers who are participating in best-ball leagues. This article will help you locate five wide receivers that should be targeted at their late-round ADPs in FFPC drafts. It is critical to capitalize on every opportunity during the double-digit rounds in this format since all forms of in-season roster management have been eliminated.

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Elijah Moore, New York Jets (ADP 127/WR48)

The enthusiasm surrounding Moore had escalated throughout the offseason. But that optimism has intensified since the onset of Jets’ training camp, as Moore provides evidence that he is uniquely positioned to function as a valuable resource during his rookie season.

I think the craziest thing about Elijah Moore is every day I come here saying I’m going to focus on someone else. Then he makes that impossible #Jets

— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) August 4, 2021

The Jets selected Moore during Round 2 (34th overall) of April’s NFL Draft after he assembled 189 receptions and 2,441 yards during three seasons at Ole Miss. That includes his production during 2020 when he accumulated 86 receptions, generated eight touchdowns, and finished second in receiving yardage (1,193) despite performing in eight games. The 5’9”, 180-pound Moore also demonstrated his speed, route running acumen, and a level of toughness that should have eviscerated any concerns about his size.

He has also been placed in a favorable environment that has experienced a much-needed overhaul during the offseason. The transformation has presented new head coach Robert Saleh and offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur with the task of rejuvenating an offense that ranked 32nd in both total offense (279.9 yards per game) and scoring offense (15.2 points per game).

Jamison Crowder paced the team in targets (89/7.4 per game), receptions (59/4.9 per game), receiving yards (699/58.3 per game), and touchdowns (6) last season. But his future with the Jets appeared uncertain following the selection of Moore since Crowder had operated from the slot on 81.1% of his routes during 2020. New York ultimately retained Crowder with a renegotiated contract. But Moore possesses the versatility to line up outside and from the slot, which presents Saleh and LaFleur with the option for using both receivers extensively.

Zach Wilson ➡ Elijah Moore

Every. Single. Day. pic.twitter.com/KCTC0wxNCg

— The Jet Press (@TheJetPress) August 4, 2021

New York also added Corey Davis who generated career-highs in receiving yards (984/70.3 per game), and touchdowns (5) last season, while averaging 6.6 targets per game. Davis will perform from the perimeter, while joining Moore, Crowder, Denzel Mims and offseason acquisition Keelan Cole as the components in the Jets’ reshaped aerial attack.

Moore had been operating with the starters during camp, and all hype for the talented first-year receiver has been justified. His physical attributes and relentless commitment will make it difficult for the Jets’ decision-makers to keep him off the field. That will provide Moore with the opportunity to accumulate numbers that will reward anyone who selects him near his Round 11 ADP.

Jakobi Meyers, New England Patriots

ADP: 208 / WR70

Meyers led New England in targets (81/5.8 per game), receptions (59/4.2 per game), and receiving yards (729/52.1 per game) last season, and is fully capable of pacing the team in each category for a second consecutive year.

Jakobi Meyers getting open at will ? pic.twitter.com/uVVyqyHeMt

— Andrew Erickson™ (@AndrewErickson_) July 31, 2021

After entering Week 7 with just one target on 22 snaps, he registered a team-high 96.8% snap share from Weeks 9-17, while averaging 7.1 targets, 5.3 receptions, 67.1 receiving yards, and 72 air yards per game. He also vaulted to 12th among all receivers in receptions (48), and 15th in receiving yards (604) during those nine games.

Damiere Byrd (77/4.8 per game), and former first-round pick N’Keal Harry (57/4.1 per game) were the only other wide receivers to collect 50+ targets in 2020, although neither player poses a threat to Meyers’ usage this season. Byrd has relocated to Chicago, and the disappointing Harry has been incapable of earning a sizable role in New England’s offense.

Nelson Agholor will operate on the perimeter while serving as Meyers’ primary competitor for the team lead in targets. Agholor ascended into WR1 responsibilities for Las Vegas last season, while accumulating 82 targets (5.1 per game), 896 yards (56 per game), and eight touchdowns. Agholor was also included in New England’s cluster of offseason additions, along with Kendrick Bourne, and the tight end tandem of Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry.

Bourne established career highs in targets (74/4.9 per game) receptions (49/3.3 per game) and receiving yards (667/44.5 per game) during his fourth and final season with San Francisco. He ran 70.4% of his routes from the slot in 2020. However, Bourne also possesses the versatility to function outside and could leapfrog Harry for an ongoing role opposite Agholor.

Smith and Henry will also be infused into the equation, and either tight end could become the Patriots’ most productive pass-catcher during any given matchup. However, their numbers will be sporadic since their combined presence assures that any prolific outings will be offset by multiple games with minimal production.

Meyers’ experience in New England’s system has also supplied him with the opportunity to absorb the playbook. This presents him with a distinct advantage over his newest teammates, while his track record of reliability as an inside weapon will benefit either Cam Newton or Mac Jones during the season. Meyers’ ADP has been rising. But he is being selected after Agholor and should be seized at his Round 18 ADP.

Marquez Callaway, New Orleans Saints

ADP: 174 / WR61

The list of accolades for Callaway is growing as he capitalizes on his opportunity to operate as a starter in training camp. His impressive performances are building evidence that he could become a vital weapon for a passing attack that is in desperate need of playmakers. 

Saints WR Marquez Callaway has come so far since he was an undrafted roster hopeful last year that I’m watching him return kicks as usual and actually wondering if he might be too valuable to the offense to be a return option… He really has impressed as a potential WR 1/2 so far

— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) August 6, 2021

Callaway accumulated 92 receptions, 1,646 yards, and 13 touchdowns during four collegiate seasons at Tennessee while averaging 21.2 yards per reception in 2019. New Orleans signed Callaway as an undrafted free agent in 2020, although he was limited to 267 snaps, 27 targets, and 213 yards.

However, his encouraging efforts during camp should propel him to an integral role in the Saints’ restructured attack. The 6'2", 210-pound Callaway operates with the speed to function as a dynamic vertical presence while operating with the size and agility to prevail in contested catch situations.

Fun watching Marquez Callaway really take ownership of being the top dog at receiver right now. Playing with so much confidence.

— Luke Johnson (@ByLukeJohnson) August 6, 2021

New Orleans was already entering the regular season with a shortage of dynamic weaponry even with Michael Thomas in the lineup. This was a byproduct of Emmanuel Sanders and Jared Cook’s offseason exodus, which left the Saints without two components who amassed 142 targets, 98 receptions, 1,230 yards, 1,388 air yards, and 12 touchdowns in 2020. But the unanticipated absence of Thomas (ankle) has exacerbated the shortage of reliable options.

However, it has also created a path for Callaway to soar onto the fantasy landscape. He is providing Sean Payton with the incentive to deploy him in a passing attack that will rely on Alvin Kamara, who led the Saints in targets (107/7.1 per game), receptions (83/5.5 per game), and receiving yards (756/50.4 per game) during 2020. Kamara has also averaged 6.8 targets, 5.4 receptions, and 47.1 yards per game during his career. But Payton needs to locate additional weapons beyond Kamara and Adam Trautman - who will function as the Saints’ primary weapon at tight end.

Tre'Quan Smith could join Callaway in securing a sizable role while Thomas is unavailable. But he has failed to establish himself as a dependable option during his three seasons with the Saints. That includes two sequences during 2020 when Thomas was sidelined by a combination of issues.

Smith has been affixed to the sideline during camp (leg), while Callaway has flourished during his absence. This has improved his prospects of operating as the WR1 in Payton’s attack. It also provides an opportunity for you to benefit by securing Callaway in Round 15 of your drafts.

Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers

ADP: 226 / WR71

70 wide receivers are currently being selected before Cobb at his current ADP. However, that represents a sizable rise from July drafts, when his ADP languished at 268. Cobb’s outlook was transformed by a trade that rescued him from the Texans’ congested depth chart and vaulted him into a vastly improved situation with Green Bay.

Not only was Aaron Rodgers instrumental in the Packers reacquiring WR Randall Cobb, they're now roommates.

Rodgers says Cobb has moved into his house while Cobb searches for a new home and his family moves back to Green Bay.

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) August 4, 2021

Cobb is now primed to secure an ongoing role as the Packers' primary weapon in the slot. He will also benefit enormously from his relationship with Aaron Rodgers.

Cobb averaged 6.4 targets, 4.5 receptions, and 52.3 yards per game during eight seasons with Green Bay (2011-2018). He now resurfaces with the Packers after performing during the last two years with Dallas (2019), and Houston (2020), and should exceed last year’s per-game averages with the Texans (4.8 targets/3.8 receptions/44.1 yards).

1⃣2⃣🏈1⃣8⃣@AaronRodgers12 | @rcobb18 #PackersCamp pic.twitter.com/vH2wbXyKJs

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) August 9, 2021

Cobb will be joining a passing attack that ranked ninth during 2020 (257 yards per game), despite finishing just 26th in pass play percentage (55.3%). That is a testament to the efficiency of Rodgers, who assembled an NFL-best 70.7% completion percentage. The majority of his passes were distributed to Davante Adams who finished among the top four in targets (149/10.6 per game), receptions (115/8.2 per game), and receiving yards (1,374/98.1 per game) while attaining a league-high 34.1% target share. However, Adams’ unquestioned status among the league's elite receivers did not conceal the dearth of highly-productive options that were also contained on Green Bay’s depth chart.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling finished second among Packer wide receivers in targets (63/3.9 per game) and receiving yardage (690/43.1 per game) while tying with Allen Lazard in receptions (33/2.1 per game). Lazard missed six contests (core muscle) but did attain higher per game averages (4.6 targets/3.3 receptions/45.1 yards). He also operated from the slot on 57% of his routes. However, Cobb has been requisitioned by Rodgers to become the Packers’ inside presence, while his return will also limit targets for rookie Amari Rodgers.

Fantasy managers rarely have the opportunity to select a wide receiver whose quarterback played an active role in a trade to secure him. This eliminates any concern that Rodgers will eschew the option of locating Cobb, as recent events have indicated that the nine-time All-Pro will be incentivized to rely on Green Bay's newest acquisition. That should deliver additional motivation for targeting Cobb, at what remains a modest investment.

Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions

ADP: 239 / WR75

St. Brown was the 17th wide receiver to be selected during last April’s NFL Draft when Detroit secured him in Round 4 (112th overall). His status as a Day 3 selection does not approach the investment that was made to seize the more prominent members of his rookie class. But St. Brown did become the beneficiary of an enticing landing spot, as the Lions’ depth chart contains a shortage of dependable wide receivers.

USC WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (@amonra_stbrown) Highlights

St. Brown is one of the most complete receivers in the country. After 2 seasons, he's following in the footsteps of the former great Trojan receivers before him #FightOn ✌

FULL VIDEO 🎥: https://t.co/TBZvq366DT pic.twitter.com/173ifl9vA5

— JustBombsProductions (@JBP_Official) June 8, 2020

St. Brown collected 178 receptions and generated 2,270 yards during his three seasons at USC. That includes his 2019 breakout as a sophomore when he established career-highs in receptions (77) and receiving yardage (1,042) and eclipsed 100 yards in four contests. He was deployed inside and outside during his tenure and demonstrated the ability to operate effectively as a route runner. He also displayed the speed, acceleration, and athleticism to gain separation at the NFL level. That should propel St. Brown into a consistent role.

This move from @amonra_stbrown is a whole Monday mood.#LionsCamp | @RocketMortgage pic.twitter.com/tB4l57wlY7

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) August 9, 2021

The Lions have undergone a significant offseason transformation, which includes an overhaul of the coaching staff. New head coach Dan Campbell and offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn are reconstructing an attack that ranked 20th in both total offense (350.2 yards per game), and scoring offense (23.6 points per game) during 2020. The primary components in this year’s passing attack have also been reassembled following the offseason departures of Matthew Stafford, Kenny Golladay, and Marvin Jones Jr.

Stafford was jettisoned to the Rams in exchange for three draft picks and 26-year-old Jared Goff. Detroit’s newest signal-caller finished at QB18 during 2020, while finishing ninth in attempts (552/36.8 per game) and 11th in completions (370/24.7 per game). However, he was also just 38th in average intended air yards (6.5), and 35th in average completed air yards (4.8), according to Next Gen Stats.

Detroit acquired the oft-injured Breshad Perriman and Tyrell Williams during free agency, and both veterans are expected to operate on the perimeter – providing that they can elude health issues. Quintez Cephus could also carve out a role during the season. However, St. Brown has been running routes predominantly from the slot during training camp, and Detroit's depth chart does not present significant competition that would preclude him from retaining that role during the regular season. That should also translate to consistent targeting from Goff, whose comfort level in locating St.Brown should be sustained by the rookie’s dependable presence inside. That supplies the rationale to target St. Brown near the conclusion of your drafts.

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