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As fantasy football best ball formats continue to increase in popularity, Mike Fanelli breaks down eight sleeper wide receivers for Underdog drafts in 2024.
The 2024 NFL preseason is underway. Therefore, there will be meaningful NFL games in a few short weeks.
While fantasy players have had all offseason to prepare for their 2024 fantasy football drafts, nothing beats some last-minute cramming. The start of fantasy drafts gets all the attention, as casual players want to hear about superstars with a first-round ADP. However, fantasy players win their league by finding sleepers with upside.
Let’s look at eight of my favorite wide receiver sleepers for the 2024 fantasy football season. ADP for this article is via Underdog Fantasy.
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Fantasy Football Wide Receivers Outside the Top 40 in ADP
Diontae Johnson (CAR): ADP 70.3 | WR42
Johnson was the WR8 in 2021, averaging 13.8 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Unfortunately, the veteran has averaged only 8.8 fantasy points per game over the past two years despite averaging 7.8 targets per contest. He has struggled because of awful quarterback production, ranking 70th in catchable target rate last season (per PlayerProfiler).
Furthermore, Johnson has five receiving touchdowns over the past two years, with 60% coming from Mitchell Trubisky. Thankfully, he gets a quarterback upgrade in Carolina and gets to play in Dave Canales’ fantasy-friendly offense. Canales recently said the veteran wide receiver will be the focal point of the passing attack in 2024.
DIONTAE JOHNSON. 71 YARDS. FOR THE LEAD.
📺: #PITvsBAL on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/WxnOXJY8R6 pic.twitter.com/BjXNi3SPGM— NFL (@NFL) January 6, 2024
Ladd McConkey (LAC): ADP 72.7 | WR43
Los Angeles has had one of the top passing attacks over the past few years with Justin Herbert under center. However, that will change under Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman’s run-heavy offense. While the team’s wide receiver core is far from elite, McConkey could become a star early in his rookie season.
The former Georgia star has shined during offseason practices. More importantly, McConkey has been working with the first-team offense during training camp. The rookie is the most likely candidate to adsorb a massive chunk of Keenan Allen’s 150 targets from last year. Expect him to quickly become Herbert’s go-to wide receiver.
Jameson Williams (DET): ADP 84.7 | WR48
Unfortunately, Williams’ first two seasons in the NFL were hampered by injuries and suspension. Yet, he is a popular third-year breakout candidate. The former first-round pick has been a star for the Lions during training camp, making several impressive plays. Head coach Dan Campbell has high expectations from the explosive playmaker this upcoming season.
Williams is a threat to score whenever he touches the ball. After scoring a touchdown on his lone reception as a rookie, Williams had two touchdowns in 24 receptions in 2023. Furthermore, the young receiver is a dangerous threat in the open field. While Amon-Ra St. Brown remains Detroit’s top weapon in the passing game, Williams is primed for a breakout year.
Jamo out of a CANNON!#DETvsNO 📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/dPnUZYYOvL
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 3, 2023
Rashid Shaheed (NO): ADP 104.6 | WR53
The former undrafted free agent is a popular third-year breakout candidate after the Saints moved on from Michael Thomas, making him the No. 2 receiver. Shaheed was the WR43 last season, averaging 8.4 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Furthermore, he had the 15th-highest yards per target among wide receivers with at least 75 targets.
New Orleans has high hopes for Shaheed after he recently signed a one-year extension. The explosive receiver could have a breakout season after New Orleans hired Klint Kubiak as their offensive coordinator. While fantasy players should target Chris Olave at his second-round ADP, Shaheed is an excellent mid-round option with significant upside.
Fantasy Football Wide Receivers Outside the Top 60 in ADP
Mike Williams (NYJ): ADP 131.7 | WR61
Unfortunately, Williams started training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list. Yet, the veteran expects to play on opening weekend. He was the WR15 over the first three weeks last year before tearing his ACL, averaging 13.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per game.
More importantly, Aaron Rodgers has produced two fantasy WR1s in the same season multiple times in his career. While the veteran won’t be a top-15 guy in 2024, Williams should easily outperform his WR61 ADP and turn into a downfield playmaker for the future Hall-of-Fame quarterback.
KEENAN ALLEN TOUCHDOWN PASS TO MIKE WILLIAMS!
📺: #LACvsMIN on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/UQdQ05hqXN pic.twitter.com/IVqZX7j6UX— NFL (@NFL) September 24, 2023
Darnell Mooney (ATL): ADP 146.7 | WR67
Mooney was an afterthought on an inconsistent Chicago Bears passing attack last season, averaging only 4.2 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Yet, fantasy players should have high hopes for the veteran wide receiver in Atlanta after the Falcons added Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr. this offseason.
The veteran quarterback has produced two top-12 wide receivers in the same year twice during his time with the Minnesota Vikings (2018 and 2020). While Mooney won’t be a top-24 wide receiver guy, the veteran is a capable playmaker. He has a 1,000-yard receiving season in his career. Don’t be surprised when Mooney easily outperforms his ADP.
Jermaine Burton (CIN): ADP 151.6 | WR69
Dynasty fantasy football players love Burton. The former Alabama star was a popular pick in dynasty rookie drafts because of Tee Higgins’ contract situation. While the veteran wide receiver signed the franchise tag and will play for the Bengals in 2024, Burton still has significant fantasy upside. He slipped in the NFL Draft because of off-the-field concerns.
Yet, Burton is a talented player, ranking first in aDOT (20.2) among wide receivers in the draft class with at least 30 targets last year (per PFF). Higgins has dealt with injuries in his career. Burton could see over 100 targets as a rookie despite being the Bengals’ No. 3 wide receiver.
Wan'Dale Robinson (NYG): ADP 165.4 | WR74
Malik Nabers is one of my favorite mid-round wide receiver draft targets. However, Robinson is also an excellent late-round option. His fantasy value got a massive boost following Darren Waller’s retirement. Daniel Jones loves to target the middle part of the field, which will help the slot receiver.
The former Kentucky star had a 26% target per route run rate and a 20.2% first-read target share in the five games he played with Jones last year (per Fantasy Points Data). Furthermore, Robinson had six or more targets in 45% of his games. He should be the clear-cut No. 2 receiving option behind Nabers. Hopefully, Robinson can have more than one receiving touchdown in 2024.
Wan'Dale Robinson was wide open for 6
📺: #NYGvsLV on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/d4RDZpcMkc pic.twitter.com/OZZFcpVuCM— NFL (@NFL) November 5, 2023
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