Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Best Ball Rankings For 2024 (Tiers 1-3)

March 10, 2024

Wide receiver rankings analysis for 2024 best ball drafts for WRs in the top tiers. Phil Clark breaks down the best values relative to ADP for fantasy football best ball leagues.

We have now entered the process of free agency, which will soon provide pathways for some wide receivers to seize significant roles in their new landing spots. The player movement that has ensued will also negatively impact the stock of other receivers whose roles will decrease within their reshaped depth charts.

Participation in best ball leagues has also intensified, which provides fantasy football managers with the opportunity to construct rosters that will not require additional management following the conclusion of each draft. This makes it essential to assemble rosters that can withstand injuries, insufficient production, and other challenges without the benefit of a waiver wire.

The team at RotoBaller is providing tiered rankings and detailed analysis to help you navigate the draft process in this format. That includes this article, which will focus on wide receivers that are contained in Tiers 1-3. Every alteration within the fantasy landscape will be infused into the best ball rankings throughout the offseason, and you can find the latest fantasy football rankings here.

Wide Receiver Best Ball Rankings

Tier 1

Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, Tyreek Hill, Ja'Marr Chase,  Amon-Ra St. Brown, A.J. Brown

Justin Jefferson was the first player selected during the 2023 draft season, which was justifiable in the aftermath of his accomplishments from 2020 to 2022. That included the league-high 4,825 receiving yards (96.5 per game) and 324 receptions (6.5 per game) that he generated, which were the most by any player during his first three seasons in NFL history.

Jefferson also accumulated a league-best 543 receiving yards (135.8 per game) from Weeks 1-4 last season and rose to third in targets (47/11.8 per game), yards after catch (181), and touchdowns (three).

He sustained a hamstring injury in Week 5, did not resurface until Week 14, and reemerged in a Vikings offense that was operating without Kirk Cousins (torn Achilles).

JUSTIN JEFFERSON 38-YARD TOUCHDOWN pic.twitter.com/OcmWTbmsYq

— NFL Retweet (@NFLRT) January 7, 2024

However, Jefferson finished fifth overall with an average of 20.2 points per game. He was also second in yards per game (107.4), third in games of 150+ yards (three), fourth in receptions of 20+ yards (25), fifth in receptions per game (6.8), and fifth in yards per route run (2.78). Jefferson is currently the first wide receiver being selected during the majority of drafts. He should reward fantasy managers who make that investment if the Vikings secure a capable replacement for the departed Cousins.

CeeDee Lamb's ADP ascended into Round 1 for the first time in his career during the 2023 draft season (11/WR5), and the career-best numbers that he stockpiled during his fourth season have cemented him within the elite tier of wide receivers.

CeeDee Lamb: The most valuable WR in the NFL last season pic.twitter.com/Ety9F1U8KV

— PFF (@PFF) February 25, 2024

Lamb led all wide receivers with a career-high 181 targets (10.6 per game) while capturing 10+ during 10 different matchups. He also secured double-digit totals during his final six regular-season contests while accruing a league-best 77 and averaging 12.8 per game.

The Cowboys wideout also paced his position with 135 receptions (7.9 per game) while assembling 10+ in seven different contests. He also finished second in receiving yards (1,749 yards/102.9 per game), which was fueled by eight games in which he eclipsed 100+.

Lamb also exceeded 150+ yards four times, including the career-high 227 that he generated in Week 17, which propelled many grateful fantasy managers to league championships.

He also averaged a league-best 23.7 points per game from Weeks 1-18, including a league-high 28.5 from Weeks 13-18. Lamb is positioned to sustain the exceptional results that he delivered last season, which has secured his place among the top-four selections during upcoming drafts.

Tyreek Hill has accumulated 3,509 receiving yards (106.3 per game) during his two seasons with Miami, which leads all wide receivers. He is also second overall in targets (341/10.3 per game) and receptions (238/7.2 per game) during that span.

That includes Hill’s numbers during 2023 when he paced his position in receiving yards (1,799/112.4 per game), including eight games in which he eclipsed 100+. Hill also led all wide receivers in targets per route run (38.2%), yards per route run (4.02), receptions of 20+ (29), receptions of 40+ (nine), and yards before catch (1,147).

Tyreek Hill 132 receiving yards.
Commanders 115 total yards.

pic.twitter.com/OMy1yjFnOe

— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) December 3, 2023

He also tied with Mike Evans for the league lead in touchdowns (13) and finished second with an average of 23.5 points per game from Weeks 1-18. The five-time All-Pro just turned 30 on March 1. However, age should not deter you from securing Hill when you are assembling best ball rosters, as there has been no discernible indication that a decrease in his big-play capabilities is imminent.

Hill is primed to operate as the primary receiving weapon in Mike McDaniel’s offense once again, and all managers should be incentivized to target Hill among the top-five selections in all drafts.

Ja'Marr Chase soared to second among all wide receivers with 99 targets (11.0 per game) from Weeks 1-10. He also rose to second in yards after catch (382), third in receptions (69/7.7 per game), seventh in receiving yards (821/91.2 per game), and eclipsed 100+ yards in four different matchups.

Chase was also targeted on 23.9% of his routes, generated five touchdowns, and was eighth with an average of 20.1 points per game.

Joe Burrow connecting with Ja'Marr Chase for a 64-yard touchdown!

(Via: NFL, CBS)pic.twitter.com/ZP7fFNRdKN

— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) November 12, 2023

Those numbers were assembled with Joe Burrow spearheading Cincinnati’s offense. However, Chase’s numbers universally declined after Burrow sustained a torn ligament in his right wrist during Week 11.

Chase dropped to 34th in targets from Weeks 12-18 (39/6.5 per game) while failing to exceed seven targets in five of his six matchups during that span. He also averaged 4.8 receptions/63.8 yards per game and finished 19th in yards after catch (158), only manufactured one touchdown, and plunged to 34th with an average of 12.2 points per game.

Chase’s role as Burrow’s primary receiving option will remain unchallenged. That solidifies his place among the top-four receivers that should be prioritized during Round 1 of your drafts.

Amon-Ra St. Brown just keeps getting better and better pic.twitter.com/slMEL46IVI

— PFF (@PFF) February 21, 2024

Amon-Ra St. Brown has firmly established his presence as an unquestioned first-round selection for fantasy managers after finishing among the league leaders in multiple categories during 2023. His numbers have steadily improved during his first three seasons, as he operates as Detroit’s most critical receiving weapon.

St. Brown soared to fourth with an average of 20.7 points per game while finishing fifth with a career-best 163 targets. He also captured 9+ during 11 different matchups, while rising to fifth in target share (29.9%) and targets per route run (28.3%), and also finishing fifth in targets per game (10.2). 

He also ascended to second in receptions (119/7.4 per game) and yards after catch (668) while finishing third in receiving yards (1,515/94.7 per game) and eighth in yards per route run (2.63).

St. Brown will benefit from offensive coordinator Ben Johnson’s decision to remain with the Lions and will reward you for targeting him among the top-five receivers in your drafts.

A.J. Brown has accumulated 2,952 receiving yards (86.8 per game) during his two seasons with the Eagles, which places him third among all wide receivers. Brown has also assembled 303 targets (8.9 per game), 194 receptions (5.7 per game), and 18 touchdowns since he was traded from Tennessee to Philadelphia.

Brown also finished fifth overall with 1,456 yards (85.6 per game) during 2023 while eclipsing 100+ in seven different matchups. He also accomplished it despite sustaining a knee injury that limited him to 12 snaps in Week 18. He also rose to fifth in targets (157/9.8 per game) from Weeks 1-17 while gathering 8+ during 13 of his 16 matchups.

AJ BROWN ONE HAND TOUCHDOWN

EXCUSE ME?!?pic.twitter.com/fWN9JCvobi

— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) October 29, 2023

Brown had also vaulted to second in air yards (1,818) from Weeks 1-17 while finishing seventh in receptions (105/6.6 per game) and eighth in both targets per route run (26.8%), and yards per route run (2.47).

Brown was also sixth with an average of 18.1 points per game before his injury. Any offseason modifications within Philadelphia’s offense will not alter his status as a viable option at the beginning of Round 2 in your drafts.

Tier 2

Puka Nacua, Garrett Wilson, D.J. Moore, Davante Adams, Chris Olave

Puka Nacua was the 20th wide receiver selected during the 2023 NFL Draft (177th overall). However, he constructed the most prolific season among all members of his rookie class while establishing his presence as a reliable WR1 for fantasy managers.

Puka Nacua rookie records this season:

✅ Most receptions in a season
✅ Most receiving yards in a season
✅ Most receiving yards in a playoff game pic.twitter.com/nG5c30aYhc

— PFF (@PFF) January 15, 2024

Nacua soared to the league lead in targets (35/17.5 per game) and receptions (25/12.5 per game) entering Week 3. He was also second in receiving yards (266/133 per game) and third with an average of 26 points per game.

That highly productive launch of his rookie season also propelled him to fourth overall in receiving yards (1,486/87.4 per game) from Weeks 1-18 and seventh in receptions (105/6.2 per game), as Nacua also established new rookie records in each category.

Nacua was also fourth in targets per route run (29.1%), sixth in targets (160/9.4 per game), and seventh in yards per route run (2.71) while leading his rookie class in each category.

Nacua is primed to build upon the numbers that he assembled during his exceptional 2023 season while flourishing in Sean McVay’s aerial attack. That supplies your motivation to seize him late in Round 1 of your next draft.

Garrett Wilson's boundless talent remains unquestioned, as is his unwavering status as the Jets’ most critical receiving weapon. Wilson is fourth among all wide receivers with 315 targets (9.3 per game) during his first two seasons with New York.

GARRETT WILSON WITH THE SPEED 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/w3v0RgeCur

— PFF (@PFF) September 17, 2023

He also finished fourth overall during 2023 (168/9.9 per game), which was 119 more than any other wide receiver within the Jets’ arsenal of weaponry. He accumulated a league-high 131 targets (10.9 per game) from Weeks 4-16 and eclipsed 10+ during eight of his 12 matchups during that span.

Unfortunately, Wilson’s unimpeded path toward extensive targeting did not shield him from the encumbrance of deficient quarterback play. His opportunity to benefit from Aaron Rodgers’ highly anticipated arrival was eviscerated after four snaps, and the Jets’ decision to proceed with Zach Wilson, Trevor Siemian, and Tim Boyle under center placed massive constraints on Wilson’s output.

Wilson finished 13th in receptions (95.5.6 per game), 22nd in receiving yards (1,042/61.3 per game), and 26th in yards after catch (327), and was also limited to three touchdowns. Wilson can approach the expectations of his Round 1 ADP (11/WR7) if he operates with a proficient signal-caller. 

Davante Adams maintained his role as the Raiders’ preeminent receiving weapon during 2023 amid transitions at quarterback, along with an in-season overhaul of the Las Vegas coaching staff and front office.

Adams operated with three different signal-callers (Aidan O'Connell/Jimmy Garoppolo/Brian Hoyer). At the same time, Bo Hardegree became the interim offensive coordinator prior to Week 9 -- after replacing Mick Lombardi in that capacity.

Davante.

📺: #DENvsLV on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/X0vcyHUoyR pic.twitter.com/KgNO9PqG3a

— NFL (@NFL) January 7, 2024

However, those factors did not preclude Adams from securing a league-high 33% target share from Weeks 1-18. He also finished second in targets (175/10.3 per game), targets per route run (31.5%), and red zone targets (30). He also rose to third in air yards share (44.4%), sixth in air yards (1,783), ninth in receptions (103/6.1 per game), and 14th with an average of 15.6 points per game.

O'Connell or Gardner Minshew could emerge as the Raiders’ starting quarterback this season. However, Las Vegas should also infuse another signal-caller into the equation via free agency or the NFL Draft.

Even though it is unclear which quarterback will ultimately spearhead the Raiders’ passing attack, Adams’ ADP is properly placed in Round 2 of current drafts (ADP 21/WR10).

Anyone who invested in D.J. Moore at his Round 4 ADP (47/WR20) during the 2023 draft season was rewarded when he eclipsed his previous career highs in multiple categories.

.@idjmoore in his first year as a Bear:
▪️ 96 catches
▪️ 1,364 rec. yds
▪️ 8 rec. TDs

All career highs 🔥

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) January 18, 2024

That included Moore’s rise to ninth among all wide receivers with an average of 16.9 points per game during his first season with Chicago. He also finished sixth with a career-best 1,364 receiving yards (80.2 per game), which included five games of 100+. Moore also stockpiled a career-high 230 yards in Week 5, which was the second-highest single-game total in franchise history.

Moore also finished fourth in receptions of 20+ (25), fifth in air yards share (42.6%), seventh in touchdowns (eight), eighth in yards after catch (539), and 12th with a career-high 96 receptions (5.6 per game).

THIS BEARS WR DUO 🤯 pic.twitter.com/G5mR2OldSQ

— PFF Fantasy & Betting (@PFF_Fantasy) March 15, 2024

Even though Moore thrived with Justin Fields spearheading Chicago’s offense, the Bears could opt to trade Fields while securing his replacement at the onset of the upcoming NFL Draft. The arrival of Keenan Allen could also impede Moore from sustaining last year's WR1 production.

Chris Olave's ADP surged into Round 2 during the 2023 draft season (24/WR12), as fantasy managers were encouraged by a combination of favorable factors. Olave had assembled promising numbers during his 2022 rookie season while leading all first-year receivers in multiple categories from Weeks 1-12.

He vaulted to second overall in air yards (1,338) and was seventh in yards per route run (2.65), eighth in targets per route run (29.7%), and 10th in both targets (92/8.4 per game) and receiving yards (822/74.7 per game) during that sequence.

Olave was impacted by multiple injuries (concussion/hamstring) from Weeks 13-17. Olave had also generated those results while functioning with Andy Dalton and Jameis Winston under center and appeared primed to improve upon those numbers while operating with Derek Carr in 2023.

This TD catch by @chrisolave_ > all those catches https://t.co/n7h40Nwisy pic.twitter.com/QVTD4uHFD0

— Saints Updates (@bigeasynation) February 22, 2024

He ultimately averaged 14.5 points per game, which placed him 19th in 2023. Olave also finished 12th in targets (138 targets/8.6 per game), 14th in receptions (87/5.4 per game), and 17th in receiving yards (1,123/70.2 per game). Olave also rose to seventh overall with 1,783 air yards and 16th in targets per route run (25.1%).

Olave is currently being drafted as a low-end WR1 (22/WR11), and his prospects of justifying that draft position will be largely dependent on Carr’s ability to locate Olave as a downfield weapon with accuracy and increased frequency.

Tier 3

Brandon Aiyuk, Jaylen Waddle, Deebo Samuel 

Conflicting opinions emerged during the 2023 offseason surrounding Brandon Aiyuk's potential to assemble the most prolific numbers of his career. His ADP rose to Round 6 during draft season (69/WR29) as Aiyuk’s exceptional talent and his involvement in Kyle Shanahan’s offense seemingly positioned him to eclipse the career-best results that he had constructed during 2022.

However, there was also a legitimate reason for concern regarding Aiyuk’s potential to consistently operate with a sizable target share while competing for opportunities with Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and Christian McCaffrey.

Aiyuk ultimately established career highs in yards per game (83.9) and games of 100+ yards (seven). He also soared to second in yards per route run (3.32), yards per target (12.8), and yards per reception (17.9).

THAT'S A TD CATCH 🙌

Two feet in for Brandon Aiyuk's second touchdown of the day!

📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/OVVucuv1BS

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 10, 2023

He was also seventh with a career-best 1,342 receiving yards, finished 12th in targets per route run (26.0%), and secured the second-highest grade for wide receivers from PFF. Aiyuk also tied for 14th with an average of 15.6 points per game. He is fully capable of replicating last season’s high-end WR2 output as he progresses through the final year of his rookie contract.

Jaylen Waddle has averaged 110.5 targets (7.1 per game), 73.5 receptions (4.7 per game), and 1,185 yards (76.5 per game) since the infusion of Tyreek Hill into Miami’s aerial attack while also generating 11 touchdowns.
 
That includes his results during 2023 when Waddle captured 104 targets (7.4 per game) while assembling 1,014 yards (72.4 per game) and four touchdowns. He also tied for 21st overall with an average of 14.2 points per game, which did represent a slight decline from his averages in 2021-2022 (15.4/15.2). 

Jaylen Waddle top plays during the Miami Dolphins 2023 season.#FinsUp pic.twitter.com/fB4VuM8l9r

— Big E (@ian693) February 28, 2024

However, Waddle did secure a 22.7% target share. That was the second-highest percentage among Miami’s receiving weapons by a considerable margin, as no other Dolphin exceeded a share of 10.9%. He also vaulted to third overall in targets per route run (29.5%), fourth in yards per route run (2.88), and 10th in yards per target (9.8). 

Waddle will retain a critical role within the Dolphins' offense while operating as the team’s unchallenged WR2. He should also function as a low-end WR2 for fantasy managers. 

Deebo Samuel's effectiveness as a multi-purpose resource propelled him to 12th with an average of 16.2 points per game during 2023. However, Samuel finished with 89 targets, with a 5.9 per game average that failed to match his averages in 2022 (7.2) and 2021 (7.6). Samuel was also 32nd in receiving yards (892), as his 59.5 yards per game average remained below the career-best average that he delivered in 2021 (87.8).

Deebo Samuel became the 47th player since 1970 to push a rushing and receiving touchdown in back to back weeks.

Pete Johnson is the only player over that stretch to do it three straight weeks.

pic.twitter.com/V9rYM9SwM9

— Jeff Bell (@4WhomJBellTolls) December 11, 2023

Samuel did rise to fourth in receptions of 40+ (six), ninth in yards after catch (527), and 10th in yards per route run (2.42). He also led all wide receivers in rushing attempts (37/2.5 per game), rushing yards (225/15.0 per game), and rushing touchdowns (five) for a third consecutive season.

Samuel can deliver big plays and assemble favorable yardage totals with his relentless playing style, although that also raises the potential for him to encounter health issues. Aiyuk’s ascension into San Francisco's WR1 duties also creates the need for hesitation in selecting Samuel before his Round 3 ADP (33/WR18).

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