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

July 21, 2022

2022 fantasy football wide receiver rankings and analysis for 2022 best ball drafts. Phil Clark breaks down the top WRs in the top tiers, and best ADP values.

Some of you have been building rosters in the best-ball format since the initial weeks of the offseason, and participation in this popular format has intensified as we continue our progression toward Week 1. Enthusiasm for these leagues remains enormous for multiple reasons, which includes the ability to complete all forms of roster management immediately upon the conclusion of each draft.

This also ensures the likelihood of being impacted by injuries and other production-inhibiting developments that cannot be offset by roster moves during the season. That aspect of the best-ball format should be integrated into your decision-making process during each draft. It should also incentivize you to develop a flexible plan that addresses any nuances that exist in each league while adapting a fluid approach toward determining each selection.

The team @RotoBaller continues to deliver an enormous collection of resources that are designed to help you construct your rosters in this format, including our non-stop arsenal of news, analysis, and tiered rankings. We also provide breakdowns of our rankings after each update, and this article will focus on wide receivers in Tiers 1-3. We will continually update our rankings in all leagues throughout the offseason, and you can also find the latest fantasy football rankings here.

Wide Receiver Best-Ball Rankings

Tier 1 - Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Rankings

Cooper Kupp, Justin Jefferson, Ja'Marr Chase 

Kupp’s 2021 regular season was unparalleled, and his achievements have been well-documented. Not only did he commandeer the most targets (191/11.2 per game), receptions (145/8.5 per game), receiving yards (1,947//114.5 per game), and touchdowns (16) among all wide receivers, but Kupp also paced his position in yards per route run (3.09), yards after catch (873), receptions of 20+ yards (30), games with 10+ targets (14), and games with 100+ yards (11).

Cooper Kupp just put together the best season ever by a wide receiver. Set records for receptions (178) + rec. yards (2,425) in a season (including playoffs) and scored 22 TDs

Triple crown, Offensive Player of the Year, Super Bowl MVP. What a year. https://t.co/8OcjSRoL3g

— Cameron DaSilva (@camdasilva) February 14, 2022

Matching the results that he attained during his exceptional season will be a daunting task. However, Kupp is primed to operate as Matthew Stafford’s most-targeted weapon, while Allen Robinson and Van Jefferson will reside below him on LA’s depth chart.

Robinson will emerge as a viable WR2 for the Rams, but Kupp will confiscate another massive target share. He has already proven that he can stockpile outstanding numbers in Sean McVay’s attack. That keeps him affixed among your top-two options at wide receiver during upcoming drafts.

Jefferson will enter Week 1 with his own expanding list of impressive numbers, as he has averaged 146 targets (8.8 per game/27.4% share), 98 receptions (5.9 per game), 1,508 receiving yards (91.4 per game), and 1,764 air yards (106.9 per game) during 2020-2021. He has also accumulated the most receiving yards and the second-highest number of air yards during that sequence.

Jefferson also led all receivers in air yards (2,107) and yards before catch (1,134) last season, while finishing second in receiving yards (1,616/95.1 per game), fourth in both targets (167/9.8 per game/28.9% share) and receptions (108/6.4 per game), and seventh in yards after catch (482).

Jefferson will benefit from continuity at quarterback, following the one-year contract extension that was secured by Kirk Cousins, while Cousins’ former quarterbacks' coach Kevin O’Connell will begin his tenure as head coach. O’Connell was also the offensive coordinator under McVay in 2020-2021 and has stated his plan to use Jefferson in a similar manner to his deployment of Kupp.

Justin Jefferson was a target monster in the second half of last season.

Weeks 9-18:
33% Target Share (1st)
1,362 Air Yards (1st)

New HC Kevin O'Connell is an upgrade.

Jefferson is my overall WR1.

— Frank Ammirante (@FAmmiranteTFJ) May 27, 2022

Jefferson remains embedded within the elite tier at his position and should be one of the first two receivers to be selected during your drafts.

Chase quickly confirmed his ability to thrive at the NFL level by eclipsing 100 yards and generating a touchdown in Week 1. That provided the consummate career launch to a record-breaking rookie season, in which he skyrocketed to WR5. Chase also finished fourth in receiving yards (1,455/85.6 per game), which was the most yardage that any rookie has generated during the Super Bowl era.

Chase also finished second in yards per target (11.4), yards per reception (18.0), and was third in both yards after catch (651) and touchdowns (13). He was also fifth in yards per route run (2.6), sixth in yards before catch (804), and finished eighth in air yards (1,617).

Chase also erupted for 200+ yards in two contests, and the 266 yards that he stockpiled in Week 17 established a single-game record for rookies. All questions surrounding Cincinnati’s decision to select him fifth overall have been eviscerated, as Chase has seized his place inside the elite tier of receivers.

Tier 2 - Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Rankings

Davante Adams, Deebo Samuel, Stefon Diggs, Tyreek Hill, A.J. Brown, CeeDee Lamb

Adams finished at WR2 during his final season as a Packer. He also established career-highs in receptions (123/7.7 per game), receiving yards (1,553/97.1 per game), first down receptions (84), yards before catch (961), and games of 100+ yards (eight) during 2021. The five-time Pro Bowler also procured the highest grade versus single coverage among all wide receivers in 2020-2021, according to PFF.

Highest-graded WR vs single coverage each season 🔥 pic.twitter.com/P9Rr2YSXmJ

— PFF (@PFF) April 26, 2022

However, Adams also rejected the opportunity to extend his tenure in Green Bay for a ninth consecutive season and will now be operating as the primary receiving weapon for Las Vegas.

Some @tae15adams content for your timeline pic.twitter.com/igBkN38mIj

— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) June 2, 2022

This has provided Adams with the opportunity to rekindle the collegiate success that he attained with Derek Carr at Fresno State when Adams accumulated 233 receptions, 3,031 yards, and 38 touchdowns (2012-2013). 

The presence of Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller should discourage defensive coordinators from deploying an overabundance of double coverage on Adams. That sustains his place among the first four receivers that should be selected during your drafts.

Samuel ascended into a multi-purpose resource for San Francisco last season after displaying Tier-2 capabilities as a wide receiver and leading his position in multiple categories as a rusher. Samuel soared to WR3, led all receivers in yards per target (11.6), yards per reception (18.2), was second in yards after catch (768), and finished fourth with an 87.8 yards per game average. He also led all receivers in rushing attempts (59/4.9 per game), rushing yardage (365/30.4 per game), and rushing touchdowns (eight).

.@19problemz has the most rush TDs (7) by a WR in a single season in NFL History.

There's still 3 games left 👀

📺: #SFvsTEN -- 8pm ET on @nflnetwork
📱: NFL App pic.twitter.com/LUf3S1tfwS

— NFL (@NFL) December 23, 2021

Samuel also expressed dissatisfaction with his current contract during the offseason, while issuing a trade request and failing to report for the 49ers’ voluntary team workouts. He has yet to attain an extension, but 49ers’ General Manager John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan should concoct a solution that appeases Samuel, while also allowing the team to maximize his unique talent. This sustains Samuel as a viable option for you to seize during Round 2 of your drafts.

Diggs remains anchored among the top-six wide receivers to target for your rosters, while entering his third season as Josh Allen’s primary receiving weapon. Diggs has collected 330 targets, 230 receptions, 2,760 yards, and a league-high 3,540 air yards during his first two years with Buffalo while averaging 165 targets (10 per game/26.4% share), 115 receptions (7.0 per game), 1380 yards (83.6 per game), and 1,770 air yards during that span. He has also generated 18 touchdowns, including the career-high 10 that he attained last season.

Is @stefondiggs the best route runner in the league? 👀 pic.twitter.com/H32rYG8SN2

— NFL (@NFL) June 4, 2022

The 28-year-old Diggs also finished second in air yards during 2021 (1,827), and was second in both red-zone targets (34) and targets inside the 10 (14).

Cole Beasley and Emmanuel Sanders were extracted from the Bills’ depth chart during the offseason, while former Jet Jamison Crowder was added to operate in the slot. Gabriel Davis should also ascend into WR2 duties for the Bills. However, neither Davis nor Crowder will present a challenge to Diggs’ status as Buffalo’s most critical resource in the team’s aerial attack.

Hill’s accomplishments were enormous during his final five seasons with Kansas City, as he averaged 125 targets (8.3 per game), 84 receptions (5.6 per game), 1,207 receiving yards (80.5 per game), and 10 touchdowns. His numbers also created a significant issue for the Chiefs in their efforts to extend his contract while still adhering to the cap. That challenge intensified after Adams signed his new deal with the Raiders, and the situation culminated with Hill’s trade to Miami.

Hill’s elite level of speed and explosiveness have helped him routinely gain separation while entrenching him among the league’s most effective vertical weapons. Those attributes also incentivized the Dolphins to secure him with a four-year contract extension.

However, the magnitude of his transition from Patrick Mahomes to Tua Tagovailoa cannot be dismissed. This is reflected by his descending ADP, which has dropped 12 slots since he departed from Kansas City (24/WR9). He is still being selected as a low-end WR1, which is now the most reasonable expectation as he operates in Miami’s transformed attack.

A.J. Brown just made this amazing one-handed touchdown grab to tie the game. Unreal pic.twitter.com/CmhvUzXxFT

— Ben Brown 🌻 (@BenBrownPL) January 22, 2022

Brown has displayed the ability to perform as one of the league’s preeminent receivers during his three seasons with Tennessee. He also missed six games in 2020-2021 (knee/hamstring/chest) while his usage had been intermittent in an offense that failed to rank higher than 30th in pass play percentage during his tenure.

Brown was one of the fourth-year receivers who had been seeking a new contract during the offseason, and an impasse during negotiations eventually compelled the Titans to trade Brown in exchange for Philadelphia’s first and third-round selections in April’s NFL Draft.

He will now resurface in an offense that led the NFL in run play percentage last season (51.2%). However, head coach Nick Sirianni and offensive coordinator Shane Steichen can be expected to increase their reliance on the team’s aerial attack following their investment in Brown. 2021 first-round pick DeVonta Smith looms as a frequent competitor for targets. However, Brown will confiscate the highest share of opportunities and should deliver low-end WR1 production to fantasy managers.

We have already examined several WR1s who have been traded into new environments. We have also reviewed several fourth-year receivers who expressed their desire for new contracts. However, the offseason developments in Dallas have only been favorable for Lamb. The departure of Amari Cooper has eliminated any remaining hurdles that would preclude Lamb from operating as the uncontested WR1 for the Cowboys. 

Cooper’s exodus has also combined with Cedrick Wilson’s relocation to Miami to unleash 165 targets for redistribution. Michael Gallup is recovering from the torn ACL that he suffered in January, which will elevate James Washington and rookie Jalen Tolbert below Lamb on the Cowboys’ depth chart as the season begins.

CeeDee Lamb has created the second-most big plays among WRs since 2020.

If he even gets close to 140 or 150 targets in 2022, he'll finish as a top- 5 WR in fantasy. https://t.co/MiTFR2YfIQ

— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) May 25, 2022

Lamb already led the Cowboys in target share last season (21.0%), along with total routes (535), receptions (79/4.9 per game), receiving yards (1,102/68.9 per game), air yards (1,207), and a 27% share of air yards. His expanded pathway toward extensive usage and mammoth production has vaulted him among the top-seven options at his position.

Tier 3 - Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Rankings

Mike Evans, Keenan Allen, Tee Higgins, Jaylen Waddle, Amari Cooper, Terry McLaurin, Diontae Johnson, D.K. Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr.,

Evans will enter his ninth season with career averages of 8.7 targets, 5.0 receptions, and 76.2 receiving yards. He has also collected at least 109 targets each year since entering the league (2014), while his ongoing streak of eight consecutive 1,000-yard seasons to start his career is an NFL record. Evans has also established a franchise record with his 75 career touchdowns and has finished among the top-17 in scoring seven times.

Mike Evans only knows 1,000-yard seasons pic.twitter.com/qTgUoffrmh

— PFF (@PFF) January 9, 2022

Evans completed 2021 at WR9 while accumulating 114 targets (7.1 per game), 74 receptions (4.6 per game), and 1,035 yards (64.7 per game). He also finished second overall in touchdowns (14), which also established a new career-high. Tom Brady’s reemergence under center has solidified Evans’ chances of operating as a WR2 for fantasy managers, with an increasing opportunity to approach WR1 output.

He is primed to begin Week 1 as the Buccaneers’ unequivocal lead receiver if Chris Godwin’s recovery (knee) extends beyond the season opener. A protracted Godwin absence would also combine with Rob Gronkowski’s retirement to present Evans with an enormous pathway to targets.

Allen was sidelined for 23 games during 2015-2016 (ACL/lacerated kidney) but has only missed three matchups since 2017. He has also finished among the top-13 in scoring during each of his last five seasons while averaging 149.6 targets (9.6 per game), 101.8 receptions (6.5 per game), and 1,183.6 receiving yards (75.9 per game) during that span.

He also surpassed a 25% target share for a fifth consecutive year in 2021 while collecting 9+ targets in 11 matchups, and finishing eighth overall with 157 (9.8 per game). Allen was also fourth in both routes run (653) and red zone targets (253), sixth in receptions (106/6.6 per game) and first down receptions (66), and also finished seventh overall in yards before catch (801).

Allen turned 30 in April, and his impressive streak of highly productive seasons cannot be sustained indefinitely. However, fantasy managers in the best ball format can focus on his prospects for 2022, as Allen should approach WR1 output once again.

Higgins’ target share improved from 19.0% during his 2020 rookie season to a team-high 23.9% in 2021, even though Chase was infused into Cincinnati’s seventh-ranked passing attack (259 yards per game).

The increased usage fueled a universal rise in Higgins’ numbers during his second season, as he established new career highs in targets (110/7.9 per game), receptions (74/5.3 per game), receiving yards (1,091/77.9 per game), air yards (1,327), yards per target (9.9), and yards per reception (14.7). Higgins was eighth overall in yards before catch (801), ninth in receptions of 20+ (17), and also finished fourth in Football Outsiders’ DVOA (Defense-Adjusted Value Over Average).

Joe Burrow to Tee Higgins! Touchdown #Bengals!#PITvsCIN #NFL #NFLTwitter #RuleTheJungle pic.twitter.com/9c2Y7dAKcT

— Football Outsiders (@fboutsiders) November 28, 2021

Higgins’ target share also rose to 26.6% from Weeks 13-16, and he capitalized by finishing at WR2 during those matchups. He also vaulted to second in receiving yards (469/117.3 per game) and air yards (460), fifth in receptions (28/7 per game), and ninth with a 38.6% share of air yards. Higgins will remain highly involved in the Bengals’ aerial efforts, which makes him worthy of selection in Round 3 of your drafts.

Waddle was the second wide receiver to be selected during the 2021 NFL Draft and finished his first season with more targets than any other member of his rookie class (141/8.8 per game).

That total also placed him 10th overall, while he procured a 24.6% share. He also finished seventh overall with 104 receptions (6.5 per game), which established a new rookie record. Waddle also became just the second wide receiver in NFL history to eclipse 100+.

Waddle also collected 10+ targets in seven different matchups last season, while facing minimal competition from Miami’s other wide receivers. DeVante Parker was second at the position with 40 receptions and was dispatched to New England in April. However, the arrival of Hill will fuel an enormous change to the distribution of targets among the team’s receiving weaponry. Hill should garner a significant share, which should preclude Waddle from reaching his 2021 total. That should compel you to avoid drafting him before his Round 4 ADP (42/WR16).

Cooper will resurface in Cleveland after performing in 56 games with Dallas from 2018-2021. He was in the lineup during 15 matchups last season but did not collect 75 receptions (68/4.5 per game) or reach 1,000 yards (865/57.7 per game) for the first time since 2017. His 6.9 targets per game average were the lowest since 2017 (8.1/7.4/7.1), while his 18.7% share was second to Lamb (21.0%). That was also Cooper’s lowest share since he entered the league in 2015.

#Browns Deshaun Watson to Amari Cooper in 7 on 7s pic.twitter.com/55aGoDBDtf

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) June 1, 2022

He will join Cleveland’s reconstructed passing attack, which does not contain any legitimate challenger to his status as the team’s WR1. The prospects of operating with Deshaun Watson would improve Cooper’s outlook. However, any suspension for Watson would elevate Jacoby Brissett under center, while decreasing the optimism surrounding Cooper’s projected numbers. The Browns have also ranked 27th and 29th in pass play percentage during Kevin Stefanski’s two seasons as head coach, and it is unclear whether they will exceed their 53.1% average during that span.

The contract status of prominent wide receivers has become a frequent topic during the offseason, and McLaurin was among the fourth-year receivers who were pursuing a new deal. His quest eventually culminated with a three-year contract extension in late June.

Commanders agree to 3-year extension with WR Terry McLaurin worth up to $70M. (via @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/rrfOIzq93S

— NFL (@NFL) June 28, 2022

McLaurin has also contended with recurrent shortcomings at quarterback during his tenure with Washington but has averaged 8.0 targets/5.1 receptions/67.8 receiving yards since 2020. He has also averaged a 25% target share and a 42.3% share of air yards during that span.

The Commanders addressed their issue under center by trading for Carson Wentz – whose career descent has been well-documented. Wentz still represents an upgrade over the previous signal-callers which is a testament to how formidable the hurdle of substandard play under center has been.

The Commanders selected Jahan Dotson during Round 1 of the recent NFL Draft, and the former Nittany Lion will function as Washington’s WR2. However, his presence will not prevent McLaurin from operating as his team’s primary receiving option once again.

Johnson has led Pittsburgh in targets every season since he entered the league (2019). He has also collected 10+ in 22 of his last 31 games, including 12 of Pittsburgh’s matchups last season. Johnson also tied for second among all receivers with a career-best 169 targets (10.6 per game) during 2021, which was the second consecutive year that he has finished among the top-five in targets per game.

Johnson also finished fifth with a career-high 107 receptions (6.7 per game) last season and surpassed 1,000 yards for the first time in his career (1,161/72.6 per game). Johnson also led the league in total routes run (731), was sixth in yards after catch (527), and completed the year at WR8 in scoring.

Diontae Johnson had two drops during the regular season. On 169 targets.

All of these players had 5+ drops pic.twitter.com/W1dBOFRMrr

— SteelerNation (@SteeIerNation) February 9, 2022

Diontae Johnson has increased his targets, receptions, yards and TDs in every season he’s been in the NFL

— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) March 3, 2022

Johnson benefitted from Ben Roethlisberger’s penchant for locating him repeatedly, but the Steelers’ transition to a blend of Kenny Pickett and Mitchell Trubisky under center will not alter his status as the Steeler’s primary receiving weapon. However, he might not match last year’s 28.4% target share, as newcomers George Pickens and Calvin Austin III could join Chase Claypool in pilfering opportunities as the season progresses.

Metcalf’s per-game averages in targets, receptions, and receiving yards dropped last season when contrasted with his 2020 numbers (8.1/7.6 targets), (5.2/4.4 receptions), (81.4/56.9 yards). However, that did not deter fantasy managers from drafting him as a WR1 (ADP 31/WR12) before the Seahawks extracted Russell Wilson from their offensive equation.

Now, the discomforting reality of a Seahawks offense being guided by Drew Lock or Geno Smith has sent Metcalf’s draft position into a nosedive (54/WR23), due to the hurdles that inadequate quarterback play will place in Metcalf’s pathway to productivity.

Metcalf is still recovering from surgery on his left foot as he enters the final year of his rookie contract, but Pete Carroll has stated that finalizing an extension is a priority for the team. Metcalf should operate as Seattle’s WR1, although neither Lock nor Smith can be expected to maximize Metcalf’s unique big-play capabilities to the degree that Wilson routinely achieved during his tenure with the Seahawks.

Michael Pittman Jr.'s SECOND touchdown of the day already 😳pic.twitter.com/ltbYoROoL6

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) October 31, 2021

Pittman emerged as the clear WR1 for Indianapolis during his second season while commandeering a 25.8% target share. He was the only Colt to exceed a 15% share, while his percentage placed him 16th among all wide receivers. He also finished 15th overall in receptions (88/5.2 per game) and receiving yards (1,082/63.6 per game), and also averaged 2.06 yards per route run.

Former Falcon Matt Ryan has averaged 4,516 yards during his last 11 seasons, and his insertion under center should allow Pittman to thrive in an aerial attack that does not contain a legitimate challenge to his status as the primary option.

Indianapolis secured Alec Pierce with the 53rd overall pick during April's NFL Draft, and the newcomer could emerge as the WR2 on Indy’s uninspiring depth chart (Parris Campbell/Ashton Dulin/Keke Coutee/Michael Strachan). Pittman should stockpile targets and yardage and is properly placed at his Round 3 ADP (31/WR13).

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