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Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Keepers for 2014
We are going to take a look at some of the more popular keeper names for wide receivers in fantasy football. This will be based on PPR leagues, but it will work for standard scoring leagues as well.
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Top Tier 2013: Rank / Points / PPG
|
Demaryius Thomas, Den WR |
1 |
337 |
21.1 |
|
Antonio Brown, Pit WR |
2 |
329.9 |
20.6 |
|
Josh Gordon, Cle WR |
3 |
329.4 |
20.6 |
|
A.J. Green, Cin WR |
4 |
324.6 |
20.3 |
|
Brandon Marshall, Chi WR |
5 |
323.5 |
20.2 |
|
Calvin Johnson, Det WR |
6 |
321.2 |
20.1 |
|
Dez Bryant, Dal WR |
7 |
304.4 |
19.0 |
Stock Up
Josh Gordon - He began the season with a two-game suspension and still finished in the top three in points. Gordon did it all without the luxury of a steady QB that could get him the ball consistently. Look for the Browns to build around him heading into next year.
Update July 5th: with the recent news of Josh Gordon's off the field issues, he will most likely be missing the entire 2014 NFL season unfortunately. He can be ignored in all formats.
Stock Down
Brandon Marshall- This has absolutely nothing to do with Marshall’s physical ability, but is rather due to the fact that Alshon Jeffery has emerged as a legitimate threat to be the team’s WR1A. Marshall's future targets will now begin to decrease—but at what rate? We will have to wait and see.
Second Tier 2013: Rank / Points / PPG
|
Eric Decker, Den WR |
8 |
294.8 |
18.4 |
|
Andre Johnson, Hou WR |
9 |
294.7 |
18.4 |
|
Alshon Jeffery, Chi WR |
10 |
292.6 |
18.3 |
|
Pierre Garcon, Wsh WR |
11 |
292.5 |
18.3 |
|
DeSean Jackson, Phi WR |
12 |
284.4 |
17.8 |
Stock Up
Alshon Jeffery - As stated above, Jeffery really broke out in 2013. Finishing the season with 1421 yards and 7 TDs, it’s safe to say those numbers are only going to increase.
Pierre Garcon - I wonder how many people had Garcon leading the league in receptions (113) before the 2013 season began? I’m willing to assume that number was rather small. The offensive focal point of the Washington Redskins, Garcon should only build on those numbers, while upping his TD rate in 2014.
Stock Down
Andre Johnson - For about three years, now everyone has been calling for the decline of Andre Johnson; those people are still waiting. Even though he still managed to put up some great numbers (especially Week 9), there comes a point where one has to try to sell high before all the value disappears. Johnson will be 33 by the time next season starts. While still capable of putting up some decent numbers, don’t lock him in as a top-10 WR again.
Third Tier 2013: Rank / Points / PPG
|
Jordy Nelson, GB WR |
13 |
279.4 |
17.5 |
|
Julian Edelman, NE WR |
14 |
263.7 |
16.5 |
|
Vincent Jackson, TB WR |
15 |
254.4 |
15.9 |
|
Anquan Boldin, SF WR |
16 |
249 |
15.6 |
|
Larry Fitzgerald, Ari WR |
17 |
242.2 |
15.1 |
|
T.Y. Hilton, Ind WR |
18 |
235.9 |
14.7 |
|
Keenan Allen, SD WR |
19 |
234.6 |
14.7 |
Stock Up
Keenan Allen - Weren't rookie WRs supposed to struggle adjusting to the NFL? I guess that myth is now dead—at least for Allen. Keep in mind that he had all of three receptions through the first three weeks, yet he finished with 71-1046-8. This should only be the beginning of a great career for Allen.
Stock Down
Anquan Boldin- Similar to Andre Johnson, this is strictly a probability assessment. Not only will Boldin turn 34 next season, but he is also a free agent. His success next year and beyond will have a lot to do with what team he decides to sign with.
Fourth Tier 2013: Rank / Points / PPG
|
Kendall Wright, Ten WR |
20 |
219.9 |
13.7 |
|
Mike Wallace, Mia WR |
21 |
211.3 |
13.2 |
|
Torrey Smith, Bal WR |
22 |
209.8 |
13.1 |
|
Wes Welker, Den WR |
23 |
208.8 |
13.1 |
|
Harry Douglas, Atl WR |
24 |
208.7 |
13.0 |
|
Brian Hartline, Mia WR |
25 |
207.6 |
13.0 |
|
Victor Cruz, NYG WR |
26 |
206.8 |
12.9 |
|
Marques Colston, NO WR |
27 |
205.3 |
12.8 |
|
Michael Floyd, Ari WR |
28 |
205.1 |
12.8 |
|
Riley Cooper, Phi WR |
29 |
193.3 |
12.1 |
|
Golden Tate, Sea WR |
30 |
192.9 |
12.1 |
|
Marvin Jones, Cin WR |
31 |
191.7 |
12.0 |
|
Emmanuel Sanders, Pit WR |
32 |
181.5 |
11.3 |
|
Nate Washington, Ten WR |
33 |
176.9 |
11.1 |
|
Rod Streater, Oak WR |
34 |
175.5 |
11.0 |
|
Greg Jennings, Min WR |
35 |
175.4 |
11.0 |
|
Jerricho Cotchery, Pit WR |
36 |
168.7 |
10.5 |
|
Cecil Shorts*, Jac WR |
37 |
164.7 |
10.3 |
Stock Up
Victor Cruz - 2013 was pretty much a waste of a season for every member of the New York Giants. Even in a down year, Cruz still managed 73-998-4. His previous two years, he had combined for over 2,500 yards and 19 TDs. Look for a bounce-back year for Cruz in 2014.
Torrey Smith - Another victim of a down year, Smith didn’t quite live up to the hype that followed him coming into the 2013 season. With that said, he did manage to record a respectable line of 65-1128-4. The Baltimore Ravens at times struggled to find ways to get Smith involved in their offense. With a whole year of being the #1 WR under his belt, look for Smith to really get it going in 2014.
Stock Down
Harry Douglas - This past season was easily the most productive of Douglas’s career. While some may look at him as a late bloomer, we have to keep in mind that the Falcons were decimated by injuries to their WRs. Julio Jones missed most of the year with a foot fracture, while Roddy White played hurt almost all year. Both Jones and White are expected to be fully healthy entering the 2014 season, meaning Douglas will return to a diminished role.
Fifth Tier 2013: Rank / Points / PPG
|
Cordarrelle Patterson, Min WR |
37 |
164.7 |
10.3 |
|
James Jones, GB WR |
39 |
162.7 |
10.2 |
|
Steve Smith, Car WR |
40 |
162.5 |
10.2 |
|
Doug Baldwin, Sea WR |
41 |
158.4 |
9.9 |
|
Eddie Royal, SD WR |
42 |
158.2 |
9.9 |
|
Roddy White, Atl WR |
43 |
156.1 |
9.8 |
|
Hakeem Nicks, NYG WR |
44 |
154.6 |
9.7 |
|
Dwayne Bowe, KC WR |
45 |
154.3 |
9.6 |
|
Terrance Williams, Dal WR |
46 |
149 |
9.3 |
|
Denarius Moore, Oak WR |
47 |
148.5 |
9.3 |
|
Jarrett Boykin, GB WR |
48 |
147.1 |
9.2 |
|
Brandon LaFell, Car WR |
49 |
146.2 |
9.1 |
|
DeAndre Hopkins, Hou WR |
50 |
145.2 |
9.1 |
Stock Up
Terrance Williams - When Miles Austin went down with an injury, Williams showed flashes of what can be expected of him when given the opportunity. Williams scored a TD in five of six games in Weeks 5-10. He had a quiet second half of the season, especially when Austin returned. Rumors are already swirling about Austin being on his way out of Dallas, which leaves Williams to be the starting WR next to Dez Bryant.
Cordarrelle Patterson - Barely used throughout the first half of the season, Patterson came on strong at the end. He managed to score TDs every way imaginable (rushing, returning, receiving). With a new offensive coordinator in Norv Turner, look for Patterson to be a central point in the Minnesota Vikings passing game for years to come.
Stock Down
Eddie Royal - Royal basically had a two-game stretch that saw him reel in five TDs to begin the year. Besides those weeks, Royal was nothing more than an average WR. With the emergence of Keenan Allen, Royal has now fallen back in the pecking order on the San Diego Chargers offense. There isn’t much to be excited about here.
Sixth Tier 2013: Rank / Points / PPG
|
Marlon Brown, Bal WR |
50 |
145.2 |
9.1 |
|
Rueben Randle, NYG WR |
52 |
139.1 |
8.7 |
|
Danny Amendola, NE WR |
53 |
138.4 |
8.7 |
|
Tavon Austin, StL WR |
54 |
133.9 |
8.4 |
|
Steve Johnson, Buf WR |
55 |
133.7 |
8.4 |
|
Jerome Simpson, Min WR |
56 |
132.6 |
8.3 |
|
Kenny Stills, NO WR |
57 |
130.1 |
8.1 |
|
Dexter McCluster, KC WR |
58 |
128.6 |
8.0 |
|
Ted Ginn, Car WR |
59 |
124.5 |
7.8 |
|
Robert Woods, Buf WR |
60 |
120.3 |
7.5 |
|
Julio Jones, Atl WR |
61 |
118.7 |
7.4 |
|
Aaron Dobson, NE WR |
62 |
115.9 |
7.2 |
|
Jeremy Kerley, NYJ WR |
63 |
114.4 |
7.2 |
|
Donnie Avery, KC WR |
64 |
113.2 |
7.1 |
|
Ace Sanders, Jac WR |
65 |
112.6 |
7.0 |
|
Randall Cobb, GB WR |
66 |
112.1 |
7.0 |
|
Reggie Wayne, Ind WR |
67 |
105.8 |
6.6 |
|
Kenbrell Thompkins, NE WR |
68 |
105.6 |
6.6 |
|
Mohamed Sanu, Cin WR |
69 |
105.1 |
6.6 |
|
Jacoby Jones, Bal WR |
70 |
103.5 |
6.5 |
|
Greg Little, Cle WR |
71 |
102.5 |
6.4 |
|
Andre Roberts, Ari WR |
72 |
102.1 |
6.4 |
|
Austin Pettis, StL WR |
73 |
101.9 |
6.4 |
|
Rishard Matthews, Mia WR |
74 |
100.8 |
6.3 |
Stock Up
Julio Jones and Randall Cobb - Both of these explosive players were unable to play a full season due to injures. Both are expected to be fully healthy heading into next year and should be back to their 2012 selves—if not better.
Tavon Austin - It was an up-and-down year for the St. Louis Rams first-round pick. Even though Austin showed some flare with some explosive plays, there was more disappointment than joy in his first year. The hope is that the game will now slow down for Austin in his second year, and that the Rams will find ways of getting him more involved in an offense that badly needs a consistent pass catcher.
Stock Down
Reggie Wayne - Wayne suffered a terrible ACL tear in Week 7 and missed the remainder of the season. On top of having to rehabilitate because of his injury, Wayne will turn 36 next season. I don’t know how many WRs can comeback from an ACL tear and be successful at that age. His best days are long gone.
Wait & See Tier 2013
These are names that did not rank among the top scorers of this past season. Every name here either had his season cut short, or did not start to begin the year. A unique group, the aforementioned list is filled with interesting names to keep an eye on. Though talented, each of these players has a bunch of variables (health, opportunity, off-field issues) that would best be served with a wait-and-see approach.
- Justin Blackmon
- Percy Harvin
- Andre Holmes
- Quinton Patton
- Da’Rick Rogers
- Jeremy Maclin
Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.
