X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Standard Rankings Analysis - Wide Receivers

With the NFL season rapidly approaching, fantasy owners have begun making playbooks of their own to assist them come draft day. Grouped below are wide receivers with identical ADP, in similar predicaments, with a brief summary on each individual and what they’re bringing to the table this upcoming season.

Rotoballer provides owners with a continuously updated ranking system, allowing owners to continuously keep up-to-date all the way until draft day. This allows individuals to get the absolute most out of their draft.

Provided below are eight tiers of wide receivers, and approximately 46 receivers. Each player is briefly covered to assist fantasy owners decide on who they’d like to take a gamble on, or evade entirely.

Editor's Note: Stay on top of your draft prep with RotoBaller’s fantasy football rankings, featuring expert analysis, ADPs, and draft insights for both PPR and non-PPR leagues.

 

2017 Wide Receiver Tiered Rankings (Standard)

Tier 1

  1. Antonio Brown, PIT
  2. Odell Beckham Jr , NYG
  3. Julio Jones, ATL
  4. Mike Evans, TB
  5. AJ Green, CIN

Undeniably the most talented receivers in the game currently, anticipate all five of these players to be selected in the first round. Despite the return of Martavis Bryant following a year suspension, expect Antonio Brown to defend his crown as the game’s top receiving threat. A case could be made for Julio Jones as the second WR taken off of the board; however, he is bumped down to the third spot due to an offseason foot surgery. From there, you have the selection of two of the league’s most exciting young talents in Odell Beckham Jr. and Mike Evans. Evans finished second in fantasy points per game this past season, just behind Antonio Brown; with the offseason additions of Desean Jackson and O.J Howard, expect Evans to have another monster fantasy season. Beckham Jr. enters the 2017 season on a revamped New York Giants offense, expect more one on one looks due to the addition of Brandon Marshall, and a continuance of Beckham Jr’s record setting pace. Without a doubt Andy Dalton’s favourite target, A.J. Green is the perfect combination of both talent and volume that solidifies his first round selection.

 

Tier 2

  1. Jordy Nelson, GB
  2. Michael Thomas, NO
  3. Deandre Hopkins, HOU
  4. T.Y Hilton, IND

Tier 2 consists of some proven fantasy studs, as well as an emerging superstar in New Orleans wide receiver Michael Thomas. The case could be made for Jordy Nelson to be selected in the first round, following a season where Nelson led the NFL in touchdown receptions with 14, averaging 19.1 fantasy points per game. With the departure of Brandin Cooks, Michael Thomas assumes the lead role in a pass heavy offense with Drew Brees at the helm, value that speaks for itself entirely. Following a tremendous fantasy campaign in 2015, Deandre Hopkins regressed significantly as a result of the poor quarterback in Houston; anticipate Hopkins to bounce back slightly, proving to be a great value pick at the beginning of round 3. T.Y Hilton led the league in receiving yards this past season with 1,448, but the uncertainty regarding Andrew Luck’s health is certainly a serious cause for concern.

 

Tier 3

  1. Dez Bryant, DAL
  2. Brandin Cooks, NE
  3. Keenan Allen, LA
  4. Doug Baldwin, SEA
  5. Amari Cooper, OAK

Dez Bryant returned with a bang, following an injury ridden 2015 campaign. With Cole Beasley battling a lingering hamstring issue, anticipate Bryant to throw up the ‘X’ numerous times this upcoming season. Brandin Cooks accompanies an offense led by arguably the greatest quarterback of all time, coached by arguably the greatest coach of all time. The sky is the limit for a player with Cooks’ talent to excel significantly in the New England Patriots offense. Keenan Allen is a proven WR1 when healthy, although his extensive injury history dating back to college bumps him down significantly into tier 3. Following two tremendous fantasy outings, Doug Baldwin has finally gotten the attention of fantasy owners; anticipate Baldwin to put up similar numbers this upcoming season, with no real competition for targets other than Jimmy Graham. One of the premiere young receiving talents in the NFL, Amari Cooper has proven to be a great fantasy asset to many. Unfortunately, due to inconsistency issues, Cooper finds himself 14th amongst fellow receivers.

 

Tier 4

  1. Alshon Jeffrey, PHI
  2. Michael Crabtree, OAK
  3. Demaryius Thomas, DEN
  4. Terrelle Pryor, WAS
  5. Allen Robinson, JAX

Tier 4 consists of several excellent receiving options, with a little bit of risk. Historically, Alshon Jeffrey has struggled with injuries mightily, failing to play a full 16 games since 2014. However, the change of scenery this offseason should benefit his production tremendously with a significant upgrade at the quarterback position, along with solidified WR1 volume. Essentially a discounted Amari Cooper, Michael Crabtree has become a fantasy owner favourite. Anticipate Crabtree to get consistent red zone looks once again, making him an absolute steal in the fifth round. Demaryius Thomas has continuously proven he is one of the league’s best, surpassing 1,000 yards for the fifth season in a row. Thomas finds himself in tier 4 as a result of touchdown regression and uncertainty regarding the quarterback situation this upcoming season. Terrelle Pryor had arguably the best receiving season the Cleveland Browns have seen since the monstrous 2013 season from Josh Gordon, doing so with five separate quarterbacks. The sky is the limit for Pryor this upcoming season, with a more than competent quarterback on a pass happy offense. Following a breakout 2015 campaign, Allen Robinson regressed significantly to the dismay of fantasy owners. The talent and volume is undeniably present; unfortunately Robinson’s production will more than likely be hindered by the poor quarterback play of Blake Bortles.

 

Tier 5

  1. Davante Adams, GB
  2. Julian Edelman, NE
  3. Sammy Watkins, BUF
  4. Jarvis Landry, MIA
  5. Kelvin Benjamin, CAR
  6. Golden Tate, DET

Tier 5 consists of a group that truly makes fantasy football exciting, yet unpredictable. Davante Adams battled through inconsistency issues, still managing to have a career year highlighted by 12 touchdowns. Julian Edelman continued to be Tom Brady’s favourite target besides Rob Gronkowski, finishing the 2016 season with a career high in targets (160). Sammy Watkins had another injury riddled season, dressing for a measly 8 games this past season. Although health issues aside, Watkins carries massive upside and is a serious boom candidate heading into the 2017 season. Jarvis Landry has established himself as arguably the top slot receiver in the NFL today, posting stats similar to Beckham Jr’s; unfortunately, due to his inability to find the end zone consistently, Landry is an extremely underwhelming receiver in standard formats. Golden Tate is extremely similar to Landry in this regard, excelling with yards after catch, yet failing to find the end zone on a consistent basis.

 

Tier 6

  1. Larry Fitzgerald, ARI
  2. Donte Moncrief, IND
  3. Emmanuel Sanders, DEN
  4. Brandon Marshall, NYG
  5. Stefon Diggs, MIN
  6. Martavis Bryant, PIT
  7. Desean Jackson, TB
  8. Willie Snead, NO

Headlined by Larry Legend, tier 6 consists of individuals who have some serious breakout potential. Historically, Brandon Marshall and Donte Moncrief have been tremendous red zone receivers, resulting in great standard value production. Like Hilton, Moncrief remains a question mark heading into the 2017 campaign as a result of Andrew Luck’s health issues. Whereas Marshall receives a significant upgrade at the quarterback position, and will receive his fair share of looks in the red zone. Stefon Diggs has proven to be a great talent, but is often weighed down due to his inability to stay healthy. Assuming injury issues are a thing of the past, Diggs has some serious breakout potential heading into the 2017 campaign. Martavis Bryant returns from his yearlong suspension, anticipate Bryant to return to his electrifying self, joining Antonio Brown in one of the most dangerous receiving tandems in the NFL. Willie Snead enters the 2017 as a massive breakout candidate, at an extremely affordable price. Snead will easily outperform his 7th round ADP, as a primary target in New Orleans’ potent passing attack.

 

Tier 7

  1. Rishard Matthews, TEN
  2. Tyrell Williams, LA
  3. Jeremy Maclin, BAL
  4. Cameron Meredith, CHI

One of the more interesting tiers of the bunch, tier 7 consists of two reliable receivers who capitalized on an unexpected lead role in their offenses; as well as two receivers who find themselves in a newfound primary receiving role. Cameron Meredith flaunted flashes of brilliance, stepping up significantly as the team’s primary receiver following a 12 game season by Alshon Jeffrey. Entering the 2017 season with a much more promising quarterback situation, on arguably the worst team in the NFL, anticipate Meredith to boom significantly with the increase of volume as the focal point of the Bears passing attack. Jeremy Maclin assumes the lead role in a pass happy offense, and will be heavily relied on throughout the entirety of this upcoming season. In addition, Maclin will be utilized frequently as a slot receiver, historically where he has played his most efficient football. Rishard Matthews and Tyrell Williams both unexpectedly got assigned to WR1 duties and excelled tremendously. Unfortunately, both are in extremely crowded receiving corps this upcoming season, and will likely face serious regression.

 

Tier 8

  1. Corey Coleman, CLE
  2. Jordan Matthews, PHI
  3. Eric Ebron, DET
  4. Tyreek Hill, KC
  5. Devante Parker, MIA
  6. Jamison Crowder, WAS
  7. Pierre Garcon, SF
  8. Eric Decker, TEN
  9. John Brown, ARI

Tier 8 consists of a little bit of everything, Corey Coleman has shown flashes of potential, but it limited by his inability to stay healthy. Jordan Matthews will inevitably lose targets in Philadelphia’s offense to Alshon Jeffrey. Eric Ebron enters the season as a potential breakout receiver; following the departure of red zone favourite Anquan Boldin. The lions will also rely on Darren Fells to block frequently, in hopes of keeping Ebron fresh throughout the majority of the season. Tyreek Hill takes over as the WR1, following the surprising release of Jeremy Maclin. Hill will also be utilized once again on special teams, adding a little extra value to his fantasy stock. Jamison Crowder and Pierre Garcon excelled tremendously on the Washington Redskins offense this past season. Garcon enters the season on an abysmal San Francisco team, as the solidified primary receiving target. After being sidelined due to sick cell complications in 2016, John Brown is back, and 12 lbs heavier than before; Brown can provide significant value to your fantasy roster, at an absolute bargain of a price. Volume will be no cause for concern regarding this group, as the majority of these players are terrific fliers.

 

More 2017 Fantasy Football & ADP Analysis

 


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.




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jacob Cowing

Could Handle Gadget Role in San Francisco
Jayden Higgins

to Start for Texans Right Away?
Sauce Gardner

Agrees to $120.4 Million Contract Extension
Marvin Mims Jr.

Could be on Track for First 1,000-Yard Season
Jaylen Johnson

Chargers Place Jaylen Johnson on PUP List
Dereck Lively II

Undergoes Right-Foot Surgery Tuesday
Kendrick Bourne

Kayshon Boutte Fighting for Final Spots
Isaiah Collier

Logs a Double-Double in Summer League Action on Monday
DeMario Douglas

Kyle Williams "Locks" for Receiving Corps
Trey Smith

Chiefs, Trey Smith Finalizing Massive Extension
Anthony Richardson Sr.

Colts Expected to Ease Anthony Richardson Sr. Back in
Devin Carter

Posts 17 Points Versus Suns
Bronny James Jr.

Scores 17 Points in Summer League Loss
Terry McLaurin

Undecided on Whether he Will Report to Training Camp
Colston Loveland

Says his Shoulder is 100 Percent
Harrison Ingram

has Impressive Outing Against Jazz
Sam Williams

has Potential to be Elite Edge Rusher
Shemar Stewart

Considering Going Back to College?
Jahmyr Gibbs

Lions Want Jahmyr Gibbs "More Involved" in Passing Game
Jordan Addison

Could be Facing Three-Game Suspension
PGA

Chris Gotterup Punches Ticket to Royal Portrush With Win at Scottish Open
Bryson DeChambeau

Hopes to Reverse Links Golf Struggle at the 153rd Open
Keegan Bradley

Needs to Find The Weekend at Royal Portrush for Ryder Cup Hopes
Kyle Filipowski

Records 35-Point Double-Double Against Spurs
Kel'el Ware

Dominates Against Celtics
Kon Knueppel

Gets Going Monday
Matas Buzelis

Puts Up 28 Points in Win Over Pacers
Reed Sheppard

Shut Down for Rest of Summer League
Paul George

Undergoes Arthroscopic Knee Surgery
Oneil Cruz

Ties Home Run Derby Distance Record
Cal Raleigh

Wins 2025 Home Run Derby
Najee Harris

Likely to Miss Time at Start of Training Camp
Justin Thomas

Finishes Tied For 22nd at Genesis Scottish Open
Scottie Scheffler

Finishes Tied For Eighth at Genesis Scottish Open
Jon Rahm

Finishes in Second at LIV Andalucia
Collin Morikawa

Misses The Cut at Genesis Scottish Open
Hideki Matsuyama

Finishes Tied For 13th at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Brooks Koepka

Finishes Tied For 32nd at LIV Andalucia
Tommy Fleetwood

Finishes Tied For 34th at Genesis Scottish Open
Jason Day

Misses The Cut at John Deere Classic
Ludvig Aberg

Finishes Tied For Eighth at Genesis Scottish Open
Cam Taylor-Britt

has Benefited From Addition of Al Golden
Rome Odunze

Could Take Off in Year 2
RJ Harvey

to Get "Significant" Work in Broncos' Passing Game
Jackson Powers-Johnson

More Comfortable Heading into Year 2
Luke McCaffrey

In Line for Larger Role?
Joel Embiid

Participating in Partial Basketball Activities
Victor Wembanyama

Officially Cleared to Return After Blood-Clot Recovery
Tallison Teixeira

Suffers First-Round TKO
Derrick Lewis

Scores First-Round TKO
Michael Lorenzen

Royals Put Michael Lorenzen on Injured List With Oblique Strain
Stephen Thompson

Loses Controversial Split Decision
Gabriel Bonfim

Wins Controversial Split Decision
Calvin Kattar

Gets Outclassed At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Extends His Win Streak
Nate Landwehr

Gets Knocked Out
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere Scores Third-Round Knockout
Kel'el Ware

Collects 21 Points in Summer League Loss on Sunday
Austen Lane

Suffers Submission Loss
Vitor Petrino

Scores First-Round Submission In Heavyweight Debut
Cam Spencer

Contract Being Restructured
Drew Timme

Scores 30 Points in Summer League Loss to Wizards
Tuco Tokkos

Earns His First UFC Win
Alexandre Sarr

Logs Impressive Outing in Summer League Action on Sunday
Junior Tafa

Unsuccessful in his Light-Heavyweight Debut
Kyle Filipowski

Scores 21 Points in Summer League Loss to Warriors
Cody Williams

Collects 22 Points in Summer League Loss on Sunday
Chase Elliott

Charges to A Finish of Third At Sonoma
Chase Briscoe

Finishes Second With his First Career Road-Course Top-Five at Sonoma
Christopher Bell

Rollercoaster Day Ends With Top-5 Finish at Sonoma
William Byron

Maintains the Regular-Season Points Lead
Kyle Busch

Earns A Hard-Fought Top-10 Finish At Sonoma
Alex Ovechkin

Not Thinking About Retirement
PIT

Penguins Acquire Arturs Silovs
NHL

Nikolai Kovalenko Returns to Russia
Yoshinobu Yamamoto

Tosses Gem Against Giants
Shota Imanaga

Shuts Down Yankees on Sunday
Nathan Eovaldi

Dominant Again in Seventh Win
Tyler Reddick

Evades Near Upset to Remain Alive in In-Season Challenge
Ty Gibbs

One of Three Tylers to Make In-Season Challenge Semifinals
Kyle Larson

Curiously Mediocre at Sonoma Before Late-Race Crash
NASCAR

John H. Nemechek Edges Out Teammate to Make In-Season Challenge Semifinal
Alex Bowman

Ty Dillon Bumps Alex Bowman to Advance to In-Season Challenge Semifinal
Chicago White Sox

Billy Carlson Goes 10th Overall to White Sox
Cincinnati Reds

Steele Hall Selected Ninth by Cincinnati
Toronto Blue Jays

Blue Jays Select JoJo Parker with Eighth Overall Pick
Boston Celtics

Damian Lillard Drawing Interest from the Celtics
Miami Marlins

Marlins Select Aiva Arquette With Seventh Overall Pick
Pittsburgh Pirates

Pirates Select Seth Hernandez with Sixth Overall Pick
Kyle Stowers

Punishes Former Team with Three-Homer Game
St. Louis Cardinals

Cardinals Select Liam Doyle with Fifth Overall Pick
Daniel Gafford

Agrees to Contract Extension with Dallas
Colorado Rockies

Rockies Select Ethan Holliday Fourth Overall
Seattle Mariners

Kade Anderson Selected Third Overall by Seattle
Ha-Seong Kim

X-rays on Ha-Seong Kim's Foot Come Back Negative
Los Angeles Angels

Tyler Bremner Selected Second Overall by Angels in 2025 MLB Draft
Washington Nationals

Nationals Select Eli Willits First Overall
Jake Meyers

to Miss More Than Three Weeks With Calf Injury
Edward Cabrera

Hopeful to Avoid Injured List
Oneil Cruz

Absent on Sunday
Shane Van Gisbergen

Can Anyone Beat Shane van Gisbergen at Sonoma?
Tyler Reddick

Better at Sonoma Than Record Shows
Chase Elliott

a Prime DFS Option at Sonoma
Michael McDowell

Struggling a Bit at Sonoma
NASCAR

Christopher Bell Has Never Finished Better Than Ninth at Sonoma
Ryan Blaney

Has Top-10 Upside at Sonoma
NASCAR

Sunday at Sonoma Will Likely Be a Long Race for Bubba Wallace
Kyle Larson

Is A Likely Top-Five Contender for Sonoma
Ryan Preece

Points Position Could Affect Race at Sonoma
Todd Gilliland

Struggling to Find Speed at Sonoma
Ty Gibbs

May be an Underrated Favorite to Compete for the Win at Sonoma
Erik Karlsson

Open to Move Away From Pittsburgh
Zach Hyman

Hopes to be Ready for Start of Next Season
SJ

Jeff Skinner Joins Sharks on One-Year Contract
Ryan Reaves

Traded to Sharks
Vladislav Kolyachonok

Moves to Dallas
Matt Dumba

Lands in Pittsburgh
Mackie Samoskevich

Re-Signs with Panthers on One-Year Deal
Josh Manson

Inks Two-Year Extension with Avalanche
EDM

Isaac Howard Signs Three-Year, Entry-Level Contract With Oilers
Tallison Teixeira

Set For His First UFC Main Event
Derrick Lewis

Set To Headline UFC Nashville
Gabriel Bonfim

Looks For His Third UFC Win
Stephen Thompson

Returns At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Calvin Kattar

In Dire Need Of Victory
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere A Favorite At UFC Nashville
Nate Landwehr

Aims To Bounce Back
MMA

Austen Lane Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF