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
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Time To Hang It Up: Five NFL Wide Receivers That Should Retire Before The 2024 Season

Michael Thomas - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL Injury News, Draft Sleepers

Aidin Ebrahimi analyzes which wide receivers should think about retiring before the 2024 NFL season starts. These wideouts may not be as effective as they once were.

Just like every year, we saw many NFL stars hang up their boots in the 2024 offseason. Legends of the game, such as Aaron Donald, Fletcher Cox, Jason Kelce, Matt Ryan, and Matthew Slater, are just some of the names that will no longer play in 2024.

Former 1000-yard WR DeVante Parker also shockingly announced his retirement despite signing with the Eagles two months prior to his announcement. This got us thinking, who are some other WRs who could/should retire before opening day?

Without further ado, let's look at five wide receivers that should retire before the 2024 season.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Julio Jones, Free Agent

Julio Jones is one of the most talented wideouts of his generation, and it looked like he'd be one of the rare players at his position who would keep performing well into his 30s. After averaging almost 1600 yards per season from 2014 to 2018, Jones continued his brilliance in 2019, the first season of his 30s.

He made the All-Pro second team for the third consecutive year and finished as the PPR fantasy WR3. He kicked the 2020 season off in style, recording 157 yards (15th most in a game of his career) against the Seahawks.

But then, persistent hamstring issues kept him out for most of the season. He still managed to put up 90+ yards in five out of his nine games that year and was viewed as a big trade target once he requested a trade from Atlanta. He was traded to Tennessee, but those hamstring injuries ruined his tenure there.

He tried to save his career in Tampa Bay and Philadelphia, but it's clear that the former superstar is now a shell of his former self. He has averaged just 26.0 yards per game over his last three seasons, which is a far cry for a man who has had five separate seasons of averaging 100+ yards per game.

 

Willie Snead IV, Free Agent

The story of Willie Snead IV is a cautionary tale. Snead bypassed his senior season at Ball State and declared for the 2014 NFL Draft to support his pregnant girlfriend but went undrafted as scouts thought he should have stayed in college for another year. Snead then bounced around several practice squads before landing in New Orleans.

Snead was named as the team's WR4 in 2015 but exceeded all expectations and would have finished the year with 1000+ yards had he played just one more game.

Snead, Brandin Cooks, and Michael Thomas formed a solid trio in 2016, powering the second-best offense in the NFL. After Cooks' departure in the 2017 offseason, Snead and Thomas were destined to be New Orleans' starting WRs for many years to come. But on June 11, 2017, Snead drove while intoxicated and crashed his car.

He was suspended for three games and fell out of favor with the team after suffering hamstring and toe injuries. After a solid, if not spectacular three-year stint in Baltimore, he became a journeyman and has racked up just 52 receiving yards in the last three seasons. Snead could have been a star, but one mistake changed his career's trajectory forever, and now his future in the league is in jeopardy.

 

Michael Thomas, Free Agent

Speaking of Michael Thomas, he benefitted from Snead's demise, becoming Drew Brees' go-to guy. Thomas improved in each of his first four seasons in the league, culminating in a fantastic 2019 season.

He broke the record for the most receptions in a single season (149) en route to winning the 2019 Offensive Player of the Year. At the time, only Jerry Rice, Antonio Brown, Randy Moss, Marvin Harrison Sr., Isaac Bruce, Herman Moore, and Julio Jones had recorded more fantasy points in a season than Thomas' 374.6 PPR points in 2019.

However, as we all know, things would all go downhill from there for Thomas. An ankle sprain in Week 1 of the 2020 season would derail his career, as he went on to miss nine games that year. He underwent surgery to fix the problem in 2021, but he had a setback that required another surgery, which caused him to miss the entire season.

A foot injury made him miss 14 games in 2022, and by 2023, Thomas was a shell of his former self. The Saints decided against bringing him back, and it's unlikely that another team will take a chance on such an injury-prone player.

 

Allen Robinson II, New York Giants

Unlike Thomas, Allen Robinson has managed to successfully bounce back from a devastating injury setback once in his career. He tore his ACL in the 2017 season opener, which would turn out to be his final game as a Jacksonville Jaguar.

The Bears took a chance on him, and it paid off big time as Robinson helped the team make the playoffs twice during the Mitch Trubisky era. When the Bears moved on from Trubisky in 2021, Robinson struggled and only had 410 yards. But his struggles were downplayed by the media.

He got a good contract to join the Rams, who had just won Super Bowl 56 and looked poised to repeat. Robinson was a terrible fit in the Rams' system and barely got any attention from Matthew Stafford, who kept feeding Cooper Kupp.

A foot fracture ended his season prematurely, and he failed to provide a spark for the Steelers in 2023. Now, he has signed with the Giants, but it's unclear if he'll make the final roster.

 

Randall Cobb, Free Agent

Randall Cobb is mostly known nowadays as Aaron Rodgers' "bestie," but he was actually a good player for Green Bay back in the day. He made the Pro Bowl in 2014, but a bunch of minor injuries piled up on top of each other and gradually reduced his effectiveness.

In 2019, he joined the Cowboys, where he had a good season, followed by signing a massive contract with the Texans. He was disappointing in Houston and was brought back to Green Bay at the request of Rodgers.

By that point, it was clear that Cobb wasn't the same player he once was, missing multiple games due to injury. He famously walked out of the tunnel with Rodgers in their final game for Green Bay against the Lions in 2022, which would have been the perfect ending to their working relationship.

But Cobb signed with the Jets to join Rodgers' new team in the offseason. The duo would only play one game together in New York, as Rodgers suffered a season-ending Achilles tear just four snaps into his Jets tenure. Cobb only caught five passes for the rest of the season, and another reunion with Rodgers is very unlikely.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More Fantasy Football Analysis

POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Kyle Larson

Can Kyle Larson Dominate at Bristol Again?
Denny Hamlin

One of the Best at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

All Eyes on Ryan Blaney at Bristol
Chase Briscoe

Whiffs in Qualifying, Will Start 31st in Bristol Night Race
Ty Gibbs

Could Contend at Bristol
AJ Allmendinger

on the Pole for Bristol Night Race
Tanner Bibee

Fans 10 in Two-Hit Shutout
Zach Neto

Dealing With Wrist Soreness
Masyn Winn

Shut Down for Rest of Season
Tarik Skubal

to Undergo Imaging on Saturday
Jacory Croskey-Merritt

RapSheet: Jacory Croskey-Merritt Expected to Be Lead Back Moving Forward
Tyler Soderstrom

Scratched on Friday With Groin Tightness
Tarik Skubal

Exits with Side Tightness
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
Ketel Marte

Scratched From Friday's Lineup
Brock Purdy

Officially Ruled Out Against Saints
Jauan Jennings

Given Questionable Tag for Week 2
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Dallas Goedert

Officially Ruled Out for Week 2
Xavier Worthy

Listed as Doubtful to Play in Week 2
Jayden Reed

Hopes to Return in November Following Surgery
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Kyle Tucker

"Unlikely" to Return When Eligible on Tuesday
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Ketel Marte

Expected to Return on Friday
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Quinshon Judkins

Questionable to Make NFL Debut in Week 2
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Alexander Hernandez

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Quang Le

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Card Opener
Santiago Luna

Set For His Debut At Noche UFC 3
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
CFB

David Sanders Jr. Won't Play Against Georgia
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks
CFB

Dylan Edwards Slated to Return on Friday
Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Sees Little Usage in Week 2, Outlook Still Trending Upwards?
Deebo Samuel Sr.

Leads Commanders in Catches, Scores Touchdown Again
Tucker Kraft

Posts Huge Performance on Thursday
Joe Mixon

Lack of Joe Mixon Injury Updates Sparking Concern for Fantasy Managers?
Jayden Reed

Fractures Collarbone, Headed for Injured Reserve
Austin Ekeler

Commanders Fear Austin Ekeler Tore his Achilles
Jesús Luzardo

Jesus Luzardo Strikes Out 10 in Win
Aaron Judge

Matches Yankees Legend with Two-Homer Game
Austin Ekeler

Injured, Carried Off Field with Non-Contact Injury
Jayden Reed

Ruled Out with Shoulder Injury
Quinshon Judkins

Browns Insider Expects NFL to "Come Down Heavy" on a Quinshon Judkins Suspension
Jayden Reed

Questionable to Return on TNF With Shoulder Injury
Anthony Volpe

Playing Through Partially Torn Labrum in his Shoulder
Adam Lowry

Aims for Early-Season Return
Charles Oliveira

Not Eyeing Retirement
Tyreek Hill

Chiefs, Steelers Eyeing a Trade for Tyreek Hill?
CFB

Ryan Williams Expected to Play Against Wisconsin
CFB

Billy Edwards Jr. Unlikely to Play on Saturday
P.J. Washington

Officially Signs Contract Extension
CFB

David Sanders Jr. Questionable to Make Debut Against Georgia
Chris Godwin

to Be Limited in His Return Thursday
Brock Purdy

Out 2-5 Weeks With Turf Toe
Lauri Markkanen

Big at Both Ends as Finland Books Place in EuroBasket Semis
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Notches 39 Points in Losing Effort
NBA

Cam Reddish Expected to Move to Europe
NBA

Trey Lyles Joins Real Madrid
Kyle Monangai

to See More Carries Going Forward?
Charles Bassey

Signs Exhibit 10 Deal With Hawks
Sacramento Kings

Terence Davis Waived by Kings
Will Smith

Scratched With Hand Soreness on Wednesday
Ketel Marte

has Foot Contusion, Expected to Play Friday
Shohei Ohtani

Won't Pitch This Weekend
MacKenzie Gore

to Start on Thursday
Ketel Marte

Exits Early on Wednesday
Matthew Knies

Ready for Bigger Role With Maple Leafs
Jack Eichel

Unbothered by Lack of Extension
Sidney Crosby

Not Thinking About Leaving Pittsburgh
SJ

Michael Misa Signs Entry-Level Contract With Sharks
Rutger McGroarty

Nursing an Injury
Anthony Rizzo

Retires
Cameron Champ

the Ultimate Wild Card at Procore
Cameron Young

Looks to Extend Momentum in Napa
Davis Thompson

Searching for a Spark at Procore
Sahith Theegala

Looking to Reignite Form at Procore
Mackenzie Hughes

Aims for Another Strong Showing at Procore
Luke Clanton

Brings Ball-Striking Upside to Napa
Seamus Power

Looking to Overcome Poor Course History at Procore
Joe Highsmith

Hoping to Find Form in Napa
Masyn Winn

Will Require Offseason Knee Surgery
Kristaps Porzingis

Reportedly Still Not Completely Healthy
Kelly Oubre Jr.

Reportedly on the Trade Block
Andre Drummond

Future in Philadelphia in Doubt
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Helps Greece Reach Semis at EuroBasket
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Posts Historic Triple-Double
Joel Dahmen

Finishes Tied For 15 at Wyndham Championship
Bud Cauley

Finishes Tied for 33rd at BMW Championship
Justin Thomas

Finishes Tied for Seventh at Tour Championship
J.J. Spaun

Finishes Tied for 25th at Tour Championship
Collin Morikawa

Finishes Tied for 19th at Tour Championship
Keith Mitchell

Misses Cut at Wyndham Championship
Ben Griffin

Finishes Tied for 10th at Tour Championship
Patrick Cantlay

Finishes Tied for Second at Tour Championship
Gary Woodland

Could Hang Around at Procore Championship
Ranger Suárez

Ranger Suarez Strikes Out 12, Earns 12th Win on Tuesday
Karl Vilips

Ready for Napa Valley This Weekend
Taylor Montgomery

Heating Up at the Right Time
Jackson Koivun

May Be a Little Rusty at Procore Championship
Doug Ghim

Looking to Rise Up at Napa Valley
Josh Giddey

Re-Signs With Bulls for Four Years
Shakir Mukhamadullin

Joins Informal Skate
William Eklund

Skates With Sharks
Owen Power

Back at 100 Percent
Tyler Seguin

Cleared for Action
Mathew Barzal

Good to Go for Season Opener
Will Smith

Returns to Dodgers Lineup on Tuesday
Dustin Wolf

Signs Seven-Year Extension
NBA

Mason Jones Takes His Talents to Australia
NBA

Talen Horton-Tucker Joins Reigning EuroLeague Champions
Malcolm Brogdon

on Knicks' Radar
Andrew Wiggins

Attracting Interest From Lakers
Miami Heat

Heat Interested in Reunion With Precious Achiuwa
New York Knicks

Ben Simmons Reportedly Declined Knicks' Contract Offer
Elias Pettersson

Feeling "Good" Ahead of Season
NHL

Alex Formenton Rejoins Swiss Team
NHL

Grigori Denisenko Heads Back Home
CAR

Kevin Labanc Joins Hurricanes for Tryout
Ross Colton

Healthy for Start of Season
Caio Borralho

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Nassourdine Imavov

Extends Win Streak
Mauricio Ruffy

Gets Submitted
Benoît Saint Denis

Benoit Saint Denis Taps Out Mauricio Ruffy
Paul Craig

Retires After UFC Paris Loss
Denny Hamlin

Earns his First Cup Victory at Gateway
Kyle Larson

Damage Ruins Kyle Larson's Chance At a Top Finish at Gateway
Christopher Bell

Scores his Third Top-10 Finish at Gateway
Joey Logano

Maintains his Perfect Top-Five Streak at Gateway
Ryan Blaney

Struggles and Recovers for a Top-Five Finish at Gateway
Modestas Bukauskas

Scores First-Round Knockout
Bolaji Oki

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
Mason Jones

Scores Comeback Win
Chase Elliott

Gets Lucky but Still Has Best Run at Gateway
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Wins Stage 2, but Was Let Down by Strategy
Tyler Reddick

Despite Bad Luck, Tyler Reddick Does What he Needed to Do
Chase Briscoe

Recovers from Incident with Daniel Suarez to Finish Second
William Byron

Late Caution Foils William Byron's Shot at Gateway Victory
Ryan Blaney

Should Contend at Gateway
Denny Hamlin

Fastest in Qualifying, the Favorite to Win at Gateway
Christopher Bell

Looking for Redemption at Gateway
Joey Logano

Has Been Elite at Gateway
Austin Cindric

Should Be On Your Radar at Gateway

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP