Top Candidates to Dethrone Justin Jefferson as the WR1 in Dynasty Fantasy Football

August 7, 2024

Analyzing star fantasy football wide receivers who could be strong candidates to dethrone the Vikings' Justin Jefferson as the WR1 in dynasty leagues in 2024.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is clearly the WR1 when it comes to dynasty fantasy football. The LSU product recently signed a four-year, $140 million contract extension with the Vikings and was rewarded for a historic start to his NFL career.

Jefferson was limited to only 10 games last year due to a hamstring injury, and in his absence, other wide receivers have made a strong claim to be a potential WR1 in fantasy football this year.

There is no denying that Jefferson is still the best wideout in the league; however, when it comes to fantasy football, other receivers could dethrone him as the WR1. The fact that Kirk Cousins is no longer in Minnesota will have a huge impact on Jefferson's output. Moreover, the emergence of Jordan Addison might reduce targets for the 25-year-old player. In this article, I will list some names with a great chance of becoming the new WR1 in dynasty leagues.

CeeDee Lamb - Dallas Cowboys

Last year, CeeDee Lamb proved to everyone why he is one of the best wide receivers in the league. He had 135 receptions for 1,749 yards and scored 14 touchdowns in 17 games for the Dallas Cowboys. He led the league in total receptions and total fantasy points in standard-scoring leagues.

Lamb is still 25 years old and is expected to sign a big contract extension in the near future. He has a bright future ahead and has a great possibility of scoring more fantasy points than Jefferson every single year, given that the Vikings have better players around their superstar who could slightly reduce his targets, as mentioned above.

If Lamb doesn't sign a contract extension before the start of the new season, that will give him more motivation to have an even better season than last year. It is hard to imagine a scenario where the Cowboys will part ways with their star wide receiver, whom they drafted with the 17th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

You've gotta Cee Dees catches Lamb makes 😮 @_CeeDeeThree pic.twitter.com/cYlVBiuM42

— NFL (@NFL) July 15, 2023

 

Ja'Marr Chase - Cincinnati Bengals

Ja'Marr Chase is among the best players in his position and, when healthy, can produce at the same level as Justin Jefferson. Despite Joe Burrow playing only 10 games last year, Chase had 100 receptions for 1,216 yards and scored seven touchdowns in 16 games.

Burrow is fully healthy to start the season, and the Bengals star wide receiver could potentially have another 1,400+ receiving yards season this year. Chase is also expected to sign a new contract extension soon, and he will play alongside Burrow for years to come. Moreover, with Tee Higgins likely to leave the Bengals either this year or next year, that will result in more production from the LSU product.

As a result, Chase is one of the strong contenders to be WR1 in dynasty fantasy football. He is 24 years old, and the chemistry that he has with his quarterback is hard to replicate for any other receiver in the league.

Ja’Marr Chase caught the pass WITH the mouth guard in his hands…

Never seen that before 😂
pic.twitter.com/IsBpudPwoR

— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) November 26, 2023

Marvin Harrison Jr. - Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals drafted Marvin Harrison Jr. with the fourth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He had immense success during his three years at Ohio State and is ready to take the next leap in the NFL.

Harrison Jr. is the clear-cut WR1 for the Cardinals and will be the go-to guy for quarterback Kyler Murray. The Cardinals have impressed many under head coach Jonathan Gannon, and now with their star quarterback fully healthy and a true WR1 like Harrison Jr. on the team, expect them to be a playoff team this year.

Not many will be surprised if Harrison Jr. has a similar start to his career as Chase and Jefferson, as he has all the tools to succeed in the pros. The Ohio State product is 6-foot-4 and his explosiveness will always help him produce for his team. Moreover, Murray can bring the best out of him, and he will be a much-coveted player in fantasy football for years to come.

Marvin Harrison Jr. is a NFL player.

pic.twitter.com/fzt65W4WOi

— Jeff Bell (@4WhomJBellTolls) September 9, 2023

Note: Amon-Ra St. Brown and Garrett Wilson are two other receivers who could potentially be WR1 in fantasy football in the future. However, the talent on the Lions offense and the possibility of Davante Adams joining the Jets might result in less production for both of them compared to the players mentioned above.

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