Wide Receiver Best-Ball Tiered Rankings and Analysis (April 2019)

Passion for the Best-Ball format continues to escalate and the overwhelming response from owners has created an explosion in popularity for these leagues while also creating another avenue to enjoy the experience of participation in fantasy football. Those of you who have already embraced the Best Ball format are fully aware that you are simultaneously building your roster and completing all actual roster management as you create your team during the draft process.

The ranking experts at RotoBaller have assembled tiered rankings in all major formats in order to help you prepare for your upcoming drafts, and improve your chances of winning your leagues in 2019. This includes our updated Best Ball rankings, which are designed to assist you in constructing rosters that will accumulate the highest point totals throughout the season.

We are also providing a detailed breakdown of these rankings at the most critical positions, including this analysis of wide receivers. These players maintain an unmistakable presence in our rankings, as 12 receivers are located among our top 25, while 22 receivers are contained within our top 50. We will continue to update these rankings in Best Ball and every other format throughout the offseason and you can find the latest rankings here.

Editor's Note: Our incredible team of writers won two writing awards and received 12 award nominations by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association. A big congrats to our very own Byron Lindeque (Golf) and Jordan McAbee (NASCAR) for both winning Writer Of The Year awards! Be sure to follow RotoBaller's analysis and advice all year long, and win more. Win More With RotoBaller!

 

WR Best-Ball Rankings (April)

Position Rank	Position Tier	Player Name	Overall Rank	Overall Tier
1	1	DeAndre Hopkins	5	1
2	1	Davante Adams	7	1
3	1	Odell Beckham Jr.	9	1
4	2	Michael Thomas	12	2
5	2	Julio Jones	13	2
6	2	JuJu Smith-Schuster	18	2
7	2	Mike Evans	19	2
8	2	Tyreek Hill	20	3
9	2	Antonio Brown	21	3
10	3	Keenan Allen	22	3
11	3	T.Y. Hilton	23	3
12	3	Adam Thielen	25	3
13	3	A.J. Green	26	3
14	3	Stefon Diggs	28	3
15	3	Amari Cooper	35	4
16	3	Brandin Cooks	36	4
17	3	Kenny Golladay	40	4
18	3	Cooper Kupp	42	4
19	3	Robert Woods	43	4
20	3	Allen Robinson	46	4
21	4	Jarvis Landry	49	4
22	4	Alshon Jeffery	50	5
23	4	Julian Edelman	52	5
24	4	Doug Baldwin	53	5
25	4	Tyler Boyd	54	5
26	4	D.J. Moore	55	5
27	4	Tyler Lockett	56	5
28	5	Calvin Ridley	58	6
29	5	Chris Godwin	62	6
30	5	Corey Davis	63	6
31	5	Golden Tate	66	6
32	5	Robby Anderson	67	6
33	5	Dante Pettis	69	6
34	5	Sammy Watkins	71	6
35	6	Marvin Jones	74	7
36	6	Courtland Sutton	77	7
37	6	Mike Williams	80	7
38	6	Will Fuller	83	7
39	6	Christian Kirk	85	7
40	6	Larry Fitzgerald	93	8
41	7	Dede Westbrook	100	9
42	7	Keke Coutee	102	9
43	7	Anthony Miller	103	9
44	7	DeSean Jackson	104	9
45	7	Michael Gallup	106	9
46	7	Curtis Samuel	111	9
47	7	Sterling Shepard	114	10
48	8	John Brown	121	10
49	8	Tyrell Williams	122	10
50	8	James Washington	124	10
51	8	Adam Humphries	125	10
52	8	Daesean Hamilton	132	10
53	8	Marquise Goodwin	134	10
54	8	Emmanuel Sanders	136	11
55	8	Robert Foster	137	11
56	8	Kenny Stills	138	11
57	9	Jamison Crowder	144	11
58	9	N'Keal Harry	149	12
59	9	Marquez Valdes-Scantling	154	12
60	9	Tre'Quan Smith	155	12
61	9	Antonio Callaway	156	12
62	9	Donte Moncrief	157	12
63	9	Quincy Enunwa	158	13
64	9	Devin Funchess	161	13
65	9	Zay Jones	162	13
66	9	Albert Wilson	166	13
67	9	Geronimo Allison	169	13
68	9	Mohamed Sanu	170	13
69	9	Marqise Lee	176	13
70	9	Nelson Agholor	177	13
71	10	D.K. Metcalf	182	14
72	10	Taylor Gabriel	184	14
73	10	Trey Quinn	186	14
74	10	Jordy Nelson	194	14
75	10	Devante Parker	203	15
76	10	Josh Reynolds	208	15
77	10	Equanimeous St. Brown	212	15
78	10	John Ross	214	15
79	10	Deon Cain	219	15
80	10	A.J. Brown	222	16
81	10	Michael Crabtree	224	16
82	10	Randall Cobb	225	16
83	10	Josh Doctson	226	16
84	10	Ted Ginn	227	16
85	10	Willie Snead	229	16
86	10	Taywan Taylor	232	16
87	10	Paul Richardson	234	16
88	10	Kendall Wright	235	16
89	10	Keelan Cole	238	16
90	11	Torrey Smith	240	16
91	11	David Moore	241	16
92	11	Danny Amendola	248	17
93	11	Chris Conley	258	17
94	11	Deebo Samuel	260	17
95	11	Demaryius Thomas	263	18
96	11	Cole Beasley	265	18
97	11	D.J. Chark	267	18
98	11	Chris Hogan	268	18
99	11	Rashard Higgins	269	18
100	11	Mack Hollins	283	18
101	11	Riley Ridley	284	18
102	11	Terrelle Pryor	286	18
103	12	Cameron Meredith	291	18
104	12	Tavon Austin	297	18
105	12	Marquise Brown	299	18
106	12	Trent Taylor	300	18
107	12	Breshad Perriman	303	19
108	12	Justice Hill	304	19
109	12	Kelvin Benjamin	308	19
110	12	J'mon Moore	311	19
111	12	Chester Rogers	313	19
112	12	Travis Benjamin	316	19
113	12	Hakeem Butler	317	19
114	12	Rishard Matthews	319	19
115	12	Dez Bryant	324	19
116	12	Kendrick Bourne	328	19
117	12	Phillip Dorsett	329	19
118	12	Keith Kirkwood	330	19
119	12	Jermaine Kearse	331	19
120	12	Justin Watson	333	19
121	12	Parris Campbell	334	19
122	12	Pierre Garcon	336	19
123	13	Josh Gordon	337	19
124	13	Corey Coleman	338	20
125	13	Miles Boykin	339	20
126	13	Ryan Grant	340	20
127	13	Ryan Switzer	342	20
128	13	Kelvin Harmon	346	20
129	13	Greg Dortch	355	20
130	13	Cordarrelle Patterson	356	20
131	13	Jaron Brown	358	20
132	13	Dontrelle Inman	361	20
133	13	Martavis Bryant	362	20
134	13	Jakeem Grant	367	20
135	13	Mike Wallace	369	20
136	13	Isaiah McKenzie	370	20
137	13	Laquon Treadwell	372	20
138	13	Andy Isabella	373	20
139	13	Chris Moore	375	20
140	13	J.J. Nelson	377	20
141	13	Demarcus Robinson	378	20
142	13	Tajae Sharpe	379	20
143	13	Brice Butler	380	20
144	13	Marcell Ateman	382	20
145	13	Tim Patrick	385	20
146	13	Jordan Matthews	386	20
147	13	Zach Pascal	395	21
148	13	Bruce Ellington	396	21
149	13	Allen Hurns	397	21
150	13	Jarius Wright	398	21
151	13	Chad Williams	399	21
152	13	Richie James	401	21
153	13	Trent Sherfield	403	21
154	13	Seth Roberts	405	21

 

Tier 1

DeAndre Hopkins, Davante Adams, Odell Beckham Jr. 

Hopkins has commandeered the top ranking among wide receivers following a collection of 2018 accomplishments that included performing on more snaps than anyone at his position (1,084/99%). That translated into a favorable target total, as Hopkins was also the only receiver who collected 10+ in five consecutive games from Weeks 13-17 while placing inside the top five overall for the third time in four seasons (163). He converted his opportunities into outstanding numbers, finishing second in both receiving yards (1,572) and percentage share of his team’s air yards (44.04%), third in receptions (115), and fourth with 11 touchdowns.

Adams is now a fixture in tier 1 rankings after vaulting to WR2 in scoring, and registering career highs in receiving yards (1,386), receptions (111) and touchdowns (13). That touchdown total tied him for second overall, while he also finished fifth in receptions and seventh in yardage. Adams also completed the year with just one less target than league leader Julio Jones (169), despite being sidelined in Week 17. However, he did lead the league in red zone targets (31), and with no genuine threat on the Packers to remotely approach his target total, he will deliver exceptional output once again.

Among the 18 receivers that exceeded 1,000+ yards, only Beckham attained that number (1,052) in fewer than 14 games. His ability to ignite for significant yardage has already helped him eclipse 1,050 yards four times during his five-year career. Now he should benefit greatly by the upgrade from a declining Eli Manning to surging signal caller Baker Mayfield, who has the talent and moxie to propel Beckham toward a 1,200-yard/10 touchdown season.

 

Tier 2

Michael Thomas, Julio Jones, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Mike Evans, Tyreek Hill, Antonio Brown

Thomas led all receivers with 125 receptions (7.8 per game), which continued a trend in which his reception totals have improved during each of his three seasons (92/104/125 receptions). His yardage totals have steadily increased during that sequence including the career-best 1,405 that he attained last season. Thomas also led all receivers in catch rate (85.03%), generated nine touchdowns for the second time in his career, and has also finished as a top-five scorer for two consecutive seasons.

Jones has finished either first or second in receiving yardage during each of the last four seasons and has led the NFL twice in the same category during that span. That includes last season's league-best 1,677, which expanded Jones' total to nearly 8,000 yards since 2014 (7,994). He also established a new career high in 100-yard games (10), paced all receivers in targets for the second time since 2015 (170), finished third in receptions (113), and generated the most touchdowns since 2015 (8).

Smith-Schuster is still just 22 but has elevated into the second tier after finishing fourth in targets (166), and fifth in both receptions (111) and receiving yards (1,426). He will now function as Pittsburgh’s WR1 without being encumbered by Antonio Brown confiscating targets, although he will also be confronted with additional attention from opposing defenders that had previously been absorbed by Brown. How Smith-Schuster responds to the surplus of coverage will dictate whether he can continue his ascension among receiving options.

Evans punctuated his fifth consecutive 1,000-yard season by generating a career-best 1,524 yards in 2018. He also established career highs in yards-per-catch (17.7) and yards-per-game (95.3) while finishing third among all receivers in both categories. Evans also registered career-bests in catch rate percentage (62.3%) 100-yard games (8) and finished at WR6 in standard league scoring. He does not always elicit the same degree of enthusiasm as some WR1s but remains an excellent Tier 2 option.

Hill provided an overwhelming presence for nearly all defenders that attempted to contain him by exploding for 1,479 yards, 17 yards-per-reception, 92 yards-per-game, and 12 touchdowns. He also finished fourth or better in each of those categories, but his status for 2019 is currently unclear. Hill remains under investigation in an alleged battery case, and could conceivably miss games, or potentially be released by the Chiefs. His ranking will be altered once the fluid situation that engulfs his availability is resolved.

Brown has secured a landing place to exhibit his exceptional talent, which has gradually shifted conjecture toward how proficiently he can operate within an Oakland offense that has undergone an offseason transformation. Brown produced an NFL-best 15 receiving touchdowns last season, finished second in fantasy scoring, and was ultimately just two targets behind  Jones despite a Week 17 absence. While off-field behavior is a concern, his continued ability to deliver a statistical explosion in any given matchup should compel owners to select him with conviction in Round 2.

 

Tier 3

Keenan Allen, T.Y. Hilton, Adam Thielen, A.J. Green, Stefon Diggs, Amari Cooper, Brandin Cooks, Kenny Golladay, Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, Allen Robinson  

After being sidelined for a total of 26 games from 2013-2016, Allen has evaded health issues for two consecutive seasons. That has enabled him to collect 199 receptions, accumulate 2,589 yards, and generate 12 touchdowns during that span while increasing the rationale toward including him in WR1 consideration. That includes the 97 receptions and 1,196 yards that he assembled in 2018, as he captured at least six receptions in nine different contests. He could exceed last year’s target total (136), as a large percentage of Tyrell Williams’ 65 vacated targets should be redistributed to Allen.

Hilton finished 10^th in receiving yards last season (1,270) and was the only receiver within the top 10 to manufacture his season total while playing in fewer than 15 games. He has now registered at least 1,083 yards five times since 2013 while averaging 1,254 during that sequence. He was also sixth in yards-per-game average (90.7), eighth in yards-per-reception (16.7), averaged 8.6 targets-per-game and led the Colts in targets (120), receptions (76) and yardage. He returns as Andrew Luck’s top receiving option while functioning within a Frank Reich offense that finished ninth in pass percentage (61.6%).

Thielen's season-long output was excellent, as he accumulated the third most receptions (113), and finished among the top eight in targets (153) and receiving yards (1,373). However, savvy owners are already cognizant of the sizable decline in opportunities and production that occurred as his season progressed. He was leading the NFL in targets (96), receiving yards (925), and receptions (74) after Week 8, but his diminished output from Weeks 11-17 (61 yards-per-game/5.0 receptions per game) and his targets per-game average from Weeks 14-17 (4.75) should not be dismissed.

Only eight receivers had been targeted with greater frequency than Green prior to Week 9 (76/9.5 per game) before a toe issue derailed what had been a promising season. He had also averaged 6.0 receptions-per-game and 87 yards-per-game from Weeks 1-7 prior to the abrupt end of his production. Potential owners must now decide if they want to avoid a 31-year-old receiver who has missed 13 games in 2016/2018 or trust the same player who also finished at WR10 in 2017.

Only six receivers garnered more targets than Diggs (149) even though he was sidelined in Week 9 (ribs), and the fourth-year receiver finished seventh in targets-per-game (9.9). The massive number of opportunities propelled him to his first 100-catch season (102), his first 1,000-yard season (1,021), and a career-best nine touchdowns. He also captured more targets than Thielen from Weeks 11-17 (64/50), while also accumulating more receptions (44/35), receiving yardage (434/426) and touchdowns (5-2).

Cooper averaged 5.2 targets-per-game and 3.6 receptions-per-game with Oakland from Weeks 1-6, but his career achieved a much-needed restoration after he resurfaced with Dallas. Those averages climbed to 8.4/5.8, and he produced six of his seven touchdowns after becoming a Cowboy. One cautionary result from Cooper’s nine-game tenure with Dallas is that 397 of the 725 yards that he accrued were generated in two contests (Weeks 12/14), while he averaged just 46.7 yards-per-game in the seven remaining matchups.

Cooks has not missed a game in four seasons and has assembled nearly 4,600 yards during that sequence (1,204/1,082/ 1,173/ 1,138). His ability to sustain that level of production despite functioning in three diverse offensive schemes with a trio of different signal callers makes his accomplishment even more impressive. His prowess as a deep threat also remained intact, after he finished fifth with 22 catches of 20+ yards, and eclipsed 100 yards five times. He remains an enticing best ball option who can deliver big plays throughout the season.

Golladay's ranking has catapulted to a more prestigious tier after he thrived amid the deconstruction of what had been a potent passing attack to eclipse 1,000 yards (1,063) and finish at WR19 in his second season. He also finished 15th in targets from Weeks 1-16 (119), collected 15 red zone targets, and played on 90% of Detroit's offensive snaps (904). Continued improvement and another rise in production both appear imminent.

Entering Week 6, Kupp had already procured 40 targets (8-targets-per-game) while averaging 6 receptions and 88 yards-per-game during that span. He was also third overall in red zone targets (11), but what had been an encouraging season was ultimately limited to eight games as the result of multiple knee issues. However, his importance to the Ram offense as both a reliable receiver and effective blocker will assure that he recaptures an integral role upon his return.

Woods finished second among all receivers in offensive snaps (1,041/95%), and he capitalized by establishing new career highs in targets (130), receptions (86), receiving yards (1,219), and yards-per-game average (76.2). That was sufficient to vault the sixth-year receiver into the top 13 of all four categories, while he also generated a career-best six touchdowns. The return of Kupp will create additional competition for targets, although Woods still averaged 7.9-targets, 5.4 receptions and 82 yards during the games when Kupp was in the lineup.

Robinson's career-best numbers of 2015 (1,400 yards/ 14 touchdowns/WR4) continue to recede further into irrelevancy with each passing season. That process continued after the promise of a reinvigorated career in Chicago was disrupted by injuries that limited Robinson to 13 games. Despite his sustained absence, Robinson still led the Bears in targets (94) and receiving yards (754), and he remains a feasible best ball target that can deliver high-quality production during various weeks of the year.

 

Tier 4

Jarvis Landry, Alshon Jeffery, Julian Edelman, Doug Baldwin, Tyler Boyd, D.J. Moore, Tyler Lockett

Landry was averaging 11.75 targets/6.2 receptions/66 yards during his first eight matchups. But his averages dropped to 6.9 targets/4.0 receptions/56 yards-per-game after Freddie Kitchens became offensive coordinator. Despite the universal decline in usage and production, the arrival of Beckham should create space for Landry, and Mayfield is adept at locating open receivers.

Although a shoulder injury sidelined Jeffery from Weeks 1-3, he still accrued the most receptions (65) and receiving yards (843) since 2014. He will retain WR1 responsibilities. even as Zach Ertz confiscates a mammoth percentage of team targets and DeSean Jackson delivers a cluster of highly productive performances.

After serving a four-game suspension (PEDs) Edelman averaged 9 targets, 6.2 receptions and 71 yards from Weeks 5-17 while performing on 88% of New England's offensive snaps. The Patriots will eventually upgrade their unsightly depth chart. But Edelman should resurface as a vital component in their offense and a reliable point producer for owners. 

Baldwin had performed in all 16 games for five consecutive years with Seattle (2013-2017) before the 30-year old was forced to miss three contests in 2018. Our rankings are constructed under the premise that he will be ready to perform in Week 1 after sports hernia surgery, and will be adjusted if it appears that he will not be available.

Boyd eviscerated his previous career bests by capturing 108 targets, collecting 76 receptions, generating 1,028 yards, and scoring seven times. All despite missing Weeks 16-17 with an MCL sprain. New head coach Zac Taylor’s offense should provide him with opportunities to accumulate respectable production once again.

Moore's is primed to seize Carolina's WR1 role after gradually attaining those responsibilities as his rookie season progressed. His production surged after his snap count rose from 38.5% in Weeks 1-7 to 89% from Weeks 9-17. He also led all wide receivers with 7.9 yards-after-catch-per-reception while pacing all rookies with 960 yards from scrimmage.

As Baldwin contended with troublesome injuries, Lockett emerged as Seattle's most productive receiver. He achieved career bests in receptions (57) and receiving yards (965) and his 10 touchdowns tied him for fifth overall.

 

Tier 5

Calvin Ridley, Chris Godwin, Corey Davis, Golden Tate, Robby Anderson, Dante Pettis, Sammy Watkins 

Ridley accrued more receptions (64), yardage (821), touchdowns (10) and fantasy points (WR18) than any other rookie receiver, and became the first newcomer to amass double-digit touchdowns since 2014. While replicating his touchdown total will be challenging. Ridley's target, reception, and yardage totals should rise.

Godwin played on 64% of Tampa Bay’s offensive snaps but still scored seven times, accumulated 842 yards, and tied for third with 11 targets inside the 10. The pathway toward a breakout season has been cleared by the combined exodus of Adam Humphries and Jackson.

Davis led the Titans in every major receiving category but his WR27 finish and 12 games of fewer than 57 yards were disappointing byproducts of a Tennessee attack that ranked 31st in passing attempts. Davis’ potential for production improves if Humphries attracts attention from defenders.

Tate only played on 35.6% of Philadelphia's offensive snaps while averaging a paltry 21 yards-per-game from Weeks 14-16.  But his value has been resuscitated thanks to a four-year contract and a new role as a frequent short-yardage weapon for Manning. Only five receivers exceeded Anderson's average of 9.75 targets-per-game from Weeks 14-17, who also accrued 5.75 receptions and 84 yards during that four-game span.

Pettis has an opportunity to reawaken the statistical surge that he had constructed in Weeks 12-15 when he averaged 84.5 yards/6.4 receptions and scored four times. Watkins is most enticing in the best ball format since his periodic games of high-quality production are often undermined by extended injuries (18 missed games since 2015).

 

Tier 6

Marvin Jones, Courtland Sutton, Mike Williams, Will Fuller, Christian Kirk, Larry Fitzgerald

The receivers that are included in this tier can still be beneficial to their owners, and could easily elevate beyond their current value.

 

Tier 7 and lower

Dede Westbrook, Keke Coutee, Anthony Miller, DeSean Jackson, Michael Gallup, Curtis Samuel, Sterling Shepard 

Tiers 7-10 contain receivers that are located from WR41 to WR89 in our rankings. However, their relevance could be transformed as situations develop in the upcoming weeks.

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