Wide Receiver Depth Charts Analysis

August 31, 2018

Final preseason wide receiver depth charts for each NFL division. Taylor Maxston looks at the WR corps for every division and provides some analysis on sleepers and busts.

The regular season is right around the corner and each team's depth chart is mostly complete! Before diving into the fantasy season, Rotoballer has you covered with some last minute wide receiver depth chart recaps for each team, including some useful bits of analysis for players you want to keep on your radar.

Please note that the charts below are based on individual team depth charts, not necessarily on fantasy football relevance.

Here are the current preseason depth charts at wide receiver for each division.

AFC WEST

Little Guy With Huge Upside: Tyreek Hill (WR, KC)

Can we take a moment to appreciate the absolutely ridiculous volume that Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill has had through three preseason games? Despite having limited playing time while running with the starters and playing against opposing teams' top units, Hill has caught the third-most passes in the preseason (14) through three games. The arrival of Sammy Watkins was thought to be a death knell to Hill’s huge target share, but fantasy owners can rest easy based on the way head coach Andy Reid has shown he intends to heavily feature Hill.

AFC NORTH

Sophomore Boom or Bust Player: John Ross (WR, CIN)

The Cincinnati Bengals are looking to bounce back from an incredibly disappointing 2017 season and sophomore wide receiver John Ross is a big part of those plans. Ross was hobbled by injuries and failed to make much of an impact for the offense as a rookie. Since then, he has steadily climbed the Bengals depth chart to the WR-2 spot and shown flashes of big-play ability with a 57-yard touchdown reception in Week 3 of the preseason. It hasn’t all been smooth sailing though, as Ross has had major drop issues to complement his explosive yardage. Which version will we see in the regular season?

AFC SOUTH

Injury Riser: Keelan Cole (WR, JAX)

It is truly unfortunate when an injury prematurely ends a player’s season, but fantasy football must go on. Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Marqise Lee suffered a torn ACL in Week 3 of the preseason, opening the door for fellow wideout Keelan Cole to rise. The coaching staff has already handing Cole plenty of starting reps and fantasy owners should be able to reap the benefits if they take him in their drafts.

AFC EAST

Must Avoid: Devante Parker (WR, MIA)

Despite being listed as the first wide receiver on the depth chart, Miami Dolphins pass catcher Devante Parker has looked anything but a true No. 1 this offseason. From him being largely ineffective in training camp to injury problems. Parker is one name that isn’t likely to generate much buzz in the fantasy community this upcoming season.

NFC WEST

Stepping Into The Limelight: Marquise Goodwin (WR, SF)

Through three preseason games, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Marquise Goodwin has firmly established himself as the preferred target for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. With seven catches for 119 yards across three preseason games, Goodwin owners should know what to expect from the shifty wideout: plenty of yardage, but perhaps a lower touchdown ceiling than most wideouts. He is the pass catcher to own in the 49ers offense and should be a Week 1 starter for many fantasy teams.

NFC NORTH

Rookie Alert: Anthony Miller (WR, CHI)

While the Chicago Bears passing offense isn’t exactly its greatest asset, one name who could help improve it immediately is rookie wideout Anthony Miller. His prowess in the slot should make him a go-to target for sophomore quarterback Mitchell Trubisky and allow him to be a solid late-round flier for fantasy purposes.

NFC SOUTH

A Deep Sleeper: Chris Godwin (WR, TB)

Simply put, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin has become too promising for his coaches to ignore. The second-year wideout has climbed the depth chart to the team’s WR-2 spot and shown good rapport with quarterback Jameis Winston this preseason. Although Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson can be considered the 1A and 1B to the offense, Godwin’s name deserves consideration in the waning rounds of drafts.

NFC EAST

Slot-man With Volume: Sterling Shepard (WR, NYG)

New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard finished the preseason with ten catches for 114 yards, which certainly raised some fantasy owner’s eyebrows despite the absence of star Odell Beckham Jr. Quarterback Eli Manning may be in the twilight years of his career, but his slot receiver could to be a huge draft day value if the team needs to play from behind.

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