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Part 1 of 3
Ranking WRs into fantasy tiers a useful exercise
Eric Karabell
Fantasy owners probably don’t need to be reminded over and over and over about how deep the wide receiver position is, but that hardly means a tiered system for draft preparation doesn’t remain critical. There are, like in the other positions, the best of the best at wide receiver comprising a top section, then scores of others providing -- at least in theory, as this is merely projecting -- varying levels of expected performance, security and other factors making them a bit less valuable. And so on and so on until you get past the top 60 or so options.
Last week we started this informative -- to me as well! -- summer process of directing players into tiers, and just like the quarterback list, this is pretty much one man’s opinion and it can be swayed from time to time. I’m hardly so set in my ways when it comes to life, love and the pursuit of evaluating players and strategies that I cannot evolve with the times, even though I nearly ranked Mike Quick. You should make your own rankings and tiers, too, and don’t include 1980s wide receivers. But if you don’t, here are my thoughts at wide receiver.
Tier 1: Very start of Round 1!
Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers: Yes, this is the first time I’ve had a wide receiver No. 1 overall as best I can tell, but Brown is deserving. What can he do for you? In the past two seasons, he has averaged 132 receptions for 1,766 yards and 12 scores. And by the way, this blog entry and the tiers are for standard (non-PPR) leagues. Brown’s the best and arguably in his own top tier.
Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons: You could switch him with the next guy on this list, based on upside and touchdowns, and I wouldn’t argue. I’m not going to dig too deep comparing them. Jones gets more targets, scores less, but did outscore Odell Beckham Jr. in 2015 in fantasy. Even that could change.
Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants: Pretty darn good. No complaints.
DeAndre Hopkins, Houston Texans: Scared us ever so briefly by holding out. He’ll be fine. This ends my top tier.
Tier 2: Later in Round 1, early Round 2
A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals: Like many of the fellows here, not much negative to point out. Has never caught 100 passes nor scored 12 times, but it wouldn’t be surprising if each occurred this fall.
Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys: Worry about the foot and his quarterback’s health, but the numbers from 2012-14 were outstanding. Could make the case for him in top tier.
Allen Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars: The No. 4 wide receiver in standard formats could use more targets, but he really is this good. Just check out his cool tattoo.
Jordy Nelson, Green Bay Packers: He’s back, and for now there’s no reason to expect a drop-off from 2013-14 numbers.
Brandon Marshall, New York Jets: Outscored every receiver except Brown and Jones last season, and Ryan Fitzpatrick is back to make it all happen again. No, really, he could.
Tier 3: Round 3
Alshon Jeffery, Chicago Bears: Too generous? Perhaps, but I don’t see much difference in his projected stats and those of Nelson and Marshall. Could score 10 times and flirt with 90 catches. Again.
Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Pretty much everyone expects more catches, more yards and the touchdowns from his rookie year, not last year. I concur.
Amari Cooper, Oakland Raiders: Reminds me of Julio Jones. When he’s more consistent, numbers could look the same, too.
Keenan Allen, San Diego Chargers: PPR stalwart needs to stay on the field. Might have led the league in catches last year had he not suffered a lacerated kidney last year.
Tier 4: Early-round 4
Sammy Watkins, Buffalo Bills: I admit the Clemson star scares me a bit, but the skills are elite. Worth a look.
Brandin Cooks, New Orleans Saints: Reminds me of Watkins. Could be better, could be a top-10 guy. Just wasn’t consistent.
Tier 5: Later-round 4
Demaryius Thomas, Denver Broncos: The current state of Denver quarterbacks might scare you away, but ask yourself this: Was Peyton Manning good last season? Thomas was still one of seven wide receivers to catch 100 passes, and he was 13th at the position in standard fantasy points. And he could be a lot better this year if he limits the drops.
T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts: The return of Andrew Luck should solve whatever concerns you have with him.
Julian Edelman, New England Patriots: Injury is the problem, not that his starting quarterback will miss the first four games. And you can see I’m not terribly worried about his durability.
Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers: Two years ago he was great. What changed last year? Jordy Nelson was gone, so more attention shifted toward Cobb. Now, Nelson's not.
Ranking WRs into fantasy tiers a useful exercise
Eric Karabell
Fantasy owners probably don’t need to be reminded over and over and over about how deep the wide receiver position is, but that hardly means a tiered system for draft preparation doesn’t remain critical. There are, like in the other positions, the best of the best at wide receiver comprising a top section, then scores of others providing -- at least in theory, as this is merely projecting -- varying levels of expected performance, security and other factors making them a bit less valuable. And so on and so on until you get past the top 60 or so options.
Last week we started this informative -- to me as well! -- summer process of directing players into tiers, and just like the quarterback list, this is pretty much one man’s opinion and it can be swayed from time to time. I’m hardly so set in my ways when it comes to life, love and the pursuit of evaluating players and strategies that I cannot evolve with the times, even though I nearly ranked Mike Quick. You should make your own rankings and tiers, too, and don’t include 1980s wide receivers. But if you don’t, here are my thoughts at wide receiver.
Tier 1: Very start of Round 1!
Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers: Yes, this is the first time I’ve had a wide receiver No. 1 overall as best I can tell, but Brown is deserving. What can he do for you? In the past two seasons, he has averaged 132 receptions for 1,766 yards and 12 scores. And by the way, this blog entry and the tiers are for standard (non-PPR) leagues. Brown’s the best and arguably in his own top tier.
Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons: You could switch him with the next guy on this list, based on upside and touchdowns, and I wouldn’t argue. I’m not going to dig too deep comparing them. Jones gets more targets, scores less, but did outscore Odell Beckham Jr. in 2015 in fantasy. Even that could change.
Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants: Pretty darn good. No complaints.
DeAndre Hopkins, Houston Texans: Scared us ever so briefly by holding out. He’ll be fine. This ends my top tier.
Tier 2: Later in Round 1, early Round 2
A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals: Like many of the fellows here, not much negative to point out. Has never caught 100 passes nor scored 12 times, but it wouldn’t be surprising if each occurred this fall.
Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys: Worry about the foot and his quarterback’s health, but the numbers from 2012-14 were outstanding. Could make the case for him in top tier.
Allen Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars: The No. 4 wide receiver in standard formats could use more targets, but he really is this good. Just check out his cool tattoo.
Jordy Nelson, Green Bay Packers: He’s back, and for now there’s no reason to expect a drop-off from 2013-14 numbers.
Brandon Marshall, New York Jets: Outscored every receiver except Brown and Jones last season, and Ryan Fitzpatrick is back to make it all happen again. No, really, he could.
Tier 3: Round 3
Alshon Jeffery, Chicago Bears: Too generous? Perhaps, but I don’t see much difference in his projected stats and those of Nelson and Marshall. Could score 10 times and flirt with 90 catches. Again.
Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Pretty much everyone expects more catches, more yards and the touchdowns from his rookie year, not last year. I concur.
Amari Cooper, Oakland Raiders: Reminds me of Julio Jones. When he’s more consistent, numbers could look the same, too.
Keenan Allen, San Diego Chargers: PPR stalwart needs to stay on the field. Might have led the league in catches last year had he not suffered a lacerated kidney last year.
Tier 4: Early-round 4
Sammy Watkins, Buffalo Bills: I admit the Clemson star scares me a bit, but the skills are elite. Worth a look.
Brandin Cooks, New Orleans Saints: Reminds me of Watkins. Could be better, could be a top-10 guy. Just wasn’t consistent.
Tier 5: Later-round 4
Demaryius Thomas, Denver Broncos: The current state of Denver quarterbacks might scare you away, but ask yourself this: Was Peyton Manning good last season? Thomas was still one of seven wide receivers to catch 100 passes, and he was 13th at the position in standard fantasy points. And he could be a lot better this year if he limits the drops.
T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts: The return of Andrew Luck should solve whatever concerns you have with him.
Julian Edelman, New England Patriots: Injury is the problem, not that his starting quarterback will miss the first four games. And you can see I’m not terribly worried about his durability.
Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers: Two years ago he was great. What changed last year? Jordy Nelson was gone, so more attention shifted toward Cobb. Now, Nelson's not.
