Taking wide receivers early and often was all the rage in 2016, but the Renaissance of the Three Down Back has put rushers at the forefront of early 2017 rankings. While the big three of David Johnson, Le’Veon Bell, and Ezekiel Elliott should be selected at the top of every draft, wide receivers should not be forgotten. Outside of mega-busts DeAndre Hopkins and Allen Robinson, the top wideouts played out mostly as expected, and the position generally comes with far less bust risk than RBs. Going pass catcher early and often generally injects a high ceiling and high floor point source into a position that thins out quickly, and should remain a strong draft strategy for 2017.
As the rankings will show below, 2017’s Wide Out crop has 8-9 guys to be comfortable with at WR1, followed by a bevy of huge upside WR2s that’ll undoubtedly yield some fantasy stars. From here, plenty of options to round out the third WR and flex spots come into play, and your team need — upside versus floor — will determine who your dipping into.
I’m a huge believer in Tiers, and, as such, released groupings of wideouts throughout the week (WR1s, upside WR2s, safe WR2s, WR3s and flex plays). Below, I’ve removed the individual player analysis and compiled a Top-50 “Cheatsheet”; if you’re looking for thoughts on a specific player, just click the link in his respective tier.
These rankings will, of course, be updated throughout the offseason with each relevant coaching change, free agent signing, and draft development. Additionally, 1/2 PPR scoring is used as a happy medium between both formats (and it’s just the best way to play in general). Without further adieu:
Tier 1 – The Elite (Analysis Here)
Barring an unforeseen explosion, one of these five wideouts will top the 2017 leader board; all six are locks for a top-10 spot, health-permitting. Regardless of the matchups, double-digit weekly points is all but certain, and these pass catchers are sturdy anchors for fantasy squads once the top rushers are selected. Each warrants serious Round One consideration.
1. Antonio Brown (PIT)
2. Julio Jones (ATL)
3. Mike Evans (TB)
4. Odell Beckham JR (NYG)
5. Jordy Nelson (GB)
6. A.J. Green (CIN)
Tier 2 – Remaining WR1s (analysis linked above)
While the following guys won’t steal 2017’s scoring crown, they should very well anchor fantasy teams who go running back early. None should fall out of Round Two.
7. Dez Bryant (DAL)
8. Michael Thomas (NO)
9. T.Y. Hilton (IND)
Tier 3 – Upside WR2s (Analysis Here)
While there’s too much uncertainty or risk to make these guys desirable WR1s, they all bring immense upside to the WR2 slots. All are worth looks beginning in Round 3.
10. Davante Adams (GB)
11. Doug Baldwin (SEA)
12. Amari Cooper (OAK)
13. Julian Edelman (NE)
14. Brandin Cooks (NO)
Tier 3.5 (Linked above)
Slightly less sexy and / or more risky, the following guys belong in the 4th – 5th round conversation, despite having ceilings that rival those above.
15. DeAndre Hopkins (HOU)
16. Tyreek Hill (KC)
17. Allen Robinson (JAC)
18. Alshon Jeffery (FA)
19. Keenan Allen (LAC)
20. Sammy Watkins (BUF)
Tier 4 – Safe WR2s but Ideal WR3s (Analysis Here)
While the below names don’t bring quite the sexy allure / WR1 ceilings of last week’s crew, they all should be reliable producers and make for fine #2 options if you load up on rushers early. There’s a solid floor of production with all these candidates, making them strong targets at the end of Round 4 and early Round 5, especially if you have a riskier early round investments and need a sure point source.
*Note – Even amidst this running back Renaissance, I still plan to lock up two WRs within my first three picks (in three WR leagues), ideally netting two top-10 guys. The below guys are more for floor-chasers, and people who’ve gone RB heavy early.
21. Michael Crabtree (OAK)
22. Golden Tate (DET)
23. Demaryius Thomas (DEN)
24. Larry Fitzgerald (ARI)
25. Jarvis Landry (MIA)
Tier 5 – Upside WR3s (Analysis Here)
Though uncertainty and risk surround many of these wideouts, the ceilings are undeniable. As such, these guys make sexier targets than many of the names above them (i.e. Jarvis Landry, Larry Fitzgerald) if you’ve already secured two high-floor wideouts.
26. Rishard Matthews (TEN)
27. Kelvin Benjamin (CAR)
28. Donte Moncrief (IND)
29. Terrelle Pryor (FA)
30. Jamison Crowder (WAS)
31. Stefon Diggs (MIN)
Tier 5.5
Many of these guys come with equally high ceilings as those above, but the floor is far lower
32. Brandon Marshall (NYJ)
33. Tyrell Williams (LAC)
34. Emmanuel Sanders (DEN)
35. Martavis Bryant (PIT)
36. Eric Decker (NYJ)
Tier 6 – Potential Flex Options (Analysis Here)
Though the below would best be treated as bench stashes, plenty will become viable starters throughout the season; many have the upside to explode. Choosing between a less exciting, but higher floor veteran (i.e. Mike Wallace or Jeremy Maclin) versus a sexier but less reliable upside stab (i.e. Corey Coleman or Will Fuller) should hinge on your team needs.
38. Sterling Shepard (NYG)
39. Mike Wallace (BAL)
40. DeSean Jackson (FA)
41. Kenny Britt (FA)
42. Jordan Matthews (PHI)
43. UPDATED Malcolm Mitchell (NE) (Previously 49)
Tier 6.5
While the above names are surer bets for weekly points, the following names drip with equal, if not more, upside.
44. Corey Coleman (CLE)
45. Josh Doctson (WAS)
46. Chris Hogan (NE)
47. J.J. Nelson (ARI)
48. Will Fuller V (HOU)
49. Kevin White (CHI)
50. Jeremy Maclin (KC)
In case you missed it, our 2017 Fantasy Football Running Back Cheat Sheet is here for your viewing pleasure. Be sure to like our Facebook Page, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram to help fill this unending void called the offseason.
