Fantasy Football Rankings 2017: Post-Free Agency Wide Receivers

Use the most comprehensive 2017 Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Rankings around to find out where all the risers and fallers from free agency rank.

Tier 5 – Potential Flex Plays

Though uncertainty and risk surround many of these wideouts, they all contain enough floor and ceilings to be tossed into the flex.

36. Cameron Meredith (CHI) ↗

Stock Up Update: With Alshon Jeffery now gone, the 6’3” Meredith seems the most appropriate fit for the newly-opened WR1 role.  Still, the talented but unhealthy Kevin White could claim the job, and, really, with Mike Glennon slinging the rock, how valuable will it be? Nonetheless, we’ve seen Meredith dominate games before, and there’s some upside for serious production here.

37. Tyrell Williams (SD)?

Despite Keenan Allen’s season-ending injury, Williams never operated as a bonafide #1 WR, ranking outside the top-20 in targets.  What he did with these targets, however, was highly impressive: tops in the NFL for catches of 40+ yards and top-five in catches of 25+, ultimately facilitating a WR16 finish. Williams is clearly a bonafide deep threat with huge play ability, and, at 6’4″ and 205 lbs, he has the potential to develop into a red zone mismatch. Though he’ll be relegated into a clear No. 2 behind Allen, this might ultimately help Williams; his deep ball skillset could flourish with less defensive attention. And, of course, he carries the “handcuff” upside for whenever Allen’s inevitable injury occurs.

38. Emmanuel Sanders (DEN) ?

Sanders final 2016 numbers of 79 catches, 1032 yards and 5 TDs look solid, but they were so densely concentrated into a few games. Sanders only topped double digit FPs in six games, and while three of those efforts were 20+ point explosions, he was a week-costing non factor far more often than a week-winner.  A legitimate quarterback upgrade would obviously improve his consistency and maximize his high-end natural talent, but if that Trevor Siemian creature is delivering the mail, Sanders will be easy to avoid. Along with Jordan Matthews and Jeremy Maclin, I’m just not a Sanders guy.

39. DeSean Jackson (TB)↗

Stock (slightly) up update: Jackson and his deep-speed was the PERFECT addition to improve this overall offense.  Before 2016, head coach Dirk Koetter and offensive coordinator Todd Monken gushed over Winston’s arm and bringing more “big plays” to the offense, stating:

“How can we be explosive? That’s what the game is about, man. People like big plays. I like big plays. So how do we figure out how to get big plays? In football trick plays are fun. I mean, what isn’t fun about explosive plays and throwing it down the field and guys making plays?’

Unfortunately, with the much-ballyhooed Adam Humphries as the second wideout, an attacking, vertical scheme was impossible.

Image result for desean jackson gif

Enter Jackson. Still one of the NFL’s most pure deep-threats, Jackson led the NFL in yards per catch (17.9) in 2016, and has averaged over 15 yards per catch in eight straight years. He was tailor-made to bring “big plays” to an offense, and hand-selected by coaches intent on stretching the defense.

As such, Jackson will certainly see his share of weekly “big play” looks, and maintains sturdy WR3, even low-end WR2 status. Sure, he’ll maintain his boom-or-bust ways, but a bevy of deep looks combined with Winston’s cannon arm should keep him booming more frequently. Also, with the monstrous Evans opposite him, Jackson will have his one-on-one chances. Don’t be surprised when DJax is frequenting the Red Zone channel on deep bombs.

Previous Assessment: Especially with his deep-game skillset, Jackson’s 2017 fantasy value is entirely dependent on his landing spot. After a slow, injury-hampered start to 2016, Jackson finished the year on a tear, topping 13 FPs in five of his last seven contests.  With a strong-armed quarterback and surrounding weapons, Jackson could pick up right where he left off and shoot up these rankings; however, with his attitude and limited route tree, Jackson could also flounder. All we have is speculation.

40. Martavis Bryant (PIT) ?↗

Stock Up Update:  At this point, Bryant’s reinstatement is looked at as a when, not if.  Combine this with the fact that Bryant is working out for really the first time in his life (and has reportedly added 25 pounds of muscle to his lengthy frame), and we could have an absolute monster brewing. Bryant’s done nothing but make plays when on the NFL field, both tracking down bombs and with the ball in his hands, and he’ll vault right into the top – 25 once he’s officially back on and looking like his old self (or, with the new muscle, even better. Gasp emoji).  Can’t wait to see where this story leads.

Previous Assessment: When on the field, Bryant is the long, speedy, athletic freak talent that owners drool over. He’s a red zone monster, deep ball aficionado, and sneakily dangerous after the catch. In short, Bryant’s got a chance to score every time he touches the ball, which makes him one of the highest ceiling players to own when he’s in lineups.  If he’s officially reinstated and his head seems on straight, Bryant will shoot up into the Upside WR2s.  For now, we play the wait-and-see game.

41. Josh Doctson (WAS)?↗

Stock Up Update: After speaking with Washington sports radio and TV host Grant Paulsen, Doctson is approaching “must-draft” sleeper territory. Paulsen made it clear that the team views him as a potential “AJ Green,” perennial Pro Bowl type of talent, hence why they’ve nursed him along so slowly.  As explored with Terrelle Pryor and Crowder earlier, a massive portion of this wholly productive aerial pie is up for grabs, and Doctson is reportedly a sneaky bet to claim the biggest slice.  Of course, he needs to stay on the field to make any kind of splash, but Doctson’s reportedly impressed in workouts with Kirk Cousins:

“Or you got Josh Doctson. If he starts showing on film the way he showed me down there — he’s catching crazy balls one-handed and jumping out of the sky.”

All-in-all, Doctson will be one of the juiciest 8th or 9th investments owners can make.

Previous Assessment: Victim to an Achilles injury that never quite healed, Doctson’s rookie season was completely lost.  Nonetheless, Desean Jackson and Pierre Garcon are both expected out, and, with only the diminutive 5’8″, 182 pound Jamison Crowder beside him, the 6’2″, 202 pound Doctson is best built for an Alpha #1 role.  In college, Doctson really went after the ball with rare certainty, high pointing over defensive backs both in the end zone and open field. These traits have earned him Alshon Jeffery and DeAndre Hopkins comparisons, suggesting enormous upside if this guy can stay out of the trainer’s room.  Given his lack of NFL experience, Doctson would ideally be a high-ceiling stash, but his potential role as the #1 target in a pass-heavy attack could yield some huge 2017 stats.

42. Mike Wallace (BAL)?↗

Stock Up Update: No Brandon Marshall, no problem. Wallace assumes the top dog spot as of now, and will be a highly reliable flex with some massive boom potential.

Already the Ravens leading WR in 2016, Wallace should own an even greater share of this aerial attack with Steve Smith retired; two of Wallace’s top three yardage efforts came when Smith was out of the lineup (4 for 97 versus the Giants and 10 for 120 versus the Jets).  Wallace proved he had plenty of gas in the tank, ripping off short slants and hitches for massive chunk plays all season.  Of course, the team could add another wide receiver — they are already being linked to Brandon Marshall — but should Wallace remain the top dog, his big play ability would bring a massive weekly ceiling to flexes, alongside some fair floor as the #1 target.

Tier 6 – Sexy Bench Stashes

43. Quincy Enunwa (NYJ)↗?

Stock Up Update:  Enunwa was a major 2016 surprise, especially towards the beginning of 2016.  Along with the entire Jets team, Enunwa faded down the season’s stretch run.  Similar to Decker, however, Enunwa will benefit both from Brandon Marshall’s removal as well as new coordinator John Morton, who’s bringing his previous Saints wizardry.  None of this will matter without a competent signal caller, of course, but Enunwa could bring sneaky ceiling to 2017 benches, and easily develop into a reliable WR3.

44. Ted Ginn Jr.?↗

Stock Up Update:  Ginn couldn’t have picked a better landing spot for his fantasy prospects, especially following Brandin Cooks’ trade.  In New Orleans, Ginn will have his long speed maximized playing alongside one of the most accurate deep ball throwers in Drew Brees, as well as one of the most creative offensive minds in Sean Payton. 

“I have an exact vision as to how he’ll be used, and that helps,” Payton said.

While talking up a new acquisition is part of the offseason routine, Payton does seem especially smitten with the boom-or-bust wide receiver, who has never had a 1,000-yard season in his 10-year career (Brandin Cooks had two in his first three seasons). Because a young first-round pick was part of the deal, he has to be. Should Cooks thrive with the New England Patriots as we all expect, all eyes will be on the group who traded him away and swapped him for a player whose career-best catch rate over 16 games was 60.2 percent. Back in 2015, it was 45.4 percent, or 44 catches on 97 targets (Cooks’ career low so far is 65.1).

None of this is news to Payton so it will be interesting to see what exactly sparked his enthusiasm. Obviously the offense will run through second-year wideout Michael Thomas with Ginn as some sort of field-stretching DeSean Jackson-type threat, but will it amount to something better than they had before?

True, Ginn will likely carry that same “poor man’s DJax” boom or bust nature.  Yet, in a pass-happier offense with a better quarterback, perhaps he’ll boom quite a bit more. At minimum, he’ll be a quality bye-week upside flex fill-in.

Ted Ginn carries some great sleeper appeal in his new home

45. Corey Coleman (CLE)?

Outside of a monstrous 5 catch, 104 yard, 2 TD Week Two, Coleman was nonexistent in 2016; he could never rebound from his broken hand. But damn… that Week Two was impressive.  He looked like an Alpha WR and his burners jumped off the page.  Plus, if Josh Gordon continues to be a fake human and Terrelle Pryor bolts in free agency, Coleman may be set up for a massive rebound.  Tons of uncertainty exists here, as the floor is another nonexistent campaig…but the ceiling is also humongous.

46. JJ Nelson (ARI)?

Though Larry Fitzgerald has announced his plans to return, Nelson’s arrow is still pointing upwards.  The enormous scoring threat benefited greatly from Michael Floyd’s release, scoring in four straight to close out 2016. Assuming Carson Palmer returns or has a competent replacement, Nelson has the burners to be an absolute force in 2017. He’ll be among my favorite 10-11th round targets.

48. Will Fuller V (HOU)?

After following an explosive preseason with 19.2, 12.4, and 23.6 FPs in three of his first four contests, Fuller truly looked like the real deal. Unfortunately, Fuller never once topped double digit FPs again thanks to a horrendous combination of injuries and Osweiler; in fact, Fuller was help under 25 yards in 6 of his final 10 games played (in other words, a complete non factor). Still, the explosiveness was incredible when Fuller was at full strength, and the right quarterback could facilitate a major rebound.

48. Kevin White (CHI)

Ranking in the Top 50 after back-to-back zero campaigns is solely an endorsement on White’s freakish skill set; he’s truly built for a sudden 1,000 yard, 10 TD campaign. Still, the third-year pro is looking more and more like a one-hit college wonder.  Obviously, White can’t be drafted as an immediate starter, but there’s far worse ways to maximize a bench spot.

49. Jordan Matthews (PHI)?

Stock Down Update:  I already hated Matthews when he was Philly’s #1 target. Now that he’s competing with Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith for looks, I hate him even more.

Previous Assessment: No one bores me more than Matthews. Yay, he’s a size mismatch out of the slot. What will this yield? 65 catches, 850 yards, and 3-7 TDs.  Yeah, that’ll probably be enough to top a WR42 ranking, but  I don’t like my ceilings so low and so firmly established.  Maybe, just maybe, Carson Wentz takes a major leap his sophomore year, but you’d have to imagine Matthews won’t be the the top dog and main beneficiary of this any longer.

50. Robert Woods (LAR)↗?

Stock Up Update:  Just like being the skinniest kid in fat camp, Woods looks like the top option of a horrendous receiving corps… which counts for something, right? As a Jay Gruden product, new coach Sean McVay will bring some creativity and pass-happy ways to Los Angeles, and Woods is set to receive the bulk of the looks.  Yet, Jared Goff was atrocious as a rookie, and all the looks in the world won’t matter if he doesn’t take a step forward.

Continue on for a “Cheat Sheet” that neatly summarizes all of the above rankings

Author

  • Founder of Roto Street Journal. Lover of workhorse backs, target hog wideouts, and Game of Thrones. Aspiring to be the "Brady" and "Leo" of the fantasy universe.

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