Best Ball Wide Receiver Rankings for 2024 Fantasy Football Drafts (Tiers 1-3) - July Updates

Many enthusiastic fantasy managers have seized the opportunity to assemble rosters during best ball drafts as we have progressed through each phase of the offseason. A large percentage of you will maintain your passion for participation in this format as we advance beyond the completion of training camps, and reach the threshold of regular season matchups.

The skyrocketing popularity of best ball leagues allows you to build your teams during the draft process while finalizing all forms of roster management once each draft is complete. That also increases the importance of assembling a team that can withstand the roster challenges that emerge during the season, without the ability to make trades or utilize a waiver wire.

The team at RotoBaller is providing detailed analysis that examines our tiered rankings in the best ball format to help you navigate all of your remaining drafts. That includes this article which will focus on wide receivers who are contained in tiers 1-3. We will continually update our rankings in every format during the remainder of the draft season, and you can find the latest fantasy football rankings here.

• Quarterback fantasy football rankings
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• Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
• Tight end fantasy football rankings
• Kicker fantasy football rankings
• FLEX fantasy football rankings
• Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
• Superflex fantasy football rankings
• IDP fantasy football rankings
• Dynasty fantasy football rankings

Wide Receiver Best Ball Rankings

Tier 1 - Best Ball WR Rankings

CeeDee Lamb, Tyreek Hill, Ja'Marr Chase,  Amon-Ra St. Brown, Justin Jefferson

The numbers that CeeDee Lamb assembled in 2023 solidified his place among the league’s elite wide receivers. He should also remain embedded within the top tier at his position for the foreseeable future.

Lamb finished as a WR1 during 10 different matchups, while soaring to the league lead in points per game (23.7). His season-high 40.2 points in Week 17 also propelled a grateful collection of fantasy managers to league championships.

Dak Prescott ➡️ CeeDee Lamb

One 92-yard touchdown later and the Cowboys have taken the lead back from the Lions 👀

🎥 @NFLpic.twitter.com/SkOxDqyUyp

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) December 31, 2023

Lamb also led all wide receivers with a career-high 181 targets (10.7 per game), accumulated a league-best 135 receptions (7.9 per game), and also paced the league in red zone targets (32), receptions of 20+ yards (29), and yards after catch (680).

Lamb also finished second in receiving yards (1,749/102.9 per game), yards before catch (1,069), and games of 150+ yards (four). Lamb was also third in first read targets (145) according to Fantasy Points Data and is primed to remain unchallenged in his role as Dak Prescott’s primary receiving option. That will sustain his presence as the Cowboy’s most critical offensive weapon, which also makes Lamb a viable selection at the beginning of all drafts.

Tyreek Hill turned 30 in March but the explosive eight-year veteran should not experience a decline in the exceptional production that he has delivered since his arrival in Miami.

Hill has stockpiled a league-high 3,509 receiving yards (106.3 per game) during his two seasons with the Dolphins while eclipsing 100+ in 15 different contests. Hill also reached 170 targets in both 2022 (170/10.0 per game) and 2023 (171/10.7 per game), while ascending to second overall during that span (341/10.3 per game).

TYREEK HILL. HUGE TOUCHDOWN.

📺: #CARvsMIA on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/B4mQvLOt8O pic.twitter.com/Uis2fkF3el

— NFL (@NFL) October 15, 2023

Hill also paced all wide receivers in targets per route run (38.2%), and yards per route run (4.02) in 2023, while leading the league in air yards share (44.6%), receptions of 40+ (nine), yards before catch (1,147), and receiving touchdowns (13).

Hill also led all wide receivers in missed tackles forced on receptions (31) and first downs per route run (0.187) according to Fantasy Points Data. He also finished second in points per game (23.5) and could easily lead his position in scoring this season. That should incentivize you to target Hill among the top three selections in your drafts.

Ja'Marr Chase was the second overall selection during the 2023 draft season and his numbers initially rewarded managers for their investment. He was averaging a league-high 11 targets per game from Weeks 1-10 while operating with Joe Burrow as his quarterback.

Even a back injury can't slow Ja'Marr Chase down:pic.twitter.com/yEHVbLQOaA

— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) November 12, 2023

Chase also rose to second in yards after catch (382), third in receptions (69/7.7 per game), and seventh in receiving yards (821/91.2 per game), while eclipsing 100+ yards in four different matchups during that sequence. Chase’s average of 20.1 points per game also placed him eighth overall.

However, his numbers declined after a torn wrist ligament ended Burrow’s season in Week 11. Chase plunged to 34th in targets ((39/6.5 per game), and 24th in receptions (29/4.8 per game) from Weeks 12-18. He was also 26th in receiving yards (383/63.8 yards per game), and 19th in yards after catch (158), while plummeting to 34th in points per game (12.2) during that span.

Compared to:

Burrow’s health remains a critical factor that impacts Chase’s ability to deliver elite-level production. However, the combination of Chase’s exceptional talent and his essential role in Cincinnati’s offense sustains his place among the first five receivers to target during your drafts.

Amon-Ra St. Brown has commandeered his place inside the top-tier wide receivers after finishing among the league leaders at his position during the last two seasons. Only Lamb and Hill have accumulated more receptions than St. Brown, who has collected 225 (7.0 per game) since 2022.     

Amon-Ra St. Brown turned on the jets on this TD catch!
pic.twitter.com/1iFD8FE9aK

— LionsFanReport (@lionsfanreport) December 3, 2023

St. Brown also vaulted to fifth in receiving yards during that sequence (2,676/83.6 per game), while finishing sixth in targets (310/9.7 per game) and eighth in touchdowns (16). That includes St. Brown’s usage and production during 2023 when he finished second in both receptions (119/7.4 per game), and yards after catch (668).

He also finished fourth in points per game (20.7), while rising to third with an average of 21.8 from Weeks 6-18. St. Brown’s pathway to extensive targeting remains unobstructed in Ben Johnson’s offense and he should deliver high-end WR1 production once again.

The impressive collection of numbers that Justin Jefferson assembled from 2020-2022 included new records for the most receiving yards (4,825/96.5 per game) and receptions (324/6.5 per game) by any player during his first three seasons in NFL history.

Justin Jefferson has 7 catches for 138 yards at halftime.

He only needs 37 more yards today to become the fastest player to reach 5,000 receiving yards 🔥

pic.twitter.com/KugL6yFKJh

— NFL Retweet (@NFLRT) September 10, 2023

His seven-game absence in 2023 prevented him from replicating those historic results. However, Jefferson still finished fifth in points per game (20.2). He also led all wide receivers with an average of 25.8 points per game from Weeks 1-4 before he was forced to the sideline in Week 5 (hamstring).

Jefferson was also averaging a league-high 135.8 yards per game and was third in targets (47/11.8 per game), yards after catch (181), and receptions of 20+ (14) while rising to fourth in yards per route run (3.16). Jefferson also finished third in points per game (22.1) from Weeks 15-18, when he was operating with Nick Mullens at quarterback.

Jefferson will contend with shortcomings under center while functioning with either Sam Darnold or first-round selection J.J. McCarthy spearheading the Vikings’ aerial attack. However, Jefferson’s enormous talent keeps him among the top six receivers to prioritize during upcoming drafts.

Tier 2 - Best Ball WR Rankings

A.J. Brown, Puka Nacua, Garrett Wilson, Mike Evans, Marvin Harrison Jr., Davante Adams, Chris Olave 

A.J. Brown is third among all wide receivers with 2,952 receiving yards (86.8 per game) during his two seasons with Philadelphia. He is also seventh overall in targets (194/8.9 per game), ninth in receptions (194/5.7 per game), and has finished eighth in points per game twice during that sequence (17.6/17.0).

Brown also vaulted to fifth in receiving yards (1,456/85.6 per game) in 2023, while rising to seventh with a career-best 106 receptions (6.2 per game). He was also eighth with a career-high 158 targets (9.3 per game) and collected a career-best 18 red zone targets.

Another spectacular touchdown by A.J. Brown 🏈

➡️ https://t.co/lQz3Wwxr6jpic.twitter.com/XNceBbJN1J

— The Philadelphia Inquirer (@PhillyInquirer) October 29, 2023

Those results were fueled by his usage and production from Weeks 3-8, when Brown averaged a league-high 27 points per game, assembled a league-best 831 yards (138.5 per game),  and earned a grade of 85+ from PFF in every matchup during that span. Brown signed a three-year contract extension in May and is primed to deliver WR1 output in Kellen Moore’s restructured offense.

Puka Nacua enters his second season as an unquestioned WR1. This represents a significant contrast from the modest expectations that existed during the 2023 draft season.

Nacua’s ADP placed him in Round 22 during 2023 best ball drafts (264/WR82), after he became just the 20th wide receiver to be selected during the 2023 NFL Draft (177th overall).

Replays of these Puka Nacua catches just makes you appreciate them a little more 😮‍💨@AsapPuka | @RamsNFL pic.twitter.com/O60gZxwiQL

— NFL (@NFL) July 7, 2024

However, he quickly eviscerated initial projections by launching into the league lead in targets (82/11.7 per game) and receptions (58/8.3 per game) from Weeks 1-7. Nacua eventually finished sixth in targets from Weeks 1-18 (160/9.4 per game), while establishing new rookie records for receptions (105/6.2 per game) and receiving yards (1,486/87.4 per game).

He also finished fourth in targets per route run (29.1%), and seventh in yards per route run (2.71). Nacua should capitalize on his integral role in Sean McVay’s offense once again. He will also provide WR1 production to fantasy managers while Matthew Stafford is spearheading the Rams’ aerial attack

Garrett Wilson pic.twitter.com/ccIYx1vCNg

— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) May 12, 2024

It is reasonable to expect Garrett Wilson to benefit from operating with Aaron Rodgers after the 10-time Pro Bowler only spearheaded the Jets’ offense on four snaps last season.

Wilson still finished fourth overall in targets during 2023 (168/9.9 per game), including a league-high 131 (10.9 per game) from Weeks 4-16. He also paced his position in routes (518) and was second in air yards share (45.2%) during those contests.

Wilson also led all wide receivers in routes run per team dropback (91.1%) according to Fantasy Points Data.

However, the production-inhibiting play of Zach Wilson negated (Garrett) Wilson’s opportunity to capitalize on his favorable targeting. Wilson finished 22nd in receiving yards (1,042/61.3 per game), 31st in yards after catch (330), 41st in yards per route run (1.51), and only registered three touchdowns.

Wilson can justify the lofty expectations of his current ADP (12/WR8) if he can finally operate without the encumbrance of deficient quarterback play.

Tom Brady’s retirement did not deter Mike Evans from assembling his highest season totals in targets (136/8.0 per game), receptions (79/4.6 per game), and receiving yards (1,255/73.8 per game) since 2018.

Evans flourished with Baker Mayfield operating under center for the Buccaneers, as he collected a league-high 13 touchdowns. He also soared to second in air yards (1,890), while rising to fourth in targets inside the 5-yard line (six), and receptions of 40+ yards (six).

MIKE EVANS HAS 200 YARDS AND 3 TOUCHDOWNS

A Fantasy Championship God pic.twitter.com/0dkthXIuK7

— Eric Rosenthal (@ericsports) January 1, 2023

Evans was also 10th overall in points per game (16.6) and registered his highest total of contested catches (18) since 2017 according to PFF. Tampa Bay reached an agreement with Evans on a two-year extension in March while Mayfield was also secured with a three-year deal.

That clears the runway for Evans and Mayfield to maintain the statistical success that the tandem achieved last season. It also provides the rationale for targeting Evans in Round 3 of your upcoming drafts.

He's been 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙫elous in 2023.

Marvin Harrison Jr. scored 1️⃣5️⃣ TDs on his way to being named a @HeismanTrophy finalist.

Relive each of the @OhioStateFB superstar's scores. 👇#TouchdownTuesday x @MarvHarrisonJr pic.twitter.com/nBaB8jCEBU

— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) December 5, 2023

The skyrocketing expectations surrounding Marvin Harrison Jr. have accelerated throughout the offseason, due to his prospects of soaring into a lofty tier at the NFL level.

Harrison’s ADP had already risen to Round 3 in March (30/WR16). However, his draft position has ascended further (17/WR9) after he became the first non-quarterback to be selected during April’s NFL Draft. This has positioned him to operate as Arizona’s most prolific receiving weapon while providing the prospects of delivering WR1 output to fantasy managers.

Harrison accumulated 236 targets (9.4 per game), 144 receptions (5.8 per game), and 28 touchdowns in 2022-2023 while averaging 3.44 yards per route run and 18.1 yards per reception. Last year’s winner of the prestigious Biletnikoff Award also tied for 16th in contested catches (13) and secured a 43.3% contested catch rate according to PFF. Harrison will thrive during his first season with the Cardinals and should justify the expectations of his current ADP.

Davante Adams has experienced multiple transitions under center during his tenure with Las Vegas. However, the six-time Pro Bowler leads all wide receivers with 355 targets (10.4 per game) since joining the Raiders in 2022.

That includes Adams’ numbers last season, when he secured a league-best (33%) target share while finishing second in target per route run (31.5%), and red zone targets (30).

Davante Adams has 16.6 fantasy points at the end of the first quarter thanks to this massive touchdown 🔥pic.twitter.com/iUxUZM2L9K

— NFL Fantasy Football (@NFLFantasy) November 19, 2023

He also led all wide receivers in first read target percentage (40.6%) according to Fantasy Points Data, while rising to third in air yards share (44.4%), and ninth in receptions (103/6.1 per game). Adams was also 14th in points per game (15.6), which was the first time that he had finished outside the top six in that category since 2017.

Looking back at the moment Davante Adams “signed-off” on sending Jimmy G to the bench 😂
pic.twitter.com/FlQTHhJXj9

— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) July 11, 2024

The Las Vegas passing attack has been reshaped by the addition of Brock Bowers. However, Adams should commandeer another massive target share. He should also deliver high-end WR2 production if Aidan O'Connell or Gardner Minshew II can perform proficiently under center.

Chris Olave enters his third season amid renewed optimism that he can ascend into WR1 territory for fantasy managers. He is 15th among all wide receivers in targets (257/8.3 per game) and 16th in both receptions (159/5.1 per game) and receiving yards (2,165 yards/68.8 per game) since his arrival in New Orleans.

Everyone loves Chris Olave touchdown highlights🙌#Saints pic.twitter.com/rmOtGCweKW

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) March 5, 2024

That includes his numbers during 2023 when Olave finished 12th in targets (138/8.6 per game), 14th in receptions (87/5.4 per game), and 19th in points per game (14.5). Olave also tied for sixth in air yards (1,783) and was 17th in receiving yards (1,123/70.2 per game). However, that did not match the expectations that emerged when fantasy managers selected him as a WR1 (ADP 24/WR12).

Offensive Coordinator Klint Kubiak should infuse pre-snap motion into the Saints’ restructured offense while providing Olave with more opportunities to stockpile yardage after the catch. Olave can also eclipse the threshold of WR1 production if Derek Carr maximizes Olave’s capabilities as a vertical weapon by locating him downfield with greater frequency.

Tier 3 - Best Ball WR Rankings

Brandon Aiyuk, Jaylen Waddle, Deebo Samuel, Drake London 

Even though uncertainty has lingered surrounding Brandon Aiyuk's status with San Francisco, he still remains a member of the 49ers. The team has picked up Aiyuk’s 5th-year option and does not have to comply with Aiyuk's desire for a contract extension or his request for a trade.

However, Aiyuk’s exceptional talent remains unquestioned. He also assembled a career-high 1,342 receiving yards (83.9 per game) in 2023, while finishing second in yards per route run (3.32), yards per target (12.8), and yards per reception (17.9).

Brandon Aiyuk in Week 11: 5 catches for 156 yards including a 76-yard TD 👏@THE2ERA | @49ers pic.twitter.com/kJon4fEhCR

— NFL (@NFL) November 21, 2023

Aiyuk also rose to third in yards before catch per reception (12.8), averaged a career-best 15.6 points per game, and captured the second-highest grade for wide receivers from PFF.

Aiyuk has proven that he can deliver high-end WR2 production despite the distribution of touches to  Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and Christian McCaffrey. He could also eclipse his career-best numbers if he eventually resurfaces in a new environment, although it is likely that he will remain with San Francisco.

Jaylen Waddle was eighth among all wide receivers with 2,371 receiving yards (71.8 per game) during 2021-2022 while rising to 10th in receptions (179/5.4 per game), and 13th in both targets (257/7.8 per game), and touchdowns (14) during that span.

However, Waddle registered career lows in each category during 2023, while finishing 25th in receiving yards (1,014/72.4 per game), 26th in receptions (72/5.1 per game), 31st in targets (104/7.4 per game), and producing four touchdowns.

Waddle did exceed his career-best average of 71.8 yards per game entering 2023, while his career high in yards per route run (2.88) placed him fourth overall. Waddle also secured the seventh-highest grade among wide receivers from PFF.

Waddle remains cemented in his role as Miami’s WR2 after signing a three-year, $84.75 million extension in late May. He is also a viable receiver to target near his current ADP (33/WR15).

Deebo Samuel's versatility and playmaking potential have sustained his ability to operate as a WR2 for fantasy managers. He rose to 13th with an average of 16.2 points per game during 2023, finished as a WR1 during six different matchups, and led all receivers with an average of 28.5 per game from Weeks 12-15.

However, inconsistency remains an inherent factor in his numbers as he also failed to exceed 11.5 points during five contests. Samuel also finished 44th in targets (89/5.9 per game), 39th in receptions (60/4.0 per game), and 32nd in receiving yards (892/59.5 per game), while generating a career-high seven touchdowns.

DEEBO SAMUEL THE YAC KING 👑 pic.twitter.com/PK215V1UCC

— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) December 3, 2023

Samuel also led all wide receivers in attempts (43/2.5 per game), rushing yards (240/14.1 per game), and rushing touchdowns (five) for a third consecutive season. Aiyuk’s contract status should be monitored. However, the expectation is that Samuel will share touches with Aiyuk, Kittle, and McCaffrey. That should encourage you to avoid selecting Samuel until the conclusion of Round 3 in your drafts.

Drake London's outlook has surged during the offseason, due to the transformation of the Falcons’ coaching staff, and the infusion of Kirk Cousins under center.

What an adjustment in the air and catch by Drake London pic.twitter.com/HUjRwUoz4a

— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) December 11, 2023

This leaves the former first-round selection unburdened by the decision-making of Arthur Smith, and the deficiencies at quarterback that have circumvented Atlanta’s aerial attack since London's arrival. He secured the fourth-highest target share (30%) and finished eighth in targets per route run (29.2%) during his 2022 rookie season. That includes his league-high 33% target share from Weeks 15-18.

London experienced declines in target share (22.1%), and targets per route run (23.1%) during 2023. He also finished 44th in routes run (476), 30th in receiving yards (905/56.6 per game), and 28th in yards per route run (1.90).

However, the transition to Cousins will provide the Falcons with a massive upgrade at quarterback. Robinson’s revitalized offensive approach will also bolster London’s prospects of delivering WR1 production to managers.

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