Wide Receiver Dynasty Rankings - Tiers and Analysis

Tiered rankings and analysis for wide receivers in dynasty leagues. Matt Terelle breaks down the WR ranks for owners in dynasty and keeper fantasy football leagues for 2018.

The rankers here at RotoBaller are committed to providing you with detailed fantasy football rankings for dynasty leagues. Our rankings also include tiers which supply a more detailed breakdown on which players to target for your rosters, along with the performers that you should avoid.

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This article will take a look at the dynasty rankings and tiers for the wide receiver position. All references to dynasty leagues assume you are playing in a 12-team, PPR dynasty league. As always, dynasty rankings are fluid and can change often. Let's get to the rankings!

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Wide Receiver Dynasty Rankings

Tier 1

Odell Beckham, Jr., DeAndre Hopkins, Antonio Brown, Michael Thomas

New contract in hand, no wide receiver possesses the same game-breaking, score-from-anywhere dominance that Odell Beckham, Jr. brings to the table. The star wideout missed most of the 2017 season with an ankle injury but he is fully healthy and ready to pick up where he left off. Still just 25, Beckham has 38 touchdowns in 47 career games. He remains the first overall dynasty wide receiver.

Hopkins showed just how dominant he can be with a talented quarterback who can get him the ball consistently in 2017. Nuk posted a career-high 13 touchdowns while adding 1,378 yards, the second-most of his career. With hopes that Deshaun Watson is able to remain on the field for a full 16 games, Hopkins could shatter his previous career highs. Hopkins just turned 26 this offseason and can serve as a cornerstone in dynasty leagues for several more seasons.

Antonio Brown is the grizzled veteran of Tier 1, checking in at 30-years-old at the start of the regular season. That being said, Brown's dynasty value flies in the face of conventional wisdom as he is simply too productive to rank any lower. Brown is the odds-on favorite to lead the league in receiving on an annual basis. While he is on the wrong side of the traditional age apex for a wide receiver, Brown should have at least two or three more seasons as an elite WR1 in the tank.

Michael Thomas has been exceptional in his first two seasons in the league, piling up 196 receptions for 2,382 yards and 14 touchdowns in 31 games. The scary thing about Thomas is that he still hasn't reached his ceiling as he has the skills to be a dominant touchdown-scorer in the NFL. He scored just five times in 2017, a product of the Saints leaning extremely run-heavy during the season. Look for Thomas to post his first double-digit touchdown season in 2018.

Tier 2

Mike Evans, Davante Adams, Keenan Allen, A.J. Green, Julio Jones

Widely regarded as a Tier 1 stud at this time last season, Evans turned in a disappointing 2017 season, finishing with just 71 catches for 1,001 yards and five touchdowns. His dynasty stock has taken a hit as a result, but he remains an ultra-productive, 25-year-old receiver with two 12-touchdown seasons on his resume. The 2018 season will be a big one for Evans as he could reestablish himself as a Tier 1 option or see his value fall even more if he repeats his struggles of a year ago.

Davante Adams experienced one of the biggest value jumps for a wide receiver this offseason. A free agent after the year, many dynasty owners were unsure of where he would land. The Packers put those concerns to rest when they signed him to a big contract extension early in the offseason. Now tied to star quarterback Aaron Rodgers for the foreseeable future, Adams has as much touchdown upside as anyone in the league. The only blemish here is three documented concussions since Week 6, 2016.

Keenan Allen put concerns over whether he was injury-prone to rest in 2017 when he appeared in all 16 games and turned in career highs in receptions, yards, and targets. He isn't a big touchdown scorer but he more than makes up for that with the massive workload that quarterback Philip Rivers funnels his way.

A.J. Green and Julio Jones are former Tier 1 stars who have entered the twilights of their respective careers. Both probably have at least 1-2 more WR1 seasons left but they are also losing dynasty value at a rapid rate. Both are worth pursuing for contenders but rebuilding teams should be shopping them aggressively.

Tier 3

Tyreek Hill, Amari Cooper, T.Y. Hilton, Brandin Cooks, Allen Robinson, Juju Smith-Schuster, Stefon Diggs, Doug Baldwin, Jarvis Landry

Pundits keep waiting for Hill to level off but the speedster continues to deliver splash plays and has appeared to remain the clear No. 1 receiver ahead of new import Sammy Watkins. The marriage between Hill and big-armed Patrick Mahomes appears to be a perfect union, although he may struggle to score as many long touchdowns as he did in 2017.

New Raiders head coach Jon Gruden is already on record as stating that he wants to feature Cooper. The young star turned in an extremely disappointing 2017 season but he struggled with a knee injury while his quarterback Derek Carr was playing through a back issue. This is probably the cheapest Cooper will ever be in dynasty leagues. Don't be surprised if he's back to being a late first/early second-round startup pick in the 2019 season.

The return of Andrew Luck should have T.Y. Hilton owners dancing in the streets. Hilton, and the entire Colts offense struggled without Luck in 2017 but there's reason for optimism in 2018. Hilton is a bit too inconsistent to be considered a locked-in WR1 but he's an excellent WR2 in all formats.

Cooks didn't lose as much value as many expected with the move to Los Angeles. On one hand, few wide receivers can boast the extreme upside that Cooks brings to the table. On the other hand, it is concerning that he is with his third team in five years. The Rams have a lot of competition for targets and owners should be in a wait-and-see mode as far as how Cooks will be utilized this season before spending a lot to acquire him in dynasty.

Robinson is coming off an ACL tear but there's plenty of optimism surrounding the fifth-year receiver. Chicago paid him plenty of money to serve as the team's WR1 and brought over offensive-minded head coach Matt Nagy to call the shots. ARob appears to be fully healthy and showed back in 2015 that he has the potential to lead the league in touchdowns.

JuJu Smith-Schuster came just 83 yards short of posting a 1,000-yard season as a 20-year-old rookie. He remains stuck behind target hog Antonio Brown, for now, but he has the skills to be a clear-cut WR1 once Brown is out of the picture.

Stefon Diggs would be ranked a lot higher if he didn't keep picking up nagging injuries. The arrow is pointing straight up for Diggs, who will catch passes from Kirk Cousins in 2018. Cousins has targeted Diggs heavily in the preseason, which is a good sign for Diggs owners. Diggs could easily establish himself as a low-end Tier 1 option this season if he's able to stay on the field.

Doug Baldwin is on the older side as he will turn 30 early in the regular season. While he's getting up there in years, Baldwin plays mostly in the slot and should be able to last a few more seasons. The Seahawks have plenty of vacated targets from the 2017 season with Jimmy Graham and Paul Richardson both gone. Baldwin realistically has a chance to lead the league in targets this season. He's a great option for contenders in dynasty leagues.

Jarvis Landry landing in Cleveland was initially a cause for concern but he has clearly established himself as the WR1 in Cleveland. He should continue to be a target monster in 2018 and continues to fly a bit under the radar as a low-end WR1 in PPR formats.

Tier 4

Josh Gordon, Corey Davis, Adam Thielen, Demaryius Thomas, Golden Tate, Alshon Jeffery, Marvin Jones, Sammy Watkins

Josh Gordon is one of the most talented receivers in the league but owning him is not for the faint of heart. He is one misstep away from possibly never playing again.

Davis struggled with injury during his rookie season but he showed flashes when healthy in 2017, posting a six-catch, 91-yard game against the Rams in Week 16 and catching nine balls for 98 yards and two scores in two playoff games. Dynasty owners should be valuing Davis the way they did before last season and he is a buy in any league where that isn't the case.

There is usually skepticism surrounding undrafted free agents such as Adam Thielen but the man has balled out for two straight seasons now. He will likely settle in as a WR2 as long as Stefon Diggs is healthy but he is still an excellent asset in dynasty leagues, especially in PPR formats.

Demaryius Thomas is likely entering his final season of fantasy relevance as he almost assuredly going to be released after the season. That being said, Case Keenum is the best quarterback Thomas has played with since Peyton Manning retired. He should be treated as a one-year rental for contenders in dynasty.

Golden Tate is another aging slot receiver but he has posted four-straight 90-catch seasons with the Lions. Smaller slot receivers tend to age better than bigger guys such as Demaryius or Dez Bryant, giving some hope that Tate can piece together another two or three seasons as a high-volume receiving option.

The Eagles proved just how much they value Alshon Jeffery when they rewarded him with a four-year, $52 million contract extension in the offseason. Jeffery is working his way back from shoulder surgery and will miss the first two games in 2018 but he should be the Eagles' top touchdown scorer once he's up and running. Jeffery's days as a WR1 are over but he's fine as a mid-tier WR2 going forward.

Marvin Jones has flourished with the Lions but there is some concern regarding his splits when Kenny Golladay is on the field. It is a small sample but Jones averaged over two more catches and 37 more receiving yards in the five games that Golladay didn't play. Treat Jones more as a WR3 as opposed to being the overall WR11 in PPR as he was in 2017 and you won't be disappointed.

There is some hope that Watkins will be utilized more with the Chiefs than he was in his only year with the Rams but Tyreek Hill has firmly established himself as the WR1 in Kansas City while star tight end Travis Kelce will still command plenty of targets. Watkins should be treated as a WR3 until we see how he's used in Andy Reid's offense.

Tier 5

D.J. Moore, Jamison Crowder, Calvin Ridley, Devin Funchess, Will Fuller, Sterling Shepard, Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, Nelson Agholor

D.J. Moore didn't land in an ideal situation for instant production but he enters the dynasty picture as the overall rookie WR1 in the eyes of many. His college numbers were suppressed due to poor quarterback play and it may be a while before he emerges as a top-three option in the Carolina passing game, but Moore is an elite prospect for those willing to wait a year or two.

Crowder's excellence in the short-to-intermediate passing game should mesh well with new quarterback Alex Smith. Crowder is primed to put up a career year in 2018, which will be his walk year.

Ridley has first-round draft capital but is stuck behind alpha receiver Julio Jones for the near future. If you like him as a prospect, it might be worth waiting until the middle of the season as his value should dip if he gets off to a slow start.

Funchess emerged as a big-time touchdown threat after Kelvin Benjamin was traded in 2017 but he will have to contend with the aforementioned D.J. Moore, along with Greg Olsen and Christian McCaffrey in the passing game. He still has double-digit touchdown upside but he isn't likely to develop into a high-volume receiving option.

Will Fuller and Deshaun Watson were dominant together in 2017, connecting for seven touchdowns before both got injured. Fuller has struggled to stay on the field over his career but he's a great value in dynasty with WR2 upside.

Sterling Shepard turned in an excellent 2017 season, posting 59 catches for 731 yards and two touchdowns in just 11 games. That being said, he did so as the team's de facto WR1 with Odell Beckham injured during Week 4. Even if he plays a full 16 games, Shepard may struggle to replicate his production from 2017.

Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods will vie for targets in a crowded Rams pass-catching corps. Kupp was heavily targeted in the red zone in 2017, ranking third in the league with 23 targets inside the opponent's 20-yard line. Woods should benefit from the addition of Brandin Cooks, who will likely draw shadow coverage from the opposition's No. 1 cornerback, leaving Woods with the best outside matchup on a weekly basis. Both are great dynasty options as WR3s.

Nelson Agholor shed the bust label in 2017, setting career highs across the board. He will still be third behind Alshon Jeffery and Zach Ertz in the pecking order for targets but he will still see plenty of opportunities to post fantasy points playing for an explosive Eagles offense. He just might not be the most consistent fantasy option out there.

Tier 6

Emmanuel Sanders, Chris Godwin, Michael Crabtree, Marquise Goodwin, Robby Anderson, Devante Parker, Pierre Garcon, Kenny Golladay, Anthony Miller, Kelvin Benjamin, James Washington

Emmanuel Sanders and Michael Crabtree don't have many seasons left but both have a good shot to return WR2 numbers this season. Crabtree should lead the Ravens in targets while Sanders is fully healthy after struggling with an ankle injury in 2017.

Chris Godwin is a favorite prospect of many a dynasty enthusiast. He still has plenty of competition for targets in Tampa Bay but he could be a weekly starter as early as this season, although it is more likely his breakout will be in 2019.

Golladay has the skillset to be a true No. 1 receiver in the NFL and plays for a Lions offense that has been near the top in the league in passing for several seasons. He still has to split looks with talented teammates Golden Tate and Marvin Jones but Golladay should have a few big weeks this season.

Marquise Goodwin and Pierre Garcon should be the primary receivers for what is looking to be a solid 49ers offense in 2018. Goodwin has drawn rave reviews during training camp as Jimmy Garoppolo's favorite target and is a strong buy in dynasty leagues. Garcon missed the 2017 season with a neck injury and heads into 2018 as a bit of a question mark. He's worth taking a chance on in dynasty if the price is cheap.

This is shaping up as a make-or-break season for DeVante Parker, who is dealing with a broken finger. That being said, a receiver with his skill set should still be on your radar as a possible buy-low. He was quietly putting together a solid season in 2017 before suffering the dreaded high-ankle sprain.

Kelvin Benjamin is who he is at this point in his career but he shouldn't see much competition for targets in Buffalo.

Anthony Miller and James Washington are two highly-thought of rookies this season. Miller stands to make more of a year-one impact but Washington could be the better long-term dynasty asset.

Tier 7

Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Gallup, Courtland Sutton, Rishard Matthews, Dez Bryant, Christian Kirk, Chris Hogan, Cameron Meredith, Kenny Stills, Mike Williams, Corey Coleman

Larry Fitzgerald can be treated as a one-year rental in dynasty going forward. He will remain a WR1 until he decides to retire.

Rookies Michael Gallup and Christian Kirk should see plenty of opportunities on teams that don't have much competition for targets.

Sutton has plenty of touchdown scoring potential but he is more of a stash for 2019 when the Broncos are likely to move on from veterans Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas.

Dez Bryant remains without a team but he will instantly gain value when (if) he signs.

Chris Hogan is the top receiver for Tom Brady up until Julian Edelman returns from a four-game suspension. Hogan has high-end WR2 upside this year as an injury cut short what was shaping up as an excellent 2017 season.

Cameron Meredith has reportedly struggled in camp with the Saints and may get overtaken by third-round rookie Tre'Quan Smith.

Kenny Stills is annually underrated. Someone has to soak up all of the targets vacated by Jarvis Landry. He's the Dolphins receiver to target over the more expensive DeVante Parker.

Mike Williams has been playing behind Tyrell Williams in Chargers camp and had most of his rookie year wiped out due to injury.

Corey Coleman is reportedly on the roster bubble in Buffalo. He is an athletic freak and should catch on somewhere but one has to wonder what is going on behind the scenes with him, especially if the receiver-starved Bills release him.

Tier 8

Martavis Bryant, Dede Westbrook, Randall Cobb, Josh Doctson, Jordy Nelson, DeSean Jackson, Trent Taylor, Marqise Lee, Julian Edelman, Keelan Cole, Tre'Quan Smith, Quincy Enunwa, Mohamad Sanu, Antonio Callaway

Martavis Bryant could or could not get suspended at some point this year. News broke in June that the team was expecting punishment to come down but nothing has happened. Teammate Jordy Nelson is a huge question mark heading into his age-33 campaign. It is worth wondering just how much of Nelson's success over the years was a result of his excellent chemistry with Aaron Rodgers.

Dede Westbrook and Keelan Cole will vie for targets after Marqise Lee was lost for the season with a leg injury. Cole looked great at the end of last season and should slide in as one of Jacksonville's starting wideouts.

Randall Cobb has the No. 2 receiver role all to himself in Green Bay. He could wind up being an excellent value in all fantasy formats this year. Cobb seems like he's been around forever but he just turned 28 on August 22.

Tre'Quan Smith has flashed in the preseason and could find himself as the Saints' No. 2 receiver this season.

Trent Taylor and Mohamad Sanu are slot receivers who aren't likely to see enough targets to be useful in fantasy.

Julian Edelman should go back to being a monster in the slot for the Patriots after he serves a four-game suspension. He's a great win-now piece in dynasty.

Quincy Enunwa returns after missing all of 2017 with a neck injury. He faces very little competition for targets outside of Robby Anderson. If he's healthy, Enunwa could be a great value.

If not for off-field concerns, rookie Antonio Callaway may have been a first-round pick. He may be facing suspension after getting arrested with marijuana in his car in early August.

Tier 9

Tyrell Williams, Donte Moncrief, John Brown, Auden Tate, Jordan Matthews, Allen Hurns, Geronimo Allison, Paul Richardson, J.J. Nelson, Tyler Lockett, John Ross, Mike Wallace

Tyrell Williams is an interesting name to monitor. He is more athletic than people realize and can be a free agent in 2019.

John Brown has been flashing in Ravens camp and, just as importantly, has been healthy.

Tyler Lockett was a hot name in dynasty two years ago. With Paul Richardson gone, Doug Baldwin dealing with a knee issue, and Lockett fully healed after a gruesome leg injury 18 years ago, this may be Lockett's year.

Don't sleep on 2017 No. 7 overall pick John Ross who has looked excellent in Bengals preseason action.

Tier 10

Willie Snead, Zay Jones, Dante Pettis, Ted Ginn, Keke Coutee, Curtis Samuel, Taywan Taylor, Ryan Grant, Malcolm Mitchell

After averaging 70.5 catches with the Saints between 2015 and 2016, Willie Snead looked like the next high-volume star slot receiver, Now, he looks to salvage his career after it went off the rails in 2017.

Taywan Taylor earned a lot of buzz this preseason but he's still probably a year away from making any notable fantasy contributions. He's still an excellent stash.

Ryan Grant should be the Colts' WR2. That's a valuable spot with Andrew Luck back.

Malcolm Mitchell remains without a team after the Patriots released him. Ongoing knee issues dating back to his college days may make it tough for him to get another extended look in the NFL.

Tier 11

Terrelle Pryor, Mack Hollins, Aldrick Robinson, D.J. Chark, Tyler Boyd, Jermaine Kearse, Josh Reynolds, Josh Malone, Seth Roberts, Braxton Berrios, Kevin White, Amara Darboh, Taylor Gabriel, Chris Conley, Cole Beasley, Ardarius Stewart, Albert Wilson

After breaking out in 2016, Terrelle Pryor tried to play through an ankle injury in 2017 and is now hoping to win the No. 2 receiver job with the Jets.

Beasley could be the Cowboys' leading receiver this season.

Albert Wilson looked like the Dolphins' next slot receiver until the team added Danny Amendola.

Tier 12

T.J. Jones, Dontrelle Inman, Danny Amendola, Laquon Treadwell, Brandon Marshall, Daesean Hamilton, Leonte Carroo, Deonte Thompson, Torrey Smith, Travis Benjamin, Jakeem Grant, Phillip Dorsett

Treadwell and Carroo were both popular 2016 rookie picks but they have done little to nothing in the NFL. Buried on their respective depth charts, it may take a change of scenery for either to get a chance.

Dorsett could be the Patriots' WR2 to open the year, at least until Edelman returns. Once a first-round pick, Dorsett could have fantasy value this season. Crazier things have happened in the NFL. He's worth a spot on the end of rosters on pure speculation alone.

Tier 13

Brandon LaFell, Eli Rogers, Brice Butler, Demarcus Robinson, Allen Lazard, Jaron Brown, Terrance Williams, Damiere Byrd, Kendall Wright, Tavon Austin, Breshad Perriman

There isn't much of interest in this tier, outside of Jaron Brown. Brown should be the Seahawks' third receiver and he could see a sizable role, especially if Doug Baldwin's knee is an issue all year.

The Cowboys seem intent on proving Tavon Austin was underutilized with the Rams. He certainly won't have much competition for targets in Dallas.

Tier 14

Trey Quinn, Michael Floyd, Cody Latimer, Bruce Ellington, Braxton Miller, Jeremy Kerley, Cordarrelle Patterson, Adam Humphries, Cedrick Wilson, J'mon Moore, Chester Rogers, Jaelen Strong, Alex Erickson, Justin Hunter, Pharoh Cooper, Justin Watson, Markus Wheaton

Trey Quinn was Mr. Irrelevant in the NFL draft but the slot receiver is worth keeping an eye on. Jamison Crowder can be a free agent after the 2018 season.

J'Mon Moore was a popular sleeper after the Packers drafted him but there are rumors he's on the roster bubble.

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