Ellis Johnson's Top 10 Wide Receivers: Half-PPR Fantasy Football Rankings

We’re back! Last season, I'm proud to say my wide receiver draft rankings finished 15th in the FantasyPros accuracy contest. After releasing a fantasy football rankings article in May and July, I have decided to make an updated version for the fantasy draft season. I have projected each player's stat lines and this is where they line up. In this series of articles, I share my top-60 receivers, with a detailed analysis of most players. 

My projections are created based on the number of passing yards, completions, and touchdowns that I believe each team will have. Using the previous year's data and the current betting lines for players' individual yards and touchdowns, I collected the data and made my projections.

Get ready as I break down why I have moved some players since my projections. I went through each team and projected statistics for each player and updated my rankings to reflect them. Here is the link to all of my rankings and projections for each position. I hope you enjoy the list!

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Top 10 - Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Rankings (Half-PPR)

August 2022 update: I have included my pre-projection ranking in brackets

1. (2) Justin Jefferson (WR, MIN):

There are not many players that could supplant Cooper Kupp in the following year's rankings after the historic season he just had. Having said that, Jefferson is unbelievable. Last season, his WR4 finish seemed to go relatively under the radar, finishing with over 1600 yards and double-digit touchdowns.

Adam Thielen and Irv Smith Jr. should be back and healthy; however, neither pose much of a threat to Jefferson’s target share. Plus, the new Kevin O'Connell offense makes the sky the limit for Jefferson this year. Trust the excitement of the industry and enjoy the ride.

2. (4) Davante Adams (WR, LV):

As the offseason goes on, I find myself more bought into Adams. Not many players could go from Aaron Rodgers to Derek Carr and still find themselves among fantasy royalty. Of course, when you’re arguably the best receiver in the game, the quarterback impact is less powerful.

Adams made sure he was playing with his best friend Carr and should receive enormous volume and red zone looks to keep him in the top-five. Previously, I mentioned how Carr has never had 30 passing touchdowns, but I’m confident that changes this year, with Adams’ being the primary beneficiary.

3. (1) Cooper Kupp (WR, LAR):

I always try to avoid predicting players to repeat a #1 finish in fantasy, as historically it just doesn’t happen. However, outside of that, there is no reason Kupp should be anywhere lower than #1.

I am a little weary of this elbow pain that Mathew Stafford has been having; however, reports seem to believe that it won't be an issue. I think any of my top-five WRs could dethrone him, but I would be disrespecting his incredible 2021 campaign to predict it with confidence.

4. (3) Ja'Marr Chase (WR, CIN):

Yes, Chase moved down a spot to no detriment of his own. I am just as excited about Chase as I was in May, I have just heated up on Tee Higgins since then. If this wasn’t Half PPR, Chase could easily be ranked as the WR1 overall.

However, I think Jefferson’s, Kupp's, and Adams' target share will put them ahead. Although he may not be as consistent as Jefferson, he could easily top 15 touchdowns as the main weapon (and best friend) for Joe Burrow.

5. (12) A.J. Brown (WR, PHI):

I am very excited for Brown and think he'll be a touchdown and target machine. Early this offseason, I was devastated after the trade from the Titans. The Eagles were bottom of the league in passing yards, passing attempts, and passing touchdowns in 2021.

As a result, the new Philadelphia Eagle fell five spots in my rankings; however, I’ve come to terms with his new landing spot. Neither the Titans nor the Eagles are pass-heavy, and we have seen Brown utilize his efficiency to consistently produce for fantasy. I think this will continue in his new home and potentially see an increase in targets as the undisputed alpha on this team. My largest concern is Jalen Hurts’ abysmal 16 passing touchdowns last season.

For Brown to remain a WR1, he’ll need Hurts to at least crack 20+. The more I think about the situation, the more faith I have in the chemistry between these two players. Not many players possess the talent and physical attributes to be a superstar in this league, but A.J. Brown is one of them.

6. (6) Deebo Samuel (WR, SF):

Finally, the most dynamic player in the league got paid and is staying as a Niner. Regardless of Trey Lance being under center, this entire offense will run through their Wide Back. People seemed skeptical of Deebo, but after last year, I don’t see why you wouldn’t be confident that he’ll have another great season.

7. (12) Mike Williams (WR, LAC):

When I wrote this in May, I was unsure Williams was going to remain a Charger. Then he moved up to 12 in my July update. Now he has soared farther up my board after he secured the bag. It’s easy to forget that through the first weeks of last season, he and Kupp were exchanging blows at the top of the position.

A big play WR, tied to Herbert, it’s not hard to see that the sky is the limit. Unfortunately, his injury history makes me worried to have him as my WR1 on a team, but much like how I view Michael Pittman Jr. and Courtland Sutton, it’s hard to rank him lower than I currently have them.

8. (13) Courtland Sutton (WR, DEN):

Between Williams and Sutton, it was hard to determine who should be first. After Tim Patrick's devastating injury (wishing him a speedy recovery), it’s easy to be super excited about Sutton. I’m in the camp that thinks Russell Wilson will quickly find Sutton to be his next D.K. Metcalf.

By far the largest receiver on the team at  6’4”, Sutton thrives in contested catch situations. I am sure Jerry Jeudy will have his own big games (much like Lockett), but Sutton is the one with the potential to be a top fantasy player in 2022. 

9. (5) CeeDee Lamb (WR, DAL):

My change in ranking has nothing to do with Lamb and everything to do with rising on Deebo, Sutton, and Williams. I don’t think Lamb will ever be a “sleeper” but he certainly fits “post-hype” this season. Everyone (including myself) got too excited the last off-season, placing him way above his WR19 end-of-season ranking.

However, now that Cooper is gone and Michael Gallup is coming off a torn ACL, it’s full steam ahead for Lamb. As always, Dallas will be one of the more potent offenses in the league, paving the way for double-digit touchdowns and a high target volume.

10. (7) Mike Evans (WR, TB):

Every single year, Evans is elite. Being the first player to top 1000 yards in each of his first eight seasons, Tom Brady declared Evans to be a Hall of Famer already. With Chris Godwin recovering from a torn ACL, this will be the Evans and Brady show to start the season. He has back-to-back 13+ touchdown seasons that will continue to make him a WR1 for fantasy.

However, I'm weary of his upside once the entire receiving core of Godwin, Julio Jones, and Russell Gage are all healthy. Evans might be the perfect sell-high player after the first few weeks of the season.

Stay tuned for my next article where I break down receivers #11-20!

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