Fantasy: Reviewing the WR landscape after 2018
It's important to remember these articles are not intended to be tiers for drafting. You can view our complete 2019 wide receiver rankings here.
2018 Fantasy Reviews- Quarterbacks
- Running Backs
- Wide Receivers
- Tight Ends
Tim Warner / Getty Images Sport / GettyDeAndre Hopkins, Texans - Hopkins finished 2018 with 115 receptions, 1,572 yards, and 11 touchdowns, but his most impressive stat might be zero drops. He earned Pro Football Focus' highest grade among receivers and is making quite the case to be viewed as the top pass-catcher in the game.
Davante Adams, Packers - While Green Bay's offense was thrown off course several times throughout the year, Adams was arguably the league's most consistent fantasy asset with 81 yards and/or a touchdown in all 15 games he suited up for. Somehow, his arrow is still pointing up, as Matt LaFleur should bring in a more innovative offensive system to replace Mike McCarthy's tired scheme.
Julio Jones, Falcons - Jones didn't find the end zone until Week 9, but it didn't matter. He scored eight times in the second half of the year and led the NFL in receiving yards. Never doubt Julio.
Week winners
Peter G. Aiken / Getty Images Sport / GettyTyreek Hill, Chiefs - Hopkins and Adams got the best of him in PPR formats, but Hill was the top scoring fantasy receiver in standard leagues thanks to four games with at least 115 yards and two touchdowns. He has the perfect quarterback to take advantage of his speed, and when paired together, Hill and Patrick Mahomes were almost unstoppable in fantasy.
Michael Thomas, Saints - Thomas was lethal as Drew Brees' favorite target. His 125 receptions were the most by anyone in a single season since 2015, and he went for 12-171-1 in the Saints' divisional-round win. In both real life and fantasy, Thomas is the definition of reliable.
Odell Beckham Jr., Giants - Beckham was doing it all - including his best quarterback impression with a pair of deep touchdown passes - before a quad injury ended his season prematurely. He finished as the WR16 despite playing in just 12 games. Prior to that, he was on pace for 103 receptions, 1,403 yards, and eight scores.
Still underrated
Chris Graythen / Getty Images Sport / GettyJuJu Smith-Schuster, Steelers - There's no denying JuJu is a bona fide top 10 fantasy receiver. The only question is whether he can keep up that production if the Steelers trade Antonio Brown. Smith-Schuster's made it clear he wants Brown to stay because the star's presence makes him better.
Robert Woods, Rams - Woods has been a different player since joining the Rams and he took his game to yet another level in 2018 with 86 catches, 1,219 yards, and six touchdowns. He might not repeat as a top 10 fantasy receiver, but he's not far off.
Stefon Diggs, Vikings - Since entering the league, Diggs has flirted with high-end production. This season, it finally manifested: 102 receptions, 1,021 yards, and nine scores. Those are remarkable numbers considering Diggs isn't even the No. 1 wideout on his team.
Consistency is key
Hannah Foslien / Getty Images Sport / GettyAdam Thielen, Vikings - Thielen opened the season with eight straight 100-yard games before cooling off a bit while playing through injuries. His receptions and yardage totals have increased in each of his five NFL seasons, and with limited talent in Minnesota's passing game, Thielen and Diggs should continue to dominate targets.
Keenan Allen, Chargers - Healed from the injuries that sidelined him earlier in his career, Allen's played full 16-game schedules the last two seasons and finished as a top 15 fantasy receiver twice. His reduced touchdown totals are the only thing separating Allen from the elite players at his position.
Julian Edelman, Patriots - After serving his four-game suspension, Edelman came back as motivated as ever, playing at a 99-catch, 1,133-yard, eight-touchdown clip. With Josh Gordon suspended indefinitely and Rob Gronkowski declining, Edelman will likely pace the Patriots' receiving corps again in 2019.
Coming in hot
Brian Blanco / Getty Images Sport / GettyMike Evans, Buccaneers - The 25-year-old re-established himself as the alpha dog on the Bucs' receiving depth chart with 86 grabs, 1,524 yards, and eight touchdowns. Bruce Arians' arrival in Tampa should only make this offense hotter.
Amari Cooper, Cowboys - Being traded to the Cowboys was a necessary change for Cooper, but expectations were kept in check as he joined a struggling passing attack. Little did we know Cooper was the missing piece. Reinvigorated in Dallas, he caught fire over the final nine games and reclaimed his place as one of the game's best young wideouts with the third 1,000-yard season of his four-year career.
Tyler Lockett, Seahawks - Projecting Lockett's 2019 stats will be a challenge after his efficiency was off the charts this season with 965 yards and 10 touchdowns on just 57 receptions. With talent, age (26), and quarterback play (Russell Wilson) all on his side, Lockett looks like a nice bet to repeat as a WR2 in fantasy.
Need for speed
Harry How / Getty Images Sport / GettyBrandin Cooks, Rams - Four straight 1,000-yard seasons with no fewer than six touchdowns are enough to crown Cooks one of the premier deep threats in the NFL. Playing with Drew Brees, Tom Brady, and Jared Goff (Sean McVay) helps.
T.Y. Hilton, Colts - The return of Andrew Luck and the newfound dominance of the Colts' offensive line allowed Hilton to restore his fantasy stock in 2018. With Luck at 100 percent, Hilton's a top 15 fantasy receiver.
Robby Anderson, Jets - Anderson won over many fantasy owners with his Week 14-16 performance. During that span, he was the top-scoring fantasy option at his position with 20 catches, 312 yards, and three touchdowns - reminiscent of his top 20 finish in 2017. However, a lot could change with Adam Gase being hired as head coach.
Trade winds
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyAntonio Brown, Steelers - It initially sounded like another spat that would be resolved over the offseason, but the Brown-Steelers relationship seems genuinely broken. There's a real possibility he'll be wearing a different uniform come September. Regardless, he remains one of the best to ever play the game.
DeSean Jackson, Buccaneers - Jackson reportedly wants out of Tampa, but one of Arians' first moves as head coach was to ask for D-Jax's number in an attempt to keep him around. Another offseason storyline to monitor.
Room to grow
Dave Reginek / Getty Images Sport / GettyKenny Golladay, Lions - One of the few bright spots in an otherwise dismal year for the Lions was Golladay's emergence as a real No. 1 receiver in his second season in the league. Even with Marvin Jones likely healthy, Golladay is the fantasy player to own and will be hyped throughout the offseason.
Mike Williams, Chargers - If you ever want to know the difference between standard and PPR formats, just look at Williams. The WR32 in PPR, he vaulted all the way to WR20 in standard. That's the impact 10 touchdowns on 43 catches will have on your fantasy line. The good news for Williams is that teammate Tyrell Williams is likely to leave in free agency, opening the door for Mike to see an uptick in targets.
Chris Godwin, Buccaneers - The aforementioned Jackson situation will have major repercussions for Godwin's fantasy outlook. He has at least 98 yards in four of his six games without Jackson over the past two seasons, while adding four touchdowns in those outings. If Jackson leaves, we'll be talking about Godwin as a fringe WR2 in fantasy.
Corey Davis, Titans - Expectations can be problematic, especially for first-rounders. Davis hasn't come close to delivering on his, though it's not all his fault. Frequent coordinator changes, Marcus Mariota's struggles, and a lack of other playmakers haven't helped him. But we may need to adjust our outlook for Davis heading into the 2019 season, viewing him as a fantasy WR3 until further notice.
Better things to come
Stacy Revere / Getty Images Sport / GettyAllen Robinson, Bears - Unfortunately for Robinson and the Bears, it took several months before he established a connection with Mitch Trubisky. He saved the best for last with a 10-catch, 143-yard, one-touchdown outing in the team's wild-card loss, giving hope that his ceiling's higher than it looked for most of 2018.
Alshon Jeffery, Eagles - Overall, it was a disappointing year in Philadelphia. Like many members of the offense, Jeffery's stats dipped after the Golden Tate trade as the team struggled to work him into the scheme. Once the Eagles rediscovered their identity, Jeffery's numbers rose, but he failed to crack 1,000 yards for the fourth consecutive campaign. A healthy Carson Wentz will help get Jeffery back on track in 2019.
Doug Baldwin, Seahawks - When a player tells us they aren't 100 percent in the preseason, we should listen. Baldwin was honest about his injury and the results proved it; he was a shell of himself through the first half of the year, but from Week 11 on, we saw the old Baldwin post top 15 fantasy numbers. Hopefully the 30-year-old can avoid any more ailments before next season rolls around.
Jarvis Landry, Browns - No longer the dump-off option he was in Miami, Landry's targets and receptions seriously declined. His nine-touchdown 2017 was an obvious outlier, but it likely helped him land his big free-agent deal. If the Browns' offense continues to climb, Landry should safely remain in the WR2 range for fantasy.
Overqualified sidekicks
Patrick Smith / Getty Images Sport / GettyTyler Boyd, Bengals - Though his numbers were inflated by A.J. Green's injury-shortened campaign, Boyd exploded even with Green in the lineup. His 76 receptions, 1,028 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns make him a borderline fantasy WR2 in an offense that could be upgraded by a fresh approach from a new set of coaches.
Sammy Watkins, Chiefs - Prior to a late-season injury that cost him six games, Watkins offered week-winning upside. Aim to use him as your WR3 or flex where you don't need to count on him to carry your team, even though some weeks he'll do just that.
Sterling Shepard, Giants - Competing with Beckham, Saquon Barkley, and Evan Engram for targets, it's hard for the young receiver to stand out. He may need new surroundings to reach his potential.
Almost there
Brett Carlsen / Getty Images Sport / GettyD.J. Moore, Panthers - Moore's lack of a presence in the end zone is slightly concerning, but his debut season can be considered a success with 55 receptions, 960 yards from scrimmage, and two scores. The first-rounder is already a difference-maker for the Panthers and a healthy Cam Newton will help him excel in 2019.
Dante Pettis, 49ers - More people should be talking about Pettis after he overcame injuries midseason and teased a potential breakout. The 49ers, who traded up to get Pettis in the second round, began featuring him in the final two months, leading to stat lines of 4-77-1, 5-129-2, 3-49-1, and 5-83-0. Pettis is positioned to be the team's No. 1 receiver and is a WR3 in my early rankings.
Calvin Ridley, Falcons - Ridley overtook Mohamed Sanu for the second spot in the Falcons' pecking order and caught 64 passes for 821 yards and 10 touchdowns. The TD production is likely to regress, especially since five of them came in Weeks 3 and 4, but Ridley established himself as an impact player and a fantasy starter.
Michael Gallup, Cowboys - With all the attention on Cooper, the Cowboys rookie finished strong. Gallup had 50 yards and/or a touchdown in five of his last seven games dating back to the regular season, including six grabs for 119 yards in the Cowboys' playoff loss. There's plenty of reason to be excited about Gallup's future in fantasy.
Courtland Sutton, Broncos - The timeline for Sutton's takeover of Denver's receiving corps accelerated when Demaryius Thomas was traded midseason. The skill set is there, but Sutton needs more time to develop. A full NFL offseason will hopefully help prepare him to make the leap.
DaeSean Hamilton, Broncos - Hamilton was also thrust into action as the Broncos' slot receiver after Emmanuel Sanders went down. The fourth-rounder showed impressive consistency with at least five grabs and 40 yards in four straight games to close out the year. His 2019 fantasy value depends on what the Broncos do with Sanders in the offseason.
Christian Kirk, Cardinals - Kirk should probably be listed in the next section after ending the year on injured reserve with a broken foot, but with a breakout season on the horizon, it seemed unfair to lump him in with the walking wounded. At the moment, Kirk is set to enter 2019 as the Cardinals' top receiver, and he showed enough as a rookie to instill confidence that he's up to the task. If Kliff Kingsbury brings a high-volume passing offense to Arizona, Kirk will be the biggest beneficiary.
Injury ward
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyA.J. Green, Bengals - The 30-year-old underwent toe surgery in December to repair torn ligaments, which is expected to keep him sidelined for three or four months. Even if he's not ready for OTAs, Green will be full go come training camp.
Cooper Kupp, Rams - Before tearing his ACL in November, Kupp was playing at an 80-catch, 1,132-yard, 12-touchdown pace. As a slot receiver who relies on his quickness, there's no guarantee he'll be 100 percent by the start of next season.
Marvin Jones, Lions - Jones was placed on injured reserve after hurting his knee in November. Injury details are always scarce when it comes to the Lions organization, but the perennially underrated Jones should return as a WR3 in fantasy for 2019.
Will Fuller, Texans - In three NFL seasons, Fuller has missed a total of 17 games due to injury - the latest an ACL tear that occurred in late October and threatens his availability for training camp and beyond.
Emmanuel Sanders, Broncos - Sanders will be 32 years old at the beginning of next season and coming off a torn Achilles he suffered in December. There's a good chance he starts the 2019 season on the PUP list. It's also possible the Broncos move on in favor of their corps of younger wideouts.
Demaryius Thomas, Texans - Sanders' former teammate also tore an Achilles tendon in December while playing for his new team. Thomas is a year younger than Sanders, though his fate could be the same, as the Texans will decide on his future with the club this offseason. He was already in his decline phase before the injury.
Geronimo Allison, Packers - Injuries limited Allison to five appearances in 2018 and a groin issue ultimately landed him on injured reserve. His absence will make him a forgotten man in next year's fantasy drafts. Assuming the Packers' new coaching staff can solve some of the team's offensive issues, Allison will be a sneaky sleeper.
Marqise Lee, Jaguars - Lee was carted off with a knee injury in August, which at least gives him an excellent chance to be healthy come next season. However, his role in the Jaguars' receiving corps is a little less certain.
Anthony Miller, Bears - The rookie played through a shoulder injury he initially suffered in Week 3, opting to wait for offseason surgery. If he's healthy, Miller will be a big part of the Bears' passing game.
Hitting the market
Patrick Smith / Getty Images Sport / GettyJohn Brown, Ravens - It's almost impossible to project fantasy numbers for a player hitting free agency, but Brown is worth targeting regardless of where he lands. Don't forget: After the first seven weeks, Brown was the WR11 in standard leagues and the WR16 in PPR formats. He fell off the map when the offense became run-heavy with Lamar Jackson, but that had nothing to do with Brown's performance. Keep him in mind come draft day and you won't regret it.
Golden Tate, Eagles - Tate's brief time in Philadelphia would have been characterized as a failure if not for the team's desperate sprint to the playoffs and his game-winning touchdown catch against the Bears in the wild-card round. The 30-year-old made it clear he wants to play for a contender, which should help him rebound in 2019.
Devin Funchess, Panthers - It's unclear why the Panthers decided to push Funchess into a limited role down the stretch, but the 24-year-old is just one year removed from an 840-yard, eight-touchdown campaign. Depending on his new team, he could exceed people's now-lowered expectations.
Tyrell Williams, Chargers - Much like Funchess, Williams has age and production on his side. The 26-year-old put up 1,059 yards and seven scores in 2016 and is capable of serving as a team's first option if need be. Depending on his next destination, he could get back into the WR3 conversation in fantasy.
Donte Moncrief, Jaguars - As is the case with every Jags receiver on this list, it's hard to judge him properly when he was catching passes from Blake Bortles and Cody Kessler. Fortunately for Moncrief, he only signed a one-year deal and hopefully learned a valuable lesson: When given the choice, attach yourself to a good quarterback.
Randall Cobb, Packers - Though Cobb is just 28 years old, injuries have taken some of the shine off his career. As he moves away from the comfort zone of playing with Aaron Rodgers, name recognition will be the only thing boosting Cobb's ADP this season.
Adam Humphries, Buccaneers - The 5-foot-11, 195-pound receiver was a steady force in the slot for the Buccaneers and should generate interest on the market, though fantasy owners know he's mainly a PPR option.
Chris Hogan, Patriots - Hogan was one of this season's biggest fantasy busts. Not only did he fail to return value for his fantasy owners, but he also lost himself a lot of money in free agency.
Flashes of brilliance
Sam Greenwood / Getty Images Sport / GettyDede Westbrook, Jaguars - Leaning on his natural playmaking abilities, Westbrook overcame poor quarterback play to post 66 catches, 717 yards, and five touchdowns. With a new passer at the helm, those numbers should improve.
Keke Coutee, Texans - Coutee's season was bookended by nearly identical big games against the Colts - 11 receptions for 109 yards in Week 1 and 11 receptions for 110 yards in the Texans' wild-card loss. With Fuller facing an uphill battle to be ready in time for camp, Coutee's role could expand if he can stay off the injury report himself.
Robert Foster, Bills - From Week 10 on, Foster was a WR2 in fantasy thanks to a stretch that included stat lines of 3-105, 2-94-1, 7-104, and 4-108-1. The Bills were so impressed that they jettisoned veterans Kelvin Benjamin and Andre Holmes to give Foster more playing time. Few players will enter 2019 with fantasy stock as volatile as Foster's, but he could be worth the gamble, depending on how high his ADP rises.
Curtis Samuel, Panthers - Samuel notched 70 yards and/or a touchdown in five of his last seven performances of 2018. As Funchess became an afterthought in the offense, Samuel emerged as the starter across from Moore, a setup that should stay in place with Funchess hitting free agency. It won't be surprising if Samuel arrives as a WR3 in fantasy come September, even though his draft-day price will be far cheaper.
Can you trust them?
Jonathan Bachman / Getty Images Sport / GettyAntonio Callaway, Browns - Callaway still has a long way to go before surfacing as a trustworthy fantasy player, but like most members of the Browns' offense, he played his best after the midseason coaching change. He's got a chance to ascend with the offense in 2019, making him an intriguing sleeper.
Jamison Crowder, Redskins - Washington's offense was riddled with injuries in 2018, and Crowder was no exception, limited to just nine games. Even at his best, however, Crowder's always been a boring fantasy asset who rarely visits the end zone.
Michael Crabtree, Ravens - It's not like Crabtree was burning up the field at the start of the year, but with Lamar Jackson taking the air out of the football in the second half of the season, Crabtree was held under 40 yards in every outing. As the league leader in drops, he can't be viewed as anything more than a TD-dependent dart throw.
Nelson Agholor, Eagles - Agholor's stats were about the same as his solid 2017 campaign, with the exception of his touchdowns, which were cut in half. If Tate leaves in free agency, Agholor will be a sneaky late pick in drafts.
Zay Jones, Bills - Jones popped up a few times later in the season, scoring five touchdowns over the final five weeks as Josh Allen started to find his groove. Jones' floor is still depressed by playing in such a low-volume passing attack and he faces competition from Foster to be the Bills' No. 1 receiver.
Tre'Quan Smith, Saints - After his 111-yard, two-touchdown performance on Monday Night Football in Week 5, Smith was a letdown the rest of the way, exceeding 50 yards in just one more game. He's got some work to do before he can fully replace Ted Ginn in the lineup.
Taylor Gabriel, Bears - Gabriel's 2018 season was highlighted by a pair of 100-yard games in the first six weeks. When all the Bears' pass-catching weapons are healthy, Gabriel can't be trusted as a fantasy play.
Quincy Enunwa, Jets - As a security blanket for Darnold, Enunwa eclipsed 55 yards in four straight games during the opening month. An ankle injury cost him time after that and he never regained his early-season role. He's a potential fantasy sleeper if Darnold continues to develop.
Dangerous waters
Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images Sport / GettyKenny Stills, Dolphins - This entire section is devoted to warning you about the perils of drafting Dolphins receivers. We had hope for Stills before the season, but outside of two big games, he didn't see enough volume to be a consistent fantasy threat - a trend that plagued their entire depth chart.
DeVante Parker, Dolphins - It's time for even hardcore Parker truthers to let go of the dream that he'll one day put it all together and break out as a true top option. He cleared 45 yards once all year.
Albert Wilson, Dolphins - Wilson may have had the most success of any Miami wideout, but he did so on gadget plays and trickery - not something you can rely on for weekly value.
End of the road?
Norm Hall / Getty Images Sport / GettyLarry Fitzgerald, Cardinals - Fitzgerald is free to sign wherever he wants in March but hasn't made a decision about his future yet. His 734 receiving yards in 2018 represent the lowest total of his 15-year career, and his days as a fantasy starter are fading away.
Jordy Nelson, Raiders - In the second half of the season, rumors swirled that the 33-year-old would retire, but to his credit, he finished the year with 75 yards or more in four of his last five outings. That might be enough to bring him back for another campaign, though the chances he'll be fantasy relevant are minimal.
Dez Bryant, Saints - Bryant's time with the Saints was over before it began. It's hard to imagine there will be much of a free-agent market for a declining 30-year-old receiver coming off a torn Achilles.
Digging deep
Joe Sargent / Getty Images Sport / GettyJames Washington, Steelers - The rookie didn't make much of an impact in his first pro campaign, but if Brown is dealt in the offseason, Washington would become an instant breakout candidate.
Marquise Goodwin, 49ers - Injuries, a personal matter, and Pettis' emergence contributed to Goodwin's limited usage in the latter half of the year. He should bounce back as a high-ceiling WR4 with Jimmy Garoppolo under center again.
Willie Snead, Ravens - Snead surprisingly had nine games with 50 yards or more this season, though his highest output was a 61-yard effort in Week 14. Until Jackson's attempts increase, Snead can only be considered in deep PPR leagues.
John Ross, Bengals - The former first-rounder couldn't take advantage of Green being out of the lineup for almost all of the second half of the season. Don't be fooled by his seven touchdowns - a figure that's due for major regression, since they came on just 21 receptions.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Packers - A couple of 100-yard games around the midway mark of the season turned out to be a mirage as MVS stumbled through the rest of the year, often drawing the ire of Rodgers. Even so, if the Packers' offense returns to form, Valdes-Scantling will be worth a deep add once again.
Taywan Taylor, Titans - Unless this passing game takes a step forward under yet another new offensive coordinator, Taylor will remain an enticing weapon that isn't likely to return value.
Josh Doctson, Redskins - Quarterback injuries prevented the Redskins' passing game from finding its stride in 2018, but a three-year sample suggests Doctson won't ever deliver on the team's first-round investment.
Paul Richardson, Redskins - Shoulder surgery ended Richardson's first season in Washington early. When healthy, he'll return to fighting for scraps in a disappointing passing attack.
2018 Fantasy Reviews- Quarterbacks
- Running Backs
- Wide Receivers
- Tight Ends
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