Wild Card Weekend Fantasy Football WR Rankings: Smash Plays, Sleepers, and Risky Starts
Morgan ranks wide receivers as fantasy football/DFS assets for the Wild Card Round of the NFL postseason.
Let's cap our fantasy football rankings for the Wild Card Round by going over wide receivers.
We already covered quarterbacks, running backs and tight ends in other articles. Also check out the Wild Card Round matchup and projection articles!
I will have PPR scoring in mind when doing my rankings. I listed my top-28 receivers.
Check out Wild Card Round fantasy football projections for wide receivers on FantasySP!
1. Puka Nacua
Nacua is the easy top choice this week going into a bit tougher test against Carolina.
Nacua had 72 yards on six grabs and nine targets in the regular season game against the Panthers, and I think the Rams' star does more in a game that LA controls.
2. Nico Collins
Collins lands the No. 2 spot heading into a good matchup against the Steelers.
He's easily the top Houston pass catcher, and he could star in this matchup.
3. A.J. Brown
Brown turned things up a notch after a very slow start to the year.
He has a slightly above-average test coming against the Niners, and I think he delivers big in that test.
Give me Adams at No. 4, meaning that's two Rams already.
He's missed the past few weeks, but stars when healthy. I expect him back out there and to deliver big - he had 58 yards and two scores on four grabs and five targets in the regular season game against Carolina, which should be enough said.
I, and many others, are high on Watson going into a great matchup against the Bears.
He had just 17 yards on two catches and six targets in the last game against Chicago, but had 89 yards and two touchdowns on four catches and targets in the first meeting. I think he leads the Packers to an upset win this weekend.
6. DK Metcalf
I'm expecting big-time things from Metcalf in his return from a two-game suspension.
His matchup is brutal, but as the top Pittsburgh pass catcher, I think he is involved early and often, and that will lead to a big fantasy showing.
The rookie gets the No. 7 ranking heading into an above-average test against the Rams.
He had just one catch in the regular season game against LA, but it was a 43-yard touchdown. McMillan should do more this time around.
8. Stefon Diggs
The top New England wideout has a tougher test coming against the Chargers.
I still think Diggs delivers a good fantasy mark on volume alone, and he could finish higher with a trip to the end zone.
Smith has mostly been unimpressive this season, but he and the Eagles' offense have a tendency to turn things on in the postseason, so he gets a top-10 ranking here.
The above-average test against the Niners is a chance for Brown and Smith to both deliver solid fantasy marks, and I believe that will happen.
10. Jauan Jennings
The Niners' touchdown machine gets the final spot in my top 10.
He has a tougher test against the Eagles, but with that touchdown upside, I like his fantasy outlook, and simply cannot pass on him any longer.
Let's ride the wave and try Washington here at No. 11.
He ended the regular season on a heater, but a tougher test against the Bills kept him from a top-10 mark. With so many viable pass-catching options in Jacksonville, I'm hoping Washington leads the charge.
12. Quentin Johnston
Johnston had a pretty nice finish to the regular season, so I'll tab him as the top Chargers' pass catcher for the Wild Card Round.
The Patriots are a slightly below-average matchup, but nothing too daunting, so that gives me enough confidence to try Johnston here.
13. Luther Burden
Burden was the top Chicago wideout down the stretch, while injuries hampered the wide receiver room.
I think his connection with Caleb Williams extends into the postseason, so he's the first Bear listed going into a slightly above-average test against the Packers.
14. Jakobi Meyers
Meyers is the second Jacksonville wideout to be ranked in this article.
He was steadily involved down the stretch, and that makes him a safer play than anyone else available to try.
15. Ricky Pearsall
Pearsall is dealing with injuries again, but if he plays, I think he can be a top-15 fantasy wideout.
The Eagles won't make things easy, but I like Pearsall to deliver several fantasy points still.
16. Ladd McConkey
McConkey had a disappointing second NFL season. I'm skeptical of even ranking him here.
He gets the nod because his matchup isn't brutal.
17. Khalil Shakir
Shakir is the top Buffalo wideout, and probably pass catcher, but he hasn't been a consistent fantasy asset whatsoever.
In an average matchup against the Jaguars, he only ranks 17th.
18. Brian Thomas
The third and final Jacksonville wideout on this list is the guy who was the team's WR1 to open the year.
Not really standing out down the stretch, he's a riskier fantasy option for the Wild Card Round.
19. Romeo Doubs
Doubs is the second Packer wideout I am trying this week.
He had 84 yards and a score in the last game against the Bears, but was held without a catch in the first game. I'm hoping for a repeat of the second game, and another score would help him push for a top-10 spot maybe.
20. D.J. Moore
Moore has injury concerns of his own, so he falls to No. 20.
He went backward four yards on his lone catch in the first game against Green Bay, but bounced back with 97 yards and a score on five receptions and seven targets in the second game.
21. Kayshon Boutte
Boutte is a secondary option in the Patriots' offense, but could surprise with a score, which he did six times this season.
In a tougher test, I'm not a huge fan of his, but he's an option in deeper fantasy postseason leagues or as a fill-in for a DFS lineup.
22. Jayden Reed
Reed contributed here and there for the Pack after returning from an early-season injury.
He had 35 yards on three catches in the second game against Chicago, after delivering 31 yards on four grabs in the first game.
23. Keenan Allen
Allen had big games this season, but hasn't been in double figures as a PPR asset since week 7.
As the third or fourth wideout option (and maybe dropping another spot when counting tight end Oronde Gadsden), I'm not super high on Allen, although he could surprise if he scores.
24. Rome Odunze
Odunze hasn't played since week 13, so he'd be a risky option for the first round of the postseason.
He didn't play in either matchup against Green Bay.
25. Jalen Coker
Coker is the second-best wideout for Carolina, but is just too inconsistent to rank any higher.
He had 74 yards and a score on four receptions against the Rams in week 13, so he's capable of surprising. I don't see a repeat performance coming.
26. Jayden Higgins
Higgins caught a touchdown in the final two regular season games, and had six overall, so he at least deserves a shoutout.
He'd be a lottery ticket play, where you are hoping for a score. The great matchup against the Steelers makes him worth considering.
27. Christian Kirk
Kirk didn't accomplish much this season, but he could surprise if the Steelers lock in on Collins.
I'd stay away from Kirk if I could - I just don't see him accomplishing much this week.
28. Xavier Legette
Legette is the final wideout I ranked for this week. He has been underwhelming most of the season, and I don't see him turning things up in the postseason.
He had a one-yard catch against the Rams across two targets in the regular season matchup.
