Everything in fantasy football is speculation, until the pre-season starts. Teams signal their intent in who they sit, when starters stop playing, and how they line up receivers. Throw in injuries and you get a heap of movement in fantasy football value in just three weeks. So let’s make sure you’re up to date with the biggest wide receiver fallers of the pre-season. All rankings are in half-PPR, though you can find my PPR rankings here. Also, make sure you check out my running back risers and fallers article.
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Keenan Allen (IND-WR55): Allen was a big riser for me upon signing in a vacant Colts receiver room. Then they started using him out wide almost exclusively during the pre-season. And then, to cap it off, he got arrested for a DUI. That will likely come with a small suspension which isn’t the end of the world, but if it falls on your bye weeks, you might be very frustrated he’s not available. Luckily, Allen is available in the late rounds of drafts, so he’s still pretty good value.
Emeka Egbuka (TB-WR16): I was very high on Egbuka during the off-season, but his toe injury has me very nervous and generally avoiding him in drafts. I’m still higher than most, but in deeper leagues, I’m often taking safer options like Ladd McConkey and Zay Flowers on him. In shallow leagues, his upside means I’m willing to take the risk, knowing I can find a quality replacement elsewhere if Egbuka doesn’t boom.
Mike Evans (SF-WR22): Soft tissue injuries are a nightmare for older receivers and Evans is already having issues. I adore the upside, but an injury is looking almost inevitable now. As with Egbuka, I’m avoiding him in deeper leagues.
Alec Pierce (IND-WR38): Another injury risk, Pierce is also hurt by the arrival of Keenan Allen. He still has plenty of upside but, especially in PPR, you can likely find someone safer on a week to week basis.
Makai Lemon (PHI-WR42): I hoped Lemon would step into the WR2 vacated by DeVonta Smith and maintain his production. That wouldn’t be unusual for a rookie first round pick. But it looks like Lemon might not be playing in 11 personnel and that’s very limiting. The upside remains huge, but the risk is too now.
Carnell Tate (TEN-WR46): My biggest faller outside injuries and suspensions, it’s becoming increasingly hard to see a path to fantasy production for Tate this season. This feels like Calvin Ridley last season. Yes, he’s the WR1 (on paper), but Wan’Dale Robinson will get a lot of safe targets and Ridley is still hanging around. Plus, the offense looks awful with Cam Ward having a terrible pre-season. Tate is an easy avoid for me.
Jordyn Tyson (NO-WR68): Going on IR to start the season is never a good sign, and with an injury that could easily flare up at any time? Yikes. I love the talent, he was my favorite WR entering the draft by a margin and I mocked him to the Giants at 5 (they would have taken him if Arvell Reese wasn’t available). But the injury risk in season one is unavoidable.
Chris Bell (MIA-WR76): I’m not surprised Bell is ready to start the season, that’s looked likely for over a month. But he’s currently playing in the same role as Caleb Douglas and seems firmly behind him. I think he’s looking more the WR4 than a starter, plus it’s a terrible offense. He may boom later in the season, but in most leagues, he’s not worth the stash.
Omar Cooper (NYJ-WR85): Cooper played behind Isaiah Williams as the WR4 in the first pre-season game, suggesting he’s highly unlikely to have a big role this season. He did work his way in the starting role, but he’s clearly a mile behind Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell.
Troy Franklin (DEN-WR94): The Broncos free-season usage is a little hard to trust, but it seems pretty clear that Pat Bryant is the WR3, while Franklin is battling Marvin Mims and Lil’Jordan Humphrey for scraps. This is a situation to avoid.
Zachariah Branch (ATL-WR101): The Falcons run an offense entirely focussed through Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts. There was a hope that Branch could be the WR2 who gets involved as Darnell Mooney did a few years ago, but that won’t be the case. Branch is currently behind Olamide Zaccheaus as the part-time slot guy, with Jahan Dotson the clear WR2. Branch is droppable in all redraft leagues outside best ball.
Germie Bernard (PIT-WR105): Bernard looked interesting when both DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman looked like most injury risks. But it seems the two vets will start week one, while Bernard is currently behind Roman Wilson as well. I expect he may rise to a starting role at some stash, but with the Steelers’ usage of tight ends and running backs, the WR3 isn’t too exciting. Bernard can be dropped in redraft leagues.
Hollywood Brown (PHI-WR110): It was always questionable how valuable Brown would be as the WR3 in Philly. Well we’ll never know, as he’s actually the WR4. He’s droppable even in many dynasty leagues.
Travis Hunter (JAC-WR126): The second year second overall pick is playing almost exclusively on defense at practice and there have been a lot of reports suggesting an injury to one of the starting receivers would see rookie sixth rounder Josh Cameron take their place. Hence Hunter has no upside and no floor, he’s essentially useless outside best ball leagues.
If you have any questions or thoughts, hit me up in the comments below or message me on my socials @hashtagwasley. You should also check out my rankings here, to ensure you’re making the right picks every round. Good luck this season!
