Where Does Every Rookie Receiver Sit Right Now?

The Pre-Season has arrived and with that, we got our first look at a whole lot of rookies for the first time. Yesterday, I discussed how it impacted the fantasy stocks of quarterbacks and running backs, I’m going to take you through what we learnt about the receivers and how it should affect your fantasy drafts.

If you have any questions, hit me up on my socials @HashtagWasley or check out my rankings here.

Wide Receivers:

Because three wide receivers are often used at a hard, it can be hard to work out a rookie’s spot in the pecking order, but we do have a fair idea about a number of these guys and some are real surprises:

-Carnell Tate (TEN) will unsurprisingly start for the Titans, though he surprisingly lined up in the Z role with Calvin Ridley in the X and Wan’Dale Robinson joining them in 3-receiver sets (per Nathan Jahnke of PFF). This is a bit of a surprise and may hurt his value a little but there is upside, as he seems to have already earned a consistent job in 12 personnel. Tate remains a top dynasty pick and my WR30 in redraft leagues (remember to check out my rankings at Hashtag Football).

-Jordyn Tyson (NO) didn’t play in the first pre-season game but that didn’t stop him from injuring his hamstring. This will see him miss at least the first month of the season, and soft tissue injuries like these are often best avoided in the aftermath as well. Tyson remains my favorite WR dynasty pick but in redraft he’s dropped outside my Top 50. The talent is huge and he’ll have a clear starting role but is unlikely to do much until the second half of the season.

-Makai Lemon (PHI) looks like he’ll start for the Eagles, though this isn’t guaranteed as he missed the pre-season game with a hamstring injury of his own, not because he’s already a locked-in starter. But with Hollywood Brown playing alongside the backups in Week 1, it seems like it’ll be Devonta Smith, Dontayvion Wicks and Lemon as the key starters for Philly. It would be nice to get some confirmation but I’m still drafting the youngster as an early dynasty pick and a late WR3 in redraft, despite weird reports around his conduct during team meetings at the combine.

-KC Concepcion (CLE) started in the slot for the Browns and scored a touchdown on debut. He did keep playing once the starters had left but that’s not overly concerning. In fact the good news is that he saw some work in 2-receiver sets as the game wore on. Hopefully that means he might get a higher route count than the likes of Jayden Reed and Wan’Dale Robinson, who are often pure 11 personnel guys. Concepcion is a dynasty 1^st rounder and a borderline WR3 in redraft, depending on the format.

Omar Cooper (NYJ) is currently the WR4 in New York behind Garrett Wilson, Adonai Mitchell and Isaiah Williams. You’d think he’ll go past at least Williams at some stage but this badly hurts his limited redraft value. He’s almost undraftable for me, and is now a second rounder in dynasty unless you’re in a total rebuild.

De’Zhaun Stribling (SF) was the only Top 6 receiver to suit up for the 49ers last weekend, meaning his role is still unclear. Camp reports suggest he’s the WR3 behind Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel, but Demarcus Robinson and Christian Kirk will likely have a say on that. With Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle also total target hogs, Stripling likely needs an Evans or Samuel injury to return immediate value. But he’s a good stash in both redraft and dynasty, as injuries are what San Fran does best.

Denzel Boston (CLE) was the clear starter on the outside for Cleveland and has an ADP that is elevating faster than he does during a contested catch. He’s now a clear dynasty first rounder and is a viable mid-round pick who could soon end up in my Top 40 wide receivers. The floor is still low due to his quarterbacking, but his upside is big if things just click.

-Germie Bernard (PIT) is battling Roman Wilson for the WR3 spot in Pittsburgh. I’d give Bernard the inside track given his draft capital, talent and how much Wilson has struggled the last two years. But how much do you really want Aaron Rodgers’s WR3 anyway? Bernard is a good second round dynasty pick but not an exciting redraft selection outside best ball leagues.

-Antonio Williams (WAS) is fighting with Treylon Burks, Luke McCaffrey, Dyami Brown, Van Jefferson and Jaylin Lane for the WR3 role behind Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs in Washington. And he was the sixth of that sextet to see the field in game one. There’s still time for him to earn the role and I think I definitely makes the roster, but he’s no longer a viable redraft pickup and a scarier dynasty selection.

-Malachi Fields (NYG) is also in a real battle for an opportunity behind Malik Nabers. Darnell Mooney and Calvin Austin appear the most likely candidates for the slot, meaning Darius Slayton is Fields’s key opponent (though it’s possible Mooney can play on the outside too). This could end up being a weird receiver committee, as it was in the first pre-season game, but I’m not scared. Fields is one of my favorite Day 2 talents and he’s still a massive value to me in dynasty and redraft drafts. I want as many shares as I can get. Don’t tell my leaguemates.

-Caleb Douglas (MIA) appears set for the WR1 role in Miami, at least until Chris Bell returns to full fitness. The rookie and Malik Washington played 100% of starter snaps last weekend, making Douglas a clear lock. I don’t love the talent and was surprised by the pick, but opportunity trumps talent in the NFL. Douglas is a solid mid-round pick and a good second rounder in rookie drafts.

-Zachariah Branch (ATL) was the fifth receiver to see the field for the Falcons. We expected him to be behind Drake London and the confirmed WR2, Jahan Dotson. But seeing Olamide Zaccheaus and Chris Blair both well ahead of him is concerning. I expect he’ll make the roster and get some special team work immediately, alongside some personalised plays, but he’ll need to go past Zaccheaus at least to be fantasy-viable. That role temporarily made Ray-Ray McCloud a fantasy-relevant name a few years ago so there’s hope, but for now I’m ignoring him in redraft and waiting later in rookie drafts.

-Ja’Kobi Lane (BAL) has been lighting up Ravens practices and is in the hunt for the WR3 spot against Devontez Walker. For me, Lane is the clear favorite and has a good chance of pushing Rashod Bateman into a pure deep threat role. The problem for Lane has always been his separation and work after the catch but these issues haven’t been evident so far in his Ravens tenure. He’s a solid late-round pick and dynasty stash.

-Chris Brazzell (CAR) is out for the season with a torn LCL, gifting Xavier Legette the WR3 role. He’s at best a fourth round dynasty pick for rebuilding teams.

-Ted Hurst (TB) was the only Top 7 Buccs WR to play in Week 1. He appears likely to battle Tez Johnson for the WR4 role but beating out Jalen McMillan isn’t totally out of the question. I personally don’t like the talent or the situation so I’m avoiding him in all but the deepest of dynasty leagues.

-Zavion Thomas (CHI) missed Week 1 with a minor knee injury and appears to be battling a heap of former UDFAs for the WR4 spot. While Kalif Raymond’s WR3 spot is earnable, the Bears look set to play a heap of tight end-heavy sets making their WR3 fantasy-irrelevant. Thomas will play special teams this season but may get some occasional gadget or slot plays. He’s not draftable in any league.

-Chris Bell (MIA) was recently activated from the NFI list after his November ACL tear and appears likely to play early in the season. His role is unclear but the talent is huge. In dynasty he’s an early second rounder and in redraft he’s a late stash who likely emerges as the season progresses and he gets healthier and fitter.

-Brennan Thompson (LAC) is in the fight with KeAndre Lambert-Smith for the WR4 spot in LA. He’s small but very fast and could be a waiver add if Ladd McConkey goes down. I’m not interested in rostering him now though as his upside is capped.

-Elijah Sarratt (BAL) is well behind his fellow rookie Lane on the depth chart and is currently the nominal WR8, battling former UDFAs for a roster spot. I doubt he doesn’t make the roster but I can’t see him contributing this year. At best, he’s a very late dynasty stash in deep leagues.

-Kaden Wetjen (PIT) is the nominal WR7 in Pittsburgh behind the likes of Brandon Smith and Ben Skowronek. He’s more of a special teamer who isn’t fantasy-relevant.

-Skyler Bell (BUF) had some fantasy buzz earlier in the off-season and didn’t play in the first pre-season game so his situation is unclear. I expect he makes the roster but he’s quite small so he’s at best a Khalil Shakir backup. I’d consider him very late in deep rookie drafts.

-Bryce Lance (NO) sat out last weekend due to a minor injury but with Jordyn Tyson out for the next two months, Lance could find himself seeing the field earlier than expected. DeVaughn Vele is likely the temporary WR2 and Mason Tipson is mediocre and injured leaving the WR3 slot very open. Lance is a viable best ball pick-up in the late rounds and a fourth round rookie pick. I’d avoid him in redraft outside super deep leagues.

-Colbie Young (CIN) is a raw talent who is a chance of displacing Andrei Iosivas at some stage this season. He’s already the WR4 and saw the field briefly with the starters in Week 1. He’s a great dynasty stash and a viable best ball option given his big frame and contested catch ability. I love the upside and have him in a few deep leagues.

-Reggie Virgil (ARI) has been explosive this pre-season but is ultimately the WR9 in a mediocre depth chart. He’s not fantasy-relevant unless he makes a far earlier appearance next week.

-Kendrick Law (DET) tore his ACL and shouldn’t be touched in any fantasy league anyway, given he’s a pure special teamer.

-Cyrus Allen (KC) has shone this pre-season and is already battling Tyquan Thornton and Jalen Royals for the WR3 slot behind Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy. Thornton has a clear lead as he was done a full two quarters before the other two, but starting straight out of the gate is always a good sign. Camp reports have also been glowing so I expect Allen to start as the WR4 and potentially emerge as the season goes on. He’s a great dynasty stash in deeper leagues and a solid best ball pick in the last rounds.

-Kevin Coleman (MIA) didn’t play in the first pre-season game due to injury but I’m guessing he’s the primary backup to Malik Washington as he’s a small slot guy who is good after the catch. He’s a viable dynasty stash if you’re rebuilding but only in deep leagues.

-Barion Brown (NO) started for the Saints, but only because the Top 5 WR were all out. He’s more of a special teamer but may carve out a WR3 role in the longer term.

-Josh Cameron and CJ Williams (JAC) both started for the Jaguars and appear to be the WR5 and WR6 behind the four clear starters. With Travis Hunter unlikely to ever be a full-time starter, an injury to any of the others could put Cameron or Williams straight into a fantasy-relevant role in an explosive Jags offense where every receiver is draftable. Cameron is clearly the better player and is the one I’d take a very late dynasty chance on.

-Malik Benson (LV) is already the WR5 in Vegas and with Donte Thornton injured and awful last season, he could easily see the field this year if there’s an injury to a starter. He’s tremendously quick but that’s his primary party trick. On talent he should be a special teamer, but the opportunity may get the final word in.

-CJ Daniels (LAR) enters a weak wide receiver room but is currently battling Xavier Smith for the WR5 spot. I expect he’ll make the roster but the Rams play so many 12 and 13 personnel sets, even if he gets past Jordan Whittington and Konata Mumpfield, I’m not excited. He’s at best a super deep league dynasty stash (I’m talking 32 team leagues).

-Emmanuel Henderson (SEA) is currently the WR9 on a shallow Seahawks roster and looks unlikely to make the 53.

-Lewis Bond (HOU) is currently the WR8 on a packed Texans depth chart. He’s a solid slot guy who fits Houston well so I could see him making the roster, but likely not the lineup at any point.

-Deion Burks (IND) is the WR9 on a very weak depth chart which just received a shock Keenan Allen insertion. For those who rightly drafted him in rookie drafts, you can drop him now.

-Anthony Smith (DAL) managed to start the first pre-season game thanks to the four starters sitting out. He’s likely the WR7 but the Cowboys are very comfortable using Day 3 picks (see Ryan Flournoy and UDFA KaVontae Turpin) and there’s room to progress here for the rookie. He’s a name to keep an eye on next week.

The only UDFA in a Top 6 spot at the moment is Jets rookie Mark McClain, who has already jumped 2025 fourth rounder Arian Smith. Tim Patrick is one of the players ahead of him and he good easily be dropped (teams love him for his veteran presence in training camp) so McClain could make the roster. Should you draft him though? No.