Fantasy Football 2024: CeeDee Lamb, Ja'Marr Chase's holdouts ending reshapes top of WR Tiers 4.1

There are changes at the top of the WR Tiers.

By Dave Richard

Aug 26, 2024 at 2:43 pm ET • 2 min read

The era of going heavy on wide receivers is in full swing. Facts are facts: The top 12 wide receivers have averaged more PPR points than the top 12 running backs in each of the past four years. And it's not just at the top -- receivers that finished 13th through 24th have also done better on average in PPR than their rushing counterparts. That's why there's been a huge movement toward taking receivers over running backs early.

But this year's receiver crop is interesting. There are eight receivers in Tier 1 in PPR (five in non-PPR) who are unpassable save for a few elite running backs, then the drop-off in each tier after is a little steeper than in the past. It doesn't mean the position isn't deep -- it is very deep -- but sorting through the wideouts from, say, 10th to 27th is challenging.

So what's a Fantasy manager to do? Focus on what we were reminded of last year: Receivers with good roles in good offenses with capable quarterbacks can be difference-makers. Focusing on those types of receivers will give you a shot at unearthing the next Nacua or Nico Collins. Those factors, along with the expected target volume that a receiver will have, are prevalent in the tiers. I tried hard to downgrade any wideout that didn't have at least one of these traits.

The most prominent strategy is the obvious one: Collect as many receivers you believe are must-starts while you can. Picking two from the first three tiers should be doable while also swiping a running back. The more the league scoring and roster requirements are tilted to receivers, the more you should get after finding starters.

And if you wind up waiting on receiver, don't freak out. It will sting not having a stellar crew, but smart drafting from Tiers 4 through 6 could help you catch up, plus you'd theoretically be strong at other positions since you waited on receiver. It's not a death sentence for your Fantasy team and it might honestly be the way I'd go about my roster build in non-PPR.

Pre-draft homework:

* Do receptions count for a full point? If they do then prioritize wide receivers. If not, prioritize running backs.

* Can you start three or more wide receivers? If so, then especially prioritize the position. If not, don't.

* Go through a rankings list you trust and cross off the names of receivers you don't view as weekly must-starts. The more names you cross off, the more you should prioritize wide receivers.

Dave's Tiers updated through Aug. 23: QB | RB | WR | TE | K/DST

Wide receiver PPR tiers

Round 1

Tier 1

C. Lamb DAL CeeDee Lamb DAL

T. Hill MIA Tyreek Hill MIA

A. St. Brown DET Amon-Ra St. Brown DET

J. Jefferson MIN Justin Jefferson MIN

J. Chase CIN Ja'Marr Chase CIN

A. Brown PHI A.J. Brown PHI

G. Wilson NYJ Garrett Wilson NYJ

Round 2

Tier 2

M. Harrison Jr. ARI Marvin Harrison Jr. ARI

P. Nacua LAR Puka Nacua LAR

D. London ATL Drake London ATL

C. Olave NO Chris Olave NO

Round 3

Tier 3

D. Adams LAR Davante Adams LAR

D. Samuel WAS Deebo Samuel WAS

C. Kupp SEA Cooper Kupp SEA

N. Collins HOU Nico Collins HOU

M. Evans TB Mike Evans TB

M. Nabers NYG Malik Nabers NYG

B. Aiyuk SF Brandon Aiyuk SF

Round 4

Tier 4

D. Metcalf PIT DK Metcalf PIT

D. Moore CHI DJ Moore CHI

J. Waddle MIA Jaylen Waddle MIA

G. Pickens DAL George Pickens DAL

D. Smith PHI DeVonta Smith PHI

Round 5

Tier 5

R. Rice KC Rashee Rice KC

A. Cooper BUF Amari Cooper BUF

T. Higgins CIN Tee Higgins CIN

C. Ridley TEN Calvin Ridley TEN

T. McLaurin WAS Terry McLaurin WAS

Rounds 6-7

Tier 6

C. Godwin TB Chris Godwin TB

M. Pittman IND Michael Pittman IND

S. Diggs NE Stefon Diggs NE

C. Kirk HOU Christian Kirk HOU

T. Dell HOU Tank Dell HOU

Z. Flowers BAL Zay Flowers BAL

J. Reed GB Jayden Reed GB

C. Watson GB Christian Watson GB

D. Johnson CLE Diontae Johnson CLE

Rounds 8-9

Mid-draft upside

K. Shakir BUF Khalil Shakir BUF

X. Worthy KC Xavier Worthy KC

K. Coleman BUF Keon Coleman BUF

R. Odunze CHI Rome Odunze CHI

K. Allen CHI Keenan Allen CHI

B. Thomas Jr. JAC Brian Thomas Jr. JAC

C. Sutton DEN Courtland Sutton DEN

J. Palmer BUF Josh Palmer BUF

L. McConkey LAC Ladd McConkey LAC

J. Williams DET Jameson Williams DET

Rounds 10-11

High-End Backups

D. Hopkins BAL DeAndre Hopkins BAL

J. Smith-Njigba SEA Jaxon Smith-Njigba SEA

M. Brown KC Marquise Brown KC

J. Addison MIN Jordan Addison MIN

R. Doubs GB Romeo Doubs GB

J. Polk NE Ja'Lynn Polk NE

R. Shaheed NO Rashid Shaheed NO

C. Samuel BUF Curtis Samuel BUF

T. Lockett TEN Tyler Lockett TEN

D. Wicks GB Dontayvion Wicks GB

J. Meyers LV Jakobi Meyers LV

Wide receiver non-PPR tiers