NEWSLETTER
Fantasy Football Expert Justin Edwards looks at the initial Fantasy Football WR rankings and projections for 2023.
“We have a few surprises that sit atop the list. Though the rankings will shift throughout the Summer months, it’s important to keep an eye on fluctuating average draft positions (ADPs) to keep a leg-up on your league mates!”
2023 Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Rankings
*As always, the projections and rankings are courtesy of 4for4’s half-point WR PPR rankings!
| # | Player | Team |
| 1 | Justin Jefferson | Minnesota Vikings |
| 2 | Cooper Kupp | Los Angeles Rams |
| 3 | Tyreek Hill | Miami Dolphins |
| 4 | Ja’Marr Chase | Cincinnati Bengals |
| 5 | CeeDee Lamb | Dallas Cowboys |
| 6 | Stefon Diggs | Buffalo Bills |
| 7 | A.J. Brown | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 8 | Jaylen Waddle | Miami Dolphins |
| 9 | Davante Adams | Las Vegas Raiders |
| 10 | Amon-Ra St. Brown | Detroit Lions |
*Get the Full 2023 WR Draft Rankings
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What Stands Out:
Both Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle represent the Miami Dolphins at the top of the fantasy football WR rankings.
Analysis:
With two Dolphins sitting inside the top eight, can quarterback Tua Tagovailoa support all of that 2023 fantasy football WR success?
A Top-Heavy Target Tree
In the teammates’ first year together in Miami, they proved that the passing offense could remain efficient, even if they take a vast majority of the target share. Over 50% of the Dolphins’ passes went to either Tyreek Hill (30.2%), or Jaylen Waddle (20.8%), and the newly incorporated Mike McDaniel offense allotted them plenty of space to move with the ball after the catch, resulting in 510 yards after the catch for Waddle (sixth-most) and 482 for Hill (11th-most).
It’s almost difficult to believe, but according to 4for4’s Player Stat Explorer, this would all combine for 3.25 yards per route run (YPRR) for Tyreek Hill and a 2.66 mark for Jaylen Waddle. This offensive explosion all came within a season that saw the likes of Teddy Bridgewater and Skylar Thompson taking plenty of snaps throughout the year due to multiple concussion issues to starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
With a full year with a healthy Tagovailoa, the two receivers can build on a season that just delivered the second-most and seventh-most half-PPR fantasy points at the wide receiver position. Giving these players a bump in receiving yards could make them one of the highest-scoring receiver pairs we’ve ever seen as fantasy managers. It’s not without precedent that they continue building as a tandem either, as we’ve seen plenty of pairing do this in recent memory: Keenan Allen with Mike Williams, Chris Godwin with Mike Evans, or Justin Jefferson with Adam Thielen – just to name a few.
Who is Tyreek Hill?
Hill is known for his speed and elusiveness. He is one of the fastest players in the NFL, and he has been clocked at 4.29 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Hill is also a very good route runner and has excellent hands.
On March 23, 2022, the Chiefs traded Hill to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a 2022 first-round pick, a 2022 second-round pick, two fourth-round picks, and a 2023 sixth-round pick. After the trade was completed, Hill signed a four-year, $120 million extension. This includes $72.2 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL.
Who is Jaylen Waddle?
Waddle attended the University of Alabama from 2018 to 2020, where he played college football. During his college career, he was named the SEC Freshman of the Year in 2018 and was a consensus All-American in 2020. He was selected by the Miami Dolphins with the sixth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Waddle has already shown his potential in the NFL, showcasing his speed and playmaking ability. With his talent and potential, Waddle is seen as one of the brightest young stars in the NFL, so fans are excited to see what the future holds for him.
Are there any other wide receivers to look out for in the 2023 fantasy drafts?
It’s difficult to predict with certainty who will emerge as top wide receivers in the 2023 fantasy drafts. However, several up-and-coming players to keep an eye on include Garrett Wilson of the New York Jets, Chris Olave of the New Orleans Saints, and Christian Watson of the Green Bay Packers. With their potential and youthfulness, they could make valuable additions to fantasy teams in the future.
How often are fantasy football WR rankings updated?
Fantasy football rankings are updated frequently during the offseason and leading up to the start of the regular season. It’s important to check for the latest updates to make informed decisions.
