Underdog Best Ball WR Rankings & Top Values

The most accurate fantasy football expert in the industry is bringing its fantasy football rankings and projections to FantasyLabs this summer. Check out Sean Koerner analyzing 10 early wide receiver values ​​for underdog best ball drafts.

With the NFL Draft now complete, I’ve put together my first set of fantasy football rankings and projections for the 2024 season. I’ll be refining my projections over the next few weeks and months, so I may be able to make even better or worse assessments for these players as the summer progresses.

Here are 10 players who are valuable compared to today’s ADP, according to my rankings of fantasy football wide receivers, as well as some general thoughts on their 2024 prospects.

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Underdog Fantasy Best Ball WR Rankings, Top Values

Michael Pittman Jr., Colts (ADP WR21, my rank WR17)

The Colts selected WR Adonai Mitchell in the 2nd round, who was considered by many to be a first round talent. I think he clouds the Josh Downs/Alec Pierce projections the most, while Pittman will remain the top target in this offense. There was a chance that the best TE in this year’s draft, Brock Bowers, ended up in Indy, and I think that could have ended up hurting Pittman’s 2024 prospects more.

I like the idea of ​​signing Pittman as a WR21 because he could beat that ADP if Anthony Richardson manages to stay healthy for all 17 games this season. However, if Richardson is out this year, backup Joe Flacco would likely unlock Pittman’s top-10 potential. Most WRs would lose value if the starting QB were out, but in Pittman’s case, it would likely benefit him. This gives him a rare high floor/ceiling combination that makes him basically QB-proof. I think Pittman’s current best ball ADP (WR21) overlooks this.

Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins (ADP WR20, my rank WR13)

The Dolphins have done very little to upgrade their third WR slot this offseason. They spent their 6th/7th round picks to select WRs Malik Washington and Tahj Washington, who compete with Braxton Berrios and River Cracraft for the 3rd spot on the WR depth chart. This passing attack will continue to run through Tyreek Hill/Jaylen Waddle. Waddle currently stands out as a WR20 value.

Devonta Smith, Eagles (ADP WR23, my rank WR15)

Much like the Dolphins, the Eagles will continue to have a top-heavy passing attack with AJ Brown/Devonta Smith/Dallas Goedert. This time of year, people get excited about getting rookies after seeing what team they landed on, but you can’t go wrong with one of the better younger WRs in the game, Smith, who is in the middle of his prime at 25. 2024 could be his best season yet and you can get him as a low-end WR2 right now.

Brandin Cooks, Cowboys (ADP WR64, my rank WR47)

Cooks had a fairly quiet debut season with the Cowboys last year. However, after losing Michael Gallup to free agency, they have done very little to upgrade the No. 3 WR spot, and Jalen Tolbert will likely move up and fill that role.

The Cowboys reunite with Zeke Elliott, who will likely be their lead back this season. They could have trouble running the ball and rely even more on passing as a result. Meanwhile, CeeDee Lamb is arguably the best WR in the league and will draw more attention from defenses this season. A player like Cooks could benefit from more free agency, which currently makes him too cheap as a WR64.

Terry McLaurin, Commanders (ADP WR36, my rank WR29)

Terry McLaurin was able to play at a high level as a quarterback in the first five seasons of his career despite poor performance. The Commanders’ use of their second pick in the first round to sign their quarterback of the future, Jayden Daniels, could increase McLaurin’s fantasy value.

Daniels will run a lot, which could hurt the overall volume of Washington’s passing attack. But his accuracy and ability to throw deep seem like an ideal fit for McLaurin, and I think he’s too cheap as a WR36.

Mike Williams, Jets (ADP WR46, my rank WR33)

There was a chance the Jets would select a top WR like Malik Nabers/Rome Odunze or top TE Brock Bowers at pick 10. Instead, the only pass receiver they took out of the draft was WR Malachi Corley in the 3rd round. Therefore, my Mike Williams prediction received a slight boost since there was less target competition than expected.

At this point, we know exactly what to expect from Mike Williams as an unpredictable downfield threat, and he should be Aaron Rodgers’ No. 2 target this year. I think that makes him an ideal target in best ball, and we’re still a long way from Week 1, but right now he’s on track to be ready for Week 1 after suffering a torn ACL last season. I think he offers value at WR46 right now.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks (ADP WR43, my rank WR38)

Seattle signing JSN last year reminded me of the Cowboys signing CeeDee Lamb in 2020 when they already had two proven wide receivers. JSN may not become one of the best receivers in the game in four years like Lamb, but his career could follow a similar path as he will step in whenever DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett are out.

In 2023, Metcalf/Lockett only missed one game combined when DK Metcalf was unable to play against the Cardinals in Week 7. JSN boosted that game with a 4/63/1 receiving line and gave us a glimpse of his potential when operating as a top-2 WR on offense.

Even though he will still have to deal with the same issue until 2024, I consider him a candidate for his second year who should have a better chance of stepping up as one of the top two WRs, as Metcalf/Lockett will likely miss more time overall than last season.

Ladd McConkey, Chargers (ADP WR54, my rank WR46)

The Chargers were an ideal landing spot for any receiver after deciding to move on from their top two wideouts Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. It’s an offense with a ton of potential targets to grab from one of the better quarterbacks in the game, Justin Herbert. McConkey has more of a profile of a No. 2 WR at the NFL level, but he has a real chance to become the Chargers’ best WR already this season and take on a lot of the targets Keenan Allen leaves behind. I love this spot for McConkey, and unlike most rookies, I think his current ADP is too low and he’s a steal at WR54.

Keon Coleman, Bills (ADP WR62, my rank WR48)

The Bills were another ideal landing spot for a wide receiver, as they also said goodbye to their two best downfield targets in Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. Coleman is a promising player with a lot of upside, but this is the ideal landing spot for him and he’s worth the risk at WR62 in Best Ball.

Wan’Dale Robinson, Giants (ADP WR76, my rank WR64)

The Giants got Malik Nabers with the No. 6 overall pick and he’s an elite talent that will be their best WR for years to come. Wan’Dale Robinson showed flashes at times last season and should continue to improve in his third year. I think he could benefit from opposing defenses trying to stop Nabers and will likely be Daniel Jones’ No. 2 target. I think the market is overlooking the remaining targets not only because of Saquon Barkley’s departure but also Darren Waller’s potential retirement. It’s looking more and more likely that Waller will retire from football. The Giants don’t have a TE on the roster that could take on all of his remaining targets and I expect a decent percentage of those to go to Robinson. I think his ADP will be closer to my ranking when Waller’s retirement becomes official.