Fantasy Football Sleepers: 8 WRs to Consider Late in the Draft

Wilson’s yards per route run (1.36) isn’t exactly stellar, but it was better than teammates Marquise Brown, Greg Dortch and Rondale Moore last season. Wilson ranked in the top 15 in yards per target (9.7) among all wide receivers as a rookie and No. 26 in fantasy points per target. Wilson also ranked sixth in first downs per target, and the Cardinals had a top 10 offense after the bye last season.

Wicks enters the season fourth on Green Bay’s WR depth chart, but there’s a chance he could end up near the top. Wicks ranks in the top 20 in fantasy points per target, fourth in first downs per target and third in receiving DVOA, trailing only Brandon Aiyuk and Nico Collins. Wicks is the classic “better in best ball” pick, but he also has the potential to earn significantly more playing time.

Mitchell fell to the late second round amid off-field concerns, but his talent warranted a much earlier selection in this year’s draft. Mitchell’s relative athleticism ranked fifth among 3,402 wide receivers since 1987. He earned targets as a true freshman on a loaded Georgia team in 2021, and Michael Pittman says he learned from the rookie throughout camp.

Josh Downs has potential, but he also has a long injury history and could be hampered by a bad ankle sprain this season. Mitchell gets to play inside in a Shane Steichen offense that ranked in the top five in plays per game last year with Anthony Richardson, and that should improve in the QB’s second year in the league. Mitchell could develop more slowly, but the rookie could make a fantasy impact when it matters most late in the season.

Jacksonville enters 2024 with the fifth-most available targets (251), including the second-most air yards and the most inside the 10-yard line. Thomas’ 40-time ranks in the 98th percentile, and Trevor Lawrence attempted the second-most deep passes per game last year. Thomas scored the most touchdowns (17) in college last season as a 21-year-old sharing the field with Malik Nabers. Newcomer Gabe Davis is neither a target earner nor good at the football, and Christian Kirk is already dealing with a calf injury.

There’s a good chance Thomas will finish 2024 as Jacksonville’s top wide receiver.

The fastest player in NFL history gets to join Patrick Mahomes in an Andy Reid offense. Worthy ran a 4.21 40 and earned a 32% target share as a true freshman at a Power 5 school. Worthy may be small, but he was more effective as an “X” receiver against press coverage than Marvin Harrison Jr., Ja’Marr Chase, CeeDee Lamb and many other star players in college. His college stats would have looked better had he not suffered from incredibly inaccurate quarterback play.

Worthy had by far the highest off-target percentage of any WR prospect this year, but he’ll now have to catch passes from Mahomes:

Reid apparently has a preferred type of wide receiver, and Worthy fits the bill; Mahomes lost by far the most air yards on drops last year. The KC coach has compared Worthy to DeSean Jackson, who was an immediate starter and led his team in targets as a rookie with Reid. Worthy is already showing the impact he can make, posting an 89% route participation and 25% target share in two preseason games with Mahomes.

Rashee Rice seems increasingly unlikely to be suspended, but Travis Kelce turns 35 this season and the oft-injured Marquise Brown recently suffered a potentially serious shoulder injury that will at least jeopardize his Week 1 status. Isiah Pacheco had never reached 170 carries since college before setting a personal best with 205 rushing attempts last season, so there should be an opportunity for the rookie. The Chiefs led the NFL in pass rate by a wide margin last year, and Worthy will benefit from KC’s use of motion. He’s going to be great as a rookie.

Meyers finished last season as a top-25 fantasy wideout (11.4 half-PPR points per game), just behind Chris Olave (11.7), DeVonta Smith (11.7) and Jaylen Waddle (11.6). Meyers also tied teammate Davante Adams for top-12 WR fantasy weeks last season. Adams enters his 11th year in a league, which has historically seen a 34% decline in baseline production for receivers. Meyers scored 10 touchdowns last season and the Raiders rarely throw to their WR3, but he isn’t being drafted as a top-50 WR in Yahoo leagues.

Palmer struggled during his first two years in the league, but quietly improved last season. He ranked in the top 25 in yards per route run (2.2) and in the top 12 in receiving yards per game (71.1) after Mike Williams sat out. Palmer’s route run rate has jumped to 20% without Williams on the field his entire career, and Keenan Allen also left during the offseason.

Quentin Johnston is arguably the worst WR in the league, and rookie Ladd McConkey is a second round pick who never earned any targets, averaged just 562.3 receiving yards and struggled with injuries throughout college. Additionally, Austin Ekeler was replaced by two-down backs Gus Edwards and JK Dobbins, so there are plenty of targets to be had from Justin Herbert behind a strong offensive line. Palmer goes undrafted in 84% of Yahoo leagues.

Shaheed is looking at an expanded role with Michael Thomas gone, Juwan Johnson injured and Alvin Kamara aging. Shaheed has been productive throughout his career when he gets 70% route participation, and he posted a better win percentage versus man than Chris Olave did last season. Shaheed is a solid route runner who has impressed throughout camp. New OC Klint Kubiak will utilize a lot more two-WR sets and movement this season, which will create better opportunities for New Orleans’ receivers.

Shaheed is a fantasy target.