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Fantasy football rankings: 2019 pre-draft wide receivers ranks

By Shaun Evans

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 06: Atlanta Falcons (11) Julio Jones (WR) celebrates with Atlanta Falcons (18) Taylor Gabriel (WR) after scoring a touchdown during the NFC Wild Card football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Los Angeles Rams on January 06, 2018 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 06: Atlanta Falcons (11) Julio Jones (WR) celebrates with Atlanta Falcons (18) Taylor Gabriel (WR) after scoring a touchdown during the NFC Wild Card football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Los Angeles Rams on January 06, 2018 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 30: Houston Texans Wide Receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) turns upfield after a short first half pass reception during the football game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Houston Texans on December 30, 2018 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Fantasy Football Rankings – Pre-Draft Wide Receiver Rankings

5. Odell Beckham Jr. (Cleveland Browns)

2018 Stats: 77 Receptions | 1,052 Yards | 6 TDs | 13.7 YPC

Odell Backham Jr. didn’t play a full season last year but he also wasn’t having the most productive season either in that New York Giants mess of an offense. That all changed for him this off-season when he was shipped to Cleveland. He’ll be in an offense that has more of a supporting cast with Jarvis Landry, David Njoku, and Nick Chubbs while Baker Mayfield leads them. OBJ played 100% of the offensive snaps last season while having a target share of 28%. When it came to the end-zone, OBJ was targeted heavily at 50%. I can’t say how much OBJ will be used or targeted this season but I do know that’ll have less pressure on his shoulders with the teammates that surround him.

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4. Davante Adams (Green Back Packers)

2018 Stats: 111 Receptions | 1,386 Yards | 13 TDs | 12.5 YPC

It’s shocking that Aaron Rodgers wants Davante Adams involved more in the offense as Adam’s already holds a snap share percentage of 98%. I guess if Rodgers can’t come out of the offense then neither can Adams. He holds a target share of 29% which raises to 39% when it comes to end-zone targets. With a new head coach with Matt LaFleur we don’t know what to expect of this offense but can they really get worse than last season with their 6-9-1 record and the threats they have on offense?

3. DeAndre Hopkins (Houston Texans)

2018 Stats: 115 Receptions | 1,572 Yards | 11 TDs | 13.7 YPC

DeAndre Hopkins is making a name for himself as a Top 5 Wide Receiver in Houston with the young quarterback DeShaun Watson. Hopkins doesn’t even take a play off which you can tell by his 100% snap share that he held last season. He holds a target share of 33% and that target share increases to 44% when it comes to the end-zone. Hopkins is ranked 8th in the NFL with his 43 targets in contested catch rate which he converts 56% of the time. Hopkins is a desirable wide receiver this season as he takes no plays off.

2. Michael Thomas (New Orleans Saints)

2018 Stats: 125 Receptions | 1,405 Yards | 9 TDs | 11.2 YPC

I love me some Michael Thomas and this entire New Orleans Saints offense but I’ve mentioned that in almost every article so far. Thomas is in on 90% of the offensive snaps while holding a target share of 29%. He was targeted 23 times in contested throws his way and caught 74% of them, ranking first in the NFL last season. While Thomas is in on almost every offensive snap, he’s only targeted in 18% of end-zone plays. You can’t go wrong with Julio Jones or Michael Thomas as your first pick if you plan on targeting a receiver with your first pick.

1. Julio Jones (Atlanta Falcons)

2018 Stats: 113 Receptions | 1,677 Yards | 8 TDs | 14.88 YPC

It’s a hard debate when it comes to who is the top wide receiver in the league but Julio Jones is usually in the middle of that conversation. He is in on 83% of the offensive snaps while having a target share of 28% and a 32% share of all targeted end-zone plays. When it comes to contested catches Julio Jones ranks 16th with a 45% catch rating. With the emergence of Calvin Ridley last season, Julio Jones doesn’t have to worry about being guarded so heavily now.

dark. Next. Fantasy Football Draft Prep: 2019 Studs, Sleepers and Busts

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