Fantasy Football 2019 Wide Receiver Tier Rankings
By Bill Pivetz
Fantasy Football 2019 Wide Receiver Tier Rankings – Best Ball Targets
These 11 receivers are not the top guys on their respective teams but they have a role and could have a big game or two throughout the season.
Humphries left the crowded Tampa Bay to join Tennessee. While there are a few other teams that could have been better, joining the Titans who have few pass-catchers gives Humphries a clear path to targets. He’s a good bye week replacement.
Sanu is the No. 3 wide receiver on the Falcons. He finished third in receptions, second in yards and fourth in touchdowns. With the emergence of Calvin Ridley and presence of Austin Hooper, Sanu doesn’t have the same value as others in this tier. Though, he’s delivered WR3 or better numbers in 50 percent of his games with Atlanta.
Goodwin had a solid 2017 season with 56 catches and 962 yards. He was drafted as a top-36 WR but then he disappeared, recording just 23 catches for 395 yards and four touchdowns. The 49ers drafted three wide receivers over the last two years to join Dante Pettis and George Kittle in the passing game. They may not see immediate playing time but will affect Goodwin later in the season.
Crowder is a good receiver but his fantasy value was very inconsistent while with Washington. Now, with the Jets, there is a bit more upside. He is listed as the WR3 behind Robby Anderson and Quincy Enunwa. As the slot receiver, Crowder will get a lot of looks from second-year quarterback Sam Darnold. Many see the name and remember the bad memories, but it’s important to move forward.
Coutee is currently sidelined with a sprained ankle, but the reports say it’s not a serious injury. He is the No. 3 wide receiver on the Texans and, unfortunately, there’s a big gap between him and Will Fuller. Though, with Houston not having a true tight end, he should get a few targets when on the field. We just have to wait to see when that’ll happen.
Washington had a modest rookie season with 16 catches for 217 yards and a touchdown. The Steelers brought in Donte Moncrief as an Antonio Brown replacement but they also lost Jesse James. While Vance McDonald takes his spot, he’s not the same type of playmaker. Washington should see the field plenty in 2019.
Stills continues to finish higher than his draft position. If you’re looking for a steal late in the draft, this is your guy. He will play opposite of Devante Parker. The Dolphins don’t have a pass-catching tight end or depth at the receiver position. The change in quarterback may be helpful but if Ryan Fitzpatrick throws multiple interceptions in three straight games, we say see Josh Rosen, and that won’t be good.
Tate will be suspended for the first four games of the season. But once he’s back, he’ll be the No. 2 wide receiver behind Sterling Shepard. I don’t trust Shepard to be the top receiver like Odell Beckham was, so the two will split targets for most of the season. We’ll see how much Eli Manning throws with Saquon Barkley in the backfield.
Brown had one good season in his career, back in 2015 with the Cardinals when he caught 65 passes for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns. The next couple of seasons have been average but I partially blame the quarterback play. He will be fighting for targets against Zay Jones, Robert Foster and Cole Beasley. So, unless there’s confirmation that he’ll be a starting wide receiver, I’d avoid him in most drafts.
Funchess leaves the Panthers to join the Colts. Going from Cam Newton to Andrew Luck is going to help his fantasy value greatly. He’s the No. 2 wide receiver behind T.Y. Hilton but could be competing for targets with their tight ends, Eric Ebron and Jack Doyle. Funchess could see his value come from the red zone, a place where Hilton isn’t as effective.
The Raiders improved their offense to help Derek Carr this offseason. While all of the focus as been on Antonio Brown, you shouldn’t sleep on Williams. He caught 41 passes for 653 yards and four touchdowns with the Chargers last season. Now, as the clear-cut No. 2 pass option, he should see more targets go his way. If Brown decides not to play because of his helmet, Williams’ value skyrockets.