Fantasy Football 2020: PPR wide receiver rankings (1-25)

Fantasy football WR PPR Tier 3

There’s a big drop between Tier 2 and 3, but Tier 3 has some good value. Most of these players have top-5 potential, but should be expected to put up low-end WR1 to high-end WR2 numbers. Tier 3 wideouts are very similar to each other in terms of their projected production, with projections separated by less than 15 points, so don’t be too mad if your favorite guy in this group falls off the board before your pick; you can get someone else basically just as good.

Projections: 135 targets, 88 receptions, 1126 yards, 8 TDs, 248.6 Fantasy Points

Don’t label JuJu Smith-Schuster a bust after Mason Rudolph destroyed the Steelers offense. One way Big Ben’s impact on the Steelers offense can be shown is by their play count. They ran 1034 plays in 2018 (4th most) compared to 905 in 2019 (4th least). This is a huge difference that clearly explains JuJu’s underproduction last year. His catch rate went down 7% and he lost 4.5 targets per game, both of which should return to normal under a competent QB. His ranking could change throughout the offseason depending on Big Ben’s arm health, but if Ben is completely healthy, JuJu has WR1 overall upside.

Projections: 138 targets, 88 receptions, 1180 yards, 7 TDs, 248.5 Fantasy Points

Allen Robinson is playing with the best quarterback of his career, which isn’t saying much, considering that same quarterback lost his job to Gardner Minshew last year. A-Rob had 154 targets last year, which I believe will take a step back due to the target boost he got from injuries to Trey Burton and Taylor Gabriel. However, we know he’s still a target hog and will have a dominate share of the Bears’ passes in 2020. I don’t see too much upside in this offense, but Robinson has a high floor.

Projections: 139 targets, 91 receptions, 1219 yards, 5 TDs, 245.4 Fantasy Points

D.J. Moore should have the benefit of garbage time and of shootouts this year, as the Panthers look to again suffer on defense. Teddy will likely throw it enough to his best receiver to make him a low-end WR1, but Moore could again finish outside the top-12 due to the depth of the position. His biggest weakness is lack of touchdowns and his biggest strength is being a high volume receiver with a pretty good catch rate. This indicates a high floor, low ceiling type of player, much like Allen Robinson.

Projections: 126 targets, 83 receptions, 1120 yards, 8 TDs, 245 Fantasy Points

The departure of Stefon Diggs should lead to an expanded role for Adam Thielen, but Gary Kubiak is still a run-first coach. Thielen won’t average 9 targets per game as he has in the past. He is a very low risk player, as he should dominate the targets that Kubiak spares this offense, but the only way he has a top-5 year is if Cook holds out for at least half the season and his backups don’t prove competent.

Projections: 125 targets, 84 receptions, 1100 yards, 8 TDs, 244.5 Fantasy Points

I love me some Calvin Ridley this year. Read this article for all the reasons why.

Projections: 124 targets, 73 receptions, 1201 yards, 8 TDs, 242 Fantasy Points

Kenny Golladay had 18.3 yards/reception (3rd in NFL) and 11 touchdowns (1st) last year, both of which are likely to regress. However, Matthew Stafford looked electric in the half-season he played last year. A full season of Stafford means more passing attempts and thus targets for Golladay. My points projection this season is slightly lower than his previous total of 248 fantasy points, but I recognize that he has high potential this year. His biggest knock is that Marvin Jones really eats into his target share. If Golladay takes more targets and somehow keeps up his efficiency, he can be a top-5 receiver.

Projections: 127 targets, 75 receptions, 1178 yards, 8 TDs, 240.8 Fantasy Points

Tom Brady finished 2019 with 6.6 yards/attempt (27th in the NFL), while Jameis Winston had 8.2 Y/A (5th in the NFL). Granted, Brady had worse receivers, but his trademark style as he ages is the short passing game. This style fits most of his receivers fine, but not Mike Evans. Evans has been a deep threat that would explode in weeks where Jameis lobbed up the ball to him, who seemed to do it without caring if it were intercepted. If Brady’s arm health declines in the same way Peyton Manning’s arm did in 2015, Evans would lose most of his fantasy value. If not, Evans will remain inconsistent week-to-week, but will still be a solid high-end WR2.

Projections: 140 targets, 91 receptions, 1147 yards, 4 TDs, 102 rushing yards, 239.9 Fantasy Points

Robert Woods should be in line for another great year in 2020. As the Rams offense started to use more 12 personnel sets toward the end of last year to make up for their lackluster offensive line, Woods capitalized. He averaged 18.6 fantasy points in the last 7 games of the season, doing so with only 2 touchdowns in that span. If I project him just one more touchdown this season, he moves up to my WR9, yet he’s being drafted behind everyone else in this tier and some players in tier 4. Woods is a safe WR2 with low-end WR1 upside.

Projections: 116 targets, 76 receptions, 1117 yards, 8 TDs, 236.7 Fantasy Points

If you go into the draft thinking “Wow, I can’t wait to draft Amari Cooper” you are either a Cowboys fan or a crazy person (probably both). He is the definition of a boom-bust player, posting three games with less than 3 fantasy points and two with over 30 points. Cooper is a player that will win you weeks and lose you weeks, and I usually don’t want that on my team. If he falls in the draft and you see value, make sure you pair him with a safe receiver to decrease risk on a weekly basis.

Projections: 115 targets, 81 receptions, 1053 yards, 8 TDs, 235.3 Fantasy Points

Cooper Kupp is hard to evaluate because of the nature of Sean McVay’s offense. His offensive game plan can drastically change any given week. Kupp was on a 174 target pace through 8 games, then the Rams changed their offense and Kupp’s second half pace was 94 targets. We don’t know if we’re getting first half Kupp or second half Kupp this year, but I’m inclined to believe second half Kupp is more likely. That being said, he could become a WR1 at any moment if McVay changes his mind and feeds Jared Goff’s favorite redzone target.