Finding value in draft picks (or auction signings) is what assembling a fantasy football team is all about. You want to get the best return on investment or bang for your buck possible.
Which means rather than trying to draft (or sign) players at their ceilings, you could look for the undervalued players who have the capability to outplay their going rate.
Here are 6 wide receivers currently projected as WR2s who have the ability to finish the season as WR1s.
Fair warning: these aren’t actually predictions. I’m not expecting many of these players to actually finish as WR1s, they just have a pathway to do so.
Marvin Harrison Jr., WR/Arizona Cardinals
One of the better wide receiver prospects to come into the league in a while, Harrison is actually creeping up into the WR1 range in terms of ADP, although many publications still have him projected as a WR2. I wouldn’t personally draft him as a WR1, but if I already had a bona fide No. 1 and he looked like a good value at my next pick after that, I’m pulling the trigger on drafting him. He might be quarterback proof to begin with, but Kyler Murray has a much higher floor than “serviceable starter” anyway. We could see huge production from him right away presuming he doesn’t face rookie struggles.
Cooper Kupp, WR/Los Angeles Rams
Kupp had a dominant season in 2021 and he looked to be headed for a repeat performance the following year before suffering an injury. In fact, he hasn’t been healthy the past two seasons, only managing to play in 21 total games. But he’s still an electric talent and even though Puka Nacua is on the scene, if Kupp is healthy he is going to be effective. Due to their explosive natures, it’s possible for both Nacua and Kupp to finish as WR1s. And, it’s entirely possible Nacua severely regresses. If you were able to nab Kupp as your WR2 without paying a hefty price for him, you’d be in great shape.
Jaylen Waddle, WR/Miami Dolphins
Waddle was a wide receiver one in 2022, and flirted with it on other occasions. But injuries have kind of slowed him down, plus the presence of Tyreek Hill encumbers his ceiling. Still, just the fact that he’s reached those heights before at least opens the possibility he could get back there again. He comes complete with spike weeks that can single handedly deliver you the ‘W’. And if he strings together enough of those, it’s certainly possible he pushes the threshold for WR1 territory.
D.K. Metcalf, WR/Seattle Seahawks
Metcalf has been a fairly consistent receiver throughout the duration of his career. He reached WR1 status in 2020 and since then has been a staple as a WR2. Last year he took a big dip in receptions and yet maintained his yardage total and scored 8 touchdowns. In a new offense, even with a duo of other capable pass catchers in Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, he presents a formidable target in the red zone. He has twice crossed into double-digit touchdowns and if he can do it again in 2024, there’s a pathway back to the top tier.
DeVonta Smith, WR/Philadelphia Eagles
With A.J. Brown patrolling the other side of the field, getting Smith into WR1 territory is a big challenge. The Eagles will likely run the ball a lot with Saquon Barkley and so it’s not likely they’re going to sling the ball all over the field. But if he catches more downfield passes, he can make up for a relative lack of volume. If he hauls in 80-some passes for more than 1100 yards and 7-8 touchdowns — all numbers he has reached before — he can creep into the conversation.
Deebo Samuel, WR/San Francisco 49ers
Brandon Aiyuk officially wants out of San Francisco, and that’s only going to make Deebo more appealing than he already is. Deebo had a WR1 finish in 2022 in large part due to his participation in the run game, but he really hasn’t been close any other year. He doesn’t receive the necessary volume in the passing game to have a solid shot at that WR1 status again and probably won’t ever match his rushing totals again from that breakout season. Thus, he doesn’t have any business being drafted near WR1 territory even if Aiyuk gets traded. But if his volume increases significantly without Aiyuk and his participation in the run game is at least marginally better than it’s been the past two seasons, he has an outside shot at WR1 territory again.
