ADP is key when drafting an epic fantasy football team. Besides a quarterback, the wide receiver position is where fantasy managers must make precise picks. With such a pass-friendly NFL, managers prioritize the receiver position over running backs. With that said, ADP battles are back and this time it is wide receiver. There will be six players apart of this, grouped in twos. Now, let’s find out who you should be drafting based on their average draft position.
Fantasy Football ADP Wide Receiver Battles
Battle I
Garrett Wilson (WR7), ADP 12.6
Garett Wilson has been the product of some of the most POOR quarterback play, ever. If it were not for Aaron Rodgers getting hurt on the very first snap of the Jets’ season, Wilson would have finished as a WR1. Wilson is the only receiver in NFL history to have over 300 targets in their first two seasons to start a career.
Wilson was still able to muster up the fourth-most targets and the seventh-highest target share last season. The issue with Wilson besides the quarterback play was the red-zone issues. With just seven touchdowns in two seasons, a giant leap is on the horizon with Aaron Rodgers now healthy. Wilson’s ADP has jumped to the first round. The overall assumption is that Wilson will be a WR1 with Rodgers under center. Although I agree with it, there is a receiver going around his ADP that I would rather have with the system and his overall track record.
AJ Brown (WR6), ADP 10
AJ Brown’s time as a Philadelphia Eagle has been nothing but AMAZING. Brown has had 2,952 yards (3rd), 194 receptions (9th), 86.8 YPG (4th), and 18 touchdowns (6th) in the past two seasons and has been a top-three receiver. Now, Kellen Moore takes over as the Eagles offensive coordinator. Moore spent four seasons as the Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator. In that span, Moore’s offense was second in total offense, third in first downs per game, and fourth in passing offense.
Brown has been the WR8 in ppg in his first two seasons as an Eagle and in year three, the overall WR1 spot is in his future. When picking between Wilson and Brown, give me AJ Brown. He’s got a much better play-caller with Moore and a healthier and younger quarterback in Jalen Hurts, too.
Battle II
Stefon Diggs (WR19), ADP 39.0
Stefon Diggs burnt so many people in the fantasy football playoffs, it is warranted that a once-superstar WR1 is being drafted closer to WR2 status. From Weeks 14-18, the best finish from Diggs was WR20. In the fantasy football playoffs, Diggs finished as the WR45, WR53, and the WR55. A switch happened in Buffalo and it affected Diggs in the worst way possible.
Now, he finds himself on the Houston Texans in a wide receiver room with Nico Collins and Tank Dell. With such a superstar quarterback in CJ Stroud, it is still very possible Diggs can produce at a high level, but at his ADP, there are a few receivers that have less competition and can live up to where they are being drafted. Drafting Diggs in 2024 seems to have a future of headaches of him having great spike weeks, but then sometimes not being relevant with such great talent on the rest of the offense.
Jaylen Waddle (WR20), ADP 41.2
Jaylen Waddle has had over 1000 yards in all three of his NFL seasons. The issue was in his second year he had over 1300 yards and was the WR12 in ppg. In 2023, Waddle did not live up to his ADP even with over 1000 yards as he dealt with injuries and regressed in the touchdown department. Even with all of that, Waddle has been one of the better receivers since the Dolphins drafted him. He is ranked 11th in YPG and 13th in receiving yards since 2021.
Tyreek Hill is still the alpha in Miami, but the Dolphins duo is responsible for the most yards amongst the top passing-catching targets on NFL teams. If the ball is not going to Hill, look for Waddle to make a splash. Currently, Waddle and Diggs are ranked right next to each other and are a part of two of the best offenses. With less competition in Miami, give me the younger, quicker, and better receiver in Jaylen Waddle.
Battle III
Terry McLaurin (WR32), ADP 74.8
There are times when wide receivers are QB proof and then there at times when the receiver can only do so much. The Washington Commanders have done a disservice to Terry McLaurin. McLaurin has had four straight seasons of over 1000 yards. Now, he gets to play with the 2023 Heisman winner, Jayden Daniels. McLaurin had the overall number one route participation and the second most routes ran in the NFL last season.
It has not been McLaurin’s fault that the offense cannot move the football, but things will be different in 2024. Having the 13th most yards since he entered the league, has only gotten McLaurin a WR20 finish as his best fantasy football season. A more efficient offense will have Terry McLaurin having the best season of his career.
Calvin Ridley (WR33), ADP 75.0
Calvin Ridley broke all fantasy managers’ hearts in 2023. Ridley was drafted with everyone the year he finished as a WR1 with the Atlanta Falcons. In 2023, Ridley could not live up to the hype. Ridley now finds himself on the Tennessee Titans and their WR1. DeAndre Hopkins is dealing with injury and his age has made him a tad seasoned. Will Levis has the keys to the franchise and the organization has done a great job surrounding him with competent weapons.
Although Ridley finished as the WR27 in ppg, he is being drafted as the WR33. Ridley is a guy who you can find downfield as he accumulated 1,792 air yards which ranked him eighth and he also had the 14th most targets among all receivers. In 2024, Ridley finds himself with minimal competition in the Titans receiver room and a lot to prove to critics who think his one WR1 year finish was a fluke. With Ridley and McLaurin being 0.2 spots apart, this is a toss-up. My pick is Calvin Ridley.
Who’s your favorite dark horse QB1? Drop some names in the comments below and then make sure to check out our 2024 Fantasy Football Draft Kit for more great rankings and analysis.