In fantasy football, finding and drafting “sleepers” can give you an advantage over your competition and contribute to winning championships. The interpretation of the term “sleeper” can vary, so it’s essential for me to clarify its meaning when providing advice on my top wide receiver sleepers for 2024 fantasy football. I will define a Fantasy Football “sleeper” as a player whose value / average draft position (ADP) is considerably lower than what their Fantasy production can be.
Here are some wide receiver sleepers from last season that would fit this definition:
- Puka Nacua: WR90 ADP vs WR4 Fantasy finish
- Keenan Allen: WR41 ADP vs WR8 Fantasy finish
- Nico Collins: WR60 ADP vs WR12 Fantasy finish
- Jordan Addison: WR37 ADP vs WR23 Fantasy finish
- Jayden Reed: WR74 ADP vs WR25 Fantasy finish
- Rashee Rice: WR68 ADP vs WR27 Fantasy finish
In the above cases, these wide receiver sleepers were drafted late but had a positive return for Fantasy Football. Finding these sorts of wide receivers in the deepest position in Fantasy Football can truly give you an edge in your league, that we all seek. The below list of wide receivers have a large, positive gap between where they are being drafted and where they can actually finish for the position in Fantasy Football.
Wide Receiver Sleepers for the 2024 Fantasy Football Season
Curtis Samuel, Bills
Curtis Samuel reunites with the Bills’ offensive coordinator, Joe Brady, who he posted over 1,000 scrimmage yards with Carolina back in 2020. Samuel has earned 90+ targets in the last four full seasons played, and there are 160 vacated targets from Stefon Diggs who is now a Texan. Samuel offers versatility in his game, as a wide receiver that can run the ball and be used creatively.
Keon Coleman, Bills
1,506 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns produced through 34 college games by Keon Coleman. The Bills selected Coleman in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, after parting ways with Stefon Diggs who vacated 160 targets. A tie to Josh Allen could have some touchdown upside, and the WR1 in Buffalo is wide open.
Diontae Johnson, Panthers
Diontae Johnson has 147 (2022), 169 (2021), and 144 (2020) targets earned in the three seasons before 2023. 1,161 receiving yards, eight touchdowns and 17.2 Fantasy PPG (#8) back in 2021 shows the upside Diontae can have. Johnson lands in Carolina, who were desperate for a true WR1. Bryce Young ranked 12th in passing attempts (527) last year as a rookie, and can truly feed DJ 140+ targets.
Ja’Lynn Polk, Patriots
1,159 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in Ja’Lynn Polk’s final college season with Rome Odunze on the field for Washington. After drafting Drake Maye in the first round, the very next move for the Patriots was selecting Polk in the second round. Polk has a chance to become the Patriots’ WR1 as a rookie, and the combination of weekly volume plus the upside in his 2023 season could be great for Fantasy.
Troy Franklin, Broncos
81 receptions (#24), 1,383 receiving yards (#6) and 14 receiving touchdowns (#3) in his final season at Oregon. Franklin was selected by the Broncos in the fourth round, after his college quarterback Bo Nix was selected in the first round. The Broncos’ wide receiver room is wide open in 2024, and Franklin has a chance to take on a major role instantly as a rookie as well as continue his connection with Nix at the NFL level.
Jameson Williams, Lions
Jameson Williams finished 2023 #5 in average depth of target (15.6) and #23 in yards per reception (14.8). Williams finished four weeks with 22+ yards per catch, showing the upside that was in his first-round talent profile. Jamo has the WR2 role in Detroit and can earn more weekly targets which gives him more opportunities to make more big plays.
Hollywood Brown, Chiefs
Across the last four seasons, Marquise Brown has averaged 7.81 targets per game. Hollywood has been targeted deep 20+ times (via playerprofiler) for four straight seasons. What you like from Rashee Rice (target earner) and Xavier Worthy (field stretcher) are present in Brown, who could be the Chiefs’ WR1.
Brian Thomas Jr., Jaguars
In 2023, Brian Thomas Jr. led the FBS in receiving touchdowns with 17, and posted a breakout 1,177 receiving-yard season with Malik Nabers out there with him. The Jaguars selected BTJ in the first round of this year’s NFL Draft, which seems to be a great landing spot attached to Trevor Lawrence with Calvin Ridley’s (now a Titan) 136 vacated targets. Christian Kirk and Evan Engram will be the primary competitors of BTJ for targets but I feel his field-stretching ability, touchdown upside, and draft capital will mean an emphasis as a rookie.
Josh Palmer, Chargers
In 2023, Josh Palmer finished three weeks as a top 12 Fantasy wide receiver through 10 games. In 2022, Palmer finished as a top 30 Fantasy wide receiver five times. Palmer has an established connection with Justin Herbert on a team that no longer rosters Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Austin Ekeler, and Gerald Everett.
Ladd McConkey, Chargers
1,687 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns produced out of Georgia, McConkey was selected by the Chargers in the second round of this year’s NFL Draft. Justin Herbert averaged 26.1 passing attempts per game last season, and McConkey can grow into the #1 target out of the slot on a team that lost the above players mentioned.
Rashid Shaheed, Saints
In 2023 Rashid Shaheed finished #10 in average depth of target (14.6), #15 in deep targets (24), #17 in yards per target (9.6), and #15 in yards per reception (14.6). Shaheed finished three weeks in 2023 as a top 12 Fantasy wide receiver, and five weeks as a top 24 Fantasy wide receiver. In 2024, Shaheed can grow as the Saints WR2, which could mean more opportunities to make more big plays.
Wan’Dale Robinson, Giants
Post 2022 ACL tear, Wan’Dale Robinson finished games in 2023: WR24 (Week 6), WR18 (Week 9), WR13 (Week 14) and WR10 (Week 17). Wan’Dale led the Giants’ wide receiver room in targets per game last season and can continue operating as the reliable slot WR2 with a defensive focus on first-round rookie Malik Nabers in 2024.
Mike Williams, Jets
Through three healthy games in 2023, Mike Williams averaged 8.67 targets, 6.33 receptions, 83 receiving yards, and 16.73 Fantasy Points. The long ACL recovery window should mean Mike Williams being ready to roll in Week 1. Back in 2021, Williams finished with 1,146 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. Williams should operate as the WR2 for Aaron Rodgers with WR1 Garrett Wilson, in a Jets offense that can boost his Fantasy stock for 2024.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks
In 2023, first-round rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba earned nearly 100 targets (93) with DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett on the field. Not many 2023 rookies can say they had that sort of competition for targets. JSN finished #21 in yards after the catch, despite ranking 95th in the depth of his targets (6.1). JSN finished six weeks with 12+ Fantasy Points and could earn a larger role as the WR2 for Seattle in 2024.
Jahan Dotson, Commanders
Back in 2022 as a first-round rookie, Jahan Dotson played above 75% in seven games and finished as a top 20 Fantasy wide receiver in five of those games. 2023 ended up being a down season, but there is still plenty of hope for a player I believe has the skill to bounce back with a new coaching staff and quarterback upgrade in Jayden Daniels.
Jerry Jeudy, Browns
In 2022 through 15 games, Jerry Jeudy finished #22 in receiving yards, #16 in years after the catch, #19 in Fantasy PPG, #9 in yards per target and #20 in yards per reception. Jeudy could have a career turnaround in Cleveland as the WR2 attached to Deshaun Watson, in a far better situation than Denver in 2023 with consistent volume.
Who’s your favorite wide receiver sleepers for 2024 fantasy football? 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.