Welcome back to Fantasy Football Blueprint and thank you for taking the time to read my articles. WR has become probably the most popular position in fantasy and is taking over the first rounds of most drafts. Let’s jump into some WR names for a sure thing, a sleeper, a bust, and a breakout for the upcoming season.
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WR
SURE THING
Amon-Ra St. Brown – Detroit Lions
St. Brown is entering his 3rd NFL season all being with the Detroit Lions. Jared Goff has been his QB for both years and he just keeps getting better. He improved every receiving stat between rookie and sophomore campaigns. St. Brown has averaged 1000 receiving yards per season and has scored 11 receiving TDs in total. Amon-Ra should be excited for this season with Goff behind center and the Lions currently the best odds to win the NFC North. If he can stay healthy (lower leg injury on Aug 16 so monitor closely) he should just keep seeing his fantasy numbers climb. Marvin Jones Jr is experienced, and Jameson Williams is basically a talented rookie again, so defenses are going to have their hands full. I think St. Browns ceiling will continue to rise.
SLEEPER
Calvin Ridley – Jacksonville Jaguars
Calvin Ridley? Yes, he’s back and now with the Jaguars. The Jags who have a talented sneaky good offense. Trevor Lawrence now has Ridley and Kirk as his top 2 WRs after doubling his passing TDs between rookie and 2nd year. The Jaguars (like the Lions above) have the best odds currently to take their division. The Lions and Jaguars… who would’ve thought? Ridley hasn’t played regular season football since he played in 5 early games in the 2021 season. So, is he fresh and ready to go or will his absence falter our expectations? Not to mention a new team? I don’t care, I’m in on Ridley in that offense with Lawrence and coach Doug Pederson. Ridley should be able to be a top 15 WR this year if he plays like he did years ago on the verge of being a star WR in Atlanta.
BUST
Mike Evans – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mike Evans is in my bust spot for WRs this season. Tom Brady is not throwing to him. Most likely it will be Baker Mayfield who has not seemed relevant in a good 3 or so seasons. Big downgrade at QB and Evans is entering his 10th season all with the Bucs. Evans may have 1000+ receiving yards EVERY season, but this season I could see him falling short. Evans has been boom or bust recently in his career and fantasy is a lot better with solid consistent performances and little to no goose eggs. Looking at Evans fantasy game log he blew up in week 17 but prior to that he didn’t have double digit fantasy points since week 8. I would take Chris Godwin before I took Evans this season, but they are the only 2 pass catchers worth grabbing due to the news that Russell Gage is out for the year. Bucs currently have the worst odds to win their division.
BREAKOUT/PREDICTION
Chris Olave – New Orleans Saints
Chris Olave had a great rookie year with the Saints posting 72 receptions for 1042 receiving yards and 4 receiving TDs. This season he will have David Carr tossing the ball to him. I know you’re thinking that Michael Thomas is going to play WR too, but he has only played 3 games in the last 2 seasons and is injury prone. If Thomas stays healthy, they could be a lethal duo. Olave is poised to have a big 2nd year and I want him on my fantasy team when it happens. Derek Carr to Chris Olave is what you’ll be hearing often. Olave is ready to breakout and my prediction is Olave will be the Saints top fantasy WR and finish top 10 in fantasy scoring amongst WRs.