Rookies You Should Draft in Fantasy This Year: WR Edition
Following my most recent installment of this series with running backs, I’m back this week with some rookie wideouts you should draft to bail you out of a shallow WR2 league.
The receivers I picked are ones that are going to proven QBs that know their schemes well and will likely be able to incorporate these new faces right out of the gate. Sure, you have promising prospects like Jonathan Mingo and Jayden Reed (to name a couple), but they’re entering their first year with QBs entering their first year as well.
As always, however, you never know what’s going to happen in today’s NFL. Injuries could pave ways, some UDFA could light up training camp and become their QB’s favorite target before week 1, but count on these guys to have either immediate or close to immediate fantasy impact before any other choices.
Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings
The fourth of four receivers picked in a row in the first round, Addison joins star wideout Justin Jefferson in Minnesota – which should work perfectly in his favor.
Unless something flops, the Jefferson-Addison duo could look very similar to the Hill-Waddle duo in Miami. He has stellar RAC capabilities from both inside the slot and out wide with a 4.49 40 time.
The departure of Adam Thielen helps Addison step into the prominent WR2 role, and with the target share Thielen had last season (107), handing those to Addison could boost his fantasy value big time. Cha-ching.
If you’re like me, you’re looking to steal Addison in round 5 as you’re starting WR2 over someone like Mike Evans or JuJu Smith-Schuster.
Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers
Johnston was picked just two selections before Addison, and he finds himself in a dream scenario in Los Angeles. At 6’3” and 208 lbs, you’re looking at the Monstars in the Chargers’ WR room.
Looking at it statistically, Johnston had a monster breakout season at TCU in 2022, logging 60 receptions for 1,064 yards (17.8 YPC) and 6 touchdowns. The only red flag over his head was being more of a body catcher in college, but I think this clears that up:
The addition of Kellen Moore at OC should also work in his favor as he establishes a vertical attack to mesh with Herbert and his insanely tall receivers. Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are also injury prone, so there’s that too.
You can comfortably draft Johnston in round 7 or 8 and sleep well knowing he’s your flex.
Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens
While Lamar Jackson signed his new contract with the Ravens shortly before the start of the draft, he was definitely overjoyed at the sight of Flowers joining OBJ in Baltimore. While he faces stiff competition between himself, OBJ, Rashod Bateman, and Mark Andrews for targets, Flowers’ college resume is way too much to ignore in terms of what he could bring to fantasy rosters.
Flowers finished his career at Boston College first in school history for receptions, yards, receiving touchdowns, touchdowns in a single season, and single-season receptions. When’s the last time you heard a receiver do that?
If he can carry over his speed and incredible separation ability to the NFL, it won’t matter when OBJ or Bateman or Andrews get open. He already will be.
He’ll likely fall on most boards, so steal him at round 10 or 11. Do it.
