2020 Pre-NFL Draft Wide Receiver Depth Chart (Fantasy Football)
Free agency has come and gone, and with a relatively weaker WR free agency class in 2019, there is an opportunity for incoming rookies to make an impact as soon as Week 1. Which teams are void of playmakers at the WR position that could benefit from impressive incoming rookies like CeeDee Lamb, Jerry Jeudy, Justin Jefferson, and Henry Ruggs? Let’s dive into depth charts around the NFL in order to determine the best landing spots for these rookies.
Want more WR content? In recent episodes of the Fantasy Footballers podcast, Andy, Mike, and Jason broke down their early WR rankings (Part 1 / Part 2). Feel free to also check out some great content from Matt Harmon‘s Reception Perception, breaking down top WR prospects like Denzel Mims, CeeDee Lamb, Tee Higgins.
Depth Chart Breakdown
What I’ve decided to do is summarize each team’s current running wide receiver depth chart as it stands today. These depth charts are sure to change, so I will put together an updated depth chart and article once the draft is complete. The three colors used are explained below.
A team listed in green is a team that I believe will be an excellent landing spot for a rookie. If drafted to this team, he should have a chance to push for the team’s WR2 spot, and for some teams, the WR1 position. A few teams lack a true WR1 including the Las Vegas Raiders, the New England Patriots, and the New York Jets.
On the other hand, a team listed in red is a team that has a strong group of wide receivers with a core of proven pass-catchers. They have several receivers who are assets to their team, and the WR1 on these teams is a proven stud. Examples include the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Arizona Cardinals, and Cleveland Browns. If a rookie lands on this team, he will struggle to find playing time behind these proven veterans.
A team in yellow is a team that’s somewhere in the middle. They have a solid group of pass-catchers and a proven WR1, but their WR2/WR3 situation is more fluid. A rookie WR drafted by this team has a chance to earn a role and potentially become a starter for that team. If we were looking at guys from the 2019 draft who found themselves in similar situations, guys like Deebo Samuel and A.J. Brown fit this mold.
Comments
Typo – sorry guys! Thanks for catching that
If it were me, I think I’d swap Detroit and New Orleans (listed as green) for Washington and the Giants (listed as yellow). Am I alone in this line of thinking. Love Scary Terry, but I think their #2 spot is up for grabs. And I’m sorry, but the Giants don’t even have a solidified #1 in my eyes.
Yeah should be Marvin Jones Jr. Guessing that’s just a typo
How is Bo Scarborough a WR2?