Fantasy Football: Early WR Rankings for 2019 Part 2
In the most recent episode of The Fantasy Footballers podcast, hosts Andy, Mike, and Jason gave us part two of their early preseason rankings at the wide receiver position. In the first episode of this two-part series, we got the #1 through 10 ranks. In the most recent episode, we get #11 through 20. All rankings are based on 0.5 PPR, which is the Fantasy Footballers preferred scoring format.
Want access to more wide receiver content? Read my recap article highlighting the top-10 WR rankings, and be sure to check out Matt Harmon’s Reception Perception series highlighting the top rookie wide receivers in the 2019 NFL Draft. Also check out my fellow writer, Aaron Larson‘s, article detailing why fantasy owners shouldn’t sleep on Mike Evans this year.
11. A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals
It was a lost season for Green in 2018 due to injury, playing in just nine games. When he was on the field, however, he was his usual dominant self and the 7th most consistent WR in fantasy in games that he played. With the up and down play of Andy Dalton, a new coaching staff in Cincinnati, and the emergence of Tyler Boyd, Green finds himself on the outside looking in of the top 10 rankings. Given his WR40 finish in 2018 (due to injury), he may be a value in fantasy drafts come August.
12. Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers
Allen finds himself ranked exactly where he finished last year – the WR12 in fantasy football. Allen hasn’t scored more than 6 TD since his rookie season in 2013. The question about Keenan Allen is whether or not he will be able to find the end zone with more frequency in 2019. Mike Williams will continue to limit his top-5 upside as he continues to take TD opportunities away from his teammate. Regardless, Allen is a very consistent option at the receiver position. His volume alone should keep him as a back end WR1 or high-end WR2 for fantasy football.
13. Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings
It was a tale of two seasons for Adam Thielen in 2018. From Weeks 1-8, he was the WR1 overall in fantasy (averaged 20.6 points/game). From Weeks 9 on, he was the WR23 (averaged 10.7 points/game). Over the second half of the year, the offensive game plan shifted, with Dalvin Cook getting more volume and the coaching staff wanting to establish the run. It’s possible this trend continues, which could limit his overall upside in fantasy football.
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14. Amari Cooper, Dallas Cowboys
Amari Cooper’s 2018 season was saved after he was traded from the Oakland Raiders to the Dallas Cowboys. After the trade to Dallas (Weeks 9-17), he was the WR7 in fantasy football. Prior to the trade, he was the WR54 (what!!!!) while playing in Oakland. Amari Cooper scored more fantasy points in his three-game stretch from Weeks 12-14 (88.2) than he had in his first 9 games of 2018 COMBINED (75.8). Cooper showed flashes of brilliance while playing in Dallas, but his consistency is unlikely to be there in 2019 given that 55% of his fantasy points came in just two games.
15. Stefon Diggs, Minnesota Vikings
Stefon Diggs’ success came in the second half of the season when Adam Thielen’s production fell off. Diggs may actually have the higher TD upside in Minnesota given that he had four TDs inside the 5 yard-line (a big difference from his usage the year prior). Playing alongside Adam Thielen, Diggs will continue to be a great fantasy option, but the success of these two receivers may flip flop on any given week. One week, Thielen could be the guy, and the next week, Diggs could go off. Both are great options at the WR position.
16. Brandin Cooks, Los Angeles Rams
It seems like every year Brandin Cooks is good for at least 1,000 yards. 2018 was no different, finishing with 1,204 yards. From a year to year perspective, Cooks is as consistent as they come, but from a week to week basis, his consistency could suffer given that Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp could be the team’s leading receiver on any given week. His current 4th round ADP (yes, it’s early), could point to Cooks being a major steal in fantasy drafts.
17. Robert Woods, Los Angeles Rams
Woods will certainly have his WR1 weeks playing in Los Angeles, but some weeks, Cooks will steal the show and other weeks, Kupp will be the WR1 in the offense. Even so, he plays for one of the best offenses in the league and is a rock-solid WR2 for fantasy football owners.
18. Kenny Golladay, Detroit Lions
Golladay now enters his 3rd NFL season as the clear WR1 in the Detroit Lions offense, yet he played most of 2018 without Marvin Jones in the lineup due to injury. On any given week, Jones could be the guy hauling in the deep TD reception, limiting Golladay’s overall upside from a season-long perspective. On the last episode, Andy called Kenny Golladay a trap. Do you agree, or are you all in on those oh so smooth routes?
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19. Julian Edelman, New England Patriots
Once Julian Edelman came back from his 4-game suspension, he was tied for the 4th most consistent WR in fantasy football. He finished the season as WR22 in fantasy, but in the games he played, he was the WR9. As Tom Brady‘s top option, Edelman is the perfect WR2 for your fantasy lineup. Each week, he’s dependable and reliable, especially in any PPR format.
20. Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams
Cooper Kupp struggled with injury in 2018, suffering two separate knee injuries – a partially torn MCL and a completely torn ACL in Week 8. Kupp’s rehab appears to be on schedule, so he should be ready close to the start of Week 1. When he’s in the lineup, the rapport with Jared Goff in the red zone is well established. Kupp was the WR2 through the first 5 weeks of the season, thanks in part to his 5 TD through 5 weeks. Kupp may get off to a slow start in 2019 given the recovery timeline after his ACL surgery, but later in the year, he should continue to be a great WR2 in your fantasy football lineup. Look for Kupp to be a fantastic buy-low candidate after the first few weeks of the 2019 season.
Other players just outside the Top 20:
21. Alshon Jeffery, Philadelphia Eagles
22. Allen Robinson, Chicago Bears
23. Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
24. Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers