WRs to Draft in Fantasy Football If You Go RB Early in 2024

There are many paths you can take in a fantasy football draft. I recently broke these down and you can check them out in the “Roadmap” fantasy football draft strategy article which is in the Game Plan Draft Guide. If you end up going running back heavy in the early rounds, you’ll need to have a plan of attack in place for wide receivers to start targeting in the sixth round and beyond. The good news is that I put together that list based on current ADP data from Sleeper.

Below you will find 25 wide receivers to target if you go RB-early in 2024 fantasy football drafts. While I included their current ADP, don’t take that information as a recommendation for where you should draft them. Be sure to use a set of fantasy football tiers, or better yet, my draft personal board in our fantasy football cheat sheets so that you can see their value during your actual drafts.

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Wide Receivers to Target If You Go Running Back Early

Christian Kirk, Jacksonville Jaguars

ADP 6.06

The Jags did bring in Gabe Davis and drafted Brian Thomas Jr., but Kirk remains the top pass-catching wide receiver in Jacksonville. Yes, Evan Engram will see his fair share of the work as well, but there’s more than enough meat on the bone for Kirk to return on investment in this range.

Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders

ADP 6.07

LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 17: Washington Wide Receiver Terry McLaurin (17) races up field during a NFL game between the Washington Redskins and the New York Jets on November 17, 2019 at Fedex Field, in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire) — LANDOVER, MD – NOVEMBER 17: Washington Wide Receiver Terry McLaurin (17) races up field during a NFL game between Washington and the New York Jets on November 17, 2019 at Fedex Field, in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire)

Unappreciated, McLaurin has quietly produced impressive numbers over the first five years of his NFL career despite a general lack of effective quarterback play. That should change this year with second overall selection Jayden Daniels under center for the Commanders.

Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears

ADP 6.09

Admittedly, this isn’t the best value on the board, but there’s still appeal to grabbing the rookie receiver. DJ Moore and Keenan Allen figure to be ahead of him in the pecking order, but Odunze is a true X-receiver with an impressive ability to make plays in contested situations. He offers touchdown upside.

Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers

ADP 6.10

There’s no clear No. 1 receiver in Green Bay, though Reed is coming off the board first out of the bunch. His big-play ability offers plenty of bang for your buck in this range, but you’ll notice that there’s potentially better value in Green Bay further down this list.

Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

ADP 7.05

TAMPA, FL - DEC 08: Chris Godwin (12) of the Bucs gets some additional yardage after the catch during the regular season game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 08, 2019 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire) — TAMPA, FL – DEC 08: Chris Godwin (12) of the Bucs gets some additional yardage after the catch during the regular season game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 08, 2019 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire)

The veteran will reportedly spend more time in the slot this season after having to play primarily on the perimeter in 2023. That role does cap his ceiling, but Godwin still figures to see a healthy workload with a revitalized Baker Mayfield under center for the Bucs.

Calvin Ridley, Tennessee Titans

ADP 7.08

He was overvalued in fantasy drafts last year, but Ridley seems to be flying a bit under the radar in 2024. He’s a downfield dynamo who got paired up with one of the highest air yards quarterbacks in the league in Will Levis.

Marquise Brown, Kansas City Chiefs

ADP 7.09

Following a couple disappointing seasons, Brown now finds himself in the same offense as Patrick Mahomes. His speed coupled with Mahomes’ elite skillset makes for a potentially formidable pair at a middle-round price tag.

Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs

ADP 7.11

Yes, he’s facing eight felony counts. But the NFL will not issue any suspension until Rice’s legal proceedings conclude. Given how slowly things have been moving, it’s looking more and more likely that he isn’t suspended until 2025. If that’s the case, he’s a steal in the late-seventh.

Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers

ADP 8.02

With Keenan Allen and Mike Williams out of LA, there’s a chance McConkey is the Chargers’ top pass-catcher this season. Sure, they will be much more run-heavy under Greg Roman, but the rookie will still be plenty busy with Justin Herbert throwing him the football.

Diontae Johnson, Carolina Panthers

ADP 8.08

A chance of scenery may have depressed Johnson’s ADP, but he’s still in a good spot to produce. Dave Canales has already singled Johnson out as the top target in Carolina. Bryce Young will need to improve this season, but that is already baked into Johnson’s price point.

Keon Coleman, Buffalo Bills

ADP 9.02

Much like McConkey, Coleman is a rookie who steps into a depth chart with a ton of vacated targets. Both Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis are out for the Bills. While there’s no guarantees Coleman will serve as the top wide receiver target, the Florida State product will give Josh Allen a big red zone target, which is something he’s lacked at wide receiver in recent seasons.

Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers

ADP 9.05

GREEN BAY, WI - NOVEMBER 13: Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (9) celebrates a first down during a game between the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys at Lambeau Field on November 13, 2022 in Green Bay, WI. (Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire) — GREEN BAY, WI – NOVEMBER 13: Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (9) celebrates a first down during a game between the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys at Lambeau Field on November 13, 2022 in Green Bay, WI. (Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire)

There’s always a chance of injury for Watson, but he’s well worth the risk at this price. We’ve seen an enormous weekly ceiling out of him already in his career. Watson is nearly three rounds cheaper than teammate Jayden Reed, but arguably offers just as much fantasy upside.

Additional Late-Round Options

Jameson Williams – ADP 10.02
Courtland Sutton – ADP 10.09
Romeo Doubs – ADP 10.11
Khalil Shakir – ADP 11.08
Troy Franklin – ADP 13.06
Ricky Pearsall – ADP 13.10
Dontayvion Wicks – ADP 13.11
Darnell Mooney – ADP 15.03
Jermaine Burton – ADP 15.10
Marvin Mims Jr. – ADP 16.08
Rashod Bateman – ADP 17.03
Luke McCaffrey – ADP 17.04
Javon Baker – ADP 17.09