Wide Receivers – 2020 Outlook

The upcoming Fantasy Football 2020 season has me looking at the Wide Receivers this week after the Running Backs – 2020 Outlook last week. When it comes to Wide Receivers their outlook can be greater if they are on a more offensive team which would be more likely that they receive more Targets and Touchdowns! Below I go through the available Wide Receivers this year using my initial 2020 rankings and group them in tiers with feedback and thoughts.

Wide Receivers – The Best

• Michael Thomas
• DeAndre Hopkins
• Tyreek Hill
• Julio Jones
• Davante Adams

These five Wide Receivers are at the top of the list and you really aren’t going wrong with any. Thomas, Hopkins, Jones and Hopkins were all Top 10 in Targets per games played (10+)at their position last year (Targets WR – 2019 Regular Season). Hill is the addition that may not get as many Targets but he is so explosive and dynamic that if he stays healthy for the full season in 2020 that Top 5 at the position isn’t out of the question. For Wide Receiver Touchdowns in 2019, Thomas was tied at Top 3 while Hill and Hopkins were tied at Top 13 (Wide Receiver TDs – 2020 Outlook). These guys are going in the 1st Round of most drafts if you want one. If I choose one of them, it would be a healthy Tyreek Hill just ahead of Julio Jones.

Wide Receivers – Really Good

• Chris Godwin
• Amari Cooper
• Robert Woods
• Kenny Golladay
• Tyler Lockett
• Mike Evans

Woods and Evans finished Top 10 in Targets per games played from this group in 2019. Godwin was Top 20 in Targets per games played. Cooper, Golladay and Lockett were all Top 30 in Targets per games played. Golladay topped the list for Wide Receiver Touchdowns in 2019 and Godwin was right behind him at Top 3 on that list. Evans, Cooper and Lockett tied for Top 8 for Wide Receiver Touchdowns in 2019. Looks like these guys are going between mid/late Round 1 through Round 4. Of this grouping I like Woods the best probably because of how late you can get him in drafts, plus the history of the offense he is in.

Wide Receivers – Good w/Upside

• Odell Beckham Jr.
• JuJu Smith-Schuster
• Keenan Allen
• Cooper Kupp
• Adam Thielen
• Calvin Ridley
• AJ Brown

Allen finished Top 10 in Targets per games played from this group in 2019. Kupp and Beckham Jr were Top 20 in Targets per games played. If Ridley had a fully healthy 2019 his average of 7.15 Targets per game would have had him in the Top 30. He also has been Top 13 in Touchdowns for Wide Receivers the past 2 years. Kupp finished Top 2, Brown tied for Top 3 and Thielen tied for Top 13 in Touchdowns for Wide Receivers in 2019. These guys are going between Rounds 3 and 5 in most drafts. I would lean toward Kupp as my choice within this group.

Wide Receivers – Quality Starters

• DeVante Parker
• Allen Robinson
• DJ Chark Jr
• DJ Moore
• DK Metcalf
• Michael Gallup
• Julian Edelman
• TY Hilton

Edelman and Robinson finished Top 10 in Targets per games played from this group in 2019. Moore, Gallup, Parker and Chark Jr. were all Top 20 in Targets per games played. Metcalf ended the season Top 30 in Targets per games played. Parker tied for Top 3, Chark Jr tied for Top 8, while Metcalf & Robinson tied for Top 13 Touchdowns for Wide Receivers in 2019. I am seeing this group of Wide Receivers go between Round 4 – Round 8. Of this grouping I would go with Moore, but you can see even mid to late in drafts you can have good Wide Receiver value.

Wide Receivers – Expected Starters

• Stefon Diggs
• Courtland Sutton
• Tyler Boyd
• Terry McLaurin
• Mike Williams
• Emmanuel Sanders
• Jarvis Landry
• Darius Slayton
• Brandin Cooks

Boyd was Top 10 in Targets per games played from this group in 2019. Landry and Sutton were Top 20 in Targets per games played. Slayton tied for Top 8, while McLaurin tied for Top 13 in Touchdowns for Wide Receivers in 2019. I am seeing this group of Wide Receivers go between Round 5 – Round 9. Of this grouping I would go with Landry (figuring he is good to start the season after surgery in the off season).

2020 Wide Receiver Sleepers

1. Robert Woods – coming off a year with 139 Targets, 2 Touchdowns and 1,249 total yards. Woods finished Top 10 in Targets per games played last year (Targets WR – 2019 Regular Season). I do believe with the departure of Gurley at running back that more opportunities come the wide receivers way and Woods definitely should increase his Touchdowns this year. I do expect Robert Woods to finish the year in the Top 10 at his position and not just be a usable fantasy football wide receiver.
2. Christian Kirk – comes off 2019 with 108 Targets, 3 Touchdowns and a Top 20 in Targets per games played averaging 8.31 per game in 2019. I have a feeling he will be moving up in my rankings prior to the start of the season. Yes, DeAndre Hopkins has grabbed the headlines with the trade and Larry Fitzgerald is Mr. Consistent. I just like the upside of a #2 or if you say #3 receiver in an offense that will be finding it’s groove and a defense that isn’t the best. Should lead to many opportunities for improved Targets and Touchdowns. Definitely value with him going later in drafts here in 2020.

2020 Wide Receiver Upside

Call them dart throws, late round Wide Receivers with upside that may already have a role but could be due or are an injury away from a larger role in 2020. Some of the following are top of mind:

• Sterling Shepard
• Mecole Hardman
• Curtis Samuel
• N’Keal Harry
• Anthony Miller
• Hunter Renfrow
• Russell Gage

Wide Receivers Final Thoughts

It can be tough to predict which players will be getting Targets and Touchdowns each year. So by getting a Wide Receiver with upside for the 2020 Fantasy Football season you can set yourself up for success. It seems like you can wait at the position if you prefer so keep an eye out for those late round Wide Receivers that continue to get Targets. If you believe a Wide Receiver is set to be in the mix for many Targets & Touchdowns this season you know I would be interested in them!

Wide Receiver Resources

• Wide Receiver TDs – 2020 Outlook
• Targets WR – 2019 Regular Season
• TD’s (Touchdowns) II – 2019 Regular Season
• TD’s (Touchdowns) – 2019 Regular Season

Missed any recent posts?!, check them out below as you get your mind focused on fantasy football opportunities!

• Running Backs – 2020 Outlook
• Quarterbacks – 2020 Outlook
• Top Offenses – 2020 Outlook
• More Tight End TDs – 2020 Outlook
• Tight End TDs – 2020 Outlook
• Running Back TDs – 2020 Outlook

I hope everyone continues to stay safe and healthy! Enjoy the journey in the upcoming 2020 Fantasy Football Season!

Reference the Targets and TDs pages to see who had the opportunities and end-zone appearances through the 2019 regular season. Statistics courtesy of The Football Database , a great resource for your NFL players statistics. If you enjoyed the article please share it with others (via the social media links).

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