Updated Fantasy WR Rankings 2022: Best wide receivers, top sleepers & breakouts in standard fantasy football drafts | Sporting News (2024)

The 2022 fantasy WR rankings for standard leagues feature numerous big names among the top few tiers. Super Bowl LVI MVP Cooper Kupp headlines this list, but Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase, and Davante Adams, among many others, aren’t far behind. These wide receivers are shoo-ins to be early-round draft picks, both in standard and PPR leagues, but like always, WR is the deepest position in all of fantasy football and features a good amount of potential sleepers and breakouts in the lower tiers who will emerge as reliable weekly producers. Understanding which pass-catchers will be available in the later rounds can be more important at this position than any other.

When evaluating this position, we always like to look at a player’s target share and passing volume from his respective offense. In standard formats, players who draw deeper targets and red-zone targets are especially attractive. Not all targets are equal, and a stat like aDOT (average depth of target) can be helpful. aDOT is calculated by dividing air yards by targets, painting a picture of how deep an average target is for a given wide receiver.

2022 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers | Top 200 | Superflex

Why is this important? We’ll look at DeVonta Smith as an example.

Last season, Smith ranked 33rd with 98 total targets. Despite finishing the season as the No. 30 standard WR with 121.6 points, Smith’s aDOT was 14.4 yards, which ranked sixth among all pass-catchers. Additionally, Smith saw an average of 1.5 deep targets per game (9th). With another year to gain continuity with quarterback Jalen Hurts, Smith could very well end up being a mid-round steal in 2022, raising his floor in standard-scoring leagues. The addition of fellow big-name WR, A.J. Brown could actually benefit Smith, as the second-year pass-catcher will likely draw weaker cornerback assignments on a consistent basis.

2022 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers | Top 200| Superflex

Smith is just one of the many intriguing mid-round WRs whose situation has changed. Bills WR Gabriel Davis had a solid end to his 2022 season as an auxiliary piece in Buffalo’s offense alongside Stefon Diggs. While not all of his end-of-year production accounted for his full-season fantasy output, Davis scored nine touchdowns over the Bills' last seven games. Davis averaged 15.7 yards per reception on the season and looks poised for a breakout 2022 season while playing alongside MVP-frontrunner Josh Allen.

2022 RANKINGS TIERS & DRAFT STRATEGY:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs

Ex-Bears WR Allen Robinson II may also be in line for a much-improved 2022 fantasy season now that he’s the No. 2 option in the Rams' passing offense behind Cooper Kupp. Robinson hauled in just one receiving touchdown in 12 games for the Bears last season running routes as the No. 1 threat for Justin Fields and Andy Dalton. Expect a bounce-back season from the physical 28-year-old receiver now that he’s inserted into a competent offense.

2022 AUCTION VALUES (Standard & PPR):
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers | Overall

Some other intriguing dynamic duos and trios who will be competing for high-quality targets include Denver's Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy -- who also have a more competent QB -- New Orleans' Michael Thomas, Jarvis Landry, and Chris Olave, and even Detroit's Amon-Ra St. Brown, DJ Chark, and Jameson Williams.

2022 FANTASY SLEEPERS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | One from each team

For all these situations – and, really, all receiving situations around the league – it’s all about trying to figure out who will see the most beneficial targets. An eight-catch, 70-yard receiving day will net just seven fantasy points in standard leagues versus a more acceptable 15 points in PPR. Thus, touchdowns, yards per reception, and yards after catch matter more in this setting. Touchdowns are always tough to predict, so it's more important to gauge opportunity and efficiency in the red zone when weighing a player's touchdown potential.

2022 CONSISTENCY RATINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end

Indianapolis WR Michael Pittman saw 17 red-zone targets come his way in 2021. For that type of red-zone volume (27th out of all players), he hauled in just five catches and scored just three touchdowns. With the Colts improving their QB situation by adding former-MVP Matt Ryan, Pittman can be expected to score more touchdowns in 2022.

Conversely, Seahawks WR DK Metcalf’s unlikely to maintain his red-zone efficiency from a season ago. Metcalf scored six touchdowns on just 16 targets a season ago. With the Seahawks seeing a major downgrade at the QB position following the loss of long-time signal-caller Russell Wilson, 2022 could be a frustrating season for Metcalf’s fantasy owners.

2022 FANTASY DRAFT STRATEGY:
Snake drafts | Auctions | Dynasty | Best ball | IDP

Other players who may see a higher touchdown output include Jakobi Meyers, Darnell Mooney, Chase Claypool, Marvin Jones Jr., and Kenny Golladay. All of these wide receivers saw ample red-zone targets but didn’t translate that volume into touchdowns…yet.

It’s almost overwhelming looking at the WR big board. The possibilities seem endless, and you can talk yourself into (and out of) virtually everyone. As such, our big board will be in flux right up until the start of the season. Check back frequently for updates!For full analysis of key WRs, click here.

DOMINATE YOUR DRAFT: Ultimate 2022 fantasy cheat sheet

Fantasy WR Rankings 2022: Best wide receivers, top sleepers

These rankings are based onstandard,non-PPRscoring