Tier 1: Antonio Brown, Dez Bryant, Demaryius Thomas, Odell Beckham

Tier 2: AJ Green, Julio Jones, Jordy Nelson, Calvin Johnson, Alshon Jeffrey, Randall Cobb, TY Hilton

Tier 3: Mike Evans, Emmanuel Sanders, DeAndre Hopkins, Kelvin Benjamin

Tier 4: Brandin Cooks, Jordan Matthews, Julian Edelman, Golden Tate, Andre Johnson, Sammy Watkins, Amari Cooper

Tier 5: DeSean Jackson, Martavis Bryant, Brandon Marshall, Keenan Allen, Allen Robinson, Vincent Jackson, Jarvis Landry

Tier 6: Steve Smith, Jeremy Maclin, Charles Johnson, Roddy White, Eric Decker, Davante Adams, Kevin White, Mike Wallace, Nelson Agholor, Michael Floyd, Larry Fitzgerald

Tier 7: John Brown, Brandon LaFell, Victor Cruz, Marques Colston, Pierre Garcon, Torrey Smith, Kendall Wright, Anquan Boldin, Marvin Jones, Breshad Perriman, Donte Moncrief, Percy Harvin, Doug Baldwin, Markus Wheaton

Tier 8: Cody Latimer, Terrance Williams, Steve Johnson, Kenny Stills, Devante Parker, Marquise Lee, Dorial Green-Beckham, Brian Quick, Kenny Britt, Dwayne Bowe, Rueben Randle

* Players in bold are those players that I expect to significantly outperform their average draft position based on current ADP. 

Analysis 

With the passing game dominating the landscape of NFL offenses today, the crop of high quality wide receivers runs deep. The pass catchers in tier 1 carry first round value, with the tier 2 receivers similarly providing second round value for your draft. Tiers 3 and 4 consist primarily of young receivers with very high upside, and a few of these guys will even bust out with WR1 type seasons. Tiers 5 and 6 also have intriguing names, demonstrating just how deep of a WR pool we have this season. Several young breakout candidates reside there, along with solid veterans such as Roddy White, Steve Smith and Larry Fitzgerald who, while their best days may be behind them, will still be productive for owners. The quality doesn’t stop there, as tiers 7 and 8 consist of a nice mix of upside options and solid vets as well. In summary, we’ve got serious top level talent at WR, with interesting options well into tier 8. 

As for your WR strategy, similar to RBs, you can go in many different directions, all of which are defensible. My suggested game plan depends on how many starting WR positions your league requires you to start.  If you start three WRs, then I’d make sure to get an anchor (someone from tiers 1-2), along with two guys from the tiers 3-4 group (albeit understandable if your third WR comes from tier 5). From there, grab a few upside guys from the lower tiers to see if you can hit on any breakout guys on the cheap. We have more certainty at the mid level with WRs than we do with RBs, so it makes sense to make the extra investment on the WR front – especially if you need to start 3 WRs. In leagues where only 2 WRs start, I would still suggest grabbing a tier 1-2 anchor, followed by a tier 3-4 WR to serve as your WR2, but you don’t necessarily need to double up on a second guy in the tier 3-4 tier.

Finally, a quick rapid-fire note as to why I think each player in bold has a good chance to outperform his ADP:

Brandin Cooks: The departure of Jimmy Graham from the Saints has opened a glaring need for a new number one target.  Enter Brandin Cooks. While Cooks’ had a mildly disappointing rookie season. one which ended early with an injury, he showed plenty of promise. Cooks can absolutely fly, which makes him even more dangerous on the Superdome fast track. He’s also got a quarterback in Drew Brees that will utilize him in the most optimal way. Cooks will be a fantastic WR2 for fantasy owners this season.

Amari Cooper: I discussed Amari Cooper in more detail in my Burning Questions – Top Rookie article, so check that article for more in-depth analysis regarding Cooper’s potential this year. Cooper enters the NFL as one of the most polished rookie wide receivers in quite some time, with NFL route running already in his vernacular. Cooper will contribute from day one and will breathe life into the Raiders offense, simultaneously posting numbers for his fantasy owners.

Martavis Bryant: While Markus Wheaton was the higher drafted rookie WR for the Steelers in 2014, it was Martavis Bryant who turned heads with his rookie season. To the delight of fantasy owners, Bryant has a knack for finding the endzone, using his tall frame together with faster than expected speed. Bryant had a lot of hit or miss games, as he only had 26 receptions last season, but look for his consistency to improve in 2015, while pushing up against 10 TDs. Bryant slots in as a terrific WR3 option. 

Allen Robinson: While the Jaguars’ offense has scared no one in recent years, it took a step forward in terms of fantasy relevancy in 2014. His season cut short after an injury, Robinson missed the last six games of the season. He was on pace for roughly 900 yards and was emerging as Blake Bortles’ favorite target. In Robinson’s final eight games, he was targeted 72 times, equaling an average of 9 targets per game. Look for Robinson to re-establish himself as Bortles’ go-to guy, and like Martavis Bryant, he will provide high-end WR3 value for his owners.

Charles Johnson: Mike Wallace’s addition to the Vikings has grabbed the WR headlines for the team, but don’t let that get you off track. Charles Johnson, and not Mike Wallace, is the top WR to own on the Vikings. Johnson developed great rapport with Teddy Bridgewater down the stretch last season, and the two will continue to develop as a tandem. Johnson runs a sub 4.4 40 and he averaged over 16 yards per catch last year. Look for more growth this year. Johnson will bring a great ROI for his owners, providing WR3 value at a fraction of the cost of some bigger names.

Davante Adams: I went more in depth on Davante Adams in my Burning Questions – Sleepers/Busts article, so I won’t regurgitate that information here. With Aaron Rodgers as his quarterback, and with Adams’ route running skills improving, Adams will take the next step as a WR. Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb remain ahead of him on the pecking order, so expect numbers along the lines of 60 catches, 800 yards and 6 TDs. That’s more WR4 than WR3, but he’s going lower than that in current drafts, so be ready to pounce on him and reap the rewards.