Whenever you go into any draft the golden rule is to know your league’s settings and scoring system. The difference between a PPR and standard scoring league can have a significant effect on a player’s value and on your draft strategy. Last week we took a look at some of the running backs with added value in PPR formats. This week we will be following up on that with some of the best WRs to target in PPR scoring leagues. The players featured are specifically WRs that have more value in PPR formats as opposed to standard scoring leagues. We are looking at guys who might not score a lot of touchdowns but make up for it by hauling in several passes per game.
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* = Missed three or more games due to injury
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No. 5 – Pierre Garcon (SF): PPR ADP 77 (WR 35)
Coming in at number five on the list is newly acquired 49ers receiver via free agency, Pierre Garcon. Garcon will be reunited with Kyle Shanahan, who served as his offensive coordinator in Washington, where Garcon had his best statistical season in 2013 with a league-leading 113 receptions. Not only does Garcon know the system, but he will likely also see plenty of targets in a passing game that lacks any other true receiving threats. Furthermore, the 49ers are a team that could be trailing more often than not, so there will be an opportunity for some garbage time points and more passing attempts late in games. Garcon has recorded four straight seasons of 65+ receptions and has never scored more than six TDs in a season, making him more valuable in PPR leagues.
- 2016 Receptions: 79
- 2015 Receptions: 72
- 2014 Receptions: 68
No. 4 – Cole Beasley (DAL): PPR ADP 165 (WR 65)
Next up on the list is the undervalued slot receiver in Dallas, Cole Beasley. Standing at just 5’8”, Beasley lacks the size to make much of an impact in the red zone, which is evident by the fact that he has never scored more than five TDs in a season. However, he has shown consistent improvement in the past three years and has established himself as a big part of the Cowboys offense. With Jason Witten another year older and perhaps slower, and with much of the defense’s attention on Ezekiel Elliott and Dez Bryant, look for Beasley to pick up right where he left off in 2016. The six-year pro finished in the top 30 in receptions with 75, and top 35 in fantasy production at the wide receiver position (33rd in PPR/39th in standard). Not bad for a guy who has an ADP of WR65.
- 2016 Receptions: 75
- 2015 Receptions: 52
- 2014 Receptions: 37
No. 3 – Golden Tate (DET): PPR ADP 47 (WR 24)
With three straight seasons of 90+ catches, there’s not much explanation needed for Golden Tate. Since joining the Detroit Lions in 2014, the Notre Dame product has averaged 93 receptions, 1,074 yards, and just under five touchdowns per season. He will remain the No. 1 receiving target in Detroit, so there is nothing suggesting his numbers will drop. In fact, they could even increase with the loss of Anquan Boldin, which frees up nearly 100 targets from last season. Tate finished 17th in PPR formats in 2016, and 23rd in standard scoring leagues.
- 2016 Receptions: 91
- 2015 Receptions: 90
- 2014 Receptions: 99
No. 2 – Julian Edelman (NE): PPR ADP 53 (WR 27)
When you look up PPR in the dictionary a picture of Edelman’s face pops up. He has been one of the safest PPR players in the history of fantasy football. In the past four seasons, Edelman has averaged 6.47 catches per game. If it weren’t for injury in 2015 he would have four straight seasons of 90+ receptions heading into 2017. Having said that, his yardage and touchdown totals make him a little less appealing in standard scoring formats. He has never compiled more than seven touchdowns in a season and has only eclipsed 1,100 yards once. The Patriots are loaded with weapons, but Edelman’s role should not change. He ranked 15th in PPR scoring last year, and 22nd in standard formats.
- 2016 Receptions: 98
- 2015 Receptions: 61*
- 2014 Receptions: 92
No. 1 – Jarvis Landry (MIA): PPR ADP 35 (WR 18)
Arguably one of the best competitors and slot receivers in the game, Landry comes in as the top WR with added PPR value heading into 2017. Since being drafted in 2014, the Miami star receiver has posted three consecutive seasons of 80+ receptions and 110+ targets. Even though he has terrific playmaking ability, Landry has never found the end zone more than five times in a single season. If you are looking for a consistent wide receiver in standard scoring leagues, Landry is not it. He finished with less than 60 receiving yards in seven games in 2016, but he never caught less than three balls in a game either. Despite curiously seeming like an afterthought at times in the Dolphins offense, Landry finished 13th in PPR scoring.
- 2016 Receptions: 94
- 2015 Receptions: 110
- 2014 Receptions: 84
Honorable Mentions
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Mike Dente is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @1ststopfantasy.
