It’s pivotal to identify value in fantasy football. Whether you’re doing early redraft prep, getting ready for your dynasty startup draft, or just looking for the latest value opportunities around fantasy football, we have you covered. Let’s take a look at a few wide receivers that are drafted as WR3s but carry WR1 upside.
Rankings based on FantasyPros Half-PPR Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR)
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WR3s with WR1 Potential (2023 Fantasy Football)
Michael Pittman (WR – IND): WR27
This feels a bit like cheating because we’re just one year removed from Pittman being drafted as a WR. But this year, with the right quarterback, fantasy managers could finally cash in on Pittman’s elusive upside. Pittman has had terrible luck with quarterbacks for his entire career as the Colts have cycled through retread quarterbacks — Phillip Rivers, Carson Wentz, and a horrifying combination of Matt Ryan, Sam Ehlinger and Nick Foles. This year, the Colts have the fourth overall pick and will likely select a quarterback. Pittman will be the lead receiver in a Shane Steichen offense that produced two WR1s in 2022. Pittman has the talent to produce as a WR1. He just needs a quarterback that can manage to stay upright and throw the ball deeper than a few yards beyond the line of scrimmage.
Calvin Ridley (WR – JAC): WR29
Calvin Ridley’s upside is a no-brainer because we’ve seen it happen. In 2020, Ridley finished as WR5 in points per reception (PPR) with 90 receptions on 143 targets for 1374 yards and nine touchdowns. But that was the last time we saw Ridley play a full season. Ridley’s last game was in October of 2021. Can Ridley get back to peak form after nearly a two-year absence from the field? I’m willing to bet that he can. Jacksonville is that perfect location for him to reignite his career. The Jags took some time to acclimate to Doug Pederson’s system. But once they did, the offense was on fire and a top-10 passing offense in yards and attempts. Ridley must contend with the Jags’ lead receiver — Christian Kirk — but has true WR1 upside.
Christian Kirk (WR – JAC): WR31
Is it cheating to use two Jaguars as potential WR1 candidates? We’ve seen strong offenses produce multiple WR1s in the past, and I believe the Jags are capable of being that offense in 2023. Last season, Kirk finished as WR11 in PPR with 84 receptions, 1108 yards and eight touchdowns. Kirk stepped seamlessly into the Jags’ offense as the WR1 and will give Ridley a serious run for his money. Kirk will likely be the better value pick as we move closer to redraft season. Despite his strong finish, many fantasy managers simply don’t believe Kirk is a true WR1. Ridley has already surpassed him in ADP, and when rookies enter the picture, Kirk’s ADP could depress even further, making him an excellent value pick with true WR1 upside.
Treylon Burks (WR – TEN): WR35
The Titans will likely draft an additional receiver to help fill out one of the most lackluster receiving corps in the league. Even with one of the top rookies from this year’s class, Burks will likely operate as the WR1 for the Titans. Burks had an underwhelming rookie year with capped usage and injuries that took caused him to miss a third of the season. The result was less than 500 receiving yards and just one touchdown. But Burks was a high-upside prospect, and with a higher snap count in year two, Burks could have the breakout season we expect from the 18th overall pick.
Drake London (WR – ATL): WR23
The Falcons’ 2022 offensive passing stats were some of the worst in the league, leaving top receiver Drake London with very little upside. The Falcons threw the second-fewest pass attempts and yards in the league with just 17 total passing touchdowns. It’s tough for any receiver to thrive under those circumstances. And while 2023 may not see a dramatic improvement, there is some upside. The Falcons transitioned to Desmond Ridder in Week 15, and from that point forward, London was WR18 in PPR. The Falcons will remain a run-heavy offense, so don’t expect top-five potential. But London is the clear WR1 in the Falcons’ offense and could have low-end WR1 upside with some stability at quarterback.
Dark horse candidate
Marquise Brown (WR – ARI): WR33
Marquise Brown is entering his fifth year in the NFL and has yet to finish higher than WR22 in PPR. It’s difficult to imagine Brown can ever exceed a WR2 ceiling. But if the perfect scenario aligns, he could have the upside. Brown thrived in Weeks 1 through 6 in 2022, serving as the lead receiving option for Kyler Murray. Brown was WR5 in total points in PPR with 43 receptions for 485 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 18.3 fantasy points per game. With DeAndre Hopkins on the trade block, Brown has a slim chance to repeat that early 2022 performance if Murray plays the majority of the 2023 season.
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