Updated Fantasy WR PPR Rankings 2022: Best wide receivers, top sleepers & breakouts in fantasy football drafts

Nick Musial

Updated Fantasy WR PPR Rankings 2022: Best wide receivers, top sleepers & breakouts in fantasy football drafts image

While there isn’t quite the same deviation between PPR and standard scoring when it comes to the wide receiver position, understanding how a player might perform in both leagues is crucial to your draft strategy. The top tier still features guys like Cooper Kupp, Justin Jefferson, and Ja’Marr Chase, who are still likely to be the best players in both formats. However, boom-or-bust receivers and late-round sleeper candidates could definitely see more variance when factoring in full-point or half-point reception scoring. Our 2022 fantasy WR PPR rankings highlight those players, as well as wideouts who might be in line for more consistent fantasy seasons.

Last season, Davante Adams finished as the No. 5 WR in standard league formats (221.3 points). In PPR formats, Adams finished as the No. 2 receiver (344.3 points) due to seeing an average of 10.6 targets per game (third in NFL) and commanding a 31.6-percent target share in the Packers offense. In formats that don't reward receptions, it's easy to see why he fell from second overall in scoring to fifth, and it’s possible he falls further this year on a new team with established target hogs Darren Waller and Hunter Renfrow.

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

On the flip side, Tee Higgins was up seven spots in standard compared to PPR. Hauling in just 74 passes (29th in NFL) while running with a deep Bengals WR corps, Higgins’ PPR ceiling was limited. Higgins made up for that with an average of 14.7 yards per catch (18th in NFL), maximizing his touches and leading to a better overall output in standard scoring formats.

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

In PPR formats specifically, target share and how pass-heavy an offense is can play a big part in a receiver’s overall output. Players who command a high target share are invaluable, regardless of their big-play ability. Route-running technicians who command volume are the most reliable in PPR, especially if they are explosive downfield receivers.

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

However, there are players who are explosive downfield receivers who aren't going to see a large number of receptions -- Mike Williams, DK Metcalf, etc. Of course, they are still valuable to a roster, but not in the same way reception beasts like Diontae Johnson, Keenan Allen, and DJ Moore are. Even if these players don’t score as many overall points, they tend to be more consistent from week to week. Renfrow joined that group last year, and guys like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jamison Crowder, and Elijah Moore will look to break through this year in new or enhanced roles.

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

Heading into 2022, it’s also important to look for players who are set to see a lot more targets and receptions due to vacated targets from last year, such as Rondale Moore with DeAndre Hopkins suspended for six games and Christian Kirk in Jacksonville, Allen Lazard and Christian Watson with Davante Adams out of town, and everyone in Kansas City’s crowded receiving room with Tyreek Hill now in Miami. Guys like Tennessee’s Treylon Burks and Robert Woods, Dallas’ CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup, and Chicago’s Darnell Mooney are in similar spots.

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

There are also offenses that might be taking a step forward in passing volume and efficiency thanks to a variety of factors (new QB, new coaching staff, etc.). Denver, Indianapolis, and even Carolina stand out with improved QBs, and every team with a second-year signal-caller hopes for natural improvement. This should help a lot of wide receivers, including Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, Michael Pittman, and Robbie Anderson.

Wide receiver is fantasy’s deepest position, and you can always find players later in drafts who are set to command a lot of targets. Just make sure to understand the format of your league before the draft and evaluate the difference between PPR and standard rankings.

We'll be adjusting these WR PPR rankings and providing further analysis from now until Week 1, so check back frequently for updates. For full analysis of key WRs, click here.

DOMINATE YOUR DRAFT: Ultimate 2022 fantasy cheat sheet

2022 Fantasy WR PPR Rankings

Rankings are based on full-point PPR scoring

Rank Player
1 Cooper Kupp, Rams
2 Justin Jefferson, Vikings
3 Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals
4 CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys
5 Stefon Diggs, Bills
6 Davante Adams, Raiders
7 Mike Evans, Buccaneers
8 Tyreek Hill, Dolphins
9 Deebo Samuel, 49ers
10 Keenan Allen, Chargers
11 Mike Williams, Chargers
12 Terry McLaurin, Commanders
13 Diontae Johnson, Steelers
14 A.J. Brown, Eagles
15 DK Metcalf, Seahawks
16 DJ Moore, Panthers
17 Darnell Mooney, Bears
18 Tee Higgins, Bengals
19 Michael Pittman Jr., Colts
20 Michael Thomas, Saints
21 Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions
22 Marquise Brown, Cardinals
23 Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins
24 Courtland Sutton, Broncos
25 Brandin Cooks, Texans
26 Hunter Renfrow, Raiders
27 Jerry Jeudy, Broncos
28 Allen Robinson II, Rams
29 Elijah Moore, Jets
30 Chris Godwin, Buccaneers
31 DeVonta Smith, Eagles
32 Rashod Bateman, Ravens
33 Robert Woods, Titans
34 JuJu Smith-Schuster, Chiefs
35 Amari Cooper, Browns
36 Gabriel Davis, Bills
37 Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers
38 Tyler Lockett, Seahawks
39 Christian Kirk, Jaguars
40 Adam Thielen, Vikings
41 Julio Jones, Buccaneers
42 Michael Gallup, Cowboys
43 DeAndre Hopkins, Cardinals
44 Jakobi Meyers, Patriots
45 Drake London, Falcons
46 Skyy Moore, Chiefs
47 Allen Lazard, Packers
48 Treylon Burks, Titans
49 Garrett Wilson, Jets
50 Tyler Boyd, Bengals
51 Chris Olave, Saints
52 Chase Claypool, Steelers
53 Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Chiefs
54 Rondale Moore, Cardinals
55 DeVante Parker, Patriots
56 DJ Chark, Lions
57 Jarvis Landry, Saints
58 Romeo Doubs, Packers
59 George Pickens, Steelers
60 Kenny Golladay, Giants
61 Van Jefferson, Rams
62 Nelson Agholor, Patriots
63 Jameson Williams, Lions
64 K.J. Hamler, Broncos
65 Kadarius Toney, Giants
66 Isaiah McKenzie, Bills
67 Mecole Hardman, Chiefs
68 Joshua Palmer, Chargers
69 Sammy Watkins, Packers
70 Robbie Anderson, Panthers
71 K.J. Osborn, Vikings
72 Jahan Dotson, Commanders
73 Corey Davis, Jets
74 Marvin Jones Jr., Jaguars
75 Curtis Samuel, Commanders
76 Nico Collins, Texans
77 Russell Gage, Buccaneers
78 Bryan Edwards, Falcons
79 Laviska Shenault Jr., Panthers
80 Jamison Crowder, Bills
81 Parris Campbell, Colts
82 Marquez Callaway, Saints
83 Jauan Jennings, 49ers
84 Jalen Tolbert, Cowboys
85 Alec Pierce, Colts
86 Christian Watson, Packers
87 Sterling Shepard, Giants
88 Olamide Zaccheaus, Falcons
89 A.J. Green, Cardinals
90 David Bell, Browns
91 Velus Jones Jr., Bears
92 James Proche II, Ravens
93 Donovan Peoples-Jones, Browns
94 Terrace Marshall Jr., Panthers
95 Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Titans
96 Keelan Cole, Raiders

Nick Musial

Nick Musial Photo

Nick Musial is a Content Producer at The Sporting News. He recently joined the team after studying sport management and journalism at the University of Kansas. Nick’s an avid sports bettor who’s always looking for value.