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

Nick Musial

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

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 on standard, non-PPR scoring

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

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.