The top of our 2023 fantasy WR PPR rankings features the game’s most dynamic pass catchers best poised for uber-productive seasons. This year’s top-tier wide receivers remain safe early-round selections in both standard and PPR formats, but given how deep the WR position is on an annual basis, there’s value to be found all across our list and in the later rounds of fantasy football drafts. As always, there’s a litany of sleepers and breakouts with the potential to outperform their ADPs, so don’t assume a player won’t have a successful season just because they’re sitting in the 50s or higher.
We have plenty of time to discuss this year’s crop of sleepers, but let’s start at the top. Following a historic 2022 that saw him become the youngest player in NFL history to lead the league in receptions (128) and receiving yards (1,809), it’s only fitting that Justin Jefferson owns the top spot in our initial rankings. While there isn’t a huge deviation between the season-long projections of Jefferson and our No. 2 wideout, Ja’Marr Chase, we give a slight edge to Jefferson.
That’s not to discourage how polished of a route runner and playmaker Chase is, as the third-year Bengal is in line to post his first 1,500-yard campaign after ending his first two seasons in the top five of WRs in fantasy points per game. What makes Jefferson, Chase, and the rest of our top five so attractive in PPR formats is their reliable target share. Each of our top five WRs ended 2022 within the top seven of all wideouts in target share. These stud WRs garnered at least a 29.25-percent target share. Perhaps just as notable is that Davante Adams (32.6 percent) and Tyreek Hill (31.59 percent) ranked first and second, respectively, in target share last season despite changing teams and dealing with some QB issues throughout the season.
DOMINATE YOUR DRAFT: Ultimate 2023 Fantasy Cheat Sheet
A general rule of thumb that’s more a bit effective for those in PPR leagues is drafting wide receivers that command a respectable target share in more pass-friendly offenses. Last season the top 50 wideouts ranked by target share all possessed at least a 16.84-percent target share or greater, so focusing on those wideouts during your drafts is a smart move.
2023 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | TEs | D/STs | Ks | Top 200 | S-Flex | IDP
Of course, it’s also crucial to understand which receivers could see significant fluctuations in their target shares this season, as it’s important to factor in whether the player sees a QB upgrade/downgrade, the players’ pecking order in his offense, and his teams’ projected success in 2023.
2023 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Ks | Top 200 | S-Flex | IDP
Wideouts who could be in line for solid PPR seasons due to an improved QB situation include D.J. Moore, Brandin Cooks, Odell Beckham Jr. and Rashod Bateman, Rashid Shaheed and Michael Thomas, and Elijah Moore. Although Justin Fields is always a threat to escape the pocket and potentially take away red-zone work from his cast of wideouts, Moore has a real shot to post the most complete fantasy season of his career. Cooks isn’t his team’s No. 1 WR anymore, but being a vertical threat in the Cowboys' offense while running routes alongside CeeDee Lamb could make him a valuable pick at his current ADP. In what’s likely a more pass-heavy offensive scheme under new offensive coordinator Todd Monken in Baltimore, Beckham Jr. and Bateman return to fantasy relevancy on an AFC North contender.
2023 AUCTION VALUES (Standard & PPR):
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Ks | Overall
Rashid Shaheed might be a bit more intriguing in standard formats, but either way, the second-year wideout is higher on the Saints' pecking order and has a better deep-ball QB in Derek Carr relative to Andy Dalton in ‘22. That should also help Thomas, though injuries are a bigger factor for him. While some may have concerns about Browns’ QB Deshaun Watson after last year’s disappointing return, he’s still a step up from last year’s Jets’ disaster, which could lead to a breakout from Moore.
2023 FANTASY SLEEPERS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Each Team
Wide receivers who figure to be higher in their team’s pecking order this season include George Pickens, Kadarius Toney, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and DJ Chark/Adam Thielen. Pickens started gaining steam toward the back half of ‘22 once Kenny Pickett got more comfortable and will likely end ‘23 with a higher pass snap share than his 76.5-percent snap share last season.
2023 POSITION TIERS & DRAFT STRATEGY:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/ST
Now that Toney has a full offseason to continue building a rapport with Patrick Mahomes, the former first-round pick is currently slotted in as the team’s WR1 and No. 2 passing option in Kansas City’s high-powered offense. Smith-Schuster and Chark/Thielen are donning new threads, but a change in scenery could result in more effective ‘23 campaigns, though the latter duo will be competing for targets in Carolina.
FANTASY DRAFT STRATEGY:
Snake | Auction | Best ball | Dynasty | IDP
Lastly, some lower-tiered WRs on teams projected to compete for their respective divisional title with respectable regular-season over/under win totals include Jameson Williams (after serving his six-game suspension), Tyler Boyd, Skyy Moore, Khalil Shakir/Trent Sherfield, and Mecole Hardman. These wideouts certainly aren’t their team’s No. 1 receiving options but are on offenses that will likely finish within the top half of the league in points per game, making them intriguing flex options in the later rounds.
Wide receiver remains fantasy’s most complete position top-to-bottom, so it’s still possible to build a championship-caliber roster if you aren’t able to draft one of the top-tier wideouts. As long as you continue to collect high-upside options and look for values throughout your draft, you should be able to field a solid receiving corps all season long.
We'll be adjusting these WR PPR rankings and providing further analysis from now until Week 1, so check back for updates.
Fantasy Football WR PPR Rankings 2023: Best wide receivers, top sleepers
Rankings based on full-point PPR scoring
Rank Player
1 Justin Jefferson, Vikings
2 Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals
3 Tyreek Hill, Dolphins
4 Davante Adams, Raiders
5 Cooper Kupp, Rams
6 CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys
7 Stefon Diggs, Bills
8 Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions
9 A.J. Brown, Eagles
10 Garrett Wilson, Jets
11 Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins
12 Chris Olave, Saints
13 DeAndre Hopkins, Titans
14 DeVonta Smith, Eagles
15 Keenan Allen, Chargers
16 Amari Cooper, Browns
17 Tee Higgins, Bengals
18 Terry McLaurin, Commanders
19 Calvin Ridley, Jaguars
20 DK Metcalf, Seahawks
21 Deebo Samuel, 49ers
22 Tyler Lockett, Seahawks
23 Mike Evans, Buccaneers
24 Drake London, Falcons
25 Mike Williams, Chargers
26 D.J. Moore, Bears
27 Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers
28 Christian Kirk, Jaguars
29 Chris Godwin, Buccaneers
30 Michael Pittman Jr., Colts
31 Diontae Johnson, Steelers
32 Christian Watson, Packers
33 George Pickens, Steelers
34 Marquise Brown, Cardinals
35 Gabe Davis, Bills
36 Jerry Jeudy, Broncos
37 Brandin Cooks, Cowboys
38 JuJu Smith-Schuster, Patriots
39 Courtland Sutton, Broncos
40 Jordan Addison, Vikings
41 Jahan Dotson, Commanders
42 Kadarius Toney, Chiefs
43 Jakobi Meyers, Raiders
44 Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks
45 Rashod Bateman, Ravens
46 Michael Thomas, Saints
47 Nico Collins, Texans
48 Zay Jones, Jaguars
49 Elijah Moore, Browns
50 Treylon Burks, Titans
51 Allan Lazard, Jets
52 Rondale Moore, Cardinals
53 Quentin Johnston, Chargers
54 Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Chiefs
55 Jameson Williams, Lions
56 Odell Beckham Jr., Ravens
57 Zay Flowers, Ravens
58 DJ Chark, Panthers
59 Tyler Boyd, Bengals
60 Donovan Peoples-Jones, Browns
61 Marvin Mims Jr., Broncos
62 Skyy Moore, Chiefs
63 Curtis Samuel, Commanders
64 Michael Gallup, Cowboys
65 Hunter Renfrow, Raiders
66 Isaiah Hodgins, Giants
67 Khalil Shakir, Bills
68 Marvin Jones Jr., Lions
69 Adam Thielen, Panthers
70 Joshua Palmer, Chargers
71 Van Jefferson, Rams
72 Wan'Dale Robinson, Giants
73 Rashid Shaheed, Saints
74 Alec Pierce, Colts
75 Romeo Doubs, Packers
76 K.J. Osborn, Vikings
77 Allen Robinson II, Steelers
78 Tank Dell, Texans
79 Rashee Rice, Chiefs
80 John Metchie III, Texans
81 Darnell Mooney, Bears
82 Robert Woods, Texans
83 Mack Hollins, Falcons
84 DeVante Parker, Patriots
85 Darius Slayton, Giants
86 Greg Dortch, Cardinals
87 Isaiah McKenzie, Colts
88 Josh Downs, Colts
89 Russell Gage, Buccaneers
90 Trent Sherfield, Bills
91 Chase Claypool, Bears
92 Mecole Hardman, Jets
93 Jonathan Mingo, Panthers
94 Tyquan Thornton, Patriots
95 Cedric Tillman, Browns
96 Charlie Jones, Bengals
97 Puka Nacua, Rams
98 Terrace Marshall Jr., Panthers
99 Jalin Hyatt, Giants
100 Parris Campbell, Giants
