Updated 2020 Fantasy WR PPR Rankings: 'Possession receivers' fight for their slots among big-play guys

Matt Lutovsky

Updated 2020 Fantasy WR PPR Rankings: 'Possession receivers' fight for their slots among big-play guys image

Receptions and targets are always important when putting together fantasy WR rankings, but in PPR leagues, they obviously take extra precedent. That doesn't mean "possession" receivers are suddenly worth more than big-play, high-touchdown pass-catchers, but they certainly move up sleeper lists and draft cheat sheets in even half-point PPR formats.

Michael Thomas is the easy call as the top-ranked receiver after catching 149 balls last year, but DeAndre Hopkins, who was tied for second with 104 catches, could challenge him even more this year. Arizona's uptempo offense will likely be throwing often, and Hopkins is set to receive the bulk of the targets. But the top tier isn't where most fantasy owners have questions. Even big-play, lower-catch guys like Tyreek Hill and Kenny Golladay will have immense value. It's the second and third tiers where things get more interesting.

DOMINATE YOUR DRAFT: Ultimate 2020 cheat sheet

Keenan Allen, D.J. Moore, Allen Robinson, and Robert Woods are among the notable risers from our standard rankings, and while all three showed their PPR bona fides last year, it's important to note that the first three will likely have new quarterbacks throwing to them this year (we're projecting Nick Foles wins the Bears starting job). That's not necessarily a bad thing, especially for Moore and Robinson, but in Allen's case, it could lead to fewer targets and timing issues. That's also true for third-tier risers Julian Edelman and Tyler Boyd, though we expect fellow riser Emmanuel Sanders to flourish even more in New Orleans.

2020 PPR RANKINGS:
Running back | Tight end | Superflex | Top 200

Some fantasy owners go too far in favoring high-target receivers. While you'll often get more week-to-week consistency with Jamison Crowder or Curtis Samuel as your WR4, you'll miss out on those monster three-catch, 100-yard games from someone like Mecole Hardman or DeSean Jackson. You never know when you'll need a home run hitter, especially during the bye weeks, so don't be shy about drafting one or two big-play guys. You can often find them at a value during your PPR draft.

2020 STANDARD FANTASY RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker | Superflex | Top 200

We'll continue to update our WR PPR rankings throughout the preseason, so check back for the latest movement. For our standard WR rankings and player analysis, click here.

2020 FANTASY SLEEPERS:
6 QBs | 16 RBs14 WRs | 10 TEs | 5 D/STs | One from each team

2020 Fantasy WR PPR Rankings

The following rankings are for full-point PPR leagues.

DRAFT STRATEGY AND RANKINGS TIERS: 
Quarterback | Running Back | Wide Receiver | Tight End | D/ST

Rank Player
1 Michael Thomas, Saints
2 DeAndre Hopkins, Cardinals
3 Julio Jones, Falcons
4 Davante Adams, Packers
5 Chris Godwin, Buccaneers
6 Tyreek Hill, Chiefs
7 Cooper Kupp, Rams
8 Amari Cooper, Cowboys
9 Odell Beckham Jr., Browns
10 JuJu Smith-Schuster, Steelers
11 Adam Thielen, Vikings
12 Kenny Golladay, Lions
13 Mike Evans, Buccaneers
14 Keenan Allen, Chargers
15 Tyler Lockett, Seahawks
16 Courtland Sutton, Broncos
17 D.J. Moore, Panthers
18 A.J. Brown, Titans
19 DJ Chark, Jaguars
20 Robert Woods, Rams
21 Allen Robinson, Bears
22 Stefon Diggs, Bills
23 DeVante Parker, Dolphins
24 Calvin Ridley, Falcons
25 Jarvis Landry, Browns
26 Julian Edelman, Patriots
27 Emmanuel Sanders, Saints
28 T.Y. Hilton, Colts
29 Terry McLaurin, Washington
30 DK Metcalf, Seahawks
31 Golden Tate, Giants
32 Will Fuller V, Texans
33 Marquise Brown, Ravens
34 Tyler Boyd, Bengals
35 Brandin Cooks, Texans
36 John Brown, Bills
37 Christian Kirk, Cardinals
38 Jamison Crowder, Jets
39 Deebo Samuel, 49ers
40 A.J. Green, Bengals
41 Marvin Jones, Lions
42 Michael Gallup, Cowboys
43 Diontae Johnson, Steelers
44 Darius Slayton, Giants
45 DeSean Jackson, Eagles
46 Mike Williams, Chargers
47 Anthony Miller, Bears
48 CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys
49 Sterling Shepard, Giants
50 Curtis Samuel, Panthers
51 Mecole Hardman, Chiefs
52 Henry Ruggs III, Raiders
53 Jerry Jeudy, Broncos
54 N'Keal Harry, Patriots
55 Preston Williams, Dolphins
56 Allen Lazard, Packers
57 Justin Jefferson, Vikings
58 Van Jefferson, Rams
59 Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals
60 Michael Pittman Jr., Colts
61 Hunter Renfrow, Raiders
62 Cole Beasley, Bills
63 Dede Westbrook, Jaguars
64 J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, Eagles
65 Robby Anderson, Panthers
66 Breshad Perriman, Jets
67 Sammy Watkins, Chiefs
68 Alshon Jeffery, Eagles
69 James Washington, Steelers
70 Randall Cobb, Texans
71 Scotty Miller, Buccaneers
72 John Hightower, Eagles
73 Kendrick Bourne, 49ers
74 Bryan Edwards, Raiders
75 Russell Gage, Falcons
76 Corey Davis, Titans
77 Parris Campbell, Colts
78 Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers
79 Tee Higgins, Bengals
80 Kenny Stills, Texans
81 Danny Amendola, Lions
82 Denzel Mims, Jets
83 Nelson Agholor, Raiders
84 Devin Duvernay, Ravens
85 Miles Boykin, Ravens
86 Olabisi Johnson, Vikings
87 Laviska Shenault Jr., Jaguars
88 KJ Hamler, Broncos
89 Jalen Guyton, 49ers
90 Tre'Quan Smith, Saints
91 John Ross III, Bengals
92 Steven Sims, Washington
93 Josh Reynolds, Rams
94 Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Packers
95 Zach Pascal, Colts
96 Tajae Sharpe, Vikings
97 Chase Claypool, Steelers
98 Jalen Reagor, Eagles
99 Joe Reed, Chargers

Matt Lutovsky

Matt Lutovsky Photo

Matt Lutovsky has been a writer and editor for The Sporting News since 2007, primarily writing about fantasy sports, betting, and gaming.