Updated Fantasy Football WR PPR Rankings 2021: Best wide receivers to draft, sleepers to know

Jackson Sparks

Updated Fantasy Football WR PPR Rankings 2021: Best wide receivers to draft, sleepers to know image

Running back, wide receiver, and tight end all see shakeups in their rankings in PPR leagues compared to standard, but just how pronounced are the differences? For wideouts, it's not as dramatic as it is for backs, but it's still important to note which players are more appealing in PPR formats. While the players at the top, such as Stefon Diggs and Davante Adams, are equally as valuable across both formats last season, more mid-tier and late-round sleepers emerge when you factor in even a half-point uptick per reception. Our 2021 fantasy WR PPR rankings highlight those players, as well as pass-catchers who go from "good" to "great." 

Take Keenan Allen for example. In standard formats last season, Allen finished as the No. 18 WR. However, he finished at No. 13 in PPR formats. The difference lies in the obvious points per reception and average yards per reception. Allen charted 100 catches (tied for fifth) but produced just 9.9 yards per reception (96th among WRs). In formats that don't reward receptions, it's easy to see why he fell to a slightly more pedestrian ranking. 

2021 PPR FANTASY RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker | Top 200

On the flip side, Chase Claypool was up nine spots (14th) in standard compared to PPR. Registering just 62 receptions last year, Claypool had a limited PPR ceiling. But with 14.1 yards per reception and 11 total touchdowns (including two rushing), he was able to maximize his touches to the fullest extent, a recipe for standard success from a lower-volume player.

2021 STANDARD FANTASY RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker | Top 200

In PPR formats specifically, target share and an offenses' passing volume is extra significant. Players who are force-fed passes are highly valuable, regardless of whether they have big-play ability. Route-running technicians who command volume are the most reliable in PPR, especially if they are also explosive downfield receivers. However, there are players who are explosive downfield receivers that aren't going to see a large number of receptions -- Claypool, Mike Williams, etc. Of course they are still valuable to a roster, but not in the same way reception hogs are. 

2021 FANTASY AUCTION VALUES (Standard & PPR):
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker | Overall

Look for players who are set to see a lot more targets and receptions due to vacated targets from last year, such as Calvin Ridley with the loss of Julio Jones or D.J. Moore and Robby Anderson with Curtis Samuel out of town, or guys like Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods, CeeDee Lamb and Amari Cooper, Brandon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel, or DJ Chark and Laviska Shenault Jr., whose offenses are set to take a step forward in passing volume and efficiency. These players range from elite options to mid-tier breakout candidates. Meanwhile, guys like Tyler Boyd, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson, Cole Beasley, Antonio Brown, Darnell Mooney, Jalen Reagor, and DeVonta Smith also play in high-volume offenses that should give them plenty of opportunities to be every-week WR2/3s in PPR.

2021 FANTASY SLEEPERS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Each team

Wide receiver is always a deep position in fantasy, and you can find players later in the draft 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.

2021 FANTASY TIERS & DRAFT STRATEGY:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight endD/ST

 We'll be adjusting these WR PPR rankings and providing further analysis from now until Week 1, so check back for updates. For individual player analysis, check out our standard-league WR rankings.

DOMINATE YOUR DRAFT: Ultimate 2021 Cheat Sheet

2021 Fantasy WR PPR Rankings

Rankings are based on full-point PPR scoring formats

Rank Player
1 Davante Adams, Packers
2 DeAndre Hopkins, Cardinals
3 Stefon Diggs, Bills
4 Calvin Ridley, Falcons
5 Tyreek Hill, Chiefs
6 Allen Robinson, Bears
7 DK Metcalf, Seahawks
8 Justin Jefferson, Vikings
9 Keenan Allen, Chargers
10 CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys
11 A.J. Brown, Titans
12 Terry McLaurin, Washington
13 Cooper Kupp, Rams
14 Amari Cooper, Cowboys
15 Mike Evans, Buccaneers
16 D.J. Moore, Panthers
17 Robert Woods, Rams
18 Tyler Lockett, Seahawks
19 Julio Jones, Titans
20 Chris Godwin, Buccaneers
21 Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers
22 Robby Anderson, Panthers
23 Odell Beckham Jr., Browns
24 Adam Thielen, Vikings
25 Diontae Johnson, Steelers
26 JuJu Smith-Schuster, Steelers
27 Courtland Sutton, Broncos
28 Kenny Golladay, Giants
29 DeVante Parker, Dolphins
30 DJ Chark, Jaguars
31 Tee Higgins, Bengals
32 Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals
33 Deebo Samuel, 49ers
34 Antonio Brown, Buccaneers
35 DeVonta Smith, Eagles
36 Chase Claypool, Steelers
37 Mike Williams, Chargers
38 Jerry Jeudy, Broncos
39 Michael Pittman Jr., Colts
40 Tyler Boyd, Bengals
41 Jakobi Meyers, Patriots
42 Marquez Callway, Saints
43 Will Fuller, Dolphins
44 Brandin Cooks, Texans
45 Jarvis Landry, Browns
46 Jalen Reagor, Eagles
47 Marquise Brown, Ravens
48 Curtis Samuel, Washington
49 Laviska Shenault Jr., Jaguars
50 Henry Ruggs III, Raiders
51 Darnell Mooney, Bears
52 Jamison Crowder, Jets
53 Cole Beasley, Bills
54 Michael Gallup, Cowboys
55 Corey Davis, Jets
56 Gabriel Davis, Bills
57 Marvin Jones, Jaguars
58 Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins
59 Russell Gage, Falcons
60 Michael Thomas, Saints
61 Rondale Moore, Cardinals
62 Bryan Edwards, Raiders
63 Tre'Quan Smith, Saints
64 Christian Kirk, Cardinals
65 Nelson Agholor, Patriots
66 Emmanuel Sanders, Bills
67 Tyrell Williams, Lions

68

Darius Slayton, Giants
69 Allen Lazard, Packers
70 Mecole Hardman, Chiefs
71 T.Y. Hilton, Colts
72 Kadarius Toney, Giants
73 Elijah Moore, Jets
74 Sammy Watkins, Ravens
75 A.J. Green, Cardinals
76 Van Jefferson, Rams
77 Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions
78 Tim Patrick, Broncos
79 Denzel Mims, Jets
80 Demarcus Robinson, Chiefs
81 Randall Cobb, Packers
82 Josh Reynolds, Titans
83 Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Packers
84 DeSean Jackson, Rams
85 Preston Williams, Dolphins
86 KJ Hamler, Broncos
87 Quez Watkins, Eagles
88 Rashard Higgins, Browns
89 Hunter Renfrow, Raiders
90 Khalif Raymond, Lions
91 Rashod Bateman, Ravens
92 Josh Palmer, Chargers
93 Kendrick Bourne, Patriots
94 Sterling Shepard, Giants
95 Olamide Zaccheaus, Falcons
96 Parris Campbell, Colts
97 Adam Humphries, Washington
98 Terrace Marshall Jr., Panthers
99 D'Wayne Eskridge, Seahawks
100 Amari Rodgers, Packers
101 Miles Boykin, Ravens
102 Damiere Byrd, Bears
103 Anthony Miller, Texans
104 Nico Collins, Texans
105 Donovan Peoples-Jones, Browns
106 Andy Isabella, Cardinals
107 Mohamed Sanu, 49ers
108 Dyami Brown, Washington

Jackson Sparks