2017 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers
By Jacob DeFee
No new names at the top of these wide receiver fantasy football rankings as the best in the business continue to lead the way.
Fantasy football rankings can be a little finicky every year, especially as quarterback play can be such a major component (see Allen Robinson, 2016). But there will always be a handful of blue chip players that can be relied upon to put up big numbers no matter who is throwing their way.
In these wide receiver fantasy rankings, we look at the top 75 as the 2017 fantasy football season inches closer.
1) Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers
The number one receiver in fantasy for 2016 is back fully healthy with even more weapons next to him in 2017. The only worry for him is if he will see less targets due to the multitude of weapons in the offense.
2) Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons
Julio is the best receiver in the NFL but he doesn’t see quite as many targets as other players on this list. However, he could be relied upon by Matt Ryan as they learn a new offense this season.
3) Odell Beckham Jr, New York Giants
The Giants receiving corps is down right scary. Look for Beckham to lead the way once again as he is playing in a contract year. It wouldn’t surprise me if he is the number one receiver in fantasy by the end of the season.
4) Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Evans saw 175 targets last year. I don’t think he will see quite that many this year but he should still be very productive as the number one receiver in Tampa.
5) T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts
As we’ve seen the last few seasons, Hilton and Andrew Luck have a great connection, the Colts should be playing from behind a lot so look for Hilton to have another big season as long as Luck’s shoulder holds up.
6) Jordy Nelson, Green Bay Packers
The number two receiver in fantasy last year is back again with the best quarterback in football. However, he shouldn’t see quite as many targets this year as Martellus Bennett will get quite a few of his own, especially in the redzone.
7) A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals
Green is one of the most consistent players in the league, he should be used heavily once again in Cincinnati.
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8) Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints
Thomas broke out in his rookie year in 2016 and finished as the seventh best receiver in fantasy. The only issue here is that Brandin Cooks is gone now so Thomas will see more coverage rolled his way, we’ll see how he responds in his second year.
9) Amari Cooper, Oakland Raiders
The Raiders offense looks lethal entering the 2017 season, Cooper and Crabtree could both have monster years as Derek Carr enters his fourth year in the league.
10) Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys
Dez has underwhelmed the last few years due to injuries to himself and former quarterback Tony Romo. Hopefully, the stars align for him this year to return to his dominant self and grow his connection with Dak Prescott.
11) DeAndre Hopkins, Houston Texans
12) Alshon Jeffery, Philadelphia Eagles
13) Allen Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars
14) Golden Tate, Detroit Lions
15) Demaryius Thomas, Denver Broncos
16) Doug Baldwin, Seattle Seahawks
17) Emmanuel Sanders, Denver Broncos
18) Brandin Cooks, New England Patriots
I love this move for the Patriots from a football perspective but not as much from a fantasy perspective. There are a lot of mouths to feed in New England and Cooks isn’t going to have the numbers that many people are projecting.
19) Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers
Somewhat of a sleeper here as injuries have derailed his career. If Allen can stay healthy he has the ability to finish as a top-five receiver in fantasy.
20) Julian Edelman, New England Patriots
21) Terrelle Pryor, Washington Redskins
22) Jarvis Landry, Miami Dolphins
23) Sammy Watkins , Buffalo Bills
24) Pierre Garcon, San Francisco 49ers
He should be the number one receiver in San Francisco under a Kyle Shanahan-led offense, he could go higher than expected in some leagues.
25) Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals
26) Corey Davis, Tennessee Titans
27) Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers
28) Michael Crabtree, Oakland Raiders
29) Stefon Diggs, Minnesota Vikings
30) Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs
He’s now the number one receiver in Kansas City with Jeremy Maclin being released, he could wind up higher on my board before fantasy draft season.
31) Donte Moncrief , Indianapolis Colts
32) Willie Snead, New Orleans Saints
33) Brandon Marshall, New York Giants
34) Jamison Crowder, Washington Redskins
35) Kelvin Benjamin , Carolina Panthers
36) Marvin Jones, Detroit Lions
37) Corey Coleman, Cleveland Browns
38) DeSean Jackson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
39) Rishard Matthews, Tennessee Titans
40) Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers
41) Mike Wallace, Baltimore Ravens
42) Kenny Britt, Cleveland Browns
43) Martavis Bryant , Pittsburgh Steelers
44) Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings
45) Cameron Meredith, Chicago Bears
46) Jordan Matthews, Philadelphia Eagles
47) Marqise Lee, Jacksonville Jaguars
Lee is a name I’d keep an eye on in your draft. He seemed to develop a good rapport with quarterback Blake Bortles last season and if he stays healthy it wouldn’t surprise me if he is Jacksonville’s leading receiver for the season.
48) Jeremy Maclin, Baltimore Ravens
49) Kenny Stills, Miami Dolphins
50) Breshad Perriman, Baltimore Ravens
51) Devante Parker, Miami Dolphins
52) Kevin White, Chicago Bears
53) Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers
54) Ted Ginn, New Orleans Saints
55) Quincy Enunwa, New York Jets
56) Sterling Shepard, New York Giants
57) Tavon Austin, Los Angeles Rams
58) Mohamed Sanu , Atlanta Falcons
59) John Brown, Arizona Cardinals
60) Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks
61) Will Fuller, Houston Texans
Fuller could produce in a big way this season. He dropped a lot of catchable passes last year and he should see better quarterback play this year as well, he could be a sleeper who pays off in a big way.
62) Josh Doctson, Washington Redskins
63) J.J. Nelson, Arizona Cardinals
64) Allen Hurns, Jacksonville Jaguars
65) John Ross, Cincinnati Bengals
66) Torrey Smith, Philadelphia Eagles
67) Taylor Gabriel, Atlanta Falcons
68) Cole Beasley, Dallas Cowboys
69) Zay Jones, Buffalo Bills
70) Jeremy Kerley, San Francisco 49ers
71) Terrance Williams, Dallas Cowboys
72) Robert Woods, Los Angeles Rams
73) Laquon Treadwell, Minnesota Vikings
74) Curtis Samuel, Carolina Panthers
75) Eric Decker, Tennessee Titans
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