Fantasy WR Preview PT.1 (AFC EDITION)

Fantasy WR Preview PT.1 (AFC EDITION)
Get ready for the ultimate fantasy football deep dive in this episode of the BA Sports Podcast! We’re dissecting the top wide receivers (WRs) from each AFC division and spotlighting the key players who could make or break your 2024 fantasy season. 

1. AFC EAST (01:18-14:18)
2. AFC NORTH (14:18-29:40)
3. AFC SOUTH (29:40-43:13)
4. AFC WEST (43:13-58:23)

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

Hello and welcome to this episode of the BA Sports Podcast. This is the wide receiver preview, part one, afc edition. Tanner and I are going to be breaking down the 16 AFC teams, what wide receivers we like don't like on each team, how we think the targets will be distributed. Will Dalton Kincaid impose on Khalil Shakir's targets? Will Christian McCaffrey impose on Deebo Samuel and Brandon Ayuk's targets? This is part one, afc edition. Part two will be the NFC and we'll be going through all 32 teams. So stay tuned for both episodes. I hope you all enjoy. Let's get right into it. We're going to start off with the Buffalo Bills, their three wide receivers this year on their depth chart Khalil Shakir, keon Coleman, curtis Samuel. Now I expect all three of these guys to compete for targets. We actually have the second most vacated targets out of all of the teams at 173, but 160 of those are stefan diggs, tanner. Who do you expect to be the top target earner in this offense?

Speaker 2: 1:54

I think could go any three ways well, from a fantasy production, I mean just position wise, I think it's obviously Josh Allen, and then James Cook. Don't forget about how much the Bills like to run the ball at the end of last year, not to mention, josh Allen's got by far the most turnover since 2020 or 2021. Then from there, I think it's going to be Kincaid, but from the wide receiver position, I actually have it as Keon Coleman, the rookie. I know he had to ask how to sign his contract, but the man can get open After that. I've got Curtis Samuel. He came over from Washington and then, last but not least, khalil Shakur, the other rookie.

Speaker 1: 2:40

Yeah, I think you know Kincaid will probably take the front runner in targets. He had 91 last year. That was second most to Stefan Diggs. Third most was Gabe Davis and then fourth most was Khalil Shakir. Something to note about Keon Coleman. This could be a good thing for him. He had the gauntlet drill, where they run down the field at the combine and they catch passes from each side I don't know if you've seen that, tanner where they catch and drop, catch and drop and they have to run in a straight line. Well, he was the fastest on the gauntlet. You know who? The fastest last year was Puka Nakua. So maybe we see a Puka Nakua type season from Keon Coleman. I highly doubt it, but but that would be awesome, especially where he's going in drafts right now big expectations.

Speaker 2: 3:31

Um, we didn't think we'd see anything like Justin Jefferson's rookie rookie year, and then long came Puka. So never know in today's NFL. But I don't know this is, I wouldn't have those high expectations, but it'd be awesome, it would be fun.

Speaker 1: 3:46

Yeah, that would be great for the Bills as well, and honestly I think Khalil Shakir is kind of a sleeper this year, so watch out for him. He has the former kind of rap with Josh Allen and I think he could be a sleeper this year, especially where he's going at in ADP. But let's move on to the Miami Dolphins, with the star-studded receiving trio Entirely killed Jalen Waddell, odell Beckham Jr. Now Miami does not have any vacated targets. They've actually added 45 targets more than they would like. So they're sitting at negative 45 vacated targets right now, and I think that has to do with Odell coming in.

Speaker 1: 4:33

I still expect Tyreek Hill and Jalen Waddle to be the top two receivers in this offense. I also expect them to be top 24 wide receivers. Tyreek Hill is firmly in the top three. And then Jalen Waddell. I expect him to be inside the top 24 wide receivers as a wide receiver too, possibly maybe reaching into that wide receiver one status. We'll see. I mean he needs to stay healthy. And then Odell, of course, who's already injured and we'll see what he can do. He's a little older, injured, and we'll see what he can do. He's he's a little older, but he is a star. He's been a star in this league and he's not the caliber that Tyreek or Jalen Waddell are. But I expect this team to throw a lot more than they did last year because I think they have a harder schedule. Tanner, who, who do you like in this offense?

Speaker 2: 5:19

I mean, it's hard to hate on Tyreek Hill, right right, I've got Tyreek, uh, wide receiver two behind CD on the year. And as far as Waldo goes, when you're looking at other wide receiver twos across the league, I've got him just behind Devo, just behind Nico Collins and DJ Moore and Cooper Cup. But after that I have him above the rest of the league. I think he sits around wide receiver 20, wide receiver 21 this year. Um, I mean, if he can stay healthy, we know what to expect. The guy can get open, um, it's I think a chain could be slept on this year.

Speaker 2: 6:00

Um, as a receiver and a runner, honestly he's not going to take a lot of targets, but we know he can make an explosive play out of nothing. I mean, just ask the Denver Broncos if you don't believe me. And then Mostert Tua. Those guys are going to be big pieces of this offense. Odell, yeah, wide receiver three. I think he's just making top 200 this year for flex rankings, that is, he's probably around like the one 50 Mark, I'd say if you're talking about top 200, so he'll be getting drafted. But I mean, the latest injury reports on him aren't too promising, to say the least.

Speaker 1: 6:44

Yeah, last year Tyree kill 171 targets, jalen Waddle 104 targets. Those guys were easily the top two by it wasn't even really close after that. After that actually was Cedric Wilson with 38 and then oh wait, actually Durham smite, the tight end at 43. But they also have added Johnny Smith. That's actually Durham smite, the tight end at 43. But they also have added Jonu Smith. That's something to note for the tight end position. So I mean he'll probably take more than 43 targets that Durham smite took.

Speaker 1: 7:15

But I still expect Waddle and Hill to have over 100 targets each. I probably expect Hill to actually have less than 171 targets. That's kind of a high number, especially when you enter Odell and Johnny Smith into this offense. And then Devon Achan, like you said, I expect him to go up. He was the top targeted running back at 37 targets and he missed a couple of games. Last year. He missed at least four or five off the top of my head. So I expect him to be better. Like you were saying, tanner and um, I still think tyreek and jaylen wattle are safe picks at the receiver position because of how they performed in this offense and we know that they're going to throw the ball, especially if they're trailing in games, which I expect them to be this year, their schedule is a lot tougher. Let's move on to your New England Patriots.

Speaker 2: 8:09

Tanner, actually Speaking of the wide receiver position there.

Speaker 1: 8:12

There isn't really a wide receiver one or two fantasy-wise in this offense, Maybe a wide receiver three, but this is kind of guys. You can get a lot later and more sleeper wide receivers and just hope that one of these guys emerges. We've got Kendrick Bourne to Mario Douglas and Jalen Polk. We also, not to mention, have Javon Baker, who's been making noise this preseason. Tanner, who do you like the best out of your wide receiver core in New England?

Speaker 2: 8:41

I actually wouldn't draft a single one of them. I'm not going gonna lie to you guys. Uh, it's from Andre Stevenson or bust on this offense for me. I don't see a lot of upside. Um, antonio Gibson, maybe if you needed a, a running back. Hunter Henry, maybe if you needed to stream a tight end. Yep, yep, if you're asking me to pick a receiver, I'd probably say Jalen Polk, then I'd say Demario Douglas and then I'd say Kendrick Bourne, but I don't really have high expectations for any of them. What about you, brady?

Speaker 1: 9:19

I don't have high expectations either. I mean, this offense it is what it is. I think you're right. Ramondre Stevenson and Hunter Henry are the two guys that I would want. The most Wide receiver-wise it's kind of a crap shoot because there's four of them that I think could just do well and I don't expect anyone to be a top target earner. I don't think you should draft any of these guys. I mean, maybe take a flyer late on one of the rookies in Baker or Polk. Even Demario Douglas, kendrick Bourne can't stay healthy.

Speaker 1: 9:55

I try to avoid this wide receiver core. I just don't think it's worth my time. I think I can find better value elsewhere, especially when there's not a clear cut guy, like you know the Cardinals have and Marvin Harrison Jr. So, plus, it's not like a pass happy offense. Sure, they may be trailing games, but the Patriots defense is always seemingly good, so they like to stick around. They're not going to throw it out and bomb it long while game. But I'm not a fan of really anyone in this offense and I would kind of stay away and one of the worst red zone offenses in the nfl last year.

Speaker 2: 10:34

So I mean you just can't score.

Speaker 1: 10:36

It's embarrassing yeah, I know tom brady on the team. Let me go elsewhere, sorry. Until they prove some stuff, I can't go near it. It's just too hard.

Speaker 1: 10:53

Let's move on to the last team in this division, the New York Jets, who have new quarterback, aaron Rodgers, who hopefully will be around for longer than one drive this year, because after that it's Tyrod Taylor and Tyrod Taylor's not a terrible backup, but he's not Aaron Rodgers and I know Garrett Wilson is itching for a quarterback that can throw him the ball. Sure, he had 178 targets last year, which is absolutely insane, especially because he wasn't even a top performing wide receiver for where he was drafted. I believe he he was wide receiver hold on 33, not great, sorry, he had 168 targets. It's still an insane amount, considering. The next closest was Brees Hall with 95 targets and then after that it was Tyler Conklin with 87. So I expect Garrett Wilson to be the clear-cut guy.

Speaker 1: 11:55

But there is something to note is you know they got Mike Williams and they drafted Malachi Corley, who in college was really good at the wide receiver position. Xavier Gibson is technically listed as the wide receiver three on this depth chart. Mike Williams can never stay healthy, but he's a good number two receiver to have in this offense. Tanner, is it Garrett Wilson or Bust in this offense for you?

Speaker 2: 12:21

No, I like Mike Will's value. Like you said, deep threat guy that can go up there and win a ball. Every quarterback needs one of those, and I'm sure aaron will be able to find him not only down the field but also in the red zone. Um, I mean, yeah, I think it's going to be breese hall. Obviously his offense, his show this year, no doubt about it. Um, but crazy enough, man, the jets have two players that I think are going to be getting drafted in the top 10, the top 12, no doubt, and breeson and garrett. I mean, not that that comes as a surprise from those players, but more so just that franchise, if we're being honest yeah um mike will.

Speaker 2: 13:00

I think he'll sit around.

Speaker 1: 13:04

He's going later.

Speaker 2: 13:06

I'd take him above DeAndre Hopkins, I'd take him above Hollywood Brown, but I probably wouldn't take him ahead of Keon Coleman or just guys with higher upside, if you know what I mean, or like a Jordan Addison or a Jamison Williams. I wouldn't take mike will ahead of those guys.

Speaker 1: 13:27

But you're taking him over. Any patriots receiver right 100.

Speaker 1: 13:33

No questions asked currently mike williams is sitting at an adp of wide receiver 54. That's about 142nd overall. So he's going around romeo dobbs, jacoby myers range, which honestly I think is pretty fair value for what you're getting out of mike williams. He could easily exceed expectations and be a top 36 wide receiver if he gets the targets, but he also needs to stay healthy if he's going to do that. So that's one of the kickers with him is he's coming off an injury and we'll see how he does with Aaron Rodgers in his first year in New York.

Speaker 1: 14:18

Let's go to the AFC North. We're going to go to the Baltimore Ravens, who have Zay Flowers headlining this wide receiver core. They lost Odell Beckham. They have Rashad Bateman and Nelson Aguilar. I've heard that Rashad Bateman's taking a step up, but we've heard this in years past and we'll see. They also have Derrick Henry coming into this offense now, which could make them more run-heavy approach. But I still think Zay Flowers is going to be the top guy in this offense.

Speaker 1: 14:53

Rashad Bateman, you can take him later if you want. Let me see. Bateman is currently going as wide receiver. He's going late, I believe, but people and even Harbaugh is saying that where is he going? Honestly, I think I may have to scroll too far, but I think honestly I'm not really trying to draft Zay Flowers Now. He has great potential. He was wide receiver 32 last year, so his potential is there. It was his rookie year. He could take a step up. Tanner, do you expect Zay Flowers to take a step up? I mean, currently he's being drafted as a wide receiver 26, so people are expecting him to do better than last year. Are you in or out on zay flowers this year?

Speaker 2: 15:48

um as the fourth option in that offense. I don't really like him as my number one. I've got, I mean, derrick henry, I think is won by a long shot in that offense. Um, as far as fantasy production, and then I think you can kind of put mark Andrews, then Lamar, then Zay, kind of all in their same little 10 to 12 range bubble, if you will, just because I mean I like to wait on a quarterback in the draft generally, but I would say Zay Flowers and then Rashad Bateman after that. But I probably wouldn't trust anyone beyond that in that offense. What about you, brady?

Speaker 1: 16:33

Yeah, I mean, I think Zay Flowers is decent. I just don't know if draft him right there right now he's going around guys that I I would put higher than him, like George Pickens. I think I'd rather have Pickens, where he's the clear-cut one. The only tight end competition for receptions is Pat Fryermermuth, and Pat Friermuth is not Mark Andrews. And granted, they have two running backs that will compete for touches, but they're not Derek Henry level, especially near the red zone in the goal line situation. And if Justin Fields does become quarterback, then I could see him kind of posing the same red zone threat that Lamar Jackson does. But I think I'd rather have George Pickens, I'd rather have. Honestly, I could wait, I could wait and I would rather have Chris Godwin. Possibly it really just depends on I don't know if they're going to be as pass-happy as people expect I'd grab Devontae Smith before him. No doubt Devontae Smith is already high on this year.

Speaker 2: 17:50

No doubt I should have mentioned. We should mention, though, greg Roman's, not there anymore. He went to LA, that is true, that is true.

Speaker 1: 17:58

So they are under Todd Monken. Last year they still ran the ball. A lot People expected them to throw a little more, which I mean I think they could even do this year. But we'll see. Todd Monken is known for throwing. I mentioned it last year, especially in the offenses that he was in one of the Tampa Bay offenses where James Winston was a high passing volume guy and sure Lamar could get to that level.

Speaker 1: 18:25

But with Derrick Henry I think they're going to kind of be a more balanced team and run and pass where it's not going to be so run heavy. And I think Zay Flowers still presents a good value. But I think I could and would probably draft George Peggans over him. Other guys around that range Tank, dell, t Higgins. They're number two or three options. At least you know Zay Flowers is the number one guy. So I would like Zay over those two because he is the top target earner in this offense and I think they have, they don't? They have just a little bit of vacated targets 29 vacated targets. So I mean I wouldn't mind drafting Zay Flowers. Last year he was actually targeted let me see here 108 times. So I would need that number to go up if I think he's going to do even better, which it could, but you got to. Also, we're not mentioning Isaiah, likely the tight end. I think he could do well in this offense. They've liked what he's doing in camp and they said they're going to line him up at the receiver position sometimes. So that's a guy that could take some targets away from Zay. But they had 287 total targets and Odell had 64, the second most for a wide receiver. So I could see more going Zay's way, especially because after Odell was Rashad Bateman with 56, then Nelson Aguilar with 45. I expect those 64 vacated targets by Odell to go to Zay Flowers this year because they don't really have much else besides Mark Andrews, isaiah, likely Rashad Bateman that I'm too worried about. So I think Zay's a decent value. I think there's just only a couple guys I would like over him in the range.

Speaker 1: 20:14

But let's move on to the Bengals actually staying in the NFC North, and this is Jamar. Chase T Higgins and the rookie Jermaine Burton are listed as the top three wide receivers. Oh, sorry, I stand corrected. Andre Isiovis I'm butchering that bull's name, but he was a decent player last year. I don't think he's going to compete with targets for Jamar Chase or T Higgins, but I expect it's those two and I expect really not much else. You lost Tyler Boyd. Tyler Boyd was targeted 98 times last year, so I expect T Higgins target rate to go up. He missed the majority of last year, just injuries and more injuries, and then they all hurt together with not having Joe Burrow at quarterback. So they get Joe Burrow back, which I think helps Jamar chase and T Higgins immensely. Tanner, who do you like in this office? Do you like chase and Higgins?

Speaker 2: 21:25

Chase and Higgins and I'm going to be the only pass catchers I like for sure Now I obviously I have it. Chase at one. He he's gonna be a top 10 pick. Um t higgins, I think I'd take him. Let me see where I put him.

Speaker 1: 21:47

T higgins, I've got around 32 yeah, he's right around that zay Flowers range. He's going 59th overall, 27th wide receiver off the board.

Speaker 2: 22:01

Zay, I got a 29. He was super boomer bust. He was super boomer bust last year. It felt like Then he got hurt when I needed him. Then he started doing his contract BS over the offseason. But if I had to rank all the weapons I definitely would say one Chase, two Higgins, three Joey B, four don't sleep on Zach Moss this year. Hey, chase Brown, don't sleep on.

Speaker 1: 22:29

Chase Brown.

Speaker 2: 22:32

He's going right around on that, chuba Hubbard. They also have Mike Gusecki.

Speaker 1: 22:41

Mike Gusecki. Do you expect him to do anything?

Speaker 2: 22:44

No, he won't be fantasy relevant. I really don't think Johnny will be either.

Speaker 1: 22:51

Yeah, t Higgins, jamar Chase, I think are the two guys you want at the wide receiver position in this offense. A wide receiver that has produced big time in Amari Cooper. Could he get traded? I don't know, but last year he was wide receiver 18. He is the clear cut wide receiver in this offense. Wide receiver one. Do you expect Jerry Judy or Elijah Moore to be the wide receiver two in this offense? Wide receiver one. Do you expect jerry judy or elijah moore to be the wide receiver two in this offense?

Speaker 2: 23:40

tanner I'm gonna go with jerry judy. What about you?

Speaker 1: 23:46

yeah, I agree, I think jerry judy has the potential to do really well in this offense. Now a lot of it's depended on the quarterback play, so we'll see what we get for that. But I do like Jerry Judy. This year he's looked good. Last year, amari Cooper and Elijah Moore each had over 100 targets, and then Njoku also had 123 targets Cleveland does not have. They're actually minus 88 for vacated targets, so they're bringing more targets in, which is not a great sign. I think that's mostly having to do with Jerry Judy coming in and not a lot of people going out. So it's going to be interesting to see how Elijah Moore's 104 targets are split up between him and Jerry Judy. And I expect Jerry Judy to be the number two wide receiver on this offense. And honestly, I don't love Amari Cooper this year. I think you know he's going. Where's he going? I've got him at wide receiver 25.

Speaker 1: 24:52

That's exactly where he's going in ADP, yep, okay. So that's where I see him at Now. You're asking me flowers inside the top 200.

Speaker 2: 25:03

I think he's going about, let's say, let's say, 10 team draft. I think he's going about middle of the fourth round yeah, he's going 53rd overall right now.

Speaker 1: 25:15

So that's about right. I mean, I think Amari Cooper's fine, but he's getting older and I could see Jerry Judy maybe emerging more in this offense. I would most definitely have Malik Neighbors over Amari Cooper in this range, going just before, and then Zay Flowers, george pickens right after. Those two are the clear-cut ones. Now pickens is the clear-cut one until you gets traded there, but only time will tell, so we can't really speculate on that now. But that is the next team that we're going to go to and they actually have 63 vacated targets, mostly because of one player Deontay Johnson left Pittsburgh and goes to Carolina. So there's a lot of targets open. There's 63 targets open in this offense.

Speaker 1: 26:09

I think George Pickens, the top target on this team last year, takes a step up. Maybe he gets into that 130 140 target range. And then we're talking about a guy who could be competing for maybe a wide receiver two overall spot, creeping into wide receiver, maybe one territory. I doubt he gets that high but I I could see him being a top 24 wide receiver. Last year he was the wide receiver total points. He was wide receiver 38.

Speaker 1: 26:44

So he is going currently as the wide receiver Hold on. He's currently going as a wide receiver 28. So they're expecting him to outperform his position last year, which is expected, with him losing Deontay Johnson and being the top target earner. But there is a scenario where if your draft is before that Iuke trade happens and you draft Pickens, then all of a sudden Iuke is the number one wide receiver in that offense and I think you lose value in George Pickens. So it's kind of a risk. But it's really just depending on what the Steelers do and what the Niners do and who comes out on top. Do you like George Pickens this year, tanner?

Speaker 2: 27:32

I've got him around wide receiver 30. I know you were taking him over Zay. I actually have it flipped. I'd take Zay ahead of Pickens. I don't trust his quarterback play. Russell Wilson, never watched a more miserable NFL offense than what we had to endure watching your Denver Broncos. It was just so, so bad. Ranking the weapons in this offense, though, I think Pickens is number one. Um, then Najee, um, then it's going to be Jalen Warren, um, after that I think it's going to go to Freermuth and then that's, I mean, I guess, russ. But yeah, miss me with that. How do you, how do you see it going, brady?

Speaker 1: 28:16

Oh, I think George Pickens is the top wide receiver in this offense. No doubt Van Jefferson, calvin Austin are the two and three. Then they drafted Roman Wilson, but I believe he's hurt, so that's not good. As far as competing for targets, I think Friar Muth is behind George Pickens and then it goes to the running backs.

Speaker 1: 28:34

You can throw it any which way, but as far as wide receivers go, george Pickens is a guy that I think has the potential to do really well in this offense and I think if Justin Fields somehow is the quarterback, that could help him out even more. I mean, dj Moore last year with Justin Fields did really well, so it's kind of what I'm hoping for. Russell Wilson just doesn't do the job for me. Justin Fields has a lot higher ceiling, whereas Russ is just that old guy that we're hoping can get the ball to George Pickens, but he has no playmaker ability like Justin Fields would have. So I just I would draft George Pickens, but I'd also consider it being a little risky because of this IU trade situation. It's kind of throwing me off of Pickens right now, but I still think the ceiling is so high for Pickens with no Deontay Johnson but he's going as wide receiver 28 right now. So we'll see. Only time will tell if Ayoub gets traded there.

Speaker 1: 29:40

But that's it for the AFC North. Let's move into the AFC South. This is an offense that has the least vacated targets. They are minus 182. If you could guess the team tanner, who do you think I am talking about?

Speaker 2: 29:59

the houston texans yep.

Speaker 1: 30:03

Bringing in stefan diggs, who had 160 targets last year, sent this target vacated targets into the into the depths of the nfl 32nd out of 32 teams. Stefan digs, nico Collins, tank Dell possibly one of the better wide receiver trios in the league. Nico Collins star last year, honestly, he was wide receiver seven and then tank Dell was wide receiver 19 and Stefan digs was wide receiver 14. That is PPR points. That is a total points or, sorry, points per game, my bad points per game. So they're all top 2020 points per game. I don't think CJ Stroud can spread the ball to all of them, but if he does, who do you expect to be the guy in this Houston Texans offense out of those three?

Speaker 2: 31:05

So I actually have Nico Collins as the top weapon in this offense. Then I think it's going to go Stephon Diggs, and then I think it's going to go Tank Dell. Touching on Tank Dell, though, I think he's going to be the biggest risk in ADP. I mean sure, last year he what were some of his averages last year?

Speaker 1: 31:31

In points per game. He was 15 PPR points per game. He had 700 receiving yards and seven touchdowns and honestly he was just super efficient. He only played in 11 games, so his total fantasy points aren't that high, but that's why I think fantasy points per game shows you a little more. So he was very, very good. But he was not the best player on wide receiver on the texans. That was nico collins, which I think is why you and I have nico collins as the top wide receiver in this offense. I mean, I have him ranked ahead the other two pretty easily, but yeah he's talented.

Speaker 2: 32:18

I mean he's on the verge of a breakout, I mean before he injured his knee last year. Things have changed now. Stephon Diggs has entered the team. Nico Collins is in the offense. For me, I think Diggs will fall just out of the top 30 wideouts. Actually, sorry, I didn't mean to say Diggs Dell will drop out of the top 30 wideouts.

Speaker 1: 32:45

Yeah, dell, currently sitting at wide receiver 29 and adp. Stefan digs, wide receiver 19 and adp. And then nico collins, wide receiver 14 and adp. I talked about this in the episode with jim when we were going over adp and the only quarterback that I can remember that I found is Peyton Manning that has supported three top 24 wide receivers. That was in 2013 and 2004. So CJ Stroud can do that.

Speaker 1: 33:13

I don't think I'm really trying to draft any of these guys. I think I may just want to grab CJ Stroud to get a piece of this offense and then say see you later to all the wide receivers Stroud to get a piece of this offense and then say see you later to all the wide receivers, but I could see. You know, if one of them gets hurt, tank Dell could. If Tank Dell is not the one that gets hurt, if Nico or Stefan Diggs gets hurt, tank Dell, with where he's going, could provide some value. But that's just playing a what if? Scenario and you can't really do that on draft day. So I'm not a huge fan of any of these.

Speaker 1: 33:45

I I would probably draft nico if I could get him in round three. That would be the only scenario, I think, where I I could see myself drafting nico, which he's going in that range right now wide receiver 14, 31st overall. I do like him better than brandon iuk right now because of that whole situation with san francisco and we don't know what's going on. So I think I would have nico over iuk for now, depending on this is prior to any trade happening, but I would probably rather have, I would wait and I would grab a dk metcalf or davante smith later on. I think that they provide a little better value at where they're going. Later in adp you can grab someone else in that range that nico's going in. But yeah, this is going to be a crowded offense, uh, if that vacated targets doesn't tell you enough. So it's going to be interesting to see what we have to go around target-wise.

Speaker 2: 34:49

Joe Mixon's in the mix If you had to rank all of these weapons, I'd probably Niko 1, diggs 2, mixon 3, dell 4, cj Stroud five, dalton Schultz six and then Damian Pierce seven yep, schultz is another guy that can take targets away and so I think it's just gonna be a crowded offense.

Speaker 1: 35:16

Maybe we need to grab the quarterback and hope for the best and just hope that they are one of the better teams for that quarterback position, because last year Dalton Schultz had 88 targets, robert Woods had 75 targets, tank Dell had 75 targets, and that was only in 11 games. Nico Collins had 109 targets hyper-efficient with his targets. So it's going to be interesting to see in this Houston offense. Let's move on to the Colts, though. In the AFC South the Colts Josh Downs, adonai Mitchell, the rookie, michael Pittman Jr.

Speaker 1: 35:54

Michael Pittman Jr is the clear cut number one. He's going to be in that wide receiver two, wide receiver three range. He's currently going as the wide receiver 17. So he's in that wide receiver two range, 34th overall in ADP. They have 60 vacated targets. I think most of that has to do with Zach Moss leaving. I believe he had 37 targets last year, so that vacates some targets. Michael Pittman 156 targets last year. Josh downs 98. Some targets Michael Pittman 156 targets last year. Josh Downs 98. Now they get Anthony Richardson, who I think helps this pass game a lot more. Tanner, who do you like in this offense?

Speaker 2: 36:32

um, yeah, mike, uh, first of all Jonathan Taylor, but I mean Michael Pittman Jr had a career year in 2023. He had 109 catches and over 1,100 yards, to finish his wide receiver 13 last year. Sure, the Colts added AD Mitchell in the draft, but I don't think his presence means a huge decrease in fantasy points and I gladly take Michael Pittman as the number two fantasy wideout. I actually have him as biggest value for ADP, coming in at wide receiver 15 on my list, as biggest value for ADP coming in at wide receiver 15 on my list. Now, ranking some of the other weapons in this offense, as I mentioned, it's going to go Jonathan Taylor, then Michael Pittman, after that Anthony Richardson, ladies and gentlemen, might be on the breakout list. Stay tuned. Josh Downs, I think, is going to be a bigger presence than AD Mitchell, at least as far as instant impact goes, and then after that I'd rank it AD Mitchell as five.

Speaker 1: 37:32

Yep, it is a good thing to note. Josh Downs is currently hurt. I believe he went down in practice and it didn't look good. We'll wait on an update for him. But that just helps Michael Pittmanman's value, I think honestly, and I think he's gonna be the top target earner wide receiver wise and I think you should feel pretty comfortable having him in that wide receiver two range in your draft. But let's pick up the pace and keep going on the jags.

Speaker 1: 38:02

Now New wide receiver core. Now Christian Kirk returns. They lost Calvin Ridley. They have 40 vacated targets. You got Gabe Davis coming in, Brian Thomas coming in. I think Brian Thomas could be a sleeper this year at the wide receiver position. Gabe Davis not a huge fan of Christian Kirk. He's Kirk, he's good and all. But I think you can get value with Brian Thomas Jr later. So currently I see Christian Kirk going wide receiver 31 overall, 71 overall, 71st in total ADP out of everyone. And then you got Brian Thomas Jr, who's going 124th overall, wide receiver 49. So you can grab a guy in Brian Thomas Jr who could make a pretty big impact in this Jacksonville offense as a rookie at 124th overall, which is 50 spots later than where Christian Kirk's going. Who do you like in this Jacksonville offense Tanner that you think could emerge as a top target.

Speaker 2: 39:08

Well, travis Etienne first and foremost, but top target-wise, I have Christian Kirk's going to be top of the list for me. After that I think it goes to Evan Ingram, and then after that your guy Brian Thomas Jr, and then T-Law and then, last but not least, gabe Davis.

Speaker 1: 39:32

That's how I have that offense yeah, evan Ingram 143 targets last year, which is absolutely insane. Calvin Ridley at 136. Christian Kirk had 85. So Calvin Ridley at 136. Christian Kirk had 85. So Calvin Ridley, big piece missing 136 targets gone. Zay Jones 64 targets gone. Like I said, they have 40 vacated targets. Now I don't think Gabe Davis is going to be as highly targeted as he was in Buffalo, but I could see him being around that 70 to 80 range. Expect Christian Kirk to get more, but I could see him being around that 70 to 80 range. Expect Christian Kirk to get more. And I expect Brian Thomas Jr to get more as well, which is why I have him as a sleeper.

Speaker 1: 40:11

Let's move on to the Titans, which I'm not a huge fan of this passing game. I'm sure it's a sleeper offense with this new head coach and offensive coordinator, but you've got Calvin Ridley, deandre Hopkins, who's injured, and then Tyler Boyd. I think that's a lot of good targets in this offense and they currently have negative 140 vacated targets. That's mostly because Calvin Ridley's coming in with 136, and then Tyler Boyd, who had to believe like 98 or something like that last year. Tanner, do you like any of these three guys in this titans offense?

Speaker 2: 40:49

uh, with will levis at the quarterback position yeah, I like, I like calvin ridley top of the list, um, not that I'm going to be fishing for him in drafts, but I but I do like I'd take him ahead of Deontay Johnson or Chris Godwin, portland Sutton, guys in that range. Then I think Tony Pollard is going to be a big part of this offense and I think we're going to continue to see Tajay Spears sprinkled in as we did last year. After that I think it's going to go DeAndre Hopkins I'm out on him this year, um. And then okonkwo, the tight end. He could make some waves. You know, if will levis needs his security blanket at the tight end spot, um. Then, last but not least, well, after will levis and then tyler boyd um, but I, I wouldn't. But I wouldn't be looking to get Tyler Boyd, unless we're talking wide receiver five.

Speaker 2: 41:50

Yeah he's like a deep sleeper. Yeah, like something crazy.

Speaker 1: 41:55

Calvin Ridley's going as wide receiver, 33 right now, 75th overall. I don't mind where he's going. I think he could benefit from DeAndre Hopkins being there, kind of like the Julio Jones Whenever him and Julio were in Atlanta, someone to draw coverage away from Calvin Ridley. But DeAndre Hopkins is already hurt. So we'll see how this offense works out. I don't mind taking Ridley, I'm trying to stay away from Hopkins and, like Tanner said, tyler Boyd, that wide receiver, I mean, he's going so late. You have to be in a room.

Speaker 2: 42:28

So many other weapons, so many other weapons in that offense. Let's not go get Tyler Boyd until someone gets hurt.

Speaker 1: 42:35

No, definitely, would rather probably have Calvin Ridley or no one else in this offense. I mean, deandre Hopkins could prove people wrong, as he posted on his Twitter Instagram. He said, oh, you're not going to draft me this year, and it was like him just waiting and like loading up and showing that he was getting ready to prove people wrong and I'm like, okay, so he's going as a wide receiver 40, 98th overall. He's just older and I don't think he has the potential to be that great. There's definitely other teams and this is one of the next teams in the AFC West which we're about to get into.

Speaker 1: 43:17

I really am not looking for anyone in this offense, maybe one person. But we're going to go through this team pretty quick. Cortland Sutton, marvin Mims and Josh Reynolds are the top three wide receivers, not to mention the rookie Troy Franklin and then Tim Patrick, the veteran wide receiver. That's the Broncos' five receivers that can all compete for the top target on this offense, which I think is going to be Cortland Sutton. No doubt about it, but I'm staying away from this offense. Not a huge fan of this offense. I've had to watch the Broncos in Colorado and they are horrible. Tanner, do you like anyone in this offense? Wide receiver-wise.

Speaker 2: 43:58

If I had to Courtland Sutton, I think he'll go inside the top 80. I think he'll be a mid-seventh round pick if we're talking about a 10-team league and then, other than that, no, I really don't. Jaleel McLaughlin if I absolutely had to, samaj P Ryan, if I absolutely had to Marvin Mims, the shout-out Frisco Texas we're talking end of the draft if he's still there.

Speaker 1: 44:30

Yeah, he's a sleeper wide receiver, but as far as wide receivers, sutton's probably the only one I think both of us would want, but I don't really. He's going 47th wide receiver, 47th, 117thth overall. You can get a guy like brian thomas jr later. I think I'd rather have him. I think that offense is going to be better than the denver offense. Uh, jameson williams, the number two target behind him on raw, I think I'd rather have him. I'd rather have khalil shakir. I'd rather have a lot of guys over Cortland Sutton Now, granted, he's the number one guy, but this offense just doesn't do it for me. An offense that does do it for me, though the Kansas City Chiefs. They have minus 106 in their vacated targets. Now we all know Travis Kelsey is going to be the top target at the tight end position and he's going to steal targets away from this offense. Their wide receivers, that is Now. Last year Rasheed Rice was the top targeted wide receiver at 102 targets, but he probably was the only one on the team that could actually catch the ball.

Speaker 2: 45:45

So they're trying out Kadaderius Tony at running back.

Speaker 1: 45:49

Yeah, they're trying to go for the three Pete now. Um, I think you know Marquise Hollywood Brown coming in helps out a lot and you know Marquise Hollywood Brown is going to be the guy that people drafts. But I could see him falling because of that injury. He's out for the next four to six weeks minimum, so he's going to miss the start of the regular season. That's where I think Rasheed Rice provides some value in this offense, and not to mention Xavier Worthy.

Speaker 1: 46:16

I'm not huge on Xavier Worthy. Sure, he's fast, but I think Rasheed Rice is kind of more the guy that I would like, because last year him and Mahomes had a good connection. Travis Kelsey is obviously, I think, going to be one of the top target earners, no doubt about it. Him and Mahomes have a chemistry like no one else. So it's going to be hard to get behind Hollywood Browns going 91st overall. So he's falling into that Xavier Worthy territory. Xavier Worthy, I think he's going way too high 93rd overall, right behind Hollywood Brown. Rasheed Rice is going ahead of those two at wide receiver 3580th overall. I think I'd take that guy in the offense. I don't think he's going to get suspended this year, so you don't have to worry about that. Tanner, who do you want in this chief's offense?

Speaker 2: 47:09

wide receiver, wise, or is it just I don't want a wide receiver, I'd like travis kelsey um well, I like pacheco more than I like kel, and then I like Kelsey as the number two, and then Mahomes as the three Wide receiver-wise. Rishi Rice is going to be my number one, then Xavier Worthy is going to be my number two, and then Hollywood Brown is going to be my number three, with some of the injury, like you said. I do want to touch on Xavier Worthy, though. Worthy's a speedy, exciting player, could be a great fit for Kansas City, but he's not Tyreek Hill. I mean, in fact, he might not be better than the fourth option in the passing game for Patrick Mahomes, behind Travis Kelsey, rasheed Rice and Hollywood Brown. So I have him ranked much lower than where he's getting drafted.

Speaker 1: 48:06

What about you, brady? Yeah, rasheed Rice, I think, is the guy that I want. If Marquise Hollywood Brown starts to fall even more because of this injury, I could see myself taking him, but I don't think I want Xavier Worthy. I think Rasheed Rice is definitely the guy that I would like and honestly I wouldn't mind just drafting the quarterback in my homes and getting all the weapons included.

Speaker 1: 48:37

But we'll see about that. I also don't mind waiting for a quarterback this year. It's so deep. But I think any wide receiver in this offense it's got to be Rasheed Rice for sure. And that's all my thoughts on the Chiefs. Let's move into the Raiders though. Devontae Adams, currently going as a wide receiver 10. I mean, he's going to be the top target earner in this offense, but besides him it's going to be Jacoby Myers, who I think is getting slept on, then Trey Tucker Tanner, wide receiver-wise. Who do you like in this offense? I'm not a huge fan of Devontae Adams this year. I think he's getting overdrafted and I'd rather have a different.

Speaker 1: 49:21

I actually have him as one of my busts and I'd rather have any of the top five running backs over him, and then I'd rather have Marvin Harrison Jr, chris Olave and Drake London over Devontae. What about you? Do you like Devontae or anyone else?

Speaker 2: 49:38

wide receiver-wise for the Raiders. I like Devontae as wide receiver 10, I think I've been going back and forth on this. It's tough. It's really tough this is where it gets hard in the draft. He's yeah I would say he's going to be going around in the draft probably what top 20 he's probably going like 20 yeah, okay, yeah, okay.

Speaker 2: 50:20

So I mean I'm gonna take, I'm taking puka over him, I'm taking marvin harrison jr over him. Um, but I would take davante over chris olave or drake london. I still think he's gonna be up there.

Speaker 1: 50:33

I think he's still gonna see the volume yeah, he's gonna be the number one guy on this offense. He's going 19th in adp right now, according to Fantasy Pro's ADP, and he's going about the 10th, 9th, 10th receiver across the top four formats in Sleeper, yahoo, espn and, yeah, the top three, I should say. Yeah he's going to be the top target earner. No doubt about it.

Speaker 2: 51:03

There's going to be Zemir White showing. This doubt about it. There's uh gonna be zamir white showing this year, as we saw at the end of last year, I think again. So he'll probably be the number two weapon in that offense. As far as fantasy production, um then three, I'm gonna take brock bowers. Um then four, I'd go jacoby myers, even though he was productive more productive last year than people seem to remember. And then it's just like a handcuffed late flyer on this offense. How many years have you heard it in a row, fellas? Go get you some Alexander Madison. He's one injury away, right, am I right? Am I right?

Speaker 1: 51:35

It's not going to happen. Yeah, Jacoby Myers had 106 targets last year, second most in the offense. Devontae Adams had 175. Then Josh Jacobs was third with 54. Expect some of those running back targets to probably go to Zemir White or maybe Alexander Madison. But yeah, I think it's Devontae Adams at the wide receiver position, or I don't mind drafting Jacoby Myers later. I think he could provide pretty good value for you, especially because last year in points per game he was wide receiver 25. And currently he's going as wide receiver. He's going way down there. I got to scroll down.

Speaker 2: 52:18

We looked at this on the quarterback episode I believe.

Speaker 1: 52:22

Yeah, he's going way down there. He is currently going wide receiver 55 and he you're telling me you could get a guy like him at wide receiver 55 who's producing at a wide receiver 25 level and points per game last year and he had over 100 targets.

Speaker 1: 52:40

That's pretty good value I'd rather have him than davante adams, in my opinion, in this offense, wide receiver wise. But that is the second to last team in this division and in the afc. Let's go to the last team. Who has the most vacated targets out of any team? It is the los angeles chargers 250 vacated targets. That's because they lost Austin Eckler, they lost Keenan Allen and they lost Mike Williams Tanner. Who do you expect to be the top target earner in this offense? They've got a lot of new faces, but these guys have a good amount of potential.

Speaker 2: 53:19

Well, one guy I really want to touch on is Ladd McConkie, the rookie from Georgia. I'm probably higher on him than most, but he's as good as bad as any to lead the Chargers in targets and fantasy points among wideouts, with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams gone. I'm not a huge fan of Quentin Johnson either, so I'll take McConkie as a number three wide receiver or flex starter any day of the week. After that, in this offense, I think it's going to be Gus Edwards, then I think it'll be Josh Palmer, then I think it'll be JK Dobbins, then Kamani Vidal don't sleep on him and then and with as low a valueani Vidal.

Speaker 2: 54:03

Don't sleep on him.

Speaker 1: 54:04

Nah, I'm playing.

Speaker 2: 54:05

No way, and with as low a value as Vidal, then I'd take Quentin Johnston. So yeah, I think it's going to be the McConkie show in LA.

Speaker 1: 54:14

Hey, you forgot to mention DJ Chark man, but he's currently the wide receiver three. Three because Quentin Johnson is so bad. But Josh Palmer, lab and conky are the two wider receivers. I think I'd have no doubt about it. I like where they're going, I like the value they provide. I stay away from DJ chart he's. I don't think he's going to provide that big of value. There is something to note that Justin Herbert is hurt, but I think he's going to be ready week one, so don't need to worry about that.

Speaker 1: 54:47

I'd love Ladd McConkie or Josh Palmer. Josh Palmer is currently going a little later than McConkie. Ladd McConkie is wide receiver 43 in drafts, 97th overall. And then I believe Josh Palmer is just after wide receiver 57, 156th overall. He's going later or earlier in different formats but in different leagues ESPN, sleeper, yahoo, all that. But I like Josh Palmer. I think he provides a little better value just because you can get him later than McConkie. But McConkie should make an instant impact as a rookie, like you were talking about Tanner. He is really good and I think Justin Herbert is going to love playing with him. And that is going to do it for the AFC wide receiver preview part one. Let's get into the NFC wide receiver preview part two. If it doesn't cue right into it, you can just click on the episode in the most recent episodes and it'll get you there. But yeah, tune in to part two right now for the NFC wide receiver preview. No-transcript.