The past few weeks of the 2024 NFL season have showcased why taking the running back in the first round of your fantasy football draft was the right move. Due to a plethora of injuries at the position, wide receiver has been plagued, while running backs have stayed relatively healthy. Compared to last year, this is the inverse result if it plays out the way we think.
The only game-changing and elite wide receiver that is consistent for fantasy week to week is none other than Cincinnati Bengals star Ja’Marr Chase, who is the wide receiver 1 this year by 58 fantasy points in PPR. Can the unpaid former top-five pick finish as the top fantasy receiver for the first time in his fourth NFL season?
Wide Receivers Week 7
Amon-Ra St. Brown, like Jefferson from the Vikings, has been relatively consistent for the Detroit Lions but it is dependent on how much the Detroit Lions need to throw. Week 7 was a down week for receivers, as St. Brown was the top player with 25.2 PPR points this week. Brian Thomas Jr. was on a tear for the Jacksonville Jaguars but without Trevor Lawrence, his upside is limited with Mac Jones under center.
Both Philadelphia Eagles’ A.J. Brown and Atlanta Falcons’ Drake London have shown up as the top receivers in their offense but have dealt with a few injuries so far in 2024. Terry McLaurin for the Washington Commanders and Darnell Mooney of the Falcons have been steady eddy receiver 1/2 options for PPR, getting consistent volume and touchdown equity for fantasy teams.
Wide Receivers Week 8
Both Los Angeles Chargers receivers Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston have shown some consistency even with limited volume. CeeDee Lamb had 39.6 fantasy points in Week 8 for the Dallas Cowboys but now without Dak Prescott moving forward, he downgrades to a receiver two for fantasy.
Arizona Cardinals’ Marvin Harrison Jr. had his other big game but is more of a boom-bust type receiver with unstable volume. Indianapolis Colts Josh Downs has been a consistent PPR option with Joe Flacco still under center. Justin Jefferson for the Minnesota Vikings is currently the receiver two overall and was a solid top option overall this year but had a bad outing in Week 10.
Wide Receivers Week 9
Jaxon Smith-Njigba with D.K. Metcalf out before their bye week was the hero in Week 9. The sophomore receiver for the Seattle Seahawks had a career day with 37 fantasy points but could’ve had a bigger day surprisingly due to penalties. Cedric Tillman of the Cleveland Browns was the waiver wire steal the previous week, as he has had solid starts with Jameis Winston throwing him passes.
Zay Flowers for the Baltimore Ravens showed his upside in Week 9 but has also had a few bad downside weeks before, including Week 10. Both New York Jets receivers Garrett Wilson (receiver three overall) and Davante Adams showcased their ability to go off but followed up with a disappointing game in Week 10.
Wide Receivers Week 10
Chase against the Baltimore Ravens again means an explosion of fantasy points. In their first matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 5, the superstar pass catcher had 41.3 points in PPR, the 3rd most out of all wide receivers in 2024. In Week 10, he outside himself and Jauan Jennings from Week 3 for the San Francisco 49ers and had 55.4 points in PPR, the ninth most in NFL fantasy history.
That performance alone could solidify him with his first number-one finish among all fantasy receivers in 2024. While Chase has hit the top five in 2021, he hasn’t been in the top three in his four-year career so far.
Other names worth mentioning from Week 10 include New Orleans Saints’ Marquez Valdez-Scantling, Tennessee Titans’ Calvin Ridley, Denver Broncos’ Courtland Sutton, and Pittsburgh Steelers’ George Pickens. Scantling boomed out of nowhere with 2 deep touchdown catches from Derek Carr in their win, while the rest have been consistent the last few weeks as surefire receiver twos for fantasy managers.
