Fantasy Football Off-Season Movement: Wide Receiver Landscape, Part Two

Each off-season, I track team needs and the players most likely to fill those needs in a chart like this. In the coming weeks and months, NFL teams will have multiple opportunities to fill those holes, namely the March free agency period and April’s NFL Draft.

In this series, I’ll go position-by-position looking at teams in need, along with the veterans and rookies who could eventually fill the blanks on the chart below.

Every year, the wide receiver position seems to be more and more important as teams build deeper position groups than ever. That movement could take a hit this off-season as both the free agent group and rookie class are considered below average. Let’s take a look at what might happen this off-season at the wide receiver position.

In the first part of our look at the off-season wide receiver landscape, we examined teams that have – or may have – a need at the wide receiver position this off-season. Now it’s time to find some players to fill those gaps.

FREE AGENTS

Jakobi Meyers

Despite missing multiple games in 2022, Meyers set a new career-high with six touchdowns and also averaged a new high mark of nearly 13 fantasy points per game. Thanks to a barren free agent market, Meyers is already being compared to Christian Kirk as a player who could get a surprisingly high contract come free agency. It seems to be a foregone conclusion that the team that pays him that big money will not be the New England Patriots.

JuJu Smith-Schuster

Hitting the free agent market for the third straight off-season, Smith-Schuster is hoping his performance as the WR1 for the Super Bowl champions will somehow earn him the huge payday that he’s not yet found. After returning to Pittsburgh two years ago and taking an incentive-laden deal with the Chiefs last year, that seems doubtful. Smith-Schuster feels like a good bet to stick with Patrick Mahomes and company, though that won’t be enough to solve their wide receiver issues.

DJ Chark

Chark bet on himself last off-season, signing a one-year deal with the Lions to serve as their deep threat. It remains unclear if that bet paid off. While Chark had a solid season, he also missed time, as he has often done throughout his five-year career, and the Lions drafted deep threat Jameson Williams. The latter could lead to Chark landing with his third team in as many years. He’s dangerously close to becoming a dynasty roster-clogger.

Allen Lazard

The good news is that Lazard set new career highs and led the Packers in virtually every receiving category. The bad news is he was inconsistent and didn’t live up to preseason expectations or ADP. Lazard made it clear following the season-ending loss to the Lions that his time in Green Bay is likely over.

Other Free Agents to Follow: Parris Campbell, Darius Slayton, Robert Woods, Odell Beckham, Mecole Hardman

CAP CASUALTIES & TRADE RUMORS

DeAndre Hopkins

Soon after the regular season concluded, it was reported that the Cardinals planned to trade star receiver Hopkins this off-season. While somewhat surprising at first glance, other reports suggest Hopkins will be soon seeking a new contract, which could be forcing Arizona to make a move. Hopkins was suspended to start the season but once again looked like one of the top wideouts in the league when on the field. Hopkins season ended with a knee injury that cost him the final two games. The Ravens and Patriots are among the team that have been rumored as possible landing spots for the veteran.

Brandon Aiyuk

It is obvious the 49ers’ offense is loaded with star power and eventually, they will have trouble retaining each key player. Still playing on his rookie deal, the Niners could proactively deal Aiyuk to avoid inevitable long-term contract talks. Many teams would line up to acquire Aiyuk, who is still just 24 years old and has improved each year in the league.

Brandin Cooks

There’s no real speculation with this one. The veteran Cooks has made it clear multiple times he wants no part in the Texans’ rebuild. After missing multiple games mid-season, it was actually surprising to see Cooks back in Houston’s lineup, rather than traded or cut. Cooks does have a huge $26 million cap hit next year, which could result in him being released rather than traded.

Courtland Sutton

The Broncos have undergone some massive changes over the past calendar year. Hidden in the noise of the Russell Wilson trade and Sean Payton hire was the contract extension given to Sutton, which kicks in next year. After making $1.5 million this season, Sutton is set to get a raise up to $14 million in 2023 and is due another $26.5 million the following two seasons. Sutton didn’t post a single WR1 game this year and has only finished higher than WR43 once in his five-year career. After another average year, the Broncos could be ready to make a change.

Adam Thielen

Vikings veteran Thielen clearly took a step back in production this season and is now due over $13 million in 2023. It seems nearly impossible that the team will pay that price. Thielen has expressed a desire to remain with the team, so a restructured deal at a much lower cost is a possibility. If the two sides can’t work something out, Thielen will be gone. It is not a lock that another team will sign the veteran.

Michael Thomas

The Saints recently renegotiated the contract of their former superstar receiver Thomas. This deal essentially guarantees the two sides will part ways this offseason, which should be a positive for both. After four consecutive seasons finishing as the WR7 or higher, things fell apart for Thomas. He’s played ten games over the past three seasons, dealing with multiple nagging injuries and battling his own team throughout the process. I am not convinced we’ll ever see Thomas play in an NFL game again.

ROOKIES

Jaxon Smith-Njigba

After missing nearly the entire 2022 season with a hamstring injury, it would be understandable if Smith-Njigba’s NFL Draft and dynasty stock were in question. That’s not the case though. According to both DLF Rookie Rankings and our early Rookie ADP, the Ohio State product is the top rookie receiver. Smith-Njigba is not a lock to be the top wideout drafted but he is projected by most experts to be selected in Round One. He’s a precise route runner with reliable hands who should make an immediate impact for a receiver-needy team.

Jordan Addison

While there are some concerns about Addison’s slight frame, there are enough positives about the 2021 Biletnikoff Award winner to make him the current favorite to be the first wideout selected in the NFL Draft. Addison is silky smooth with speed and high-level college production. While there may be some doubt about his ability to be a true NFL WR1, Addison is a safe bet to contribute immediately. He’s been routinely projected to be the Giants’ first-round pick late in the first round.

Quentin Johnston

Enjoying a breakout season for Texas Christian this season, Johnston is a size/speed freak who doesn’t quite know how to use all of the tools he’s been gifted with quite yet. Some could view him as a project but that upside and overall athleticism will likely be enough to earn Johnston a spot in the Draft’s first day.

Jalin Hyatt

The Tennessee Volunteers enjoyed a magical season, at least until quarterback Hendon Hooker suffered a season-ending injury. Perhaps no player benefitted from their high-powered offense more than speedy receiver Hyatt. Through his first two seasons, the role player had eclipsed just over 500 yards and four touchdowns on 41 receptions. Those numbers are nothing compared to his 67-1,267-15 stat line this year. His 15 scores were tied for second-most in the country, while he was one of just six players to average over 100 receiving yards per game. Hyatt will undoubtedly be considered to big-play threats like Will Fuller and like the former Notre Dame speedster, Hyatt could easily land among the first-round picks come NFL Draft weekend.

Other Rookies to Follow: Zay Flowers, Kayshon Boutte, Josh Downs, Rashee Rice, Marvin Mims

Fantasy Football Off-Season Movement: Wide Receiver Landscape, Part Two