Quarterbacks always make headlines in the NFL, but what wide receivers have accomplished so far this season has been amazing. It seems like history is made every week, and it has been spread throughout the league.
Tyreek Hill topped 1,000 receiving yards in eight games. A.J. Brown had six straight games with more than 125 receiving yards. In the eight games he has played, Amon-Ra St. Brown has either 100 yards, a touchdown or both. Michael Pittman Jr. has caught eight or more passes in seven of 10 games. In the four games without Cooper Kupp, rookie Puka Nacua caught 39 passes for 501 yards.
This year more than most, the biggest headline in fantasy football hasn’t been about the quarterbacks, it’s been about the weekly back-breaking performances by wide receivers.
Fantasy football risers
Houston Texans WR Noah Brown – Who don’t you suddenly want from the Texans? From C.J. Stroud to Devin Singletary to Nico Collins to Tank Dell to Dalton Schultz. What separates Brown is his explosiveness and big-play ability. He has averaged 21 yards per reception and, over his last two games (against the Bucs and Bengals), has caught 13 passes for 325 yards and a TD. He has quickly become a huge fantasy threat.
Arizona Cardinals TE Trey McBride – McBride has come on strong over the last three weeks, catching 21 passes for 248 yards and a touchdown, including two games with eight or more receptions and 95 or more yards. With Kyler Murray back, all Cardinals fantasy players will see their stock rise. At a time when productive tight ends are at a premium, McBride is setting himself up for a strong finish.
Baltimore Ravens RB Gus Edwards – The Ravens have routinely been shredded at running back due to injuries in recent years. Edwards has been a consistent player, but it seems like the search never ends to find a replacement. But over the last month, Edwards has been impressive – rushing 49 times for 220 yards, catching four passes for 98 yards and scoring seven TDs. If you’ve kept Edwards in your lineup, you’ve been rewarded.
Dallas Cowboys TE Jake Ferguson – Ferguson is the second leading receiver on the Cowboys, but until three weeks ago, he wasn’t embellishing his receptions with touchdowns. In his last three games, he has caught 15 passes for 164 yards and has a touchdown in each game, improving his position to be a weekly starter in tight end-mandatory leagues.
Pittsburgh Steelers RB Jaylen Warren – Last year, Warren was a distant RB2 to Najee Harris, despite averaging 1.1 yards per carry more. Harris had 272 attempts, while Warren had 77. Through nine games this season, Harris has 116 carries to 71 by Warren, and Warren is again averaging 1.1 yards a carry more. In the last two games, Warren has rushed 16 times for 189 yards and a touchdown and is the second-leading receiver on the Steelers with 31 catches for 218 yards. He’s more than an RB2. He’s an RB1b.
Fantasy football fallers
Las Vegas Raiders WR Davante Adams – It’s not like Adams has been awful, but the numbers speak for themselves. He hasn’t scored since Week 3, and his weekly point totals since have been 15.5, 8.5, 4.9, 12.7, 2.1, 7.4 and 14.6. Those aren’t WR1 numbers, but he’s too good to keep out of starting lineups, which is causing a weekly dilemma.
Atlanta Falcons TE Kyle Pitts – In his three NFL seasons, he has showed up on this list multiple times. The Falcons passed on a quarterback in 2021 to take him. In 37 career games, he has averaged 3.4 receptions for 49 yards and just four touchdowns (one every 9.25 games). His 2023 numbers mirror his first two seasons. He has scored 10 fantasy points just once despite his athleticism and should be benched if you have other options.
Chicago Bears WR DJ Moore – Moore was one of the hottest players in the league the first five weeks, catching 27 passes for 531 yards and five touchdowns. Justin Fields (thumb) was injured in Week 6, and nobody has suffered more than Moore. In his last five games, he has caught 25 passes for just 262 yards and no touchdowns. In a month, he has gone from a must-start player to someone you hope you can bench for a better alternative.
Minnesota Vikings RB Alexander Mattison – When the Vikings made the decision to cut Dalvin Cook, Mattison was handed the job but struggled out of the gate, so the team signed Cam Akers. Akers when down with a torn Achilles, but Mattison’s struggles have continued. In his last five games, he has rushed 66 times for 185 yards, caught 10 passes for 88 yards and scored one TD. With Mattison out currently due to a concussion, Ty Chandler may be a better option if the former misses time.
Green Bay Packers WR Christian Watson – In six games this year, Watson has caught just 14 passes for 236 yards and one touchdown. In his last four games, his fantasy point totals have been 5.7, 6.3, 4.7 and 4.3. Those aren’t numbers that put you on a bench. Those are numbers that put you on the waiver wire and get you replaced by somebody who can actually score points.
