The NFL’s regular season is over three months away, but as rookie minicamps get underway, fantasy football players may be getting that draft itch. If dynasty isn’t your cup of tea, best ball leagues may be for you. You draft an expanded roster, and then there are no transactions, with lineups being set automatically each week. You check back in at the end of the season to see how you did.
The deeper rosters and lack of preseason game usage can change how rankings are approached. Since your best lineup is set automatically, you are looking for consistent players but also others with high boom potential and who could have big weeks. With that in mind, here are our best ball rankings for wide receivers.
2024 best ball rankings: Top 113 wide receivers
Justin Jefferson will play under the fifth-year option of his rookie deal in 2024. It’s a contract year for him — barring a franchise tag — and he will have rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy throwing to him. Still, Jefferson has shown himself to be the most dynamic wide receiver in the league and thus retains his fantasy football value even with some uncertainty looming.
CeeDee Lamb is also due for a new contract, and ominous words from Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones suggest that it may not be coming from them. Lamb had the second-most receiving yards last year (1,749) trailing only Tyreek Hill by 50 yards. He had 12 receiving touchdowns, and the Cowboys didn’t bring any other serious receiving threat to suggest that he shouldn’t be expected to lead the team in targets once again. Lamb had a league-leading 181 a year ago.
Marvin Harrison Jr. was the first wide receiver drafted this year, but he isn’t my top rookie wideout in bestball. He was selected by the Arizona Cardinals with the fourth overall pick, and the New York Giants drafted Malik Nabers sixth overall. Harrison Jr. lands alongside quarterback Kyler Murray, running back James Conner and tight end Trey McBride. Nabers, on the other hand, has Daniel Jones, Devin Singletary at running back and a mixed bag at wide receiver. It’s close, but I think that Nabers had a better chance at seeing more targets and has more upside for big weeks, cementing himself in your best ball lineup that is generated automatically.