Like a small child finishing their broccoli and ready for dessert, we’re moving on from last week’s discussion of running backs (Dynasty Offseason Overview – Running Backs (clubfantasyffl.com) to something much sexier, the dynasty wide receivers! Pretty much every Trade Bait email you get in which the manager has the decency to list what they’re looking for is going to say wide receiver.
Wide receiver is the new hotness. Dynasty managers have come to the realization that running backs are transitory and very few “bell cows” exist. Receivers combine the seasonal upside of running backs with longer career spans. With that in mind, let’s look at how the hotness breaks down for 2024.
Dynasty Overview – Wide Receivers
Tier I – The Super Heavyweights
- Justin Jefferson, MIN
- Ja’Marr Chase, CIN
- CeeDee Lamb, DAL
- Marvin Harrison, Jr., TBD
Like the quarterbacks, the same players from 2023’s top tier are back for 2024, but we also get to add a couple. CeeDee Lamb delivered on the promise his truthers (read: me) have been touting since the 2020 draft.
The only reason Marvin Harrison, Jr. isn’t walking into the league as the dynasty WR3 is because Lamb ascended to that slot. MHJ is the platonic ideal of a wide receiver: perfect size and athleticism, superb route runner, impeccable bloodline. Many will say he’s the best WR prospect since Chase. He’s the best WR prospect since Calvin Johnson.
MHJ’s inclusion shows the approximate trade value of a (very) early 2024 rookie draft pick. The only way I’m moving anyone in this tier is for a top-eight QB or for multiple top-five-ish 2024 picks.
Tier II – The Elite
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET
- Puka Nacua, LAR
- Tyreek Hill, MIA
- A.J. Brown, PHI
No shame in being in this tier. Everyone in this tier can make a legitimate case to belong in the top tier. Any given season, any given Sunday. Prepare to pay up if you try to trade into one of these. Recognize and come correctly.
Tier III – Really Good, Not Elite
- Brandon Aiyuk, SF
- Nico Collins, HOU
- D.K. Metcalf, SEA
- D.J. Moore, CHI
- DeVonta Smith, PHI
- Jaylen Waddle, MIA
AKA the Elite 1B tier. Other than Moore, they all run in high-end tandems. That’s probably a good thing for them. They’re all highly thought of, but there’s probably no path to Tier 1 status. Their value is pretty well established, so it’s not hard to build trade packages around this group.
Tier IV – The Good Ones of the ‘22 Class
- Garrett Wilson, NYJ
- Chris Olave, NO
- Drake London, ATL
- George Pickens, PIT
- Christian Watson, GB
Interesting group. This time last year, they were all varying flavors of “Next Big Thing,” but they all lost steam in 2023 for various reasons. A big season from any/all of them could catapult them into the top two tiers. Another steam-lessening season and they risk irrelevance. Value accordingly and use your best judgment.
Tier V – They’re Just So Old…
- Mike Evans, TB
- Davante Adams, LV
- Cooper Kupp, LAR
- Keenan Allen, LAC
- DeAndre Hopkins, TEN
- Adam Thielen, CAR
Borrowing a tier title from the running backs. If you’re looking to win your startup, pull from this group. Their injury risk is elevated, and they carry little to no trade value, but this tier will put up a lot of points, as they always do.
Tier VI – Not Quite So Old, But You Can See It Coming
- Amari Cooper, CLE
- Chris Godwin, TB
- Diontae Johnson, PIT
- Christian Kirk, JAX
- Terry McLaurin, WAS
- Deebo Samuel, SF
It’s a matter of time before they age into the tier above. Like the tier above, they continue to produce points.
Tier VII – The ‘23 Rookies Who Didn’t Embarrass Themselves (Non-Puka Division)
- Jordan Addison, MIN
- Tank Dell, HOU
- Demario Douglas, NE
- Josh Downs, IND
- Zay Flowers, BAL
- Jayden Reed, GB
- Rashee Rice, KC
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba, SEA
- Dontayvion Wicks, GB
- Michael Wilson, ARI
The 2023 rookie class was generally underwhelming (Not you, Puka, you’re good.), but those on this list did enough to make us think they have a chance. Notice the commonality in this group? My general aversion to small receivers was tested by this class.
Tier VIII – Just Guys
- Romeo Doubs, GB
- Jakobi Meyers, LV
- Josh Palmer, LAC
- Wan’Dale Robinson, NYG
- Rashid Shaheed, NO
- Khalil Shakir, BUF
Don’t get excited…
Tier IX – “Don’t Go Into the Light, Carol Anne!”
- Elijah Moore, CLE
- Jameson Williams, DET
- Jahan Dotson, WAS
- Treylon Burks, TEN
- Jalin Hyatt, NYG
- Quentin Johnston, LAC
- Marvin Mims, DEN
- Jonathan Mingo, CAR
As much as we (and I include myself) may have liked them as prospects, there’s no reason to think they can rise above their current low station. Get out now before the bottom falls out entirely.
Tier X – Landing Spot, Landing Spot, Landing Spot
Everyone in this group is either a free agent or likely a cap casualty. It doesn’t mean that they are given to move, but we’ll need more information to fully evaluate their likely outcomes. There may or may not be profit potential here… if you guess right.
Be sure you’re following Joel on Twitter. You can also find more of his Club Dynasty work, including QB and RB tiers, here!