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Strategy for Drafting Wide Receivers

  • Writer: Bryce Johnson
    Bryce Johnson
  • May 28, 2025
  • 2 min read


During my Fantasy drafts, I'm looking to select at least five different wide receivers and it's my goal to have a well-balanced and diversified "wide receiver room". I don't want to draft all veterans or all rookies or take too many boom or bust guys. However, I want to make sure to snag a sleeper and also have enough reliable and proven wide receivers.


My strategy this year is to take one player from each of these categories which allows me to target different types of wide receivers throughout the draft and select them when I feel like it's good value.


5 Categories Explained:


  1. Stud: I want to grab one star wide receiver who is elite and proven in either the first or second round.

  2. Step Up: I want to take a rising star who is about to step up this year. These are guys in their second, third, or fourth season in the NFL and have the potential to be elite.

  3. Slips: There are always wide receivers who slip based on a lack of draft hype or because they are looking to bounce back after a bad season last year. Sometimes they are underrated or in a crowded or bad offense. These are the guys I'm thrilled that fall to me in the middle rounds because my league mates don't value them like I do.

  4. Sleepers: These are the overlooked players with upside that may be the second or third target in the offense, are young, and maybe didn't start coming on until late last year. These are also guys who are on new teams with new opportunity.

  5. Steady: It's nice to take a wide receiver with one of your final picks that you can count on to get you a consistent amount of points every week, even though they don't have the highest ceiling. These are usually veterans that their QB can trust, but they may not have the exciting upside. However, they will deliver when you need to insert them into your starting lineup.


Bryce's Targets in Each Category This Year:

  1. Studs: Ja'Marr Chase, CeeDee Lamb, Nico Collins

  2. Step Up: Garrett Wilson, Rome Odunze, Marvin Harrison Jr.

  3. Slips: DK Metcalf, Brandon Aiyuk, Calvin Ridley, Jerry Jeudy

  4. Sleepers with upside: Jakobi Meyers, Michael Pittman Jr., Keon Coleman

  5. Steady Veterans: Adam Thielen, Cooper Kupp, Rashod Bateman

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