5 Cheap Potential WR1 Candidates – Fantasy Football (2024)
Looking to dominate your fantasy football league without breaking the bank? Discover our top 5 cheap potential WR1 candidates for the 2024 season. These underrated wide receivers are poised to deliver big performances and provide exceptional value. Don’t miss out on these hidden gems that could transform your fantasy team into a championship contender.
5 Cheap Potential WR1 Candidates for Fantasy Football
Once upon a time in fantasy football (in 1QB leagues) the quarterback and then the running back used to be the positions you drafted early on and were the most important to winning championships. Needless to say, times have changed. The wide receiver position has become the cornerstone piece of any fantasy team. Especially, in your dynasty fantasy football leagues.
Drafting a WR1 and having them perform like a WR1 is imperative in today’s fantasy football landscape. But what if you could draft a wide receiver who performs like a WR1, but not at a WR1 price? Let’s take a look at five wide receivers who may fit this profile and therefore, give you a considerable edge in your league this season.
Nico Collins (WR13) – Houston Texans
Nico Collins was plagued with injuries during his first two seasons with the Texans. However, last year with rookie quarterback sensation C.J. Stroud, Collins had his third-year breakout season. He finished as the WR18 with 80 receptions, almost 1,300 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns in 15 games.
The Texans did trade for receiver Stefon Diggs this offseason to go along with sophomore Tank Dell, forming a three-headed monster for Houston. There has been debate in the fantasy community on who will be the player to target among this receiving corps or whom to avoid. Last year, Collins almost played primarily on the outside. It is expected that Diggs and Dell will compete for the short intermediate routes.
There are a lot of metrics that demonstrate Collins’ receiving prowess. Notably, he was 12th in targets per route run and had the second-most yards per route run. Additionally, he was seventh in receiving yards per game. Finally, he ranked third in yards-after-catch per reception among all receivers. Needless to say, the metrics speak volumes.
The focus of this article is on potential cheap WR1s, and Collins’ current ADP of WR13 is not cheap. However, the potential for Collins in the Texans offense to be an elite WR1 this upcoming season exists. He had the highest passer rating when targeted last season, clearly showing a connection and trust with Stroud.
If Stroud is going to take that next step this season and have over 5,000 passing yards to go along with over 30 passing touchdowns, then someone stands to benefit and be on the receiving end of that. It would not be a surprise this time next year if Collins is in the conversation as a high-end WR1.
D.K. Metcalf (WR21) – Seattle Seahawks
Since DK Metcalf‘s rookie season, the 26-year-old has finished as the WR6, WR13, WR15, and last year as the WR19. Yet his ADP is WR21.
The Seahawks hired Ryan Grubb from the University of Washington to be their new offensive coordinator in the offseason. Grubb led the Huskies the last few seasons to one of the most prolific passing offenses in college in passing yards and points per game.
Recently, former NFL quarterback and current Seahawks radio and television analyst Hugh Millen asked Grubb about Metcalf receiving 10 targets per game. Grubb responded by saying “Those possibilities are certainly in the framework of the offense.” The hope is that Grubb will have a more dynamic play calling that will increase Metcalf’s target share from 20.7% (31st) last year and unlock his potential to return to 2020 WR1-like numbers.
Amari Cooper (WR29) – Cleveland Browns
Five out of the past six seasons Amari Cooper has finished as the WR17 twice, WR14 twice, and WR10. Last year the 30-year-old ranked 23rd in target share at 22.1%, 7th in air yards at 1,820 and 4th in air-yards share at 42.4%. Cooper’s productivity isn’t slowing down.
In the five games Cooper played with quarterback Deshaun Watson last year, he averaged 17.6 PPR points. That average would have him as the WR8, one spot behind Puka Nacua and one ahead of Mike Evans.
Watson enters the season fully healthy and the Browns traded for former first-round pick Jerry Jeudy from the Denver Broncos this offseason to hopefully alleviate some coverage off of Cooper.
Cooper never seems like the sexy pick when it comes to draft time. However, since 2018 the worst he finished was WR25, and that season he missed two games. However, for some reason, he’s going off the board as a mid-WR3. Make no mistake about it, Cooper is the alpha WR on this team.
Diontae Johnson (WR41) – Carolina Panthers
Last season, Diontae Johnson missed five games and never seemed to fit into the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive game plan. He was traded in the offseason to the Carolina Panthers and immediately became the number one option for second-year quarterback Bryce Young.
Young did not have a good rookie season at all, but the Panthers brought in “quarterback whisperer” Dave Canales as Head Coach with the hope of improving Young’s play in his sophomore season.
Last year, Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen, finished as the WR15 and from weeks 2-11 was the WR9. Young can clearly support a WR1 and pepper him with targets.
Johnson has had a WR1 season before. In 2021, he finished as the WR8 with 107 receptions, 1,161 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. Johnson’s contract is up at the end of the season, which should also act as a motivator for him, as he will want to perform this year for a future big contract.
Christian Watson (WR43) – Green Bay Packers
Anyone who has been following the articles I wrote this summer for Faceoff Sports Network, knows of my love and belief in Christian Watson. I wrote about him in 7 Bounce-Back Candidates and also in 3rd Year WR Breakout Candidates. Needless to say, I am a big fan.
Hamstring injuries have curtailed Watson’s career, but he has shown glimpses of being a WR1. During his rookie season from weeks 10-18, he scored 7 touchdowns and was the WR9. Notably, in his second year he had two weeks where he scored 20.4 and 27.6 PPR points.
Watson this offseason went to visit a hamstring specialist and seems to have figured out his hamstring injuries. In an ascending offense led by quarterback Jordan Love, Watson profiles and has an opportunity to be a WR1. With an ADP of WR43, he is easily worth the risk. Simply put, he’s someone you want on your fantasy football teams this year.
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