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Beat The Breakout: Rookie Wide Receiver Early Season Production

Beat The Breakout: Rookie Wide Receiver Early Season Production

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In the past, it was a common sentiment that “Rookie wide receivers don’t break out until their third year in the league”. However, with the NFL shifting to be more pass friendly, that is no longer true. Most wide receivers that will have long-term dynasty value will have immediate production in their rookie season.

I analyzed the first eight games of rookie wide receivers drafted in the first 3 Rounds of the NFL Draft from 2016-2021. What I found are certain thresholds that need to be hit for sustained success in the NFL.


Great/Elite

  • 50+ Rec. Yards Per/G
  • 4+ Rec. Per/G
Player Name Rec. Yards Per/G Rec. Per/G
Ja’Marr Chase 98.3 4.8
Justin Jefferson 78.4 4.3
Michael Thomas 71.6 5.9
CeeDee Lamb 65.5 5
Terry McLaurin 65.4 4
Tee Higgins 61 4.1
Jerry Jeudy 60.5 3.8
Marquise Brown 59.6 3.8
Calvin Ridley 57.9 4.1
Brandon Aiyuk 53 4
Chase Claypool 55.5 3.9
JuJu Smith-Schuster 53 3
DeVonta Smith 52.6 4.1
Jaylen Waddle 51.6 6
Rashod Bateman 50.5 4
DK Metcalf 50.3 2.9

Good/Great

  • 30-49 Rec. Yards Per/G
  • 3 Rec. Per/G
Player Name Rec. Yards Per/G Rec. Per/G
Will Fuller 48.6 3.3
Sterling Shepherd 48 4.3
Mecole Hardman 46.8 2.5
Christian Kirk 46.4 3.7
Cooper Kupp 46.3 3.3
Corey Coleman 44.8 3.3
Kadarius Toney 43.6 3.9
AJ Brown 43.5 2.8
Denzel Mims 42.8 3
Kenny Golladay 42.5 2.3
Deebo Samuel 42.4 3.8
Anthony Miller 41.5 3
Michael Pittman 41.3 2.8
Rondale Moore 40.9 3.6
Courtland Sutton 40.5 2.1
Laviska Shenault 40.4 3.8
Jalen Reagor 37.8 2.7
Diontae Johnson 37.4 3.3
DJ Moore 37.1 2.4
Tyler Boyd 35.4 3.1
KJ Hamler 34.4 2.8
Elijah Moore 34.3 3.1
Josh Doctson 33 1
Corey Davis 32 3.1
Henry Ruggs 32 1.7
Michael Gallup 30.1 1.6

Outlook Not Good

  • 0-29 Yds/G
  • 1 Rec/G
Player Name Rec. Yards Per/G Rec. Per/G
Nico Collins 28.5 2.3
Tre’Quan Smith 26.8 1.5
Bryan Edwards 24.8 1.3
Dante Pettis 23.1 1.4
Taywan Taylor 21.8 1.4
Zay Jones 21 2
DJ Chark 19.9 1.5
Parris Campbell 19.2 2.5
Miles Boykin 16.4 1.1
Devin Duvernay 16.1 1.4
N’Keal Harry 15.7 1.7
Van Jefferson 15.1 1.1
Terrace Marshall 14.5 1.8
Josh Palmer 13 1.1
Anthony Schwartz 12.8 0.9
Andy Isabella 12 0.4
Braxton Miller 10.9 1.8
Mike Williams 10.9 1.3
Chris Godwin 10.4 1
Dyami Brown 10.1 1
James Washington 8.3 0.9
Dwayne Eskridge 7.1 1.1
Amara Darboh 6.9 0.6
Curtis Samuel 6.7 1
John Ross 6 0.5
Amari Rodgers 5 0.4
Laquon Treadwell 1.9 0.1
Leonte Carroo 1.8 0.3
JJ Arcega-Whiteside 1.8 0.3
Tutu Atwell 0 0

The data shows some outliers in each tier, but it gives a general idea of thresholds you want to see your rookie wide receivers hit early in the season. Use this information to target (or trade away) the rookies in your leagues.

Check back in Week 8 of this season to see what we find out about the 2022 class.

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @DynastyABee and check out my work at alexbrunsen.com.


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