The 2024 Season is in the books. While there’s still some playoff football to help us see how players do in the clutch, for dynasty players, it’s a time to sit back, take stock, and see how players fared. Over the next few months, I’ll look back at the 2024, 2023, and 2022 classes by position. I’ll be evaluating if their stock rose, remained the same, or dropped during the course of the season. Now could be the time to sell high, buy low, or hold on to a winning hand. Today, I continue with the 2024 Wide Receivers.
Stock Up: Malik Nabers, New York Giants
About: It’s hard to imagine a worse set of quarterbacks than what Nabers played with in 2024. He got Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, Tommy DeVito, and, at times, Tim Boyle. And yet, he thrived. He finished as WR6, averaging more than 18 points per game. He’s a Top 5 Dynasty option and looks like the best of the receivers taken in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Stock Up: Brian Thomas, Jacksonville Jaguars
About: While Nabers had a great season, Thomas had the most surprising rookie season. He finished as WR4 despite also having middling quarterback play from Trevor Lawrence. He actually picked up his game when Mac Jones was in the lineup. Will he connect with Lawrence better in 2025? It remains to be seen. Still, he’s a WR1 option in Dynasty.
Stock Up: Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers
About: McConkey was another of the Class of 24 receivers that had a great rookie year. The Chargers were a passing game needing a spark; the rookie provided it. He finished as WR12 on the season. That resulted in 82 receptions for 1,149 yards. He figures to be the top of the Chargers’ receiver group again in 2025, though the team will likely add some more weapons. Still, he’s a strong WR2 for me in Dynasty.
Stock Up: Devaughn Vele, Denver Broncos
About: Vele didn’t have a spectacular year, but he had the best season of the rookie WRs on the Broncos. That was likely somewhat unexpected. So, he makes the list here simply because he’s worth a Dynasty stash at this point, something that wasn’t a lock last off-season. I still think Marvin Mims and Troy Franklin will take a step forward, and the Broncos could add another receiver, but I liked what I saw from Vele in 2024. He’s worth a roster spot.
Stock Neutral: Marvin Harrison, Jr., Arizona Cardinals
About: Harrison was the top receiver taken in the 2024 NFL Draft and figured to have some WR1 upside in Dynasty. He had a solid rookie season, but it wasn’t spectacular. He could be hampered by playing opposite a target hog in Trey McBride for a low-volume passing offense with the Cardinals. But I’m not ready to write him off just yet. He’s still a WR2 in Dynasty for me heading into his second year.
Stock Neutral: Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears
About: Odunze was the third of the big rookie receivers taken in last year’s draft. He figured to have a lower output in his rookie year playing with a rookie quarterback in an offense with D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen. That was the case. He had some good moments but didn’t have a consistent path to targets. With Ben Johnson in for Chicago and Allen a free agent, Odunze is poised to take a step forward in year two. For now, he’s a fringe WR2 for me in Dynasty, but I feel better having him as my WR3.
Stock Neutral: Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs
About: Worthy had a solid rookie year, catching 59 passes for 638 yards and six touchdowns. It was a decent output, and he had some good games, also contributing on the ground. He heads into year two with Rashee Rice likely back from injury and Marquise Brown healthier. What is his role in the passing offense? Can it grow? It seems unlikely, leaving him in the WR4 range I had him heading into 2024.
Stock Neutral: Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco 49ers
About: Pearsall had a rough start to the season, missing time after being shot. By the end of the season, he was perhaps the team’s healthiest receiver. Deebo Samuel is gone, but Pearsall will still contend for targets with Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, and tight end George Kittle. Not to mention the contributions of Christian McCaffrey. I like the potential, but he’s a WR3 for Dynasty.
Stock Neutral: Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers
About: Can Legette become the team’s WR1? If he can, he’ll greatly outplay where he is ranked. If he can’t, he could be lower than the WR3 range I have him now. He doesn’t have a lot of competition at the moment, but the draft could well change that. If he and Bryce Young take a step forward in 2025, he could be well on his way to returning value. For now, he’s neutral.
Stock Neutral: Jalen McMillan, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
About: This one hurts. McMillan ended his rookie year with a flourish, and I was excited to see more in 2025. Then the Buccaneers re-signed Chris Godwin to a three-year deal. That leaves McMillan likely as the third receiver again behind Godwin and Mike Evans, in the mix with Bucky Irving and Cade Otton for targets. He’s still worth a roster spot, but he’s at best a Flex consideration barring injury.
Stock Down: Keon Coleman, Buffalo Bills
About: Buffalo’s pass offense wasn’t kind to anyone in 2024. That took the wind out of the sails for those rostering Coleman. He posted just 29 receptions for 556 yards and four touchdowns last season. Could he take a step forward in 2025? That’s the hope. But it’s unclear what his role will be in a Bills’ passing game that doesn’t look particularly robust.
Stock Down: Adonai Mitchell, Indianapolis Colts
About: There was excitement when Mitchell was drafted, but it took a backseat quickly. First, the Colts’ passing game was anything but robust or consistent. Next, while Michael Pittman and Josh Downs were the main options, Alec Pierce took a step forward in year three as a deep target. That left little action for Mitchell. It’s hard to see either of those issues improving much in 2025. Mitchell is a stash, but I’m not counting on consistent production in 2025.
Stock Down: Malachi Corley, New York Jets
About: I was excited about Corley in 2024, hoping he would soar along with a robust Jets’ offense. He didn’t, and neither did the Jets. Now, Justin Fields is the quarterback, and there are questions about the offense. But, beyond Garrett Wilson, there is opportunity at receiver. Can Corley take a year two leap? Maybe, but right now he feels like little more than a stash.
Stock Down: Jermaine Burton, Cincinnati Bengals
About: Not only could Burton not get past Andrei Iosivas to get on the field, but he also struggled off the field. His issues, combined with the fact that the Bengals brought back Tee Higgins and Mike Gesicki, mean that Burton isn’t likely to be a factor in 2025, if ever. In fact, I’m not sure I would make a point to roster him if space was needed.
Stock Down: Roman Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers
About: The Steelers needed receivers, and yet Wilson couldn’t get on the field as a rookie. He wasn’t healthy, and he made little to no impact when he was. Now, the Steelers have massive questions at quarterback while the team added D.K. Metcalf as a WR1. Wilson will face competition for targets from Metcalf, George Pickens, and tight end Pat Freiermuth while toiling for a run-first offense. He’s a deep league stash at best.
Stock Down: Troy Franklin, Denver Broncos
About: I liked the pick last year, both as a fan and fantasy player. Franklin played with Bo Nix in college, and the Broncos needed production at receiver. But it never quite materialized. Still, Franklin had some flash plays, including in the Broncos’ Wild Card loss to the Bills. That gives me hope he could still have some fantasy relevance. Right now, he’s a WR4/5 for me in Dynasty, but there is some upside.
Matthew Fox is a die-hard NFL fan and Broncos’ homer. He’s a member of the FSWA. You can find more from him on Twitter @knighthawk7734 or as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast, a part of the Campus2Canton Network.
