NFL 2024 Fantasy Draft Primer & How to Bet It: Wide Receivers

Last week we broke down the running back position for fantasy football drafts, and value picks from rounds 2 – 12. If you haven’t read each part of that series what are you doing? Now it’s time to turn to a position that is not scare, but harder to find true game changers, in the wide receiver. I’ll be looking to have my top two receivers drafted by round three in most leagues, but let’s still find depth throughout the draft. Today we will select one receiver from rounds 2-4 and discuss their NFL fantasy value.

This is an ongoing series to highlight players who REEK of value in NFL fantasy drafts. We aren’t talking about McCaffrey with the 1st overall pick, but instead we are going to be finding gems. Each article will feature a position within a range of draft rounds (we will always skip the 1st round). We will assume that these picks are for 12-team leagues with .5 PPR and will not be discussing in terms of Superflex. On top of that I’ll highlight a futures bet that corresponds with each player, all of whose odds can be found on BETONLINE.

So without further ado, let’s kick it off with NFL fantasy football 2024 top 3 value picks: the wide receivers. It’s mock draft season baby!!!

1. Wide Receiver Value Round Two: Marvin Harrison Jr.

Will another rookie receiver put up over 1,000 receiving yards this year?

Admittedly the wide receivers available in round two all come with question marks. Will Aiyuk be on the 49’ers? Will Devante Adams get traded? Will Drake London and Kirk Cousins find a connection? I will be looking to secure my top receiver in round one unless my top 7 WR’s have already been selected. There’s a large tier gap after those top 7. But in the case I am selecting my top receiver in round two I am going to go for the upside approach.

Out of all the receivers who are typically available in round two, Marvin Harrison Jr. feels like he has the best shot to be top 5 in his position. Yes, this will be his rookie season. But we’ve seen rookie wideouts explode in the past couple seasons, just look at Justin Jefferson and his 7 touchdown, 1,400 receiving yard rookie season. Or Ja’Marr Chase and his 13 TD, 1,455 yard season. Even last year Puka Nacua ranked #5 in PPR formats.

Marvin comes with draft pedigree and a generational profile, not to mention a hall of fame father. The Cardinals will have a healthy Kyler Murray and a (slightly) improved offensive line. Marvin also has little competition with Michael Wilson and Zay Jones being the next best receivers on the team outside tight end Trey McBride. If I have to draft a receiver with question marks I want the one who could be at the top of his position and Marvin Harrison Jr. is that guy. I’m pushing my chips all in on Marv for NFL fantasy value in round two, especially if he falls into the middle of the round.

Marvin Harrison Jr. o1,050.5 receiving yards for -112 on BetOnline:

We don’t have any NFL stats to back up this bet, but looking at some of the other stud receivers who went off their rookie season should help give confidence in this play. All of Chase, JJ, Puka Nacua, Garrett Wilson and AJ Brown have done hit this line in their rookie seasons. That account for at least one rookie in every NFL season since the 2020 season. I feel this line is set this way because of the unknowns around Harrison’s transition to the pro game and I’m all over it.

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2. NFL Fantasy Round Three Value Wide Receiver: Mike Evans

Mike Evans could be the steal of the NFL fantasy draft once again

Feed me Mike Evans in every draft. Every. Stinking. Draft. Evans has a remarkable record of consistency, with ten consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. This reliability is invaluable in fantasy football. He’s a frequent target in the red zone, making him a touchdown threat every time the Buccaneers get close to the end zone. Last season he was the 4th best receiver in .5 PPR leagues with 1,255 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns.

Let all the haters skip him. Yes he will be 31 by the time the season begins. But all this man has done is produce and play games. In fact out of his ten NFL seasons he has only played less than 15 games once. This is Mr. Reliable. I am willing to take Evans with the first pick of the 3rd round or even late into the 2nd round if needed.

Quaterback Baker Mayfield had amazing chemistry right from the get-go with Evans and its hard to see that slowing down. He is in a weaker division and will play the Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons twice. The Buccaneers are also in the top third for strength of schedule. This is one of my favorite value picks in all of NFL fantasy and I will be doing everything I can to draft him everywhere.

Mike Evans o1,000.5 receiving yards for -112 on BetOnline:

Evans has hit this line in every single season of this NFL career. The books are practically asking for him to have some regression due to his age. But Barker loves throwing the ball and the Bucs have enough weapons to help Evans find separation (not like that has ever mattered for the hulking receiver) but not enough to vulture his targets. Going for a little history repeating here and another 1,000+ season for Evans.

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3. Value Wide Receiver NFL Fantasy Round Four: DK Metcalf

Metcalf was a top 15 WR in the league last year and can be had in round 4.

Much like Mike Evans in round three, DK Metcalf is the hulking gigantic receiver I will be looking to take in round four. At this point in the draft I will most likely be targeting running backs or quaterbacks, but if I have to pivot to filling out my receiver depth here DK is the most reliable out of the four names often found in this round.

Metcalf isn’t as old and worn down as Cooper Kupp, is a proven vet unlike rookie Nabers and has put up top 15 WR seasons unlike Devonte Smith. Metcalf’s combination of size (6’4″, 235 lbs) and speed (4.33 40-yard dash) makes him a matchup nightmare for defenders. He has consistently put up strong numbers since entering the NFL. And even if his quaterback situation isn’t elite, DK has been a reliable fantasy producer with multiple 1,000-yard seasons.

This is exactly the type of profile and value I am looking for in round 4 and beyond in NFL fantasy drafts.

DK Metcalf o950.5 receiving yards for -112 on BetOnline:

This is the bet I am least confident in. It will be riding on Geno Smith’s ability to produce this season as a quaterback and how the team will look after a coach and scheme change. Still, Metcalf has hit 950 receiving yards in every season he has played outside of his rookie year.

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