Fantasy Football: Top WR sleepers, breakout candidates for 2024

We’re coming off a season in which Puka Nacua and Nico Collins each delivered WR1-level production at outrageously modest draft prices, so the viability of fantasy football sleepers at this position is not really an open question.

If you require further convincing on this subject … well, then it’s possible you may need to repeat a few lower-level classes at Fantasy U.

Just like last season, this year’s league-tilting breakout receivers are likely to be a group of buzzy 25-and-under players who — in addition to their obvious talent — possess strong statistical indicators that suggest serious upside. Some of the top candidates are clearly headed for increased usage, too, like this third-year burner…

Last year, one of the best ideas in football was a deep shot to Shaheed. Those throws often ended in this manner:

Shaheed reached the end zone five times on attempts of 20-plus yards in 2023, catching 12 of his 21 chances. His passer rating when targeted on deep throws was 121.5, which of course ranked among the highest in the NFL. This year, under new OC Klint Kubiak (previously the passing game coordinator for the Niners), we can reasonably expect to see the usual deep shots to Shaheed, along with more quick-hitting YAC opportunities.

Let’s recall that the only notable move New Orleans made at receiver in the offseason was to release Michael Thomas. This team is otherwise running it back with Chris Olave, Shaheed, Alvin Kamara and A.T. Perry at the top of the receiving hierarchy. No one should be at all surprised if Shaheed sees triple-digit targets and tops 1,000 yards in the season ahead. He’s been an unfair offensive weapon from the moment he first took the field for the Saints.

If you gave the average NFL fan a hundred guesses, it’s pretty unlikely they’d be able to name the guy who led all receivers in passer rating when targeted. Shakir caught 39 of his 45 chances for 611 yards and two scores (and zero picks), resulting in an outrageous 133.6…


Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/fantasy-football-wr-sleepers-breakout-wide-receivers-for-2024-xavier-worthy-rashid-shaheed-135743868.html

Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2024-08-08 13:57:43

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