As we enter into the season for fantasy football drafts, what are Pro Football Network’s consensus WR rankings? Which players do our fantasy analysts see as starters you can trust, and which players should you be more cautious about when your drafts begin? Let’s take a look at the PFN consensus 2021 WR rankings from Senior Fantasy Analyst, Eric Moody, and Fantasy Analyst, Tommy Garrett.
2021 WR Fantasy Football Rankings | 1-12
Which 12 WRs make up the top group of our consensus fantasy rankings for 2021?
Tyreek Hill and Davante Adams stand atop a talented group of receivers
1) Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs
2) Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers
3) Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills
4) Calvin Ridley, Atlanta Falcons
5) DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona Cardinals
6) D.K. Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks
A big part of the reason Hill tops this list is his safety. Just once last season did Hill have less than 10 fantasy points in PPR formats. Meanwhile, he combines that to have a big game on any given week. Adams also has the potential for the big game on any given week. However, his three single-figure returns last season just means he is a little more volatile than Hill.
That story is similar for all of the names in the top six. All of them have great ceilings and are reasonably safe starts on a weekly basis. There is a clear gap between Hill and the rest in this little tier, based on the floor he brings each week. This top group in the 2021 WR fantasy rankings should all be a safe bet if you are willing to pay the price to get them.
A.J. Brown and Justin Jefferson lead an exciting group of WR options
7) A.J. Brown, Tennessee Titans
8) Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
9) Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints
10) Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers
11) Terry McLaurin, Washington Football Team
12) Allen Robinson II, Chicago Bears
This is another incredible group of options, who all have a great ceiling on any given week. Until the arrival of Julio Jones, Brown looked like he could be an absolute target monster in 2021. However, Tennessee has a run-first offense with two alpha receivers, stopping him from breaking into the top six. Jefferson could easily finish as a top-six option, given the other receiving weapons in Minnesota. Outside of Adam Thielen, no one will command the ball to the same extent as Jefferson.
The uncertainty surrounding Thomas comes from the QB position. However, he is talented enough that he should be able to thrive with whoever is under center. Allen is the example that we hope Thomas follows, as he did not miss a beat with a new QB. Over the last four years, Allen has been a consistent, reliable weapon.
Robinson and McLaurin both have incredible ceilings, but both have QB question marks. However, both should have regular success — they are the clear top receiving option on both of their respective teams.
2021 WR Rankings | 13-24
Which WR options find themselves in the second set of our consensus 2021 fantasy rankings?
A strong group of options headlined by Mike Evans and CeeDee Lamb
13) Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
14) CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys
15) Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
16) D.J. Moore, Carolina Panthers
17) Julio Jones, Tennessee Titans
18) Amari Cooper, Dallas Cowboys
If you do not want to invest heavily in the WR position in 2021, this area of the rankings could be the place to target two options. This group all has the potential to be top-12 options at the end of the season.
The presence of Antonio Brown somewhat limits the ceiling for both Evans and Godwin. Both should command over 100 targets, but their upside is somewhat limited. The situation is similar for Lamb and Cooper, who have Michael Gallup commanding attention.
The situation for Moore is akin to Lamb, Cooper, Evans, and Godwin. While there is not a clear third WR in the Panthers’ offense, Christian McCaffrey will command several targets if he can remain healthy. Moore is also playing with a new QB in Sam Darnold, which could lead to some early struggles.
Jones is in a slightly different situation. There is no clear third weapon in Tennessee’s offense. Therefore, he has a floor of 100 targets but an upside of 150.
Amari Cooper and Kenny Golladay lead the second half of the WR2 group in our 2021 fantasy rankings
19) Robert Woods, Los Angeles Rams
20) Kenny Golladay, New York Giants
21) Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
22) Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers
23) Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams
24) Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings
The Rams’ offense is going to be intriguing following the loss of Cam Akers. Will we see them shift to a more pass-heavy style now with only Darrell Henderson in the backfield? If so, that could benefit Woods and Kupp, who do not have a clear third option to compete for targets in that offense.
Golladay is an extremely frustrating option but now moves into an exciting offense in New York. When he is on the field, there are not many more intriguing receivers. There is competition for targets, however, especially with Evan Engram and Saquon Barkley commanding targets at tight end and running back.
The reunion of Ja’Marr Chase and Joe Burrow has the potential to bring immediate returns. The connection between the two should not need a lot of work once the season starts.
Aiyuk had a good rookie year, and while the 49ers’ offense can tend to be run-heavy, he had 96 targets in just 12 games last year. However, George Kittle and Deebo Samuel combined for just 15 games, so if they remain healthy, that could impact Aiyuk.
Thielen remains the clear second option for the Vikings, with 108 targets last year. Jefferson has taken the role as the No. 1, but Thielen is still a reliable option as a WR2.
2021 WR Rankings | 25-60
Where do the rest of the WR options fall on our 2021 fantasy rankings?
2021 WR Fantasy Football Rankings | 25-36
25) Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks
26) Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
27) Diontae Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers
28) Odell Beckham Jr., Cleveland Browns
29) Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos
30) Chase Claypool, Pittsburgh Steelers
31) D.J. Chark Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
32) Curtis Samuel, Washington Football Team
33) DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles
34) JuJu Smith-Schuster, Pittsburgh Steelers
35) Jerry Jeudy, Denver Broncos
36) Brandin Cooks, Houston Texans
2021 WR Rankings | 37-48
37) Will Fuller V, Miami Dolphins
38) Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers
39) Tyler Boyd, Cincinnati Bengals
40) Robby Anderson, Carolina Panthers
41) Jarvis Landry, Cleveland Browns
42) Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins
43) Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers
44) Antonio Brown, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
45) Laviska Shenault Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
46) Corey Davis, New York Jets
47) Marquise Brown, Baltimore Ravens
48) Michael Gallup, Dallas Cowboys
2021 WR Rankings | 49-60
49) Marvin Jones Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
50) Nelson Agholor, New England Patriots
51) DeVante Parker, Miami Dolphins
52) T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts
53) Darnell Mooney, Chicago Bears
54) Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens
55) Mecole Hardman, Kansas City Chiefs
56) Henry Ruggs III, Las Vegas Raiders
57) Tre’Quan Smith, New Orleans Saints
58) Russell Gage, Atlanta Falcons
59) Jalen Reagor, Philadelphia Eagles
60) Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts
Want more fantasy football analysis and news?
Be sure to follow us on Twitter (@PFN365) to stay current with all things around the NFL and the upcoming 2021 fantasy football season. Also, continue to visit Pro Football Network for NFL news and in-depth analysis while also visiting our fantasy football section for more coverage.
Ben Rolfe is a Senior Managing Editor at Pro Football Network and is also a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA). You can find him on Twitter @BenRolfePFN.