With Week 13 of the NFL season wrapped up, we’re continuing to focus on the best rookie playmakers leaguewide. The 2023 rookie wide receiver group is putting up big numbers week in and week out. Week 14 is right around the corner, so here are our best rookie receivers in fantasy football for the upcoming slate.
Who Are the Best Rookie WRs for Fantasy This Week?
Our NFL Week 14 dynasty wide receiver rankings are courtesy of PFN’s Consensus Fantasy Rankings.
1) Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs
Finally, Rashee Rice is coming into his own after flirting with owning the Kansas City Chiefs’ WR1 mantle. In his last two games, Rice has caught 16 passes on 19 targets, totaling 171 yards and one score. He’s far behind Los Angeles Rams WR Puka Nacua for the season, but Rice has been on a linear development path through this season.
His Week 14 matchup against the Buffalo Bills bodes well for his continued growth. With four top-23 finishes since Week 5 and a WR3 output in Week 12, Rice is realizing his upside.
2) Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
As soon as it had seemed that Nacua might be losing some of his shine, a WR11 finish reinvigorated our faith that he could be a top receiver for your squad. Over the last six games, Nacua has had three finishes between WR5 and WR12 and three between WR54 and WR64. Managers just need to accept the volatility the Rams are producing right now.
Some of that has to do with QB Matthew Stafford missing time earlier in the year, and RB Kyren Williams’ breakout has changed how the Rams operate. With the Baltimore Ravens on tap, Nacua slides a bit, as he doesn’t have a great matchup this week.
3) Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers
Quietly, Jayden Reed was a low-level WR1 from Weeks 10 through 12. His explosion coincides with QB Jordan Love’s steady growth. WR Christian Watson’s return finally affected Reed in Week 13, as the rookie’s production bottomed out with four catches for 16 yards.
MORE: 2023 WR Fantasy Football Rankings
However, Watson’s status is back in the air after he suffered a late-game injury against the Chiefs. This development will increase Reed’s value to earn a Flex spot in your lineup.
4) Zay Flowers, WR, Baltimore Ravens
The late bye week might be helpful for Zay Flowers, who finished as the WR6 in Week 12. Flowers was getting lost in the fray until the bye, finishing no higher than WR28 from Weeks 7 through 11. The target quality and volume slipped compared to what he earned in the first six weeks of action.
Getting a 37-yard rushing touchdown is unsustainable, so we’re uncertain of what to expect from Flowers against the Rams this week. With three games under 44 yards in his last month, Flowers is a risky start option.
5) Demario Douglas, New England Patriots
Although Demario Douglas is only on about 36% of rosters in dynasty leagues, he’s trending upward. Douglas has been the safety valve for the woeful New England offense over the last five weeks. He’s had no fewer than six targets since Week 7.
There’s no question that his lack of touchdowns has been a tough pill for managers to swallow. Still, Douglas is a great stash option for when the Patriots upgrade their offense this offseason.
6) Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts WR Josh Downs was establishing himself as a starter with a great Week 5 through Week 8 stretch, but then he came crashing back down to Earth. After catching 23 passes over those four games, Downs had three catches on four targets in his next two outings. He then nabbed eight receptions on 18 targets for 57 yards over the last two weeks.
Despite the knee injury being in the rearview mirror, Downs’ playability is going down the drain. WR Alec Pierce’s random breakout for 100 yards and a touchdown in Week 13 didn’t inspire confidence that Downs will become a priority in the unit in Week 14.
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