As dynasty fantasy football drafts continue to fire up for the 2021 season, differentiating between the elite players at each position can come down to the slimmest of margins. While factors such as age, production, and the supporting cast all play their part, we are here to help you disentangle all of that and make an informed decision. Here are the top 10 dynasty WR rankings for the 2021 season.
The following dynasty WR rankings are based on PFN’s consensus 2021 dynasty rankings. Please also be sure to check out our 2021 dynasty rookie rankings prior to your fantasy football drafts.
2021 Dynasty WR Rankings | 6-10
Who are the most consistent playmakers at the WR position? Let’s dive in.
WR10) Terry McLaurin, Washington Football Team
Terry McLaurin doesn’t get the credit he deserves. Despite having three different QBs start at least four games last season, McLaurin proved he is one of the best in the game. The second-year wideout finished the year with 87 receptions for 1,118 yards and 4 touchdowns in 15 games. In an interview, McLaurin said he did all of this while playing on a sprained ankle…twice.
Over his breakout season, he averaged 8.9 targets per game, resulting in 1.66 PPR points per target and a per-game average of 14.9. While not a long-term solution, the addition of Ryan Fitzpatrick cannot be understated and should be massive for McLaurin’s trajectory.
Additionally, Curtis Samuel joining the team and the selection of Dyami Brown in the 2021 NFL Draft means defenses can no longer focus all their attention on McLaurin. Given his age and immense talent, McLaurin is someone who could see his dynasty value soar as a locked-in WR1 in 2021 rankings.
WR9) Calvin Ridley, Atlanta Falcons
Prior to the Julio Jones trade, it was a wonder if people really knew how special Calvin Ridley is. Now that Jones is out of the picture, it should be a given.
In truth, Ridley was never just a wingman to Jones. In the 36 games they shared the field, Ridley averaged 6.6 targets, 4.4 receptions, 61.25 yards, and 0.6 touchdowns per game. On a 16-game average, that is 71 receptions on 106 targets for 980 yards and 10 scores.
On the other hand, when on his own, Ridley’s 16-game average is 116 receptions on 178 targets for 1,712 yards and 6 touchdowns. Last season, in the seven games without Jones in the lineup, Ridley was on pace for 329 PPR points and 1,749 yards. He averaged 20.56 PPR points, 7.14 receptions, 109.9 yards on 11.29 targets.
With Jones now making his impact in Tennessee, an argument could be made that Ridley deserves to be ranked higher amongst dynasty wide receivers. At 26 years old, Ridley is still in his prime and in the conversation to be a top-five receiver. Perhaps he already is.
WR8) DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona Cardinals
Remember when people thought that DeAndre Hopkins would regress following his trade to Houston? How’d that go again?
Hopkins was only the WR4 last season and saw the second-most targets in the NFL at 160. He converted that massive 29.36% target share into 115 receptions for 1,407 yards and 6 touchdowns while averaging 18 PPR points per game.
Despite joining a brand new team with no offseason, Hopkins’ 1.80 points per target were the third-highest of his illustrious career. And there is no reason to believe this will slow down anytime soon.
Arizona executed the Kliff Kingsbury high-tempo offense, which resulted in the third-highest plays per game in 2020 (67.8). That is no fluke, and I fully expect to see a slight increase in their passing-play percentage from 57.7% in 2020 (25th in the NFL). That could reach closer to 59% in 2021 due to the personnel changes.
The NFC West might be the most competitive division in the NFL, and to keep up, Arizona needs to air it out. No one is primed to benefit from this more than Hopkins, one of the best receivers in the NFL.
The Cardinals did add A.J. Green in free agency, along with Rondale Moore in Round 2 of the NFL Draft. Nevertheless, Hopkins is the lead dog in this high-powered offense, and why we’re confident in him as our WR8 in 2021 dynasty rankings.
WR7) CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys
This year, Ja’Marr Chase is seen as the next “can’t miss” WR. Last season, it was CeeDee Lamb. But as we know, the Dallas Cowboys underwhelmed in the post-Dak Prescott offense.
Where do you think Lamb ranked amongst WRs before Prescott went to the locker room in Week 5? Would you be surprised if I told you he was the WR11 in his first five games in the NFL?
Lamb caught 29 of 40 targets for 433 tards and 2 touchdowns in those first five games while averaging 17.1 ppg. Then, the proverbial wheel fell off the wagon for the offense under Andy Dalton, Ben DiNucci, and Garret Gilbert.
Lamb was the WR35 after seeing his fantasy points slashed by 30% to 12 per game from Weeks 6 through 17. Even in the sluggish offense, Lamb ended the 2020 campaign as the WR22 (13.6 ppg). He recorded 935 yards on 111 targets with 5 touchdowns.
Lamb just edged out Hopkins in our overall 2021 dynasty rankings to be the WR7. Likewise, Lamb is just one spot below our next wide receiver.
WR6) Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills
Stefon Diggs obviously heard the detractors going into the 2020 season and decided to shut everyone up (us included).
Diggs generated 265.1 fantasy points in 16 games and was the highest-targeted wide receiver in the NFL (166). He finished with 127 receptions for 1,535 yards and 8 touchdowns.
Of the top 36 receivers, Diggs was one of just 13 to average over 1.9 points per target and set career highs in receptions, yards, catch percentage (76.5%), yards per game (95.9), and fantasy points per game (20.1). His 1.97 points per opportunity (carries plus receptions) were the second-highest of his career (2019 – 2.14).
All in all, Diggs was utterly sensational. The consensus when he was traded to Buffalo is that his fantasy production would see a considerable decline. Clearly, we were wrong.
After all, very few could expect the Bills to pivot and become a pass-first team. Furthermore, it’s unlikely anyone outside of Bills Mafia saw the development of Josh Allen coming.
That is a mistake we will not be making again, as Diggs reminded everyone why he is one of the most dangerous receivers in the NFL. Thus, he is one of the highest-ranked WRs for dynasty in 2021.
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