2024 preseason rankings: Top 40 wide receivers

16. Calvin Ridley, Tennessee Titans

Age: 29
2023 rank: 17 (standard), 18 (PPR)
Quarterback: Will Levis, Mason Rudolph
Other receivers: DeAndre Hopkins, Tyler Boyd, Chigoziem Okonkwo (TE), Treylon Burks

With a full year under his belt, 2024 should be much kinder to Ridley than 2023 was on the heels of his year-long suspension. While he managed to top 1,000 yards and finish as the WR17, his consistency was practically nonexistent as he seemingly worked on a disappearing act all season. Now on his third team in four years, Ridley figures to immediately slot in as the WR1 in Tennessee alongside 32-year-old DeAndre Hopkins and fellow free agent acquisition Tyler Boyd. If Will Levis takes the leap many project for him in 2024, Ridley will be the primary beneficiary but his season-long value will be dependent on it.

15. Malik Nabers, New York Giants

Age: 21
2023 rank: NA
Quarterback: Daniel Jones, Tommy DeVito
Other receivers: Darius Slayton, Wan'Dale Robinson, Jalin Hyatt, Daniel Bellinger (TE)

It may be bold to have Nabers this high ahead of his rookie season, especially with Daniel Jones as his quarterback, but the talent is simply too much to ignore. In 2023, Nabers led the entire FBS in catches of 20 or more yards with 27 while no other player topped 18. A lot of criticism has been placed on Jones throughout his career but there is only so much any quarterback can do with Darius Slayton as his best receiver through five years. Even with his potential, Nabers will be limited by the questionable play of New York's quarterback room and offensive line, so consider him a high-risk, high-reward option. Nabers is the most talent New York has had at receiver since Odell Beckham Jr.

14. Stefon Diggs, Houston Texans

Age: 30
2023 rank: 12 (standard), 9 (PPR)
Quarterback: CJ Stroud, Davis Mills
Other receivers: Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Dalton Schultz (TE), Robert Woods

Although he managed to post the fourth-highest yard total of his career, Diggs began to show slight signs of aging toward the end of 2023 with his inconsistency plaguing Buffalo. On paper, Diggs will likely take a slight step backward leaving Josh Allen to play as the likely WR2 in Houston behind Nico Collins but the move could be beneficial to his fantasy value. Entering his age-30 season, CJ Stroud is expected to lead one of the most dynamic offenses in 2024, leaving room for potentially two star wideouts. So long as Diggs can hold off Tank Dell, he should stay within the WR2 range.

13. Amari Cooper, Cleveland Browns

Age: 30
2023 rank: 16 (standard), 20 (PPR)
Quarterback: Geno Smith, Sam Howell
Other receivers: Tyler Lockett, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Noah Fant (TE), Jake Bobo

In any other situation, a 30-year-old receiver with a quarterback who has played just a combined 12 games in the last two seasons would not be ranked this high. But in his ninth season, Cooper had the best year of his career, proving to be a better fit in Cleveland than he was in either Oakland or Dallas. The aforementioned health concern of DeShaun Watson is always worth noting but with Jameis Winston as the listed backup, Cooper's fantasy value should remain protected for the time being.

12. Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals

Age: 21
2023 rank: NA
Quarterback: Kyler Murray, Desmond Ridder
Other receivers: Trey McBride (TE), Michael Wilson, Greg Dortch, Zay Jones

As arguably the greatest wide receiver prospect of the 21st century, Harrison will be expected to have an immediate impact by Week 1. Should that be the case, the state of Arizona's current roster would give him little competition for targets and historically, Kyler Murray's top target has been a viable asset in fantasy. From everything that has been reported in the offseason, he is more than ready to contribute at the NFL level.

11. Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Age: 30
2023 rank: 4 (standard), 7 (PPR)
Quarterback: Baker Mayfield, Kyle Trask
Other receivers: Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan, Trey Palmer, Cade Otton (TE)

Even considering his WR4 finish in 2023, a lot will be working against Evans in his 11th season. After five mediocre seasons, Baker Mayfield suddenly broke through with his first 4,000-yard season, sustaining the value of both Evans and Chris Godwin in the process. Entering his age-30 season, it is difficult to see Mayfield sustaining that level of play. Assuming Mayfield regresses in his second year in Tampa Bay, the team's current defensive roster will force them to throw from behind all season which would make Evans a back-end WR1.