2024 preseason rankings: Top 40 wide receivers

10. Nico Collins, Houston Texans

Age: 25
2023 rank: 9 (standard), 12 (PPR)
Quarterback: CJ Stroud, Davis Mills
Other receivers: Stefon Diggs, Tank Dell, Dalton Schultz (TE), Robert Woods

There is a chance Collins takes a slight step back to Stefon Diggs in 2024 but with the veteran receiver entering his 10th season, the Michigan alum is still projected to be CJ Stroud's top target. After beginning his career with two subpar seasons catching passes from Davis Mills, Collins showed remarkable chemistry with Stroud in 2023, nearly tripling his receiving yard total from the year before. With just 11 career touchdowns, there is still a sense that his true potential has yet to be unlocked given his 6-foot-4 frame seemingly forming mouth-watering red zone possibilities.

9. Garrett Wilson, New York Jets

Age: 24
2023 rank: 36 (standard), 26 (PPR)
Quarterback: Aaron Rodgers, Tyrod Taylor
Other receivers: Mike Williams, Xavier Gipson, Tyler Conklin (TE), Allen Lazard

As one of the most notable players hampered by horrid quarterback play throughout his career, Wilson will finally be saved in 2024 with Aaron Rodgers set to return from a ruptured Achilles. Even coming off the injury at 40 years old, Rodgers will be a substantial increase from Zach Wilson, which will immediately boost Garrett Wilson's value. The fact that Garrett Wilson has topped 1,000 yards in both of his seasons with Zach Wilson under center has made managers question what his true ceiling can be with Rodgers.

Wilson will have to compete with free agent acquisition Mike Williams for targets in 2024 after playing his first two years without a competent second option behind him. But at 29, Williams has not topped 1,000 yards since 2021, suggesting he will be almost no threat to the monstrous workload Wilson has already grown accustomed to in his young career.

8. Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers

Age: 26
2023 rank: 10 (standard), 14 (PPR)
Quarterback: Brock Purdy, Joshua Dobbs
Other receivers: Deebo Samuel, Geoge Kittle (TE), Jauan Jennings, Ricky Pearsall

Regardless of what team he ends up playing for by Week 1, Aiyuk figures to be just entering his prime at 26 years old. It would be ideal for his fantasy value for him to stay in San Francisco, which appears to be the likely outcome at this point in the offseason. Even if he does get traded, there are few receivers who Aiyuk would be behind on any depth chart.

Assuming he stays put, Aiyuk's stats have increased in each of his four seasons and took off the past two years with Brock Purdy. He has clearly become the favorable target of Purdy, separating himself from Deebo Samuel and George Kittle. With star teammates Samuel, Kittle and Christian McCaffrey all aging, Aiyuk figures to be primed to fully take over as the focal point of the offense within the next two years presuming his attitude does not get in his own way.

7. AJ Brown, Philadelphia Eagles

Age: 27
2023 rank: 8 (standard), 5 (PPR)
Quarterback: Jalen Hurts, Kenny Pickett
Other receivers: DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert (TE), Parris Campbell, Johnny Wilson

Since joining Philadelphia in 2022, Brown has had nearly identical statistical seasons in his two recent outings, leading to a top-10 finish in both years. With most of the key offensive pieces returning, the stage is set for Brown to continue his success in 2024 after a WR5 full-PPR finish in his fifth season.

The one major addition to the offense will be Saquon Barkley in the running game but at 27, Barkley's burst has visibly abandoned him, suggesting little to no strategic changes in the offensive approach. Jason Kelce also left the offensive line for retirement but was replaced by former second-round pick Cam Jurgens who should be sound enough to keep the unit amongst the best in the league.

6. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings

Age: 25
2023 rank: 26 (standard), 33 (PPR)
Quarterback: Sam Darnold, JJ McCarthy
Other receivers: Jordan Addison, TJ Hockenson (TE), Jalen Nailor, Brandon Powell

An injury-filled season in 2023 for Jefferson that ultimately led to a disappointing fantasy finish for his managers was only followed up by a disappointing offseason. Minnesota fully planned on keeping Kirk Cousins for another contract but lost him to Atlanta, thus forcing the team to sheepishly bring in one of the worst statistical starters of the last decade in Sam Darnold. It is hard to see the quarterback downgrade as anything but detrimental to Jefferson's value.

On talent alone, Jefferson is still one of, if not the most talented receivers in the league. But Darnold is just... Darnold. Until JJ McCarthy can take the field — which will not be until at least 2025 — it is impossible to rank Jefferson in the top five, especially after he struggled late in 2023 without Cousins.