Top wide receivers to draft in fantasy football in 2023

Now that quarterbacks and running backs have been ranked, it's time for the most vital weapon on any fantasy team. The wide receivers. Like with the running backs, there will be 40 players ranked on the list, with the top 10 having descriptions. Each will have their ADP (Average Draft Position) from ESPN listed, as well as where I believe the player should be taken.

1. Justin Jefferson

After winning Offensive Player of the Year with 1,809 yards and 8 touchdowns and finishing as WR1 last season, Jefferson is poised for another big season. Kirk Cousins is still a top-half quarterback. Jefferson is generational. expect fireworks from the purple and gold. His ADP is 1.5, so if you have a pick outside the top 2, you probably won't get him.

2. Tyreek Hill

Even with his QB being made of glass, Hill still finished as WR2 in 2022. Even if Tua Tagovialoa does end up getting hurt this season, backup QB Skylar Thompson has shown that he has grown over the offseason. He's certainly not a quality starting quarterback, but he'll be a serviceable backup. These factors bode well for Tyreek Hill's 2023 campaign. His ESPN ADP is 7.6. If you have a mid-to-late first-round pick, he's worth the stock.

3. Stefon Diggs

Diggs continues to be a marquee wide receiver for the Bills and quarterback Josh Allen. Last season, Diggs finished as WR5. With less talent in the Bills WR room, it would make sense that more passes go Diggs' way. The only question mark is how Josh Allen's elbow has healed. Diggs' ADP is 12.4. Taking him in the early second round is far from a reach.

4. A.J. Brown

A.J. Brown led the runner-up Philadelphia Eagles in receiving yards in 2022. He finished last year as WR4 and I don't see much change in that this season. The Eagles didn't change much as far as their starting offense. Most of their changes came on the defensive side of the ball. A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith may well be the best WR duo in the game. Brown's ADP is 19.5. I would take him a few picks before that.

5. Davante Adams

Adams finished as WR2 last season. Unfortunately, he downgraded at QB and now has Jakobi Meyers on top of Hunter Renfrow to share the ball with. While he is one of the best WRs in the game, I don't think he'll be a contender for WR1 this season. His ADP is 13.7. I would take him at 19-20.

6. Ja'Marr Chase

Chase is currently ranked at WR2 as far as ADP at 3.7. I disagree with this. Like I said with Joe Burrow in the quarterback rankings, Burrow may be out for up to the first five weeks. Their other options are Jake Browning, Trevor Siemian, and (my Madden 23 favorite) Reid Sinnett. While Ja'Marr Chase is a very good wide receiver, he is that because of Joe Burrow and their chemistry dating back to LSU. I wouldn't trust him to produce if Joe Burrow isn't playing.

7. Amon-Ra St. Brown

As the Lions' WR1, Amon-Ra has some massive weight on his shoulders. Jameson Williams is suspended and Marvin Jones Jr. is 33 years old. He finished as WR9 last season and I expect some improvement from him in year 3. His ADP is 20.4 and that's around when I would take him.

8. CeeDee Lamb

While the Cowboys have a good WR room, CeeDee is the clear WR1. Finishing as WR6 in the 2022 season, he's poised to have another top 10 campaign. His lower ranking is less due to his situation in Dallas and more due to the other receivers in the league. His ADP is 16.4. I would take him in the late second round.

9. Garrett Wilson

While Aaron Rodgers likely won't perform to his 2020 or 2021 level, he's still a good QB with tons of weapons. Namely, Garrett Wilson. He finished as WR21 as a rookie last season. With Zach Wilson and Mike White as his quarterbacks. He still recorded 1,103 yards. Expect much more production out of the young WR this season. His ADP is 20.0 and I would take him right there.

10. Deebo Samuel

While Deebo Samuel had a down year last season, he's still an upper echelon receiver. He missed four games in the 2022 season, so that is part of the reason he wasn't as productive. His ADP is 36.4, and I would take him around there as well. The injury risk cannot be ignored, but the reward would be well worth it.

11. DK Metcalf
12. Jaylen Waddle
13. Tee Higgins
14. Devonta Smith
15. Chris Olave
16. Cooper Kupp
17. Keenan Allen
18. Jerry Jeudy
19. Calvin Ridley
20. Christian Watson
21. George Pickens
22. Brandon Aiyuk
23. Terry McLaurin
24. DeAndre Hopkins
25. DJ Moore
26. Drake London
27. Mike Evans
28. Chris Godwin
29. Brandin Cooks
30. Amari Cooper
31. Christian Kirk
32. Michael Pittman Jr.
33. Jahan Dotson
34. Mike Williams
35. Jakobi Meyers
36. Skyy Moore
37. Jordan Addison
38. Jaxon Smith-Njigba
39. Michael Thomas
40. Richie James