We are less than two weeks away from NFL Week 1, and fantasy football draft season is officially kicking into high-gear.
We are studying the latest ADP, building draft plans, doing mock drafts and hanging on every word that comes out of the coaches’ mouths in training camp.
Everyone is looking for an edge, and everyone is looking to draft a player they can legitimately call a league-winner by the end of the year.
If you find yourself searching, then look no further than the wide receiver position.
Yes, running backs should still be your bread and butter, but a high-end wide receiver can prove to be the difference-maker you need each week.
Get ready for an explosive season from Seattle’s DK Metcalf.
After posting 1,000-yard seasons in three of the past four years, the sixth-year wideout is primed for an even bigger season under new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb.
Learning a new system can be difficult, but with the way Grubb is setting up his new air-raid/spread offense, Metcalf is about to take off.
One of the keys to Grubb’s system is he likes to feature one primary receiver, and the coach already has tabbed Metcalf as that guy.
At the University of Washington, Rome Odunze was that guy, and he saw a 25 percent target share, becoming one of the most dominant receivers in college.
Grubb will run formations with anywhere from three to five receivers, with the sole intention of drawing coverage away from his primary target and isolating him in one-on-one situations.
We know Metcalf is fast and physical, so getting the ball into his hands on the regular is going to be huge for his fantasy managers.
If you see him in your draft in the third round, grab him.
You also should be looking at Panthers receiver Diontae Johnson.
In Pittsburgh, he enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2021 when he posted 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns on 107 catches, proving he could be the focal point of any passing attack.
He has moved to Carolina, where new head coach Dave Canales has installed the same system that helped a struggling Baker Mayfield become a top-10 fantasy quarterback last year with the Buccaneers and featured Mike Evans as the dominant target.
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Canales plans to do the same with Johnson.
Versatility is a key part of Johnson’s game. He is a crisp route-runner, has great hands and can make big-time plays at the sidelines, across the middle and even downfield.
He should be a PPR dream with the number of targets he should see, and Canales is going to make sure second-year quarterback Bryce Young leans on this talent just as Mayfield leaned on Evans.
Though everyone in your league is focused on which first-round receiver to take or if they should take a shot on rookies like Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers, rest comfortably in the knowledge that both Metcalf and Johnson have just as much, if not more, upside and come at a cheaper price.
Winning your fantasy football league isn’t about the big names you draft. It’s about finding the value in the best spots.
Howard Bender is the head of content at FantasyAlarm.com. Follow him on X @rotobuzzguy: and catch him on the award-winning “Fantasy Alarm Radio Show” on the SiriusXM fantasy sports channel weekdays from 6-8 p.m. Go to FantasyAlarm.com for all your fantasy football news and advice.
