Where to Spend the Last Picks of Your Draft – WRs (Fantasy Football)

In a year when hot-shot rookie WRs are supposedly raining from above, there are more options than ever for WRs to throw a dart at later in your drafts. Let’s take a look at some options! A reminder that all of the WRs mentioned here are currently being drafted after round 12, courtesy of the Sleeper ADP tool on the website. We are also using 12-team, half PPR data.

Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans Saints – 13.08

Shaheed has been gaining that training camp steam, and why not – there aren’t many options in New Orleans for pass catchers. Past WR1 Chris Olave, the WR2 spot seems wide open between Shaheed, A.T. Perry, and rookie Bub Means. Derek Carr showed last season that he had a legitimate connection with Shaheed – he had 10 weeks with at least a 25% WR target share and eight weeks with at least a 15% overall target share.  In addition, last season, without Michael Thomas on the field, Shaheed was targeted on over 21% of his routes. And guess who won’t be on the field for the Saints this year? You guessed it – Thomas.

In 2023, Shaheed had five games as the WR20 or better and finished the season with 719 yards and five TDs. Sure, Alvin Kamara is still there, and we all know how much Carr loves a good dink and dunk for a few yards downfield, but the possibility of snagging a startable WR2 at the end of your draft is worth its weight in gold.

Rashid Shaheed’s speed is crazy
pic.twitter.com/kqaXnXUH99

— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) August 16, 2024

Ja’Lynn Polk, New England Patriots – 14.12

Quick – name the WR1 on the New England Patriots. Exactly. Even though the passing offense for the Patriots will probably be less than incredible with either rookie Drake Maye or Jacoby Brissett under center, they will have to throw the ball to someone at some point. Rookie Ja’Lynn Polk has as much chance to be the guy as anyone. Polk had 943 yards receiving in 2023 on a powerhouse Washington team where he was the number two option, lining up all over the field. He finished the year with eight TDs and could quickly become the first read for whoever the QB is in New England. The Patriots also used a couple of draft picks to strengthen their offensive line to give whoever is under center some time and protection. With a Vegas over/under of 4.5 wins in 2024, you know New England will be familiar with a negative game script and playing from behind. 

Darnell Mooney, Atlanta Falcons – 16.02

If you believe in Kirk Cousins and Drake London, why not believe in Darnell Mooney? Mooney is currently the WR2 on a team that has the second easiest schedule in 2024, according to Warren Sharp, and has that position on lockdown with Rondale Moore out for the season with an injury. Andy’s favorite TE, Kyle Pitts, is still there and should get the most or second most targets, but Mooney will be involved. Remember in 2021 when Mooney was the WR24 on the season with over 1,000 yards receiving? In addition, Atlanta brought in Zac Robinson, a coordinator fresh off the Sean McVay coaching tree, and you know we can expect lots of 3WR sets in what now should be a pass-first offense under Cousins. Mooney can make an impact and is currently left for dead in drafts.

What a grab by Darnell Mooney pic.twitter.com/CffjtkSWFH

— NFL Retweet (@NFLRT) August 21, 2024

Michael Wilson, Arizona Cardinals – 17.02

We all know Marvin Harrison Jr. will be the go-to receiver in Arizona this season, with TE Trey McBride picking up the rear, but there is strong chatter about the potential of this Arizona offense. If it lives up to its potential, another pass catcher will emerge, and I think Michael Wilson is a good bet to be this guy. Wilson will just have to beat out 29-year-old Zay Jones and Greg Dortch to be Kyler’s WR2. Recently Zay Jones was suspended for five games for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, so the path for Wilson to become relevant in the Arizona offense becomes even easier, at least at the beginning of the season.

Not even the rain can stop the Arizona Cardinals skilled players from dominating joint practice with the Colts.

Michael Wilson with the SMOOTH touchdown catch from Kyler Murray. pic.twitter.com/XRwTv3pYuB

— PHNX Cardinals (@PHNX_Cardinals) August 15, 2024

DeMarcus Robinson, Los Angeles Rams – 19.09

With Sean McVay still at the helm in Los Angeles and Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp getting older, this might be the final year for this version of the Rams to attempt to run it back. The Rams’ offense is always aggressive and high-scoring, and with TE Tyler Higbee recovering from an ACL injury, the team will need a third option in the passing attack.

Robinson had his moments last season; in Weeks 13 – 17, he had four finishes as WR22 or better. You should expect to see this again this year, and he will likely be available for you at the end of your draft or on the waiver wire immediately after. When looking for a dart throw, you want to concentrate on players on high-scoring offenses, and the Rams always deliver on that front.

Honorable Mentions:

• Luke McCaffrey, WAS (18.04) – With the departure of Jahan Dotson, here comes McCaffrey creeping up that depth chart in what should be an explosive offense in Washington.
• Dontayvion Wicks, GB (15.02) – If you would like a taste of the potent Green Bay offense, you can grab a slice late in the draft with Wicks, who had the same efficiency as Jayden Reed last season.
• Adam Thielen, CAR (15.11) – As Andy said on the podcast, do not besmirch your elders. Especially those that had seven weeks as the WR24 or better last year.