Tiers 2.0: Quarterbacks | Running backs | Tight ends
Last year's messy avalanche of running back injuries, bad play and general sadness has led people to focus on receivers sooner than ever before in this year's drafts. Can't blame them -- receivers are generally safer Fantasy options because they don't get hurt as often and provide plenty of consistency. Plus no one wants to screw up a first-round pick.
You don't have to take a receiver first if you don't want to, but you shouldn't ignore them with your early draft picks. It's always smart to land as many reliable Fantasy receivers as you need for your lineup.
That begs the question -- how many reliable receivers are there? That's up to you to decide -- the fewer you like, the sooner you should target wideouts. Most of the general public would agree that two receivers from the first three tiers would be the ideal way to start. Another pass catcher from Tier 4 or 5 would further cement the group, plus there are pass catchers into the sixth tier that could serve as instant starters, particularly in PPR leagues or as flex choices in any format.
Think about which receivers you'll look at as reliable as you dig into these tiers:
| Elite | Near-Elite |
| Round 1 | Round 2 |
| Odell Beckham | A.J. Green |
| Antonio Brown | Allen Robinson |
| Julio Jones | Brandin Cooks |
| DeAndre Hopkins | Amari Cooper |
| Jordy Nelson | Mike Evans |
| Dez Bryant | |
| Excellent | Very Good |
| Round 3 | Round 4 |
| Brandon Marshall | Kelvin Benjamin |
| Keenan Allen | Randall Cobb |
| T.Y. Hilton | Michael Floyd |
| Sammy Watkins | Golden Tate |
| Alshon Jeffery | John Brown |
| Demaryius Thomas | Jeremy Maclin |
| No. 2/Upside | No. 3/Upside |
| Round 5 | Rounds 6, 7 |
| DeVante Parker | Jarvis Landry |
| Julian Edelman | Eric Decker |
| Doug Baldwin | Tyler Lockett |
| Allen Hurns | Donte Moncrief |
| Emmanuel Sanders | |
| Larry Fitzgerald | |
| Jordan Matthews | |
| Kevin White | |
| High-End Reserves | Low-End Reserves |
| Rounds 8, 9 | Round 10+ |
| Sterling Shepard | Kamar Aiken |
| DeSean Jackson | Torrey Smith |
| Josh Gordon | Corey Coleman |
| Marvin Jones | Tavon Austin |
| Willie Snead | Michael Crabtree |
| Sammie Coates | Chris Hogan |
| Phillip Dorsett | |
| Vincent Jackson | |
| Stefon Diggs |
You could make the case that every receiver in the first four tiers has a great shot at well over 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns. If you see someone in one of the tiers after Tier 4 who should be there, move them up.
The receivers in Tier 5 are also 1,000-yard candidates but potentially without as many touchdowns. In Tier 6 there's a little more risk involved, be it with players who have been consistently strong but might begin to decline or with receivers with incredible upside but no proven track record to be anything better than a No. 3 option. But that's OK because most owners will draft No. 3 receivers from this crowd.
Tiers 7 and 8 are where the sleepers and low-excitement veterans are. Anyone who's been hyped up or facing a golden opportunity or simply a well-known receiver with modest expectations are here. These are the receivers you'll be faced with picking from after 80th overall -- and they're not all bad.
Receivers to monitor
