Yeah, yeah, we all know that Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson is a beast, and Miami speedster Tyreek Hill is a future Hall of Famer, and Philly’s A.J. Brown is a game-breaker. But would these top wide receivers still be top wide receivers without a running buddy?
Could Jefferson thrive sans Jordan Addison lined up on the other side of the field? Would Hill explode week after week if he didn’t have Jaylen Waddle tucked in his side pocket? Might Brown be as effective if DeVonta Smith weren’t DeVonta Smith? Maybe yes, maybe no, but regardless, a team’s second-best receiver—a.k.a., a WR2—is crucial to reality and fantasy football owners alike.
This all begs the question, which second bananas might deliver the kind of first banana numbers that’ll catapult you to the 2024 fantasy football playoffs? Here’re ten:
Gabe Davis – Jacksonville Jaguars
The WR1: Christian Kirk
Who He’s Catching Balls From: Trevor Lawrence
Why He Could Go Next Level: Of the 163 catches of Davis’ four-year tenure in Buffalo, 23 of them went for 30-plus yards, with 9 of those topping 40, meaning that when the former University of Central Florida standout touches the ball, there’s a 14.1% chance it’ll be a splash play…and that was when he was WR2 behind target monster Stefon Diggs. With only Kirk ahead of him on the depth chart, Davis should have plenty of opportunities to splash.
Jahan Dotson – Washington Commanders
The WR1: Terry McLauren
Who He’s Catching Balls From: Jayden Daniels
Why He Could Go Next Level: Washington’s new offensive play caller is one Kliff Kingsbury, a gentleman who’s demonstrated at his various coaching stops that he’s not afraid to dial up long and goofy pass plays. With Daniels at his disposal, expect Kingsbury to put the ball in the air, like, a lot, and being that Dotson’s primary competition the rock are little-targeted Dyami Brown, unproven rookie Luke McCaffrey, and elderly tight end Zach Ertz, the third-year man could be hitting WR1-level numbers early and often.
Josh Downs – Indianapolis Colts
The WR1: Michael Pittman Jr.
Who He’s Catching Balls From: Anthony Richardson
Why He Could Go Next Level: We have a small sample size on Richardson—he played in only four games in his 2023 rookie campaign, before going down for the year with a severe sprain to his throwing shoulder—but he looked good pre-injury, and he’s had a solid training camp, so most NFL smarty-pantses believe the ex-Florida Gator has the juice to become a top-15 quarterback. A top-15 quarterback needs options, and Downs—who put together an impressive 771-yard rookie campaign—will be a useful, oft-targeted one.
Cooper Kupp – Los Angeles Rams
The WR1: Puka Nacua
Who He’s Catching Balls From: Matthew Stafford
Why He Could Go Next Level: Okay, this one is super-weird, as Kupp is just two seasons removed from being one of the top five fantasy options at any position. But last year, his fellow pass-catcher Puka Nacua put together a season for the ages, shattering the rookie record for yards by a wide receiver (1,486), and wrestling the WR1 mantle from Kupp. Thing is, even though Cooper Kupp is 31-years-old, he’s still Cooper Kupp—he missed five games last season, but somehow managed to pile up 737 yards and 5 tuddies—and should be 2024’s highest-drafted WR2…and justifiably so.
Darnell Mooney – Atlanta Falcons
The WR1: Drake London
Who He’s Catching Balls From: Kirk Cousins
Why He Could Go Next Level: In 2021, Mooney saw a career-high 81 targets and compiled a 1,000-plus yard season. In 2022 and 2023, Mooney averaged 61 targets and 452 yards. The numbers tell us that if Mooney gets a chance to eat, he’ll be a problem for opposing defenses. With aggressive, pass-happy offensive coordinator Zac Robinson handling Atlanta’s play-calling duties, Mooney’s plate will be full.
Jerry Jeudy – Cleveland Browns
The WR1: Amari Cooper
Who He’s Catching Balls From: Deshaun Watson
Why He Could Go Next Level: The big takeaway from Jeudy’s disappointing four-year stint in Denver is that the dude would’ve been better off in another city. It wasn’t entirely has fault, granted, as his signal callers were Teddy Bridgewater, Drew Lock, Kendall Hinton, Brett Rypien, and a washed Russell Wilson—not exactly a QB Mount Rushmore. But if Watson finds his pre-massage-troubles form, Jeudy, Cooper, and tight end David Njoku will all benefit.
Wan’Dale Robinson – New York Giants
The WR1: Malik Nabers
Who He’s Catching Balls From: Daniel Jones
Why He Could Go Next Level: The Jints have one of the least imposing wide receivers rooms in the league. Beyond Nabers and Robinson, you’re looking at the eternally-disappointing Darius Slayton, unproven Jalin Hyatt, and, um, that’s pretty much it. If Robinson makes any fantasy noise, it’ll be due to opportunity; no guarantee he’ll get a worthwhile batch of targets, but in a 12-team fantasy league, the University of Kentucky product will certainly be worth a late-round flier.
Rashid Shaheed – New Orleans Saints
The WR1: Chris Olave
Who He’s Catching Balls From: Derek Carr
Why He Could Go Next Level: Last season, Shaheed was a hit-and-miss streaming option, but when he hit, he hit hard, i.e., 153 yards in an October game in Indianapolis and an 89-yard, 1-touchdown day against Tennessee on Opening Day. With Michael Thomas and his 64 targets out of the picture, Shaheed is the clear-cut WR2, and clear-cut WR2s are almost always a useful fantasy piece.
Xavier Worthy – Kansas City Chiefs
The WR1: Travis Kelce (Sure, he’s not a WR, but he’s KC’s #1)
Who He’s Catching Balls From: Patrick Mahomes
Why He Could Go Next Level: Mahomes has been known to turn rookie receivers into viable options, if not stars. Just look at Mecole Hardman’s 2019 freshman campaign, when he pulled in 26 catches for 538 yards and 6 touchdowns. In 2022, Skyy Moore grabbed 22 balls for 250 yards, and last season, Rashee Rice racked up 938 yards while finding paydirt on 7 occasions. Mahomes is a star-maker, and Worthy will benefit.
The Houston Guys
The WR1: Who the hell knows?
Who They’re Catching Balls From: C.J. Stroud
Why They Could Go Next Level: The Texans might not have the deepest receivers room, but with Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins, and Tank Dell in the house, it’s certainly the most balanced. Any one of that trio would be WR1 on about half of the NFL’s franchises, so it’s understandable that as we approach Opening Day, we have no idea who’ll be Stroud’s go-to. Diggs is one of the league’s best, but he’s entering his age-30 season; Dell is fresh off of a season-ending fibula fracture; and Collins is has just one killer season under his belt, making it virtually impossible to forecast the team’s alpha dog. But if Stroud does Stroud things, any or all of this threesome would be a wonderful addition to your fantasy lineup.