Ranking the best fantasy football wide receivers in 2021

• Ranking the best fantasy football wide receivers in 2021
• Adams, Hopkins and Hill battle for top spot
• Which receiver would you draft first?

Our early previews of the 2021 fantasy football season take us to the elite wide receivers. Having already looked at the best NFL fantasy quarterbacks, tight ends and running backs, we are turning our attention to the five best wide receivers for the 2021 season.

5. D.K. Metcalf

Everyone knew what kind of physical specimen D.K. Metcalf was coming out of college, but few thought that athleticism would translate into him developing into one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. Metcalf was selected in the second round of the 2019 Draft by the Seattle Seahawks, and could have been had by nearly every NFL team.

Coming into the 2020 season, the Tyler Lockett vs D.K. Metcalf fantasy conversation was a legitimate one. QB Russell Wilson had years of familiarity and camaraderie with Lockett, and this would only be Metcalf’s second year. But his physical talents and improved route running far surpassed the expectations of most fans, as he registered 1,303 yards and 10 touchdowns on the year. It’s a scary thought, but those numbers have a chance to increase in 2021, putting him squarely on the top five map.

4. Stefon Diggs

Even though there are many more larger names at the wide receiver position, Buffalo Bills WR Stefon Diggs has proven this season that he belongs in the conversation as one of the very best in the game.

He shared the limelight with Adam Thielen in Minnesota, but in Buffalo, Diggs has proven that he is more than capable of handling the spotlight all to himself. He blew out his previous career high in yards this season (which was 1130) by posting a league leading 1,535 through the air.

Diggs also set a career high in total catches with 127, which also led the league. More importantly, he seems to have the full confidence of QB Josh Allen, and Diggs had a tremendous game in his postseason debut with the Bills, leaving fans excited about next year’s prospects.

3. Tyreek Hill

There is arguably no player who is more of a threat to take the ball to the end zone on a reception or a handoff than Kansas City Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill.

Blessed with world class speed, Hill is usually a focal point of opposing defenses, but they still can’t approximate his agility in practice, and have a difficult time slowing him down.

Hill’s receiving numbers have been consistently among the league’s best since he became a full time offensive player in 2017, and has recorded a 70+ yard receiving touchdown in three of his five NFL seasons. In addition, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid also isn’t afraid to motion Hill across the formation and hand him the ball on jet sweeps—this additional rushing production is an added bonus to an already stellar receiving skill set.

2. DeAndre Hopkins

Last offseason, the Arizona Cardinals traded for probably the best contested catch wide receiver in the NFL in DeAndre Hopkins.

His tremendous hands and incredible leaping coordination were on full display in the NFL’s most thrilling finish of the season, when the Cardinals defeated the Buffalo Bills on a Hail Mary.

Even though his spectacular catches get all the headlines, Hopkins durability should also be highlighted in a fantasy football conversation. He has only missed two games in his eight year NFL career, which gives fantasy owners comfort that he can be reliably inserted into lineups every week without much worry.

1. Davante Adams

In a league which features such an amazing group of upper echelon receivers, it’s tough to single out the best of the best without nitpicking a bit, but Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams is about as outstanding as it gets.

One of the best things Adams has going for him is his target share, as it’s apparent that QB Aaron Rodgers pretty much only has eyes for where number 17 is running. Adams was fourth in the NFL in total targets, and could have led the league had he not missed two games. Also, when the Packers get in close, Adams is relied on that much more—his 18 total touchdowns on the season lead the NFL.