When assessing the position, it’s important to consider target share and passing volume from said player’s offense. In standard formats, players who draw deeper targets and red-zone targets are especially attractive. A stat like aDOT (average depth of target) is useful in assessing wideout targets. aDOT is calculated by dividing air yards by targets, painting a picture of how deep an average target is for a given wide receiver. 

2021 PPR FANTASY RANKINGS:Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker | Top 200

Why is this important?

2021 STANDARD FANTASY RANKINGS:Quarterback | Running back | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker | Top 200

Let’s use JuJu Smith-Schuster as an example. He was 12th in the NFL with 128 targets last year. However, his aDOT was a mere 5.49, meaning his average depth of target was only 5.49 yards down the field. Despite the constant targets, he finished the season with 831 yards, good for 38th in the league. Among the 20 WRs who saw 110-plus targets, Smith-Schuster was the only player who finished below the 900-yard threshold. Had he not scored nine touchdowns, which accounted for nearly 40 percent of his fantasy points in standard leagues, he likely would’ve finished way outside of the top 25. Touchdowns are difficult to project year-to-year, so they’re not quite as reliable as other stats. With the emergence of Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool, this raises red flags for Smith-Schuster’s prospects in 2021 without a PPR floor.

A seven-catch, 60-yard receiving day will net just six fantasy points in standard leagues versus a more acceptable 13 points in PPR. Thus, touchdowns, yards per reception, and yards after catch matter that much more in this setting. But again, touchdowns are tough to predict, so it’s more important to at least gauge opportunity in the red zone if weighing touchdowns.

2021 FANTASY SLEEPERS:Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Each team

We’ll be adjusting these WR rankings and providing further analysis until Week 1, so check back for updates!

DOMINATE YOUR DRAFT: Ultimate 2021 Cheat Sheet

2021 Fantasy WR Rankings

Rankings based on standard, non-PPR scoring

Update 8/31: Thomas plummets even more with the news that he will start on the PUP list, meaning he will miss at least the first six weeks of the season.