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Matt Bowen, ESPN staff writer
In today's NFL, offenses are based on the passing game and are focused on creating big plays through the air, and the big beneficiaries are the wide receivers.
Last season, CeeDee Lamb led all PPR scorers with 403.2 points, and four of the top 10 were wide receivers (Lamb, Tyreek Hill, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Puka Nacua). In fact, there were 33 wide receivers who scored at least 200 fantasy points in 2023, and 18 of them averaged 15 or more points per game (among those who played in at least 10 games).
Want more evidence that the passing game is exploding right now? Consider this: 35 wide receivers were targeted at least 100 times last season, and 27 had over 1,000 yards receiving. Want to see the ball in the end zone? A total of 26 wide receivers caught at least seven touchdowns, with six of them catching 10 or more, led by Tyreek Hill and Mike Evans with 13 each.
Overall passing volume has increased and will remain at a high level. Last season, 24 of the NFL's 32 teams attempted more than 550 passes, with 11 of those attempting more than 600. This is due to the dropback passing game, play-action and RPOs incorporating concepts to attack defensive coverage tendencies.
NFL defenses played zone coverage 57.5% of the time in 2023 and employed the split safety configuration on 44.3% of opposing dropbacks, both their highest numbers over the past five seasons, and offensive play-callers have the answers to open up open space, create catch-and-run opportunities and enhance vertical shot plays.
There is obviously great depth at wide receiver in fantasy football, with multiple tiers of players who can provide actionable production for your lineup, but when setting your draft board this summer, it's still best to jump in early and target a wide receiver in the first or second round who can provide consistent scoring and high volume opportunities with the potential for a breakout game.
Regardless of the scoring format or whether you have two or three wide receivers in your starting lineup (or more if you include the flex slot), acquiring a top-tier pass catcher has never been more valuable. Get one early and then fill out the rest with receivers who play in a high-volume/high-scoring passing attack. The pro game is changing, and it's not going back.
next: Rookie wide receivers are better than ever, with pro-caliber skills and playmaking attributes. Seven wide receivers were selected in the first round of April's draft, led by Marvin Harrison Jr. (Arizona Cardinals), Malik Neighbors (New York Giants) and Rome Odunze (Chicago Bears). You can take advantage of first-year wide receivers with favorable team and scheme situations, or look for players who perform well in the later rounds.
