This is a list of all the relevant WRs from each WR class over the past 7 years, and the ones highlighted in green have a top 24 finish (PPR) to their name.
As you can see from the 2017-2021 classes, there are at least 4 top 25 WRs in each class.
The 2019 and 2020 draft classes were loaded, and currently make up the majority of the top 10.
From 2024's current top 10 in ADP (Lamb,
Hill, Jefferson, Chase, ARSB, AJB, Puka, Wilson,
Adams, and
Marvin Harrison Jr) 7 were drafted from 2019-2023.
The exceptions include Tyreek Hill (2016),
Davante Adams (2014) and Marvin Harrison Jr. (2024).
Only 13 rookie WRs finished in the top 24 in their rookie season over the past 7 years, see chart below.
All but 3 finished WR13+. The exceptions: Puka Nacua, Ja'Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson.
The 3rd year breakouts seem to be common. The following WRs broke out in their 3rd season:
Cooper Kupp (WR24, WR51, WR5), Chris Godwin (WR67, WR29, WR2), Deebo Samuel (WR32, WR96, WR3), Diontae Johnson (WR41, WR21, WR8)
Hunter Renfrow
(WR54, WR60, WR11), CeeDee Lamb (WR22, WR19, WR5), Brandon Aiyuk (WR35, WR35, WR15), Tee Higgins (WR28, WR24, WR18)
Jerry Jeudy (WR47, WR85, WR22) and Nico Collins (WR86, WR77, WR12)
The most likely 3rd year breakout candidates in 2024 are Garrett Wilson (WR21, WR26), Chris Olave (WR25, WR16) and Drake London (WR21, WR37)
There are a couple of other players that have an outside chance, including: Christian Watson
(WR41, WR68), George Pickens (WR39, WR30)
Jameson Williams (WR154, WR82), Romeo Doubs (WR72, WR36), Jahan Dotson (WR51, WR56), Treylon Burks (WR78, WR123),
Wan'Dale Robinson (WR115, WR53), Khalil Shakir (WR130, WR61) and John Metchie III (N/A, WR138)
The following have potential to break out in their 4th year: Rashod Bateman (WR69, WR112, WR85), Elijah Moore (WR49, WR81, WR54), Josh Palmer (WR75, WR37, WR65)
There are about 19 rookie WRs that could finish in the top 24, but realistically only about 6.
Those names are: Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, Xavier Worthy, Ladd McConkey, Keon Coleman and Brian Thomas Jr.
Finished Top 24
| 2017 (5) |
2018 (6) |
2019 (7) |
2020 (7) |
2021 (5) |
2022 (2) |
2023 (2) |
2024 |
| Cooper Kupp |
D.J. Moore |
A.J. Brown |
CeeDee Lamb |
Ja'Marr Chase |
Garrett Wilson |
Puka Nacua |
|
| Chris Godwin |
Calvin Ridley |
Deebo Samuel |
Justin Jefferson |
Amon-Ra St. Brown |
Chris Olave |
Jordan Addison |
|
| Mike Williams |
Christian Kirk |
D.K. Metcalf |
Brandon Aiyuk |
Jaylen Waddle |
|
|
|
| JuJu Smith-Schuster |
Courtlard Sutton |
Diontae Johnson |
Tee Higgins |
DeVonta Smith |
|
|
|
| Kenny Golladay |
D.J. Chark |
Marquise Brown |
Michael Pittman Jr. |
Nico Collins |
|
|
|
|
Michael Gallup |
Terry McLaurin |
Chase Claypool |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hunter Renfrow |
Jerry Jeudy |
|
|
|
|
Had fantasy impact but never a top 24 season:
| Corey Davis |
Marquez Valdes-Scantling |
Mecole Hardman |
Henry Ruggs III |
Kadarius Toney |
Drake London |
Jaxon Smith-Njigba |
Marvin Harrison Jr. |
| Curtis Samuel |
Tre'Quan Smith |
Parris Campbell |
Gabriel Davis |
Rashod Bateman |
Christian Watson |
Quentin Johnston |
Malik Nabers |
| Zay Jones |
Justin Watson |
Darius Slayton |
Laviska Shenault Jr. |
Elijah Moore |
Geoge Pickens |
Zay Flowers |
Rome Odunze |
| Josh Reynolds |
|
|
Van Jefferson |
Rondale Moore |
Jameson Williams |
Jonathan Mingo |
Brian Thomas Jr. |
| Mack Hollins |
|
|
Gabriel Davis |
Josh Palmer |
Romeo Doubs |
Jayden Reed |
Xavier Worthy |
| Noah Brown |
|
|
Darnell Mooney |
|
Jahan Dotson |
Rashee Rice |
Ricky Pearsall |
|
|
|
Donovan Peoples-Jones |
|
Treylon Burks |
Marvin Mims Jr. |
Xavier Legette |
|
|
|
|
|
Wan'Dale Robinson |
Tank Dell |
Keon Coleman |
|
|
|
|
|
Khalil Shakir |
Dontayvion Wicks |
Ladd McConkey |
|
|
|
|
|
John Metchie III |
Josh Downs |
Ja'Lynn Polk |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Demario Douglas |
Adonai Mitchell |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jalin Hyatt |
Malachi Corley |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cedric Tillman |
Jermain Burton |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael Wilson |
Roman Wilson |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tre Tucker |
Jalen McMillan |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tyler Scott |
Luke McCaffrey |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Troy Franklin |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Javon Baker |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Devontez Walker |
Finished Top 24 in rookie season
| Players |
Class of |
Rookie Season Finish |
| Puka Nacua |
2023 |
WR4 |
| Ja'Marr Chase |
2021 |
WR5 |
| Justin Jefferson |
2020 |
WR6 |
| Jaylen Waddle |
2021 |
WR13 |
| Juju Smith-Schuster |
2017 |
WR20 |
| Amon-Ra St. Brown |
2021 |
WR21 |
| A.J. Brown |
2019 |
WR21 |
| Garrett Wilson |
2022 |
WR21 |
| CeeDee Lamb |
2020 |
WR22 |
| Calvin Ridley |
2018 |
WR22 |
| Jordan Addison |
2023 |
WR23 |
| Chase Claypool |
2020 |
WR24 |
| Cooper Kupp |
2017 |
WR24 |
Total # of WRs drafted
| Total # of WRs drafted |
|
| 2017 |
32 |
| 2018 |
34 |
| 2019 |
28 |
| 2020 |
35 |
| 2021 |
35 |
| 2022 |
28 |
| 2023 |
33 |
|
225 |
|
|
|
5.7% |
