Best Late Round NFL Draft WRs & UDFA Wide Receivers This Season (2024)
We have to be realistic. That vast majority of teams will have one, MAYBE two fantasy relevant pass catchers. And, historically, more teams will have zero (like the Patriots or Giants last year) than will have three.
So, we have to come to terms with the fact that some teams have Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle or Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Heck, teams like the Texans, Bears and Seahawks have THREE star players at wide receiver at the top. Those teams need an injury or even multiple for a deep-cut guy to even have a chance.
But there ARE some teams with thin depth charts out there. As we all know, the Rams were thin behind Cooper Kupp last year and that allowed Puka Nacua to have an all-time great breakout season. Not just for a fifth round pick or one of the undrafted free agents – for any rookie at all. And OPPORTUNITY was a big part of that.
On another team, his talent might not have been able to shine quite as bright or at least as early. But talent met opportunity and big things happened. There probably won’t be another Puka Nacua this season – maybe ever. But we might as well look at some of the uncertain wide receiver depth charts around the NFL to see where that opportunity might lie.
And then, we’ll dive into the player profiles, the beat reports and the NFL preseason action to see who just might have a chance to make some noise. Here are some Day Three NFL Draft picks and undrafted free agents at the wide receiver position whose names should at least be on your radar this August.
Los Angeles Chargers UDFA & Late Round NFL Draft WRs
It’s no secret that the Chargers are starting fresh. They brought in a new coach in Jim Harbaugh and OC in Greg Roman, then fairly quickly jettisoned their top four pass catchers from last year in Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Austin Ekeler and Gerald Everett.
Not only is the opportunity there for someone to step up, but Harbaugh has the unique perspective of coming from the college ranks where he likely recruited a few of these guys at some point. They certainly loaded up on undrafted free agents (especially ones named Johnson). Here are some guys to watch.
- Brenden Rice - If his name sounds familiar, it should – this is the son of Jerry Rice. Sure, he fell to the 7th round, but perhaps he inherited the relentless work ethic and intangibles of his father. He saw early action in the first preseason game and then he actually started the second game alongside Joshua Palmer and Ladd McConkey. DJ Chark and Quentin Johnson were presumed to be the front runners there, but maybe Rice can sneak by?
- Simi Fehoko - The Chargers mixed seven guys in during the first quarter of their most recent NFL preseason game. Guys like Palmer, McConkey, Chark and Johnston were expected, but the former Cowboy getting a look was a nice surprise. No other WR played until the fourth quarter.
New England Patriots UDFA & Late Round NFL Draft WRs
One of the best formulas for breakouts is this: uncertain depth chart plus low-ranked QB that outperforms his projections. That’s how we got Tank Dell last year, right? C.J. Stroud punched way above his weight and Dell beat out guys like Robert Woods and John Metchie.
Maybe the third overall pick Drake Maye is actually good at football – who can say for sure? The Pats depth chart is THIN, so there is opportunity to be had.
- DeMario Douglas - The cat is already out of the bag to some degree on the sixth round pick after some explosive plays last year but we have to mention him as he could legitimately start this year. Based on our composite ADP he goes off the board as WR72 on average so we’re still talking about a “sleeper here”, no doubt.
- Javon Baker - Baker has been making eye-popping catches in camp and he ALMOST made one in last Thursday’s preseason game against the Eagles as well. The ball was there, he got his hands on it while diving, but the ground forced it out. Veterans like K.J. Osborn and Jalen Reagor have been getting the nod over him, but we know who they are at this stage – Baker represents that unknown upside we love to take stabs on.
Dallas Cowboys UDFA & Late Round NFL Draft WRs
It’s no secret that the Dallas Cowboys are in a bit of a money crunch. And that presents a lot of opportunities. They didn’t go out and spend on a WR2 in free agency or even draft one, so that spot is ripe for the taking.
It could just be Brandin Cooks or Jalen Tolbert (or Jake Ferguson who isn’t particularly athletic even for a tight end). But we can still dream of a late-round breakout WR emerging across from CeeDee Lamb, just like Puka Nacua did alongside Cooper Kupp. And you can’t stop us, no matter how unlikely it is.
- Jalen Brooks - Brooks was a 7th round pick in 2023 but rarely appeared in games. This year there’s been some steam about him taking a step forward – including from the starting QB himself. In the first preseason game, he made a couple catches including a nice 43-yard chunk play. In the second game, he failed to reel in his only target but at least he played in the first quarter. Plus, the third Jalen (Jalen Cropper) not only failed to bring in his target but fumbled away a punt. Brooks is definitely a name to watch.
- Ryan Flournoy - If we are going to go depth chart diving, we want freak athleticism. And that’s what Flournoy brings at 6’1”, 200+ pounds with a 4.44 forty. The 6th round pick has already turned some heads and seemingly passed a number of veterans on the depth chart like Racey McMath and Kelvin Harmon. Hopefully, he keeps trending up.
Denver Broncos UDFA & Late Round NFL Draft WRs
Sean Payton might be the poster child for “doing his own thing”. He’s not afraid to release starting quarterback Russell Wilson or fan favorite kicker Brandon McManus. Or trade Jerry Jeudy.
And guys like that present an opportunity for someone down the depth chart to carve out a role. Here are our favorites right now.
- Troy Franklin - This one isn’t necessarily a “deep” sleeper as Franklin was popular before the draft and was just barely a Day 3 pick in the early fourth. Plus, he landed with his college QB Bo Nix, which is always a plus. He’s not cheap in best ball and he also didn’t play until the second quarter after seven other guys had already entered the game. But we have to mention him, and he’ll probably go undrafted in typical hometown drafts.
- Devaughn Vele - Vele has gotten some hype over the last couple of weeks for sure but, unfortunately, he’s been missing practice with a mysterious injury (when Sean Payton asked if it was an ankle, a knee, a hamstring, etc., he said it was “nothing specific”). Vele reportedly made some great catches in camp, and in the first preseason game, he caught a ball and drew two pass interference penalties. He’s an older prospect at 26 but, at 6’5” 210, he could be a red zone target if he gets the gig.
New Orleans Saints UDFA & Late Round NFL Draft WRs
Chris Olave is locked in as the WR1. After him, there could be some uncertainty. We are rooting for Rashid Shaheed, as we wrote about in full here.
But there’s no guarantee he’s the WR2. And the WR3 is completely up in the air. Cedrick Wilson knows the scheme from his time in Miami and A.T. Perry is lurking, but here are some younger names that could pop.
- Bub Means - Means was a fifth round pick in 2024, so he faces an uphill battle. But, with Rashid Shaheed out, he went out with the starters in the most recept preseason game (Chris Olave and Cedrick Wilson were the other two). That means he played ahead of Perry and Equanimeous St. Brown, who didn’t appear until the second quarter. Plus, when a guy has a great name like Bub Means, you have to move him up a couple spots.
- Mason Tipton - This is how tough it is in NFL camp. Mason Tipton was a hot name. Then he suffered a hamstring injury in early August. Now his odds of making the team are slim. Even running back Kendre Miller is reportedly in danger of not making the team if he can’t stay healthy. It’s a cut-throat game and, unless you are an established star, you can’t make the club in the tub.
Washington Commanders UDFA & Late Round NFL Draft WRs
There are reports from insiders that Jahan Dotson could be released. If the guy we had penciled in as the WR2 is out, that means there is opportunity to be had.
Terry McLaurin is the #1 but the rest of the wide receiver depth chart could be wide open.
- Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint - Unfortunately, the only real younger guy getting early looks in preseason is Luke McCaffrey and he’s a Day 2 pick that doesn’t fit our criteria. But Rosemy-Jacksaint has at least turned some heads in offseason workouts with some impressive catches. So, we’ll put his name on the radar.
Player News
The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue reports that Kyren Williams’ contract extension “could be worked out by the end of training camp,” but notes that “the Rams will not pay top-market money for a running back.”
Rodrigue believes that the two sides’ continued contract talk “is a good sign” for an early extension. “Williams is a team leader and one of the more productive at his position,” but “he doesn’t hit ‘home run’ explosives,” which hurts his negotiating power, particularly at a position considered low-value by some. Still, Williams’ overall productivity works in his favor. Rodrigue notes, “training camp is the usual timeline for such deals under this era of Rams leadership,” giving fantasy managers an expected timeline to follow.
Patriots LB Jahlani Tavai stayed in New England following June’s mandatory minicamp to rehab his calf injury “in hopes of being ready for the start of training camp.”
The Patriots’ first training camp practice is scheduled for July 23rd. This report fails to provide clarity on Tavai’s expected participation status, though ESPN’s Mike Reiss does list LBs Christian Elliss and Jack Gibbens as Tavai’s “projected top competition” for the No. 2 inside linebacker job. Free agent signee, LB Robert Spillane, is locked into the No. 1 spot.
The NFLPA released a statement in support of Executive Director Lloyd Howell.
Howell came under scrutiny after it was revealed last week that he worked part-time as a paid consultant for The Carlyle Group, which is a private equity firm. On Sunday, the NFLPA released a statement that it rejects “attempts to mischaracterize the committee’s views or divide membership” regarding this news, while adding any reports of the NFLPA calling for Howell to step down are false. It would appear Howell, who was appointed to his position in 2023, will remain in his role for the upcoming season.
Browns RB Quinshon Judkins was charged with misdemeanor domestic battery in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Details around Judkins’ arrest continue to emerge. On Sunday, Sergeant David Soika of the shared that upon arriving at the scene where the reported crime took place, officers determined after speaking to the victim that a battery occurred, which led to the arrest of Judkins soon after. The rookie second-rounder remained in police custody overnight and is scheduled to have an initial hearing on Sunday. As ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio points out, Judkins is sure to face scrutiny from the NFL under the league’s Personal Conduct Policy, while Florio also notes that “the baseline punishment for a battery is six games,” which can vary based on other factors. Judkins has not yet signed his rookie deal, and will likely take less guaranteed money than he hoped for following his arrest, which could cause a trickle-down effect for the 29 other rookie second-rounders who have yet to sign their deal. Judkins was expected to compete for the Browns’ RB1 spot in training camp, and while he will still get a chance to do so, fantasy managers should remain open to the possibility of a suspension being handed down at some point this season. In any case, Jerome Ford rookie Dylan Sampson would both see slight boosts to their fantasy stocks if Judkins were to miss any time.
Browns RB Quinshon Judkins has been arrested and held on domestic violence charges in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Judkins was booked on Saturday and remains in custody as of this evening. ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi reports Judkins’ initial court appearance will come Sunday morning. The Browns have said they are “aware and gathering more details.” Judkins’ arrest comes on the eve of training camp, and gets his professional career off to the worst possible start. A lengthy stay on the commissioner’s exempt list would be all but guaranteed if the charges stick. A suspension would then follow if he were convicted or admitted guilt. The situation should be updated on Sunday.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports Chargers second-round WR Tre Harris did not report with fellow rookies.
That effectively makes Harris a holdout, something that has become common practice for second-round players amidst ongoing negotiations regarding guaranteed money. 30 of the 32 second-round selections from the 2025 NFL Draft have yet to sign their rookie contracts, with Harris now the first official holdout after the Chargers’ rookie report date came and went. This appears to be nothing more than “just business,” but fantasy managers will want to track the ongoing behind-the-scenes saga unfolding this year.