Ranking the most underrated WRs in the NFL heading into the 2023 season (2023)

Most years there is a debate about the best wide receivers in the NFL. As the 2023 season begins, the arguments for wideouts like Justin Jefferson, Tyreek Hill, Cooper Kupp, Stefon Diggs, Davante Adams and A.J. to be viewed. Brown and Ja'Marr Chase, who each averaged more than 80 yards per game last season.

While it can be difficult to determine exactly who is at the top of the list, identifying an elite recipient is usually a simple process. Players who rank high in stats like yards per game and touchdown receptions while also earning Pro Bowl or All-Pro honors generally fit in well.

Picking the most underrated receivers in the league can be much more difficult. However, that's exactly what we're going to do here, focusing on factors like past production, consistency, potential upside and supporting cast.

To get an idea of ​​how these receivers "rate," let's also look at the latest consensus points-per-invoice rankings fromFantasyPros.

These seven wide receivers may not be in contention for the title of the league's best in 2023, but they shouldn't be overlooked in either the fantasy or real world.

Fantasy-Ranking: Αρ. 14

We'll start with a player who hasn't exactly been overlooked.

New Orleans Saints tight end Chris Olave was a standout rookie last season, recording 72 receptions, 1,042 yards and four touchdowns in just 15 games. He also ranked in the top 30 for yards per target, punts per play and yards per play.

However, these numbers don't fully show how efficient and effective Olave has been over the past year. ConsideringFocus on professional football, the Ohio State product, ranked seventh in the NFL in yards per pass rusher (2.42).

The fact that Olave accomplished all of this while playing with the frustrating duo of quarterbacks Andy Dalton and Jameis Winston should not be overlooked. Neither is the fact that he's now playing with four-time Pro Bowl quarterback Derek Carr.

Olave already had the potential going into year two and his production could really take off with Carr under the belt. If Michael Thomas doesn't return to Pro Bowl form — his last 1,000-yard campaign was in 2019 — the Saints' offense could turn to Olave.

Although the 23-year-old is highly regarded in the fantasy world, he is still underrated. If Carr delivers the quarterback upgrade the Saints are waiting for, Olave's floor could be a top-10 fantasy receiver.

Fantasy-Ranking: Αρ. 17

Although the Cleveland Browns are considered one of the top 20 fantasy receivers along with Amari Cooper, we may not be underestimating his consistency enough. Although his last Pro Bowl was in 2019, Cooper has gained over 1,100 yards in three of his last four seasons.

Last year, Cooper did just that in his first season in Cleveland and with journeyman Jacoby Brissett playing quarterback for most of the season. For the last six games, Cooper has played with Deshaun Watson, who hasn't played in the regular season since 2020.

Cooper still finished the 2022 season 12th in receiving yards, sixth in receiving touchdowns (9) and 19th in yards per game (68.2).

The 29-year-old is Cleveland's clear-cut No. 1 receiver, and if Watson returns to Pro Bowl form, he could be a top-10 or even top-5 fantasy producer. The excitement at the start of the offseason at Watson is promising.

"He's rocking it," David Djokovic said, per The Athletic'sJack Jackson. “It's stuck. The energy is there. So far every ball he's thrown has hit the spot and hit the money in my opinion."

With a full offseason together, Watson and Cooper have the potential to develop elite chemistry this year. As Cooper showed last year, even with average quarterback play, he's a top-15 receiver at worst. If Watson plays at even an above-average level, Cooper could have another Pro Bowl nomination ahead of him.

Fantasy-Ranking: Αρ. 22

As in Cooper's case, along with Terry McLaurin, the Washington Governors don't get enough credit for his consistency and reliability. While he finally secured a Pro Bowl nomination in 2022, he has been playing at a high level since entering the league in 2019.

McLaurin recorded 58 catches for 919 yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie. He's racked up 75 receptions and 1,000 yards every season since, and it's not like the 27-year-old has played with an elite group of quarterbacks.

Last year, Washington had a combination of Carson Wentz, Taylor Heinicke and then-rookie Sam Howell under center. McLaurin still had 1,191 yards and five touchdowns on 77 receptions. He also ranked 10th in rushing yards, 16th in rushing yards and sixth in rushing yards - one spot ahead of Justin Jefferson.

Howell is set to take the lead this year. He will be joined by new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, who has overseen the Kansas City Chiefs' productive offensive line for the past five seasons.

Much will depend on Howell's ability to perform well in his first full season as Washington's starter, but Bieniemy should help build the offense. That means we may not have seen the best of McLaurin yet.

Based on his past production with a mediocre supporting cast, there's no reason to rank McLaurin outside of the top 20 receivers in fantasy, even with 2022 freshman Jahan Dotson on the team.

Fantasy-Ranking: Αρ. 37

The Pittsburgh Steelers are undoubtedly on the rise next to George Pickens. His fantasy rating is encouraging for a second-year receiver, though still incredibly low in his case.

As a rookie, the Georgia native caught 52 passes for 802 yards and four touchdowns and ranked 13th in the league in yards per carry (9.5). He did this while playing with a rookie quarterback in Kenny Pickett and playing in a conservative and scrappy offense from Matt Canada.

If Pickett makes the jump to the sophomore -- which seems logical given his strong play in 2022 -- Pickens could explode.

Canada adding a few facets to the offense will certainly help.

"I'm not going to say we're revolutionizing our offense and everything is changing, but there are some new things that could make us a lot better," backup quarterback Mason Rudolph said.In a nutshell: Popejoyvan Steelers Wire.

Pickens still has to compete for goals with the likes of Deonda Johnson and Pat Fryermuth, but he has the potential to be targeted by Pickett in 2023.

It would be a surprise if Pickens didn't have a 1,000-yard season, and it wouldn't be an absolute surprise if he went top 10 in fantasy production.

Fantasy-Ranking: Αρ. 133

The towering Kalif Raymond may never be a top fantasy producer, not in a Detroit Lions offense that will soon feature Amon-Ra St. Brown, Marvin Jones, Josh Reynolds, Jahmyr Gibbs and Jameson Williams - after six were suspended - Williams for violating the league's gambling guidelines.

Even though Raymond is a wide receiver in Detroit, that doesn't mean he isn't underrated. Even if I was playing alone49 percentIn the Lions' offensive snaps last season, he ranked second on the team with 616 receiving yards and third on the team with 47 receiving yards.

The 28-year-old has found success with his efficiency. Raymond ranked 12th in the league in yards per carry (9.6) and ranked first in Pro Football Focus' sack metrics, according to PFFprogress of Judah.

"This is a man who is among the elite in our divorce statistics," Fortgang said at the eventPFF prediction pod(u/tJeremy Raismanthe SB Nation). “Look at the names: Stefon Diggs and Cooper Kupp and Garrett Wilson and Justin Jefferson, Tyreek Hill, CeeDee Lamb. Directly above stands Caliph Raymond.'

Due to Detroit's stacked roster of qualifying spots, Raymond may not have a chance to make his current roster. However, his potential to succeed in a bigger role is huge. It wouldn't be right to compile a list of underrated receivers without mentioning him.

Fantasy-Ranking: Αρ. 100

The Kansas City Chiefs proved last year that they don't need an elite to win the Super Bowl. They replaced Tyreek Hill with JuJu Smith-Schuster in the 2022 offseason, but Smith-Schuster's performance (78 catches, 933 yards, 3 touchdowns) paled in comparison to Hills'.

Kansas City could bounce back after losing Smith-Schuster in free agency and signing Richie James to the New York Giants. James could become one of the most underrated signings of the season.

While James hasn't garnered much attention since being a seventh-round pick in 2018, he's a player the Chiefs thought highly of coming out of college.

"(He's) a versatile player, you can move him around a lot, (he's) a guy from Middle Tennessee State that we liked," Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said, perKarel Goodmanfrom Chief's Wire.

James' production in 2022 was quite strong. He had 57 catches for 569 yards and four touchdowns in a Giants offense that ranked 25th in passing attempts. He was a top 50 player in yards per carry (8.1) and was an excellent punter119,6Bystander assessment when specifically addressed.

In a Kansas City offense that ranked fifth in passing attempts last season, and with Patrick Mahomes on the other end of his passes, James has real 1,000-yard potential. He's highly underrated in fantasy and sadly overlooked on the way to training camp.

Fantasy-Ranking: Αρ. 75

The New York Giants have developed a potent offense and are not consistently relying on the arm of quarterback Daniel Jones. This has and will limit Darius Slayton's overall production.

However, the 26-year-old's fantasy ranking appears low.

Outside of fantasy, Slayton remains underrated, and offseason newcomers Darren Waller and rookie Jalen Hyatt will likely be overlooked in New York. But even with the Giants' inconsistent offense, he has passed for 700+ yards in three of his four seasons and has a 100+ yard rating96,0in two of them.

What really impresses about Slayton is its efficiency. Last season he ranked fourth in the NFL in rushing yards (10.2), trailing only A.J. Brown, Jaylen Waddle and Dallas Goedert - and one spot ahead of Tyreek Hill.

Slayton has a lot going for him as well, with good size (6'1", 190 pounds) and4.39Speed. The key to unlocking that potential is allowing Jones to expand the scope of what could be possible this season.

"Compared to last season, we needed more explosive stuff (of play), so I think there's been a conscious effort this spring to drive the ball around the field," Slayton said, according to SNY .Alex Smith.

If Brian Daboll and Mike Kafka are ready to open up the Giants offense this year, Slayton could finally shine.

His extensive statisticsProfessional football reportunless otherwise stated.