Fantasy Football 2024: Sleeper WRs to Target in Updated Flex Rankings

With the 2024 NFL season nearing the opening kick, fantasy football managers are scrambling to find ways of creating advantages over their opposition.

There are myriad ways to go about that, but two of the most beneficial are dominating the flex spots (running back, wide receiver and tight end) and identifying sleepers.

So, those two areas have our attention here, as we're laying out our top-30 flex rankings in point-per-reception (PPR) leagues and then spotlighting two of our favorite sleeper receivers.

Flex Rankings

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DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 21: Amon-Ra St. Brown #14 of the Detroit Lions celebrates after a play during the first quarter of an NFL divisional round playoff football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ford Field on January 21, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

1. Christian McCaffrey, RB, SF

2. Tyreek Hill, WR, MIA

3. CeeDee Lamb, WR, DAL

4. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, CIN

5. Breece Hall, RB, NYJ

6. Bijan Robinson, RB, ATL

7. Justin Jefferson, WR, MIN

8. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, DET

9. A.J. Brown, WR, PHI

10. Saquon Barkley, RB, PHI

11. Garrett Wilson, WR, NYJ

12. Jonathan Taylor, RB, IND

13. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, DET

14. Davante Adams, WR, LV

15. Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, ARI

16. Puka Nacua, WR, LAR

17. Mike Evans, WR, TB

18. Travis Etienne Jr., RB, JAX

19. Kyren Williams, RB, LAR

20. Rachaad White, WR, TB

21. Chris Olave, WR, NO

22. Michael Pittman Jr., WR, IND

23. Sam LaPorta, TE, DET

24. Drake London, WR, ATL

25. Travis Kelce, TE, KC

26. De'Von Achane, RB, MIA

27. Jaylen Waddle, WR, MIA

28. Isiah Pacheco, RB, KC

29. Derrick Henry, RB, BAL

30. Deebo Samuel Sr., WR, SF

Diontae Johnson, WR, Carolina Panthers

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ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 24: Diontae Johnson #5 of the Carolina Panthers on the field before a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)

Carolina's offense was a mess last season, yet it still propped up a past-his-prime Adam Thielen to WR17 finish in PPR scoring, per FantasyPros. Being force-fed 137 targets can have that effect.

Bryce Young's options were limited, though. Rookie Jonathan Mingo appeared over his head and still wound up with 85 targets. Another 66 passes were sent the direction of DJ Chark, whom Carolina let walk in free agency.

A capable receiver would have a chance to do real damage in this offense, in other words. Diontae Johnson at least qualifies as that.

Injuries have been an issue, but he produces when he plays. In 2021, before Pittsburgh's quarterback situation imploded, Johnson turned 169 targets into 107 receptions for 1,161 yards and eight scores. That level of opportunity volume could be available in Carolina, and there's enough talent between him and Young, last year's No. 1 pick, to post even better production.

Khalil Shakir, WR, Buffalo Bills

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - JANUARY 07: Khalil Shakir #10 of the Buffalo Bills runs the ball during an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on January 7, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)

Khalil Shakir didn't wow anyone last season. Maybe he should have, though.

His issue wasn't a lack of ability, but rather a lack of opportunity. Four different Bills tallied more than his 45 targets. Considering that a whopping 39 of Shakir's targets went for receptions, though, Buffalo probably should have upped his usage. That's especially true given that he averaged an impressive 7.2 yards after catch, the third-highest mark among players with 20-plus catches, per FantasyPros.

Yet, Shakir being overlooked wasn't totally shocking. Not when Buffalo had Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis ahead of him at wide receiver. Both of those players are gone now, though, meaning the runway is cleared for Shakir.

Quarterback Josh Allen, who has thrown for better than 4,200 yards with 29-plus touchdowns each of the past four seasons, is in the market for new go-to options. He shouldn't take long to figure out his best option is a Shakir, a player Allen should've been going to more already.