Fabs’ One-Man Fantasy Mock Draft: Wide Receivers Rule in Round 1

June 11, 2024 Jimm Sallivan

With the calendar hitting the middle of June, we are quickly getting into the fantasy football draft season. To help build your strategies and give you a look into what your drafts might look like, I’ve done yet another of my one-man, 10-round mock drafts to help you determine which fantasy players might be picked where in your upcoming leagues.

This mock draft includes 12 teams and is based on a full PPR scoring system. Each team is required to start one quarterback, two running backs, two wide receivers, one tight end and two flex starters (non-super flex).

No kickers or D/STs were required in this mock.

Each team went into the draft with a different strategy in the first five rounds.

Tm 1: Running Back, Running Back, Quarterback, Wide Receiver, Tight End
Tm 2: Wide Receiver, Running Back, Wide Receiver, Wide Receiver, Quarterback
Tm 3: Wide Receiver, Wide Receiver, Quarterback, Tight End, Running Back
Tm 4: Wide Receiver, Wide Receiver, Running Back, Wide Receiver, Running Back
Tm 5: Wide Receiver, Wide Receiver, Running Back, Quarterback, Running Back
Tm 6: Wide Receiver, Wide Receiver, Running Back, Running Back, Wide Receiver
Tm 7: Running Back, Wide Receiver, Running Back, Wide Receiver, Wide Receiver
Tm 8: Running Back, Running Back, Wide Receiver, Wide Receiver, Wide Receiver
Tm 9: Wide Receiver, Running Back, Wide Receiver, Tight End, Running Back
Tm 10: Running Back, Wide Receiver, Running Back, Wide Receiver, Quarterback
Tm 11: Running Back, Running Back, Running Back, Wide Receiver, Wide Receiver
Tm12: Wide Receiver, Wide Receiver, Wide Receiver, Tight End, Quarterback

ROUND 1

1.1. Team 1: Christian McCaffrey, RB, 49ers
1.2. Team 2: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Cowboys
1.3. Team 3: Tyreek Hill, WR, Dolphins
1.4. Team 4: Justin Jefferson, WR, Vikings
1.5. Team 5: Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Lions
1.6. Team 6: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Bengals
1.7. Team 7: Bijan Robinson, RB, Falcons
1.8. Team 8: Breece Hall, RB, Jets
1.9. Team 9: A.J. Brown, WR, Eagles
1.10. Team 10: Saquon Barkley, RB, Eagles
1.11. Team 11: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Lions
1.12. Team 12: Puka Nacua, WR, Rams

Notes: This is going to be a mostly chalk top-12 picks. McCaffrey will lead the way, and Robinson, Hall, Barkley and Gibbs are all worth first-round picks at running back. Some might not think as highly about Barkley, but he was the RB13 last season in a lousy offense and missed three games. Imagine what he could be in Philadelphia! I have Lamb as the top wideout, slightly ahead of Hill and Jefferson (who has a questionable situation at quarterback but should still produce). In all, seven of the top 12 picks are wideouts. That includes Nacua, who busted out last season and now ranks far ahead of his veteran teammate in Los Angeles, Cooper Kupp.

ROUND 2

2.13. Team 12: Garrett Wilson, WR, Jets
2.14. Team 11: Jonathan Taylor, RB, Colts
2.15. Team 10: Marvin Jarrison Jr., WR, Cardinals
2.16. Team 9: Travis Etienne, RB, Jaguars
2.18. Team 7: Davante Adams, WR, Raiders
2.19. Team 6: Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Colts
2.20. Team 5: Chris Olave, WR, Saints
2.21. Team 4: Brandon Aiyuk, WR, 49ers
2.22. Team 3: Drake London, WR, Falcons
2.23. Team 2: Josh Jacobs, RB, Packers
2.24. Team 1: Derrick Henry, RB, Ravens

Notes: This round is also dominated by wide receivers, with seven coming off the board. That includes Wilson and Harrison Jr., who are both breakout candidates for fantasy fans. London is also in line for a career season with Kirk Cousins in Atlanta, which has pushed him into the top 24. At running back, I have Williams in the top 20 despite some of his durability concerns and the addition of Blake Corum. I’m also in on Jacobs, now in Green Bay, to rebound from a poor 2023. I also like Henry to remain productive in purple.

ROUND 3

3.25. Team 1: Jalen Hurts, QB, Eagles
3.26. Team 2: Mike Evans, WR, Buccaneers
3.27. Team 3: Josh Allen, QB, Bills
3.28. Team 4: Rachaad White, RB, Buccaneers
3.29. Team 5: Isiah Pacheco, RB, Chiefs
3.30. Team 6: De’Vone Achane, RB, Dolphins
3.31. Team 7: James Cook, RB, Bills
3.32. Team 8: DK Metcalf, WR, Seahawks
3.33. Team 9: Nico Collins, WR, Texans
3.34. Team 10: Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints
3.35. Team 11: Ken Walker, RB, Seahawks
3.36. Team 12: Deebo Samuel Sr., WR, 49ers

Notes: This is the first round we see a quarterback, as Hurts and Allen were picked in the top three. It’s also at this time when we see more running backs coming off the board, as White, Pacheco, Achane, Cook, Kamara and Walker all had their names called. White, Pacheco and Achane are RB1s for their respective teams, while Cook and Kamara are RB2s. Team 11, which went running back, running back, running back, landed Walker as its RB3. Of course, Walker will be more of a No. 2 runner in most drafts. The wideouts who came off the board include Evans, Metcalf, Collins and Samuel Sr.

ROUND 4

4.37. Team 12: Sam LaPorta, TE, Lions
4.38. Team 11: DJ Moore, WR, Bears
4.39. Team 10: Stefon Diggs, WR, Texans
4.40. Team 9: Travis Kelce, TE, Chiefs
4.41. Team 8: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Dolphins
4.42. Team 7: Devonta Smith, WR, Eagles
4.43. Team 6: Joe Mixon, RB, Texans
4.44. Team 5: Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs
4.45. Team 4: Malik Nabers, WR, Giants
4.46. Team 3: Mark Andrews, TE, Ravens
4.47. Team 2: Cooper Kupp, WR, Rams
4.48. Team 1: Amari Cooper, WR, Browns

Notes: LaPorta, the first tight end to come off the board, is also the first player taken in the round. Kelce, the top tight end in the previous five years, came in just a few spots later. The wide receiver feeding frenzy picked back up in the round too as seven more were drafted. That includes Diggs, who I have going one round behind his new teammate, Collins, and the second rookie wideout, Nabers. Kupp, who was a first-round pick last season, falls to the end of Round 4 after missing more games due to injuries last season, coupled with Nacua’s emergence into one of the elite wide receivers in fantasy football.

ROUND 5

5.49. Team 1: Trey McBride, TE, Cardinals
5.50. Team 2: Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens
5.51. Team 3: D’Andre Swift, RB, Bears
5.52. Team 4: Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, Patriots
5.53. Team 5: Zack Moss, RB, Bengals
5.54. Team 6: Terry McLaurin, WR, Commanders
5.55. Team 7: Christian Kirk, WR, Jaguars
5.56. Team 8: Zay Flowers, WR, Ravens
5.57. Team 9: James Conner, RB, Cardinals
5.58. Team 10: C.J. Stroud, QB, Texans
5.59. Team 11: Ladd McConkey, WR, Chargers
5.60. Team 12: Anthony Richardson, QB, Colts

Notes: This round also starts with a tight end in McBride, who I see as a major breakout candidate. He has top-three upside as the Cardinals’ unquestioned No. 1 option at the position. Three quarterbacks, Lamar Jackson, C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson are also called in this round. Several teams that went with wide receivers in the first three to four rounds are now looking for values as their No. 1 or 2 running back. Those included Swift, Stevenson, Moss, and Conner. I might have McConkey ranked a bit higher than some other analysts, but the target share potential with the Chargers is hard to ignore.

ROUND 6

6.61. Team 12: Zamir White, RB, Raiders
6.62. Team 11: Tee Higgins, WR, Bengals
6.63. Team 10: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Bills
6.64. Team 9: Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals
6.65. Team 8: Jonathon Brooks, RB, Colts
6.66. Team 7: Nick Chubb, RB, Browns
6.67. Team 6: Dak Prescott, QB, Cowboys
6.68. Team 5: Geroge Pickens, WR, Steelers
6.69. Team 4: George Kittle, TE, 49ers
6.70. Team 3: Aaron Jones, RB, Vikings
6.71. Team 2: Raheem Mostert, RB, Dolphins
6.72. Team 1: Jayden Reed, WR, Packers

Notes: White, a potential breakout candidate as the new lead back in Las Vegas, is picked as an RB1 for Team 12. That squad started with three wideouts, a tight end and quarterback. Brooks is the first rookie runner off the board, while veteran Chubb drops out of the top 60 coming off a gruesome knee injury suffered last season. Kincaid, another tight end who could bust out, went a few spots ahead of Kittle. Mostert, who scored 21 touchdowns and was a top-five runner last season, lasts until the end of sixth round. Projected touchdown regression is an absolute draft killer!

ROUND 7

7.73. Team 1: Keenan Allen, WR, Bears
7.74. Team 2: David Montgomery, RB, Lions
7.75. Team 3: Tank Dell, WR, Texans
7.76. Team 4: Najee Harris, RB, Steelers
7.77. Team 5: Kyle Pitts, TE, Falcons
7.78. Team 6: Tony Pollard, RB, Titans
7.79. Team 7: Evan Engram, TE, Jaguars
7.80. Team 8: Jordan Love, QB, Packers
7.81. Team 9: Austin Ekeler, RB, Commanders
7.82. Team 10: Javonte Williams, RB, Broncos
7.83. Team 11: David Njoku, TE, Browns
7.84. Team 12: Brian Robinson Jr., RB, Commanders

Notes: Allen, whose stock took a dive when the Chargers traded him to the Bears, is the first pick of Round 7. He’ll serve as the No. 3 wideout for Team 1. The round includes just one more wideout, Dell, who also lost value due to personnel changes (most notably, the addition of Diggs). This was a running back heavy round with six coming off the board. That includes both Commanders runners, Ekeler and Robinson Jr., and Pollard. He’ll serve as the new projected starter in Tennessee, though a committee situation with Tyjae Spears could put a cap on his fantasy ceiling. There are also three tight ends in this round, with Pitts being picked first. With Kirk Cousins in Atlanta, this is his best shot to bust out and finally meet his lofty fantasy expectations.

ROUND 8

8.85. Team 12: Devin Singletary, RB, Giants
8.86. Team 11: Kyler Murray, QB, Cardinals
8.87. Team 10: Calvin Ridley, WR, Titans
8.88. Team 9: Diontae Johnson, WR, Panthers
8.89. Team 8: Jake Ferguson, TE, Cowboys
8.90. Team 7: Brock Purdy, QB 49ers
8.91. Team 6: Marquise Brown, WR, Chiefs
8.92. Team 5: Jaylen Warren, RB, Steelers
8.93. Team 4: Courtland Sutton, WR, Broncos
8.94. Team 3: Chris Godwin, WR, Buccaneers
8.95. Team 2: Rashee Rice, WR, Chiefs
8.96. Team 1: Jordan Addison, WR, Vikings

Notes: There are some nice potential values in the round, including quarterbacks Murray and Purdy. Singletary has never been a fantasy superstar, but he seems to have the Giants backfield all to himself and he knows the offense of coach Brian Daboll from their time in Buffalo. The round also includes both Chiefs wide receivers in Brown and Rice. No one knows if and for how long Rice will be suspended for his off-field issues, so he’s tough to project at this point. Still, these will be Kansas City’s projected starters in 2024.

ROUND 9

9.97. Team 1: Tyjae Spears, RB, Titans
9.98. Team 2: Brock Bowers, TE, Raiders
9.99. Team 3: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Cowboys
9.100. Team 4: Jayden Daniels, QB, Commanders
9.101. Team 5: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seahawks
9.102. Team 6: Dallas Goedert, TE, Eagles
9.103. Team 7: DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Titans
9.104. Team 8: Jameson Williams, WR, Lions
9.105. Team 9: Tyler Lockett, WR, Seahawks
9.106. Team 10: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jaguars
9.107. Team 11: Keon Coleman, WR, Bills
9.108. Team 12: Xavier Worthy, WR, Chiefs

Notes: Round 9 is full of potential values, including Spears, Bowers, Daniels, JSN, and Williams. Personally, I have Daniels as a breakout candidate in his rookie season. I also like Williams, who is getting a lot of positive hype out of Detroit. The round ends with six wideouts, three of which are rookies. I have Smith-Njigba and Lockett coming off the board within a few picks of each other, but I’m higher on the former in his second year. Thomas Jr., Coleman, and Worthy could earn significant roles for their respective teams and could move up in future mocks. For now I like them as No. 4 fantasy receivers.

ROUND 10

10.109. Team 12: Trey Benson, RB, Cardinals
10.110. Team 11: Zach Charbonnet, RB, Seahawks
10.111. Team 10: Rome Odunze, WR, Bears
10.112. Team 9: Gus Edwards, RB, Ravens
10.113. Team 8: Jerome Ford, RB, Browns
10.114. Team 7: Tyler Allgeier, RB, Falcons
10.115. Team 6: Chase Brown, RB, Bengals
10.116. Team 5: Christian Watson, WR, Packers
10.117. Team 4: Kirk Cousins, QB, Falcons
10.118. Team 3: Adam Thielen, WR, Panthers
10.119. Team 2: Mike Williams, WR, Jets
10.120. Team 1: Jakobi Meyers, WR, Raiders

Notes: The second rookie running back, Benson, starts things off in the 10th. He’s one of six runners picked in the round, all of which are committee of handcuff options. Odunze might be more talented than some of the rookie wideouts who have been drafted ahead of him, but his landing spot was the least attractive causing his re-draft stock to fall. This is also the round where Cousins, who was on pace to throw for 5,000 yards last season, had his name called. Now in Atlanta, he should push for top-12 quarterback value.

5 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

2024 Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Tiers: Lamb, Hill Lead the Way

The 2024 NFL season is fast approaching, so it’s time to look at fantasy positional “tiers.” Unlike my PPR player rankings, tiers group players of similar value. So, if you miss out on a particular player on a tier in your draft, you can see others on that same tier who are good alternatives to pick.

I’ve covered quarterbacks and running backs, so now let’s look at wide receivers. This is now the most important position in fantasy football, especially in leagues that award points for receptions. It’s also the deepest position, as more teams have leaned on the pass attack in recent seasons. We’ve also seen a lot of wide receivers come out of the collegiate ranks and make an immediate impact (many of whom you’ll see in the first several tiers).

Tier 1 – The Elite

CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys
Tyreek Hill, Dolphins
Justin Jefferson, Vikings
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions
Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals

Lamb moved past Hill and Jefferson as the top wideout in fantasy football after a career 2023 season that saw him post 403.2 points. Hill, the WR2 last season, remains a close second. Jefferson remains in my top three, but the loss of Kirk Cousins brings at least some questions due to the state of the Vikings quarterback situation. He’ll be catching passes from either rookie J.J. McCarthy or journeyman Sam Darnold. St. Brown is locked in as a top-five wideout, and Chase remains among the elite with a healthy Joe Burrow in Cincinnati.

Tier 2 – Mid WR1s

A.J. Brown, Eagles
Puka Nacua, Rams
Garrett Wilson, Jets
Marvin Harrison Jr., Cardinals

Brown finished fifth in fantasy points among wideouts last season, but he faded down the stretch. Still, he’ll be a first-round selection in most drafts. Nacua, who came out of nowhere to rank fourth in points among wideouts, will be a top-24 overall pick. You must wonder if he can duplicate such a magical season, however, especially if Cooper Kupp can avoid injuries. Wilson is a popular breakout candidate, as he’ll have Aaron Rodgers under center. I am very high on Harrison Jr. coming into his rookie season, which is obvious as I have him listed as a potential low-WR1. He'll be a top-36 pick.

Tier 3 – Low WR1s

Davante Adams, Raiders
Chris Olave, Saints
Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers
Drake London, Falcons
Mike Evans, Buccaneers
Michael Pittman Jr., Colts

Adams was inconsistent in the stat sheets last year but still finished in the top 10. Olave should post a career season with Michael Thomas off the roster, and Aiyuk should build on his impressive 2023 season. He’s also entering a contract year. This tier includes four players who could push for WR1 value. London is a popular breakout candidate with Kirk Cousins now under center in Atlanta. Evans was the WR7 a season ago, and he’s shown no signs of slowing down. Pittman Jr. should remain the Colts' No. 1 wideout, and his numbers were solid in games started by Anthony Richardson last season.

Tier 4 – High WR2s

DK Metcalf, Seahawks
Nico Collins, Texans
Deebo Samuel Sr., 49ers
DJ Moore, Bears

The Seahawks passing game should benefit from hiring Ryan Grubb as their new offensive coordinator, which is good news for Metcalf. This tier also includes Collins ahead of Stefon Diggs, as he has a rapport with C.J. Stroud. Samuel Sr., coming off a WR15 finish, should be a fine No. 2 wideout. As for Moore, he will struggle to duplicate his high-end numbers from last season after the Bears traded for Keenan Allen and drafted Rome Odunze. He’ll drop from a mid-level No. 1 wideout to a No. 2 option.

Tier 5 – Mid WR2s

Stefon Diggs, Texans
Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins
Devonta Smith, Eagles
Malik Nabers, Giants

Diggs can no longer be considered an elite fantasy option, as he'll compete with Collins and Tank Dell for targets. Still, he should finish in the WR2 range in what should be an explosive pass attack. Waddle and Smith are both in high-octane offenses and will be attractive WR2s in fantasy leagues. Nabers should be a target hero as a rookie in New York if his quarterbacks can get him the football. There's high-end WR2 potential in him.

Tier 6 – Low WR2s

Cooper Kupp, Rams
Amari Cooper, Browns
Terry McLaurin, Commanders
Christian Kirk, Jaguars

Kupp has missed parts of the last two seasons due to injuries and is now entering his age-31 season, so he’s fallen to the WR2/WR3 range as a result. Cooper averaged a solid 15.3 PPR points in his 15 games last season, and he should remain the top option in the Browns pass attack even with the addition of Jerry Jeudy during the offseason. McLaurin should emerge as the first option in the passing game for rookie Jayden Daniels. Kirk will be the first receiving option with Calvin Ridley no longer in the Jaguars offense.

Tier 7 – High WR3s/Flex

Zay Flowers, Ravens
Ladd McConkey, Chargers
Tee Higgins, Bengals
Geroge Pickens, Steelers
Jayden Reed, Packers
Keenan Allen, Bears
Tank Dell, Texans

There is real upside in this tier as Flowers, McConkey and Higgins could push for WR2 value. Flowers should build on a good rookie season, and McConkey has a shot to lead all Chargers wideouts in targets. He’ll be a popular sleeper option in drafts. Higgins had a subpar 2023 but will be motivated to rebound in a contract year. Pickens and Reed could both break out as the projected top receivers for their respective teams. Allen, whose stock fell after being traded to the Bears, is now a flex option. The same holds true for Dell, who looked terrific as a rookie but will lose opportunities to Diggs.

Tier 8 – Mid WR3s/Flex

Calvin Ridley, Titans
Diontae Johnson, Panthers
Marquise Brown, Chiefs
Courtland Sutton, Broncos
Chris Godwin, Buccaneers
Rashee Rice, Chiefs

Ridley, who finished 18th among wideouts last season, is now in an offense with an unproven quarterback in Will Levis and will have to compete with DeAndre Hopkins. Johnson will be the top target for Bryce Young in Carolina, so I can see him averaging 12-13 points per game. Brown could be a bargain for managers if he opens the season as the top wideout in Kansas City. I have his new teammate, Rice in his tier, but I have no idea what sort of suspension he’ll face for his off-field problems. Sutton, who remains the clear top wideout in Denver, and the veteran Godwin should both be on the low WR3 radar.

Tier 9 – Low WR3s/Flex

Jordan Addison, Vikings
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks
DeAndre Hopkins, Titans
Tyler Lockett, Seahawks
Jameson Williams, Lions

There’s plenty of upside in Tier 10, but some questions too. Addison would be ranked higher if it weren’t for the quarterback questions in Minnesota, and Hopkins will contend with Ridley for targets in Tennessee. I like Smith-Njigba as a potential sleeper/breakout in his second season, but Lockett remains a big part of Seattle's offense. Williams, who will see a bigger role in Detroit this season, should post career numbers. He has sleeper/breakout appeal.

Tier 10 – High WR4s

Brian Thomas Jr., Jaguars
Keon Coleman, Bills
Xavier Worthy, Chiefs
Rome Odunze, Bears
Christian Watson, Packers

We can call this the rookie tier, as it includes Thomas Jr., Coleman, Worthy and Odunze. All four have a chance to play prominent roles for their respective teams. Odunze, who will have to compete with Moore and Allen for targets in Chicago, might have the lowest ceiling of the quartet. Watson is hard to trust because of last season's injury woes, but he could also be a bargain.

Tier 11 – Mid WR4s

Adam Thielen, Panthers
Mike Williams, Jets
Jakobi Meyers, Raiders
Curtis Samuel, Bills
Brandin Cooks, Cowboys

Thielen and Williams will be no better than the second-best options in the passing games of their respective teams. Meyers might have hit his ceiling last season when he finished as the WR24, but he's still worth a late look. Samuel has some sleeper appeal in Buffalo, and Cooks will be a matchup-based option in what figures to be a highly productive Cowboys passing game.

Tier 12 – Low WR4s

Gabe Davis, Jaguars
Jerry Jeudy, Browns
Josh Downs, Colts
DeMario Douglas, Patriots
Josh Palmer, Chargers

There are a lot of recognizable names, but none of them come with target guarantees. Davis will have to compete with Thomas Jr. for a starting job in Jacksonville, and Jeudy will be the second or third option in the Browns passing game. Downs and Douglas have some deep sleeper appeal.

3 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

Four Wide Receivers That Will Benefit Most from Justin Jefferson’s Record-Setting Contract

The saying "a rising tide lifts all boats" is rarely as applicable as when it comes to NFL contracts. Each offseason, players at premier positions like quarterback and wide receiver sign gigantic contracts that reset the market. Those players reign as the highest-paid at their respective positions... until the next contract is signed by a superstar that makes them the highest-paid player at their position and resets the market.

It's a cycle that repeats itself and has many ripple effects, the most prevalent of which is that players at these positions just keep making more and more money. Each new superstar deal sets the stage for the next.

Which brings us to Monday, when Justin Jefferson helped out all his colleagues around the league by receiving a record-setting amount of money. News broke in the morning that Jefferson had agreed to a four-year, $140 million deal with $110 million guaranteed with the Minnesota Vikings. The extension makes Jefferson the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL and the highest-paid non-quarterback in football history.

It is obviously well-deserved for Jefferson. It is also a boon for other wide receivers around his level who are negotiating their own big-time contracts. Here are four receivers in particular who will benefit from Jefferson's record-setting deal in their respective negotiations.

Lamb is the name you'll probably see the most floating around in the wake of the Jefferson deal. The Cowboys star earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2023, posting a league-leading 135 catches for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns. Pound-for-pound, he may not be as talented as Jefferson but he is definitely in a similar tier of game-changing receiver— and he should get paid like it, too.

In addition to their other similarities, Lamb was part of Jefferson's draft class, meaning he is entering the final year of his rookie contract and should receive an extension this offseason from the franchise that drafted him. That extension will now be much pricier with Jefferson's deal in place. Jerry Jones has been insisting all offseason that the Cowboys are "all in" for 2024, but the lack of extensions for Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott have been a big talking point.

Regardless of when the deal gets done (and who it gets done with), Lamb will be negotiating from a position of strength after Jefferson reset the market and it would not be a surprise to see him end up the highest-paid receiver in the league.

Chase is one of the few wideouts who can lay legitimate claim to Jefferson's throne as best receiver in the NFL. He's a legitimate game-breaker who can and will dominate defenses on the right day. In 2023, Chase posted an even 100 catches for 1,216 yards and seven touchdowns despite missing two games to injury and catching passes from multiple different quarterbacks amid Joe Burrow's own injury-plagued campaign.

With an All-Pro nomination to his name already in his young career, Chase is often tabbed as the next receiver to sign a truly ludicrous deal. Lamb is likely next in line to reset the market but Chase is going to demand even bigger money given his immediate and overwhelming dominance from Day 1.

The interesting aspect of Chase's situation, however, is that he still has two seasons left on his rookie deal. This gives the Bengals more leverage than other teams on this list because they have a full extra offseason to get him under contract before he enters the final year of his deal. Cincinnati is incentivized to get it done as soon as possible, because as laid out above, the price tag will just keep going up. Jefferson's deal isn't too bad a starting point for either side.

Chase is set to get paid, either this offseason or the next.

Aiyuk has been in trade rumors all offseason so who knows where he'll end up by the time the season kicks off in September. Wherever that may be, he will almost certainly sign a new deal in the coming months; he is entering the final year of his rookie contract and will want a raise from someone. The Jefferson contract will give him a big boost.

Unlike the above two players, Aiyuk is not quite in that superstar tier level of player that will break multiple records upon putting pen to paper. He had 75 catches for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023, and playing in Kyle Shanahan's incredibly productive offense probably hurts more than helps him.

A more apt comparison may be Amon-Ra St. Brown, an excellent player who was briefly the highest-paid receiver in the league this offseason after signing a four-year, $120 million deal in April with $77 million guaranteed. That will likely be the comparison point when contract negotiations get underway.

Even acknowleding that, Aiyuk will have the advantage of the Jefferson contract that St. Brown did not. He should be in line for a larger payday than he was before.

Higgins was franchise-tagged by the Bengals this offseason after playing out the final year of his deal. A lot of what happens with Higgins will depend on what happens with Chase, but negotiations between Higgins and the Bengals are essentially non-existent at this juncture, according to the latest reports, and he's yet to sign the tag. So it's really anybody's guess right now as to how long Higgins is meant for Cincinnati and if he'll sign a new deal there or elsewhere.

However, when Higgins does get to the negotiating table, the Jefferson deal will be very helpful. Like Aiyuk, Higgins is not a superstar, but he's very good and can reasonably assert he'll post even better numbers as the No. 1 option instead of across from a talent like Chase. As is, Higgins recorded 42 catches for 656 yards and five touchdowns last season-- all career-lows, stemming from injury problems that forced him to miss six games and the same quarterback issues that Chase had to deal with.

He is in line for a nice raise one way or the other, and the Jefferson contract will help as a reference point in negotiations.

US Sports News