Just before the 2024 season kicks off, there’s still some time for some quick buy, sell and hold WR candidates. The cornerstone assets of your dynasty team should be focused on value at the wide receiver position. In this article, we’ll analyze which wide receivers you should buy, sell, or hold to maximize your dynasty league success.
Buy: Zay Flowers – The Next Big Thing in Baltimore
One of my most central takes in building dynasties is building around young talented wide receivers. They almost always continue to rise in value and produce more than their price if you buy after their rookie year.
Zay Flowers is one of those sophomore wide receivers poised for a breakout season in 2024. Last year, as a rookie, he recorded 858 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns, ranking 30th among NFL receivers. The case for Zay is going to be looking at rookie WR’s that paced 100+ targets their first year.
Zay was ranked 5th by open target rate separation in 2023 my PFF.
| Total Targets | Open Targets | Open Target Rate |
| 116 | 104 | 89.7% |
*By PFF (pff.com/nfl-ranking-top-wide-recievers)
Zay Flowers missed the 900+ receiving yards by just 42 yards from the metric of 900+ on 60+ receptions. Which is why I believe he should be one of the main targets in your leagues this year. Buy that production for a fraction of the price he will cost next year.
Look at the set of all WRs to go for 900 yards or more in their rookie years over the past 5 seasons. This list of those receivers includes: AJ Brown, DK Metcalf, Deebo (all purpose yards), Jefferson, Ceedee Lamb, Tee Higgins, Ja’Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle, Devonta Smith and most recently with Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave.
| Player | 2023 Season Stats | 2024 Projections |
| Zay Flowers | 858 Receiving Yards + 5 touchdowns | 1,100 receiving Yards + 8 touchdowns |
Target Zay Flowers as a WR2 in trades if you can offer an aging player like Keenan Allen or Mike Evans.
Sell: Michael Pittman Jr. – Time to Cash In
While Flowers’ future looks bright, Michael Pittman Jr.’s outlook for 2024 raises some questions. Michael Pittman Jr. had an impressive season in 2023, largely due to Gardner Minshew’s heavy passing attack. However, with Anthony Richardson taking over, Pittman’s role might change.
This isn’t a knock on Anthony Richardson’s potential—his ceiling as a quarterback is sky-high, comparable to how Cam Newton and Lamar Jackson transformed fantasy football when they entered the league. However, concerns arise with Michael Pittman Jr.’s outlook for 2024, given the shift in offensive dynamics. In 2023, Pittman received 156 targets, ranking 9th in the NFL, but with Richardson’s run-first tendencies and other playmakers returning, his target share could take a hit.
Comparing the Colts’ 2023 roster to 2024, it’s clear that missing key pieces forced Michael Pittman Jr. to shoulder much of the offensive load. Jonathan Taylor missed significant time, Alec Pierce struggled to draw defensive attention, and Josh Downs was sidelined with an injury in Week 9.
Heading into 2024, the offense looks different: Jonathan Taylor is back healthy, Josh Downs on the horizon of returning, and rookie Adonai Mitchell adds depth. However, with Anthony Richardson’s run-first approach and inconsistent passing, Pittman’s target share is likely to decrease. If you can trade Pittman for a more consistent and elite asset, it’s worth considering. Potential trade targets include Tank Dell, DK Metcalf, and Deebo Samuel.
| Player | 2023 Season Stats | 2024 Projections |
| Michael Pittman Jr | 1152 receiving yards + 4 touchdowns | 850 receiving yards + 5 touchdowns |
Hold: Tee Higgins – Patience Will Pay Off
Tee Higgins had a challenging 2023 season, missing multiple games due to injury, but his potential remains high with Joe Burrow healthy and back at the helm. Higgins initially broke out in 2020 with over 900 receiving yards and 65+ receptions and maintained that trajectory, recording 70+ receptions and 1,000+ yards in each of the next two seasons. His best performance came in 2022, when he posted over 1,000 yards, 7 touchdowns, and averaged 13.2 PPR points per game—the last full season with a healthy Burrow, who finished as the QB4 in fantasy football.
In 2023, the Bengals struggled as Burrow was injured and shut down in Week 11, Higgins dealt with various injuries, and Ja’Marr Chase spent the year with Jake Browning under center. Looking ahead to 2024, a healthy Burrow positions Chase and Higgins as arguably the best WR duo in the NFL. With Zach Moss stepping in at running back, the Bengals’ offense may lack a true pass-catching back, potentially vacating 50+ receptions that Joe Mixon would have otherwise commanded.
If Higgins stays healthy, he has a clear path to finishing as a top 12-15 wide receiver for the first time in his career.
| Player | 2023 Season Stats | 2024 Projections |
| Tee Higgins | 656 receiving yards + 5 touchdowns | 1,100 receiving yards + 8 Touchdowns |
While there is some risk in holding Tee Higgins, selling him now would likely mean selling low after his down year in 2023. When healthy and paired with an elite quarterback like Joe Burrow, Higgins has consistently delivered top-tier numbers. With Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Higgins set to reunite in 2024, the upside is too high to ignore. Hold onto Higgins for a potential bounce-back season where he could once again thrive as a key piece of one of the league’s most dynamic offenses.
That rounds out the Buy, Sell, Hold WR candidates ahead of the 2024 season. Remember you can find our other content here. Reach out on social media, you can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or jump into our Discord server.
