Conference Championship Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Rankings: Terry McLaurin, A.J. Brown, Khalil Shakir, Xavier Worthy and More
Analyzing all the top fantasy wide receivers who will play in the conference championship games.
It’s time to rank another offensive position for the next round of the NFL postseason.
We’ve gone over quarterbacks and running backs so far, and now will discuss wide receivers.
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Conference Championship Matchups
In the Washington and Philadelphia matchup, the Eagles’ wideouts have a pretty average matchup, while the Commanders’ receivers have one of the toughest matchups possible from the regular season.
In the Buffalo and Kansas City game, the Bills’ wideouts have the more favorable matchup, but both are pretty average tests overall.
Wide Receiver Rankings
1. Terry McLaurin
McLaurin is my No. 1 fantasy wideout for the conference championship games - it’s pretty wild to see the lack of elite pass catchers remaining.
McLaurin has been a steady contributor so far this postseason. He had 87 yards and a touchdown on four catches and six targets last week and had 89 yards and a score on seven grabs and 10 targets in the Wild Card Round.
In the regular season, McLaurin had mixed results against Philly. In game one, he was held to 10 yards on one catch and two targets. He had 60 yards and a touchdown on five receptions and six targets in the second matchup.
I think McLaurin has a similar showing to the team’s second meeting (and his two playoff contests). While he hasn’t put up really great numbers, in a week lacking a ton of great options, I see McLaurin as the safest play.
2. Khalil Shakir
Shakir as my No. 2 wideout might surprise some, but he’s also been very consistent this postseason.
He had 67 yards on six receptions and seven targets last week and went for 61 yards on six catches and targets in the first round. Shakir had 70 yards on eight grabs and 12 targets in the regular season game against Kansas City.
Buffalo hasn’t passed a ton this postseason, but Shakir has been the clear leader through two games. With a good showing in the team’s last clash with KC, I like Shakir to deliver again this weekend and finish as the week’s No. 2 fantasy wideout.
3. Xavier Worthy
Worthy is probably another surprise pick for my No. 3 slot, but I simply trust him the most.
He went for 45 yards on five catches and six targets last week. Worthy also had a rushing attempt, but it lost eight yards. He’s gotten at least six touches in five straight games, and that’s why he vaults to my No. 3 slot.
Worthy had a good showing against Buffalo in the regular season, catching four of his five targets for 61 yards and a touchdown. He added a seven-yard rush in that game.
He’s not as big a name as some of the guys ranked after him, but Worthy also feels like the much safer fantasy option right now.
4. DeVonta Smith
You probably expected to see Smith ranked higher than fourth, but based on what we’ve seen in two playoff games, this is more than fair.
He had four catches and targets in each game, tallying 21 yards last week and 55 in the Wild Card Round. Smith had 51 yards on six grabs and eight targets in the last regular season meeting with Washington, and an additional 29 yards on four catches and six targets in the first game.
None of his numbers really stand out, but he’s at least somewhat consistently involved. He could finish higher with a couple extra catches, or a score, but I feel much better ranking him where I did.
5. A.J. Brown
Brown is my No. 5 receiver, and I still feel like I might have him too high. He’s really struggled this postseason.
Last week, Brown had 14 yards on two receptions and seven targets. He went for 10 yards on one catch and three targets in the first round.
He did have some regular season success against Washington. In the last meeting, Brown had 97 yards and a touchdown on eight receptions and 15 targets (that was with Jalen Hurts missing most of the game). In the first meeting, Brown had 65 yards on five catches and eight targets.
At this point, Brown replicating his first game against Washington would feel like a huge win. I just don’t trust the Philly pass game right now, and am really not high on Brown given his postseason production so far. He definitely could finish atop the leaderboard by the end of the week, but he also could finish lower than fifth, so it’s fair to have him ranked here.
6. Dyami Brown
We’ll take Brown again here, just this time being the one from the Commanders.
He’s been fantastic this postseason. Brown had 98 yards on six catches and eight targets last week and had 89 yards and a score on five receptions and targets in the first round.
Brown was not nearly as involved during the regular season, but has stepped up when the games matter the most. He had 56 yards on four grabs and five targets in the second game against Philly, while tallying a four-yard grab across two targets in the first game.
Against a tougher Philly pass defense, I don’t see Brown continuing his postseason success to his previous levels. I still think he’s maybe worth trying out though, especially in deeper fantasy leagues or in DFS as a cheap option with high upside.
7. Marquise Brown
I promise I’m done taking receivers whose last name are Brown after this.
He did not accomplish much last week, but I’m hoping he can at least deliver like he did late in the regular season this week. Brown had two targets but no catches last week. He did not play in the regular season meeting against Buffalo.
Brown was second on the Chiefs (among the wideouts) in snaps last week, and that’s why he gets the nod here. He had 46 yards on four catches in week 17 and 45 yards on five grabs in week 16, and I’m hoping he can at least deliver those kinds of numbers this week.
8. Olamide Zaccheaus
Zaccheaus has struggled to get going this postseason, and now is dealing with injuries.
He didn’t catch either of his two targets last week. Zaccheaus had 19 yards on three grabs and targets in the Wild Card Round.
I’m still optimistic with him, mostly because of what he did in the second regular season game against the Eagles. In game one, he had a 10-yard catch across two targets. In the second clash, Zaccheaus had 70 yards and two touchdowns on five catches and eight targets.
I don’t see him replicating that performance, but it gives me enough hope to try him out in the eighth slot.
9. Amari Cooper
I’ll give Cooper a shot here despite his postseason struggles.
He has just eight yards on two catches and four targets this postseason. Cooper only played 21 snaps last week. He did have 55 yards on two catches and three targets in the regular season meeting with KC, so maybe he can deliver a similar line despite a lower amount of snaps played.
From here on out though, these players are more lottery ticket plays than players you can trust.
10. Curtis Samuel
Samuel was on the field for just 19 snaps last week, but he was at least a little involved.
He only had nine yards on two catches and targets last week, which was a disappointment after having 68 yards and a touchdown on three catches and targets in the first round.
His little offensive involvement is enough to rank him here.
11. DeAndre Hopkins
Hopkins only played 16 snaps last week and he didn’t catch his only target.
He had 29 yards on three grabs and four targets in the first meeting with Buffalo. Hopkins gets the nod here just because he’s a veteran and could step up at any time.
12. Keon Coleman
Coleman was on the field for 40 snaps, but only received one target, which he caught for five yards. He had five yards on one catch and three targets in the Wild Card Round.
Coleman did not play against KC in the regular season, so he could be a bit of a sleeper. Based on what we’ve seen this postseason though, I just don’t see him accomplishing much.
13. Jamison Crowder
Crowder played 30 snaps last week, but that was with Zaccheaus banged up. He had 25 yards on two catches and targets and could produce a similar line if Zaccheaus cannot go this week.
The Others
There’s a few other recognizable names left, but none of them have consistently been involved this postseason, or regular season for that matter. Here’s how I’d rank them:
14. Mack Hollins
15. Jahan Dotson
17. Luke McCaffrey
18. Justin Watson
19. Johnny Wilson
