Week 1 fantasy football is finally upon us and that means it’s time for the first wide receiver rankings of the year!

The first week of football is always impossible to predict so while some may just go chalk with their ranks to start the year, I take it as an opportunity to get wet and wild. A.J. Brown finishing a top-3 receiver this week? Sure. Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, AND Antonio Brown all finishing WR2s? Hell yea! What’s the fun in getting back into rankings if you’re not going to take some risks?

Here are my .5PPR wide receiver rankings for 2021 Week 1. I’ve highlighted five standouts who I’m particularly high on this week, and quickly explained why I ranked them where I did.

Make sure to check back here throughout the week as I will be making sure to update them as quickly as possible with any new information. As always, if you have specific rankings or starts & sits questions, drop them in the comments or hit me up @petemrogers.

Week 1 Standouts

A.J. Brown (WR3) – Brown has a real shot at starting the year as the WR1, playing against a massively-depleted Arizona Cardinals’ secondary. With Malcolm Butlers’ surprise retirement, the Cards are left with Byron Murphy Jr. and Robert Alford as their top two corners. There’s been plenty of hype surround Brown entering his third-year and he’ll more than live up to it in Week 1.

Antonio Brown (WR21) – We know this Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ passing attack is potent and we’ve heard nothing but positivity coming out out camp. In fact, Bruce Arians went as far as to say that Brown as looked like himself four or five years ago. Do I believe that? No. No one coach-speaks better than Bruce Arians. However, facing a Dallas pass defense that left plenty to be desired last year, I’m expecting fireworks from AB in Week 1. Fire the cannons!

Laviska Shenault Jr. (WR32) – Nic mentioned this game on Monday’s NerdBall show when discussing the best matchups of Week 1. The Houston Texans’ secondary is abysmal and if Trevor Lawrence is everything the media says he is—and everything he’s proven to be at every level of football he’s played—the Jacksonville Jaguars’ passing game is in for a hell of a Week 1. I’m betting on Shenault being the No. 1 guy in Duvall.

Sammy Watkins (WR45) – No one loves Week 1 more than Sammy Watkins. Over the last two years, Watkins has had over 80 receiving yards and a touchdown in each game. Now he’s the presumed WR1 in Baltimore for a Ravens team who dealt with all kinds of injures at the position this preseason. This is the week to start Watkins confidently in your flex and then sell high on him immediately.

Tyrell Williams (WR51) – Someone in Detroit outside of T.J. Hockenson has to catch passes right? Williams is a good wide receiver as he’s posted over 600 yards and at least 5 touchdowns in each of his last 2 seasons. While the San Francisco 49ers have an elite front seven, their secondary isn’t great and can be taken advantage of. I’m betting Williams gets at least 50 yards to start the year.

Week 1 Wide Receiver Rankings

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