How Many WR Can One QB Support for Fantasy Success?
It’s the age-old fantasy football debate: Can a #2 WR in an explosive offense, like DeVonta Smith or Jaylen Waddle, actually be more valuable than a #1 WR on a weaker team? What about when there are three high-quality WRs on a single team? Can a QB like C.J. Stroud really make Nico Collins, Tank Dell, and Stefon Diggs all fantasy-relevant? And if not, who’s getting left out? The same question applies to rookie Caleb Williams in Chicago – with DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze all vying for targets, which WRs will shine?
To help you prepare for your draft, we dove into the last five seasons and analyzed which teams have consistently supported multiple WRs finishing in the top 50, top 36, and top 24. The results may surprise you.
The Data Breakdown: Which Teams Can Handle Multiple WRs?
Over the last five seasons, there have been 14 instances where teams supported three WRs finishing in the top 50. Interestingly, no team managed to pull this off last year. But which teams have done it in recent history?
Here's the breakdown:
Dallas Cowboys (3 times)
Buffalo Bills (2 times)
Cincinnati Bengals (2 times)
Minnesota Vikings (2 times)
Los Angeles Chargers
Los Angeles Rams
Washington Commanders
Arizona Cardinals
Carolina Panthers
But let’s narrow it down a bit more. What about teams that supported three WRs in the top 36? Only four teams achieved this in the last five years:
Cincinnati Bengals (2021)
Minnesota Vikings (2021)
Dallas Cowboys (2020)
Carolina Panthers (2020)
Notably, no team has ever supported three WRs finishing in the top 24 over the past five years.
So, what does this mean for teams like the Texans and Bears? The history suggests that it’s unlikely for all three WRs on either team to finish as top fantasy options. We believe age could play a factor as well, which raises red flags for Keenan Allen (CHI) and Stefon Diggs (HOU). Both are still being drafted at high ADPs, but as QBs like Stroud and Williams build rapport with their younger WRs like DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Tank Dell, and Nico Collins, we could see a shift away from the veterans as the season progresses.
The Sweet Spot: 2 WRs in the Top 24
While supporting three top-tier WRs is rare, teams having two WRs finish in the top 24 is much more common. It’s happened 16 times in the past five years, and at least three teams have accomplished it each year.
This bodes well for offenses like Miami, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and the Los Angeles Rams, where multiple WRs currently have ADPs within the top 24:
Miami Dolphins: Tyreek Hill (ADP 1), Jaylen Waddle (ADP 19)
Philadelphia Eagles: A.J. Brown (ADP 6), DeVonta Smith (ADP 23)
San Francisco 49ers: Deebo Samuel (ADP 11), Brandon Aiyuk (ADP 16)
Los Angeles Rams: Puka Nacua (ADP 8), Cooper Kupp (ADP 18)
Can an Offense Support 2 WRs in the Top 15?
Here’s where it gets really interesting. In the past five years, at least one team has managed to support two WRs finishing in the top 15 every season, with it happening a total of seven times. While none of the above WR duos currently project in the top 15 by ADP, history tells us it’s likely to happen again.
So, which team is most likely to pull it off? We’re putting our money on the Miami Dolphins. Jaylen Waddle is being drafted closer to his floor, and we think he has serious bounce-back potential. Pair him with Tyreek Hill, and you have a duo that could easily crack the top 15. Our proprietary UCV+ score ranks Tyreek Hill as the WR3 and Waddle at WR14, making Miami one of the most attractive offenses to target in your draft.
The Bottom Line: Trust the Data
The data suggests that betting on all three WRs in offenses like Houston and Chicago isn’t a wise move. Instead, focus on loading up on offenses like Miami, Philadelphia, and San Francisco, where the likelihood of two WRs thriving is much higher.
Use our insights, rankings, and UCV+ scores to navigate these tough decisions and give yourself the best chance to dominate your league. Remember, the key is not just in selecting the big names but in understanding the dynamics of how many WRs a QB can realistically support in a successful fantasy season.
Happy Ring Chasing,
-FF Ring Factory Team
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