Fantasy Football 2024: One breakout WR to target in every round feat. George Pickens

Finding breakout players in fantasy football can be the key to winning a championship. It's just as important to know when to select specific players during a draft as it is to identify who to target. Managers who create a solid strategy of finding sleepers and selecting them at the right time will often have the best overall rosters.

The wide receiver position is the deepest in fantasy football, with more useful options than anywhere else. While it's not necessarily difficult to find potential starters at wide receivers, finding the best values in each round is the best way to optimize lineups. Here is an ideal target in each round of a fantasy draft for the 2024 season.

Fantasy Football Breakout WRs to target in 2024

Amon-Ra St. Brown

Round 1: Amon-Ra St. Brown

Amon-Ra St. Brown has finished among the top eight wide receivers in season-long scoring in the past two seasons. He has also increased his total targets in each of his three seasons, giving him some of the most reliable volume of any fantasy football player.

Round 2: Garrett Wilson

Garrett Wilson has exceeded 80 receptions and 1,000 yards in each of his two seasons, despite awful quarterback play. Aaron Rodgers could take his output to the next level. Sportskeeda's Who Should I Draft tool projects him to post better numbers than other stars like Davante Adams, Chris Olave and Marvin Harrison Jr.

Round 3: Drake London

Drake London has suffered through some of the worst quarterback play in the NFL, but he has still exceeded 800 yards in both of his seasons. He could be a breakout player in his first season with a legitimate passer after the Atlanta Falcons signed Kirk Cousins this year.

Round 4: Malik Nabers

The New York Giants have needed a true No. 1 wide receiver. They drafted Malik Nabers for that, and if he lives up to his potential, he could instantly become a fantasy football superstar.

Round 5: George Pickens

George Pickens has finished among the top 40 fantasy football wide receivers in each of his two seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. With a much better quarterback situation this year and Diontae Johnson departing the team, he appears primed for a breakout season.

Round 6: Christian Kirk

Christian Kirk finished as the overall WR11 in his first season with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He had a down year with Calvin Ridley joining the team for his second season, but with Ridley now gone, Kirk may be in line for a bounce-back.

Round 7: Zay Flowers

Zay Flowers was solid during his rookie season last year, finishing among the top 30 fantasy football wide receivers. With Odell Beckham Jr. no longer with the team, Flowers could see an increased workload this season.

Round 8: Ladd McConkey

The Los Angeles Chargers moved on from their top two wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams during the offseason. They then drafted Ladd McConkey, who could capitalize on a massive opportunity with targets from elite quarterback Justin Herbert.

Round 9: Keon Coleman

Keon Coleman is in a similar situation as McConkey for his upcoming rookie season. The Buffalo Bills also moved on from top wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, so Coleman could have a massive workload.

Round 10: Christian Watson

Health has been a major issue for Christian Watson during his career. He has missed 11 games across two seasons, but his 15 yards per reception and 14 total touchdowns suggest significant upside if he can avoid injuries.

Round 11: Khalil Shakir

Khalil Shakir is the only projected starter for the Bills' wide receivers on their roster last year. He could see more targets from Josh Allen due to their established chemistry.

Round 12: Rashid Shaheed

Rashid Shaheed recorded five weekly finishes among the top 20 fantasy football wide receivers last year, with two coming in the final three weeks. With Michael Thomas departing the team, Shaheed could see more targets this season, which may lead to more consistent weekly output.