Fantasy Football: 4 Veteran Wide Receivers Who Are Primed to Bounce Back in 2024

When discussing bounce-back candidates in fantasy football, the "bounce-back" portion of that phrase implies that a player has a certain standard they have a chance to return to. Whether it be due to injuries or other factors, a player could experience a disappointing season after being a consistent contributor in fantasy football in previous years.

At the wide receiver position, there are a few veterans who could return to fantasy relevancy following an underwhelming campaign in 2023-24. All of the wideouts mentioned in this article finished as WR30 or worse in half-PPR scoring leagues.

So without further ado, let's take a look at the four veteran receivers who are primed to bounce back in fantasy football.

Veteran Wide Receivers Fantasy Football Outlook

Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams

Back in 2021, Cooper Kupp finished as the WR1 in fantasy football as he outscored the second-highest-scoring wideout (Deebo Samuel) by 66.5 fantasy points in half-PPR formats. Despite missing eight games in 2022, Kupp would follow up his historic campaign by leading all receivers in fantasy points per game (18.2).

With an ankle injury causing him to miss four games to begin last season -- and a late-season ankle ailment limiting him -- Kupp was the WR41 in 2023. The 31-year-old wideout appears to be fully healthy entering training camp with the Los Angeles Rams, and he's still a primary target for Matthew Stafford.

Even though Puka Nacua took over as the No. 1 option for Stafford a season ago, Kupp produced the second-best target share (25.6%), air yards share (27.7%), and yards per route run (1.94) on the Rams in the 12 games he was active in, per NextGenStats. Outside of Nacua, Kupp doesn't have much competition for targets in a Sean McVay offense entering the upcoming campaign, making him a prime bounce-back candidate in fantasy football.

According to FantasyPros' consensus average draft position (ADP), Kupp is currently the 31st overall player and 18th wideout taken in drafts with half-PPR scoring. Assuming a 17-game season for each player, numberFire's fantasy football projections are predicting Kupp to finish as the WR16 with 90 receptions, 1,093 receiving yards, and 7.5 receiving touchdowns.

Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Aside from not having Tom Brady throwing him the ball last season, Chris Godwin was playing in a slightly different role for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. From 2019 to 2022, Godwin logged at least 500 slot snaps for the Buccaneers, via PFF.

However, under offensive coordinator Dave Canales a season ago, Godwin received the lowest number of slot snaps (335) of his career since 2018. As a result, Godwin went from WR20 in 2022 to WR30 in half-PPR scoring in 2023 with Baker Mayfield starting under center for the Bucs.

With Canales becoming the head coach of the Carolina Panthers, Liam Coen -- the new offensive coordinator of the Buccaneers -- revealed that Godwin will be seeing plenty of snaps in the inside again in 2024. Getting a second offseason with Mayfield could also help Godwin improve in the touchdown department after accumulating a total of five receiving touchdowns in the last two seasons.

At the moment, Godwin is carrying an ADP of 62 and is the 33rd receiver selected in half-PPR leagues. numberFire's projections forecast Godwin earning a WR31 finish this upcoming season with 86 receptions, 1,030 receiving yards, and 5.9 receiving touchdowns.

Diontae Johnson, Carolina Panthers

The lone wideout to change teams in this article is Diontae Johnson of the Carolina Panthers. Johnson was traded from the Pittsburgh Steelers following a WR43 finish in half-PPR formats a season ago, making him the new go-to target for second-year quarterback Bryce Young.

Despite the Steelers' offense being a disaster with Kenny Pickett under center last year, Johnson still managed to lead the team in target share (23.5%) and air yards share (39.6%) while still producing a formidable 2.08 yards per route run. While Carolina's offense was also dismal in 2023, a 33-year-old Adam Thielen concluded the year as the overall WR25 in fantasy football and WR31 in fantasy points per game (10.6).

Johnson is a much better wideout than Thielen at this point in their careers, so it's reasonable to believe Johnson can still shine as the No. 1 option for Young -- especially considering Carolina's lack of pass-catching weapons. Before having two forgettable seasons with the Steelers in each of the last two years, Johnson was the WR23 in 2020 and WR9 in 2021.

Ahead of his debut season with the Panthers, Johnson is the 78th overall player off of the board while being the 38th wideout in ADP. nF's model envisions a WR40 finish for Johnson based on him posting 72 catches, 927 receiving yards, and 4.1 receiving touchdowns.

Brandin Cooks, Dallas Cowboys

There is no argument to be made about who the WR1 for the Dallas Cowboys is entering the 2024-25 campaign. CeeDee Lamb has a legitimate case to be the overall WR1 in fantasy football again this year, but Brandin Cooks shouldn't be completely forgotten in a Dak Prescott-led aerial attack.

It was a slow start for Cooks in his first season dawning a star on his helmet in 2023 as he commanded a 14.4% target share and 22.8% air yards share while registering a bleak 0.80 yards per route run in his first five games. On the other hand, there is reason for optimism after Cooks had his target share (15.5%), air yards share (26.5%), and yards per route run (1.65) all increase from Week 10 to Week 18.

Since the end of last season, the Cowboys didn't add any notable wide receivers to their offense while Michael Gallup departed in free agency. Additionally, Mike McCarthy had Prescott attempt the fourth-most passes (590) last season in his first year calling the plays on offense, and the passing game could be leaned on again given the lack of confidence in the team's current running back room.

Cooks is a late-round pick with an ADP of 134, making him the 59th receiver selected in fantasy football drafts. Entering his age-31 season, numberFire views Cooks as a slight value with a WR50 finish on 52 receptions, 671 receiving yards, and 5.2 receiving touchdowns.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.