Wide receivers who could beat their 2020 fantasy football projections and go over 1,000 receiving yards

In last week’s article, we detailed the 23 wide receivers projected to go over 1,000 receiving yards in 2020. However, there were several players missing from that list who have a legitimate chance of beating their projections and joining the 1,000-yard club. We are looking for 2020’s breakout wide receiver that projections may be overlooking — the next Courtland Sutton, Michael Gallup or D.J. Chark.

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PFF’s data science team designed a machine-learning algorithm built upon PFF’s exclusive player data to create season-long fantasy football projections.

We continue our quest by identifying the 18 wide receivers with the best chances of topping their projections and surpassing 1,000 receiving yards in 2020.

Strong chance to go over 1,000 yards

The following six wide receivers are strong bets to beat their projections and exceed 1,000 receiving yards in 2020.

D.K. Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks (957 projected yards)

After an impressive rookie season, Metcalf could be ready for a second-year leap into the NFL’s elite tier of wide receivers. With a hulking 6-foot-4 frame and 4.3 wheels, Metcalf is arguably the most physically imposing wideout in the NFL. He bullies defensive backs all over the field — he racked up 17 contested catches (ninth-most among WRs) last season. Metcalf is a strong bet to beat his projections and hit 1,000 yards, especially considering he catches passes from PFF’s highest-graded quarterback of 2019 in Russell Wilson.

Robert Woods, Los Angeles Rams (951)

In Weeks 10-17 last season, Woods saw at least eight targets in every single game. In fact, his 72 targets over that eight-game stretch were fifth-most among all wide receivers. Woods has exceeded 1,000 yards in each of the past two seasons and would be a near-certainty for three in a row with a repeat of that target volume. He is a chunk-play artist, hauling in 33 catches of 15-plus yards (fourth-most) and generating 580 yards after catch (second-most). Woods recorded an 82.2 PFF grade last season, 12th-highest among all wideouts. His PFF consensus ranking is WR17.

D.J. Chark Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars (910)