I do not like fantasy football rankings.
I said it last year. The year before that, the year before that… so on and so forth. Sure, rankings can be useful. The problem is how fantasy managers use them.
Far too often, we obsess over insignificant gaps between players while ignoring the drop-offs that actually matter. The difference between WR11 and WR12 is usually minimal. But the difference between the final wide receiver in Tier 4 and the first wide receiver in Tier 5? That’s a butterfly effect with potential season-long implications.
Tiers tell you when a position is about to dry up, when multiple comparable options remain, and when reaching a round for a player is completely reasonable. If three wide receivers are in the same tier, drafting WR8 over WR7 isn’t some hot take; it’s personal preference. But once that tier ends, the decision becomes much more meaningful.
Rankings tell you who comes next. Tiers tell you when it matters.
We’ll go position by position; quarterbacks and running backs have already dropped, and below are my Top 100 (ish) 2026 wide receiver rankings, now in Glorious Technicolor!
Tier 1: The Burrow’s BFF Tier
Joe Brr hearts this guy
1. Ja’Marr Chase, WR, CIN
It’s hard to imagine a world where Joe Burrow stayed healthy all season and Ja’Marr Chase didn’t finish as the WR1 overall for the second straight season. But despite a trio of starts from Jake Browning and a one-game suspension (for an uncharacteristic spitting incident), the stud receiver still finished in the top five at the position in total points and in the top three in points per game (getting targeted 42 times over a two-game span by Joe Flacco certainly helped the cause). The reason I have to put Chase over the likes of Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Puka Nacua, and Amon-Ra St. Brown is that he has arguably the most stable situation among them. Give me the guy who’s a lock for 150+ targets with his BFF at quarterback and smack dab in the middle of his prime.
Tier 2: The Milk and Honey Tier
These are the players who can take you to the promised land.
2. CeeDee Lamb, WR, DAL
CeeDee Lamb is a perfect example of why it’s so important to look at a player’s points per game finish versus their total points. Lamb missed four games early in the season, so it’s not like he was expected to finish as the WR1 overall in total points. But a WR22 finish has some spooked that the emergence of George Pickens spelled the end of Lamb’s days as an elite fantasy receiver. Yes, Pickens finished as the WR6 in points per game after a career year in Dallas. But Lamb wasn’t far behind, tied for WR12 with Malik Nabers and Zay Flowers. Pickens’ impact has been overestimated, and with him returning to Dallas, there’s a solid chance Lamb goes into draft season undervalued. If there’s any discount, keep things in sync and buy, buy, buy.
3. Puka Nacua, WR, LAR
In the two seasons Puka Nacua played at least 16 games, he’s seen at least 160 targets and caught 100+ passes for over 1400 receiving yards. With Sean McVay calling plays and Matthew Stafford at quarterback, Nacua is poised for another top-five fantasy finish in 2026. Well, as long as he sorts out his off-the-field issues. Nacua spent some time in rehab this offseason after a lawsuit, but it’s not enough to concern me from a fantasy perspective as long as he keeps his nose clean from this point forward.
4. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, DET
Mr. Sun God, I’m sorry. I was dumb. I doubted you after Ben Johnson’s departure, and you proved you’re more than just a scheme. You are one of just five receivers to catch eight or more touchdowns in each of the past two seasons and have three straight top-five fantasy finishes. Buuuuuuuut… I do have an ever-so-slight concern. Your teammate Sam LaPorta. It’s true you put up some monster performances before his season-ending injury in Week 10. But your 8.7 targets per game before the injury increased to an enormous 10.6 after. Don’t get me wrong, St. Brown is a top-10 fantasy receiver. But with a healthy LaPorta, would ARSB have finished top five, or more toward the back end of WR1s? New OC Drew Petzing runs a balanced but slightly run-heavy type of offense, but ARSB should still be used plenty. The negative impact of Petzing’s frequent use of Heavy personnel should be offset by ARSB’s skill set, which fits snugly with the short- and intermediate-passing game Petzing’s passing game tends to feature. With the target competition surrounding him, ARSB doesn’t have the stratospheric upside of some of the guys above him, but he’s as reliable a WR1 as they come.
5. Justin Jefferson, WR, MIN
Alec Pierce. Quentin Johnston. Michael Wilson. Three of the 31 receivers who finished the 2025 season averaging more fantasy points per game than Justin Jefferson. Obviously, nobody’s questioning the talent of one of the most talented active receivers in the NFL. But everyone’s questioning who his quarterback will be in 2026. J.J. McCarthy’s injuries and struggles didn’t help, but even as his play improved toward the end of the season, his connection with Jefferson didn’t. Jefferson ranked outside the top six for the first time in a full season, scoring 10 or more points just three times after week 9. It appears Kyler Murray is the favorite to be the starter for the Vikings in 2026. While he doesn’t throw the best deep ball, anybody is an upgrade over Nine. I’m ready to be hurt again.
6. A.J. Brown, WR, PHI
With all the drama surrounding A.J. Brown and the Eagles, you’d think he had the worst season of his career. The dude was a WR1, caught 7+ touchdowns, gained 1000+ receiving yards for the fourth straight season, and finished one spot ahead of CeeDee Lamb in points per game. Brown is getting a little long in the tooth, turning 29 in the offseason. But he heads from Philly to New England and has plenty of juice left in the tank. Brown is a match made in heaven with Drake Maye‘s deep-throwing ability and should feast on targets up and down the field, including the red zone. I’m willing to buy the dip on Arthur Juan. This feels eerily similar to Randy Moss joining the Pats in 07.
7. George Pickens, WR, DAL
George Pickens enjoyed a career year in Dallas, finishing as the WR6 in points per game and WR5 in total points. Pickens set career highs across all receiving stats, proving he has the WR1 upside we saw flashes of in the Steel City. But that upside also came with bouts of disinterest, dampening what should have been a positive season. He’s back in Dallas and has already stated that while he’s unhappy with the franchise tag, there won’t be any sort of holdout. Pickens still holds that top-five potential, but is held back by his erratic apathy and sharing the field with CeeDee Lamb.
8. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, SEA
All it took for Jaxon Smith-Njigba to break out was for both DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett to leave town. OK, there was a little more to it than that, but it certainly played a major role. Improvements to the O-line gave Sam Darnold enough time to prove 2025 wasn’t a fluke, and JSN was the main beneficiary. The former Buckeye wideout was one of two players to average over 100 receiving yards per game (Puka Nacua being the other) and one of two receivers to average over 3.7 yards per route run (Nacua again the other). Since 2021, there have been only two other instances of receivers averaging over 3.5 YPRR, let alone 3.7. But probably the most remarkable part of it all is that Seattle had the fourth-fewest pass attempts per game. Smith-Njigba was aided by an absurd 32.6% target share and accounted for 44.1% of his team’s total yards. Yet another feat that’s only been accomplished two other times since 2021. All impressive, yes. Also all highly unlikely to be repeated. I’m not saying you shouldn’t treat JSN as a WR1 for fantasy. And honestly, JSN being this low has more to do with the guys I like above him than it does about being down on him. But I am saying I doubt I’ll be buying all the risk and drafting him among the top three or so.
Tier 3: The “Skip Intro” Tier
You know the plot, just start them.
9. Ladd McConkey, WR, LAC
What a weird season it was for Ladd McConkey. Kind of a reverse turd sandwich, if you will. He had a productive midseason stretch, bookended by a whole lot of suck. McConkey failed to score 10 points in three of the first four weeks and in four of the final six, but in the middle of the season, he had five of six games over 14 fantasy points and a trio of 20-pointers. The Chargers’ offensive line was an injury-plagued mess, giving Justin Herbert no time and a broken hand to boot. My heart starts skipping a beat when I think about how snugly McConkey fits into new Offensive Coordinator Mike McDaniel’s system. A system with oodles of horizontal routes that emphasize quick catches and let receivers YAC it up. McConkey happens to be one of just six receivers with at least 100 targets and a YAC of 4.5 or more. The other YAC-finity stones? A couple of no-names: Puka Nacua, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The hire has made me much higher on Ladd for 2026. He should bounce back bigly and be a candidate to finish as a top 10 receiver.
10. Rashee Rice, WR, KC
Rashee Rice is facing domestic violence allegations about a year after criminal charges stemming from a high-speed car accident in Dallas. When Rice is on the field with a healthy Patrick Mahomes, he’s an elite fantasy option, as made evident by his league-leading 7.98 yards after the catch. But his 2026 status is impossible to predict given his off-the-field issues and the unclear timeline for Mahomes’ return from a torn ACL.
Things were looking up in April when the league announced they would not pursue any discipline related to offseason allegations. Then Rice violated his probation in May, placing him in jail for 30 days. Rice used the timeline to undergo a cleanup surgery on his knee, which was expected to sideline him for two months. There’s no telling what Rice’s legal and health situations will look like come August.
If he’s all systems go with no off-field issues, he can easily maintain this ranking. For now, he’s an incredibly risky pick in your Best Ball drafts, and I’d rather spend an early-round pick on a more stable asset. When he and Mahomes are on the field, Rice is easily in contention for WR1 overall. But it’s a volatile situation that could change drastically by the time draft season rolls around.
11. Nico Collins, WR, HOU
Nico Collins started 2025 inconsistently, as did the entire Texans offense, but finished the season strong thanks to a boost from… yes… Davis Mills. Collins scored 14+ in six of his final nine games and 20+ in four. Tank Dell is expected to return from injury, and rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel are taking a step forward. That may reduce the target share available. But even if that’s so, the smaller percentage of the pie should be offset by the pie being bigger thanks to an improved offense (and hopefully an offensive line). Considering the defense, multiple mouths to feed, and at times inconsistent play, I don’t think Collins has a top-3 fantasy ceiling like some others. But don’t let that cause you to discount him as one of the safest WR1s in fantasy, with a sky-high floor and plenty of spike weeks mixed in.
12. Malik Nabers, WR, NYG
Oh, what could have been. Malik Nabers didn’t get to play a full game with Jaxson Dart under center, and he was still tied for WR12 in points per game (mainly thanks to a monster game against Dallas). Dart did enough to make Wan’Dale Robinson a high-end WR2, and with the hiring of John Harbaugh, a WR1 overall finish isn’t out of the question for Nabers. The only question now is Nabers’ health, as there have been questions about his Week 1 availability while he recovers from a torn ACL. It was recently reported that Nabers underwent a second surgery to clean up scar tissue, sending the fantasy community into a fearful frenzy over his Week 1 status. There have been conflicting reports about when Nabers will still be able to get back on the field. My personal worry meter has gone from 0% to about 10%. It’s one of the most impactful statuses to keep an eye on this offseason. Whenever Nabers can get on the field, he’s immediately a top-five, maybe top-three fantasy wide receiver.
Tier 4: The Toy Story Tier
If they jump a tier, the buzz will last lightyears.
13. Emeka Egbuka, WR, TB
I’ve been playing fantasy football since the late 90s, and I can’t remember another rookie season quite like Emeka Egbuka‘s. The dude went bonkers early in the season, with three games over 20 points in his first five (including a 30-burger), averaging 15.4 points per game from Weeks 1-8. The second half of the season was ugly, and he ain’t got no alibi. From Weeks 10-18, Egbuka’s PPG dropped by nearly half to 8.1. His struggles weren’t due to target share, either, as he had seven or more in seven of 10 games and more than nine thrice. Once Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan returned, his target share dropped to 13.5, but Egbuka still had the second-highest yards per reception and the highest yards after the catch per reception on the team. Evans left for San Francisco, and I still believe in Egbuka’s talent. Plan on drafting him wherever you can get him as a WR2.
14. Rome Odunze, WR, CHI
As good as Rome Odunze looked to start the season, I was honestly shocked to see he had only two games over 20 points and finished as the WR28 in ppg. But there is more to the story than I think most realize. When Odunze suffered a stress fracture in his foot against the Eagles on Black Friday, it was revealed that he had been dealing with foot issues since October that had progressively gotten worse. It just so happens that October is when Odunze’s production started to drop. When healthy, he has the talent and role in an improving offense to become a top-10 fantasy receiver year in and year out. Odunze opted to let his foot heal instead of surgery, which has him adjusting to a “new normal” with the healing process slightly altering his foot structure. DJ Moore leaving for Buffalo does nothing but make Rome’s situation even better. Those 85 vacated targets have to go somewhere. Luther Burden has been the talk of the town, and rightfully so. He’s uber talented and is set to take a major step forward as well. But how easy everyone seems to forget Odunze was a top five receiver the first four weeks of the season. Between the two, I’m in Rome’s corner due to his involvement around the end zone. In three fewer games, Odunze had seven more red zone targets (11 to 4) and 10 more end zone targets (11 to 1). I’m drafting Odunze with no hesitation in 2026.
15. Drake London, WR, ATL
Drake London ranked sixth with 2.61 yards per route run. Even though he played in only 12 games, catching 68 of his 108 targets for 919 yards, he still nearly reached 1,000 yards. Another ACL injury to Michael Penix threw Kirk Cousins back under center, and Penix’s underwent his third ACL reconstruction at the end of 2025. Atlanta added Tua Tagovailoa and hired Kevin Stefanski as head coach, not a terrible combo for the fantasy prospects of London. It’s hard to properly place a guy like London until we know who wins the starting job, and his propensity to get nicked up also leads London’s floor to further fall, my fair lady. He’s Nico Collins with a wider range of outcomes.
16. Tetairoa McMillan, WR, CAR
Had it not been for the inconsistent play from quarterback Bryce Young, Tetairoa McMillan could have easily finished as a WR1 in his first season in the league. Tet ended the season as WR16, catching 70 of 122 targets for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns. Nothing to be mad about, but enough to show his upside if there had been consistent quarterback play. McMillan had the fifth-highest yards per reception despite Young ranking third-lowest in yards per game and yards per attempt. To put it clearly, Young had a worse quarterback rating than soon-to-be-former Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Tet is set to take a step forward in his sophomore season if he can get some stability from the quarterback position. He’s an excellent WR2 with a relatively safe floor and top-10 upside if he truly breaks out.
17. Tee Higgins, WR, CIN
Tee Higgins is among the five receivers to have eight or more touchdowns in each of the past two years. Higgins reaching that mark may be the most impressive of the bunch, considering he missed multiple games due to concussions and was without his starting quarterback for most of the season. Joe Flacco was a step up from Jake Browning, but he’s still no Joe Burrow. Higgins will occupy his typical high-end WR2/low-end WR1 status again in 2026.
18. Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, ARI
Marvin Harrison Jr. is an enigma. He had the fourth-most end zone targets among all players, even with teammate Trey McBride ahead of him, but had just two touchdowns through the first eight weeks. Harrison didn’t play all that badly in 2025, but the combination of his unreal hype coming out of college and Michael Wilson playing like Jerry Rice has a lot of people down on MHJ heading into 2026. He’s a buy-low for me.
Kyler Murray’s departure from Arizona is the best-case scenario for MHJ’s career, and Jacoby Brissett returning as the starter for 2026 isn’t the death knell that many think. Brissett had an undeniable connection with Wilson and McBride. But I bet you didn’t know Marv only played three full games with Brissett as a starter. Week 7, which admittedly wasn’t great, with two catches on six targets for 58 yards. But he probably shouldn’t have been playing after suffering a concussion just a week prior. After a Week 8 bye, Marv had two straight games where that “generational prospect” potential started to flash. A combined 22 targets, 10 catches, 129 yards, and two touchdowns. Just when things started to click, Marv had to have an emergency appendectomy. He did return and technically played in three more games, but over 60% of snaps just once. Brissett is currently locked in a contract dispute with the team’s brass, but I’m operating under the assumption a resolution is found before the start of the season. He’s working out with his receivers on his own while he’s “away from the team”. Don’t hear what I’m not saying. I don’t think Harrison will ever live up to the 1st-edition base-set Charizard, graded PSA 10, mint-level expectations placed upon him coming into the league. But some legitimately think Wilson is the best receiver on this team and value MHJ as a low-end WR2. He’s still just 23 years old.
19. Makai Lemon, WR, PHI
Makai Lemon played all over the field at USC, but profiles more as a slot receiver in the pros. He’s a YAC-monster who breaks tackles like the Kool-Aid Man busting through some random family’s living room wall. This year’s Biletnikoff Award Winner (Best College Receiver) has good hands and solid on-field speed but lacks explosiveness off the line. Lemon seems to always find the soft spot versus zone, but struggles against press coverage. His limited wingspan and smaller stature (5’11”, 190-ish) keep his catch radius, well, small. Regardless, with A.J. Brown traded, Lemon leaps into the top spot as my rookie WR1 from a fantasy perspective. The selections of Lemon and classmate Eli Stowers appear to point towards a shift from Hurts’ tendency not to throw the ball over the middle. If there’s a dip, buy it.
20. Garrett Wilson, WR, NYJ
The lone bright spot in yet another dumpster fire of a season for the Jets, Garrett Wilson played in just seven games due to injury. Despite playing in less than half the team’s games, he led the team in receiving yards with 395. It’s pretty simple with Wilson. He’s an elite talent who’d be a perennial WR1 overall candidate if he could get a quarterback with a cannon. But he keeps getting ones with Nerf guns. Geno Smith as his quarterback doesn’t give Wilson a cannon to work with, but he’s not a Nerf gun either. A BB gun, perhaps? Wilson can still be a borderline WR1 in 2026. Just stay healthy this year, okay?
Tier 5: The GigaPet Tier
Vintage studs and hungry pups who need just a little hourly care.
21. Zay Flowers, WR, BAL
Zay Flowers was solid overall through Week 13 but finished the season en fuego. His 12.1 points per game nearly doubled to 20.3 over the final five weeks. How nice of him to lead all of his fantasy managers to the consolation bracket championship! I was a big fan of Flowers coming into the season, but the torrid end to the season bumped him into the top 10 in total points and just outside the top 12 in points per game. I fear that will inflate his ADP, which doesn’t belong. Baltimore cleaning house also means he’ll have a new offensive coordinator, and it may not be as fantasy-friendly for Flowers. Former OC Todd Monken’s offense is known for hyper-targeting WR1s. He’s too inconsistent to consider drafting as a WR1, but Flowers is a rock-solid WR2 who will have some spike weeks.
22. Davante Adams, WR, LAR
If you’ve poked around these rankings for more than just a player or two, you’ll see this same stat repeated a few times. But any player who can repeat something as unpredictable as touchdowns is worth mentioning, and Davante Adams is one of five who caught eight or more in each of the last two seasons. In fact, Adams has caught 8 or more in six straight seasons. That being said, he’s no longer the alpha he once was, and that’s okay. His 14 touchdown receptions more than made up for it, but he had the second-lowest yards after the catch per reception among receivers with 50+ targets, at 1.93. He basically became a goal-line receiver. Stafford’s back, so Adams slots right in as a solid WR2 who will win you some weeks when he catches a couple tuddys.
23. Chris Olave, WR, NO
I foresee Chris Olave having a hard time replicating his top 10 fantasy finish in 2026. He was a steal at his ADP last season, but he risks being over-drafted if he comes off the board among the top 12. The Saints’ season was a disappointment overall, but a perfect storm of no running game, no real competition for targets (after Rashid Shaheed’s trade), and a team constantly playing from behind led Olave to his best season yet. He finished fifth with 151 targets, caught 100 passes for the first time, and reached 1000 yards for the third time in four seasons. However, among receivers with 100+ targets, Olave finished 17th in yards per target, 20th in yards per reception, and last in yards after contact. Only Olave and Davante Adams had yards after the catch under three. Even with the Saints drafting Jordyn Tyson in the first round, Olave still slots in as the WR1 in Nola. But you have to knock Olave down a few pegs with the new target competition.
24. Jordyn Tyson, WR, NO
Jordyn Tyson is the third of the three amigos regularly touted as the top receivers in the 2026 class. Tyson may have been the consensus WR1 had it not been for a less-than-stellar injury history, missing time to injury in all of his seasons. Coached by Hall of Famer Hines Ward, Tyson is unsurprisingly a great blocker. His video game-like twitchiness stems in part from his lateral quickness and phenomenal footwork. Tyson’s been the alpha at Arizona State the past two seasons, and has zero issue coming down with the ball when everyone on and off the field knows the ball is coming to him. He has good ball skills, is not afraid of contact, and excels at contested catches. He’s a bit of an unpolished route runner and has just one season with 1,000 receiving yards, but he can line up all over the field. Tyson is widely criticized as a one-trick pony versus press coverage and needs to expand his moveset. High floor, but lower ceiling than you’d like from a player with his likely ADP. Before the AJ Brown trade out of Philly, the former Sun Devil was my rookie WR1. QB Tyler Shough has a strong arm, and Kellen Moore is one of the best offensive minds in the league. Tyson should start from day 1 on a team with a porous defense that plays half its games indoors.
25. Carnell Tate, WR, TEN
Despite some controversy surrounding his official 40 time at the combine, Carnell Tate is not the undisputed top receiver in this class, yet most consider him to be. Whether he ran a 4.4 or 4.5 doesn’t really matter; speed isn’t his game. A high football IQ and unreal body control make up for Tate’s lack of explosiveness, melding with his wingspan and catch radius to create a high-point specialist who can come down with just about anything thrown at him. There’s some concern with his weight and dealing with the physicality of defensive backs in the pros, but he’s already a thicker, taller DeVonta Smith. Tate can bulk up and be just fine. At worst, a WR2. Great landing spot in terms of opportunity, and Tate could be the Titans’ WR1 as early as Week 1. His fantasy success hinges on whether Brian Daboll is enough to elevate Cam Ward’s game.
26. Jameson Williams, WR, DET
Jameson Williams shed some of his boom-bust label and finished inside the top 12 for the first time in his career. But would he have if Sam Laporta had been healthy all season? The world may never know, but Jamo put on a clinic this season, ranking third in yards per target and yards per reception, and fifth in yards after the catch per reception. He’ll always have that boom upside, but how regular a bust he’ll be is still up in the air. New OC Drew Petzing should attack downfield plenty, keeping Jamo right around the same value as last season.
27. Terry McLaurin, WR, WAS
It wasn’t just Jayden Daniels who struggled to stay on the field for Washington. Terry McLaurin had injury issues of his own. But when he was on the field, he was the same ole Scary Terry, ranking sixth in yards per reception and 13th in yards per route run, despite playing more snaps with Marcus Mariota than with Jayden Daniels. His 10-touchdown season is likely a one-year wonder, but McLaurin is a perfect WR2 target who could come at a discount after a disappointing 2025.
28. Luther Burden III, WR, CHI
The Bears have an embarrassment of riches at receiver, and that has allowed them to ease Luther Burden into the offense. From a ranking standpoint, Burden doesn’t stand out (he finished as WR48 in PPR), but when Rome Odunze missed, Burden took full advantage of the extra playing time. In games without Odunze, Burden averaged an extra three targets, three catches, 51 yards, and nine points per game. Additionally, Burden finished third in yards per route run, only behind Puka Nacua and JSN. Rome isn’t going anywhere, but Burden should continue to see his role grow and has the potential to be a fantasy force as early as the upcoming season. DJ Moore being traded to Buffalo skyrockets Burden’s floor, but likely also his ADP. Don’t buy all the risk and take him inside the top 20 or so receivers.
29. Christian Watson, WR, GB
Christian Watson was easily the Packers’ most consistent pass catcher in 2025 and one of the best in the league. He ranked fifth with 2.67 yards per route run, third with 17.46 yards per reception, and fourth with 11.11 yards per target. Granted, Watson did so with Jayden Reed hurt for much of the season. But Watson’s numbers didn’t change all that much when they were both on the field. Watson saw virtually the same number of targets, caught the same number of passes, and averaged just four fewer yards with Reed, as well as a negligible 1.3 fantasy points less per game. Watson may head into 2026 underrated, with many expecting his breakout solely due to Reed’s absence. If that’s the case, buy that delicious dip.
30. DeVonta Smith, WR, PHI
DeVonta Smith is one of those guys who’s a better NFL player than he is in fantasy. This isn’t me poo-pooing Smith’s talent; he’s a phenomenal football player. But his highest fantasy finish in points per game is WR15 in 2022. When he was “the guy” before AJ Brown came to town? His rookie season of 2021, where he finished as WR30. Smith doesn’t have top-10 potential with Jalen Hurts under center, even with the Eagles moving on from Brown. In 2025, Smith actually had more games under 10 points (10) than over (7). He’s a solid yet unspectacular WR2 who will sprinkle in some spike weeks, but has far too many duds to make it worth the price tag. If you’re searching for the Eagles WR1 for fantasy, he’s not the droid you’re looking for.
Tier 6: The “Area 51” Tier
There’s definitely something there, but will it stay hidden from the public?
31. DJ Moore, WR, BUF
DJ Moore had the worst season since his rookie year and not so gracefully slipped into a more complementary role than the borderline alpha he came to Chicago to be. Moore was traded to Buffalo and immediately became the top option for Josh Allen and a rock-solid WR2. He fills the ginormous X-receiver-sized role in Buffalo and reunites with Joe Brady, with whom Moore had some of his most productive seasons in Carolina. Moore sits just outside the WR2 range. I’d be fine with him as my WR2 as long as I had a top-5ish WR1.
32. Brian Thomas Jr., WR, JAC
If Brian Thomas Jr. wasn’t the biggest bust of 2025, he was rubbing elbows with them. But fear not; all hope isn’t lost for our beloved BTJ. Early in the season, he didn’t look like himself, dropping passes and, dare I say, looking scared to take hits. But after returning from injury, he got some of his swagger back and started showing his skill set with incredible catches like this one.
BTJ ONE-HANDER WOW.
INDvsJAX on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/nWfaYRE4nw
— NFL (@NFL) December 7, 2025
Thomas finished 13th in yards per reception and totaled 23 deep targets, tied for the fifth-most with multiple receivers despite playing in two fewer games than the rest of that grouping. After the Jags traded for and extended Jakobi Meyers and drafted Travis Hunter, there’s little chance he’ll be the top-12 receiver we saw at the back end of his rookie season. It’s time to accept BTJ for what he isn’t: a top-10 elite fantasy receiver. However, that doesn’t mean he’s not a valuable fantasy asset; we just need to adjust our expectations. BTJ is more of a volatile WR2/3 with tremendous upside in an ever-improving Liam Coen Jacksonville offense. He could wind up being a value if scorned fantasy managers go full BTJ fade in 2026.
33. Jordan Addison, WR, MIN
Legal trouble for the third straight offseason has opened up an opportunity to draft Jordan Addison at a discount in 2026. It was dicey to try to rank him this offseason, but it appears there will be no sort of discipline that will cause him to miss games. With an ADP outside the top 100 at the time of writing, Addison is the classic low-risk pick that can reap championship rewards, as long as Kyler Murray is the starter, that is.
34. Jaylen Waddle, WR, DEN
The jury’s still out on what kind of upside we’ll see from Jaylen Waddle in 2026. But he was able to overcome the Dolphins’ issues this season to rank in the top 12 in both targets per route run and yards per route run. He’s at worst a WR2 with WR1 talent if things click in Denver. We wanted him out of Miami, but a crowded Broncos receiver room isn’t ideal for his upside. Waddle is a WR1 talent who very well could finish the season in the WR2 range. But based on the offense and target competition, his floor is much lower than it was in Miami. I didn’t think that was possible.
35. Jakobi Meyers, WR, JAC
Jakobi Meyers went from an afterthought in Las Vegas to Trevor Lawrence‘s favorite target after a midseason trade to Jacksonville. Meyers averaged 12.4 points per game with the Jaguars from Weeks 10-17, and the team rewarded him with a three-year contract extension to keep him in Duval for a long time. He led the Jaguars with a 21.8% target share and was second to Parker Washington with 1.88 yards per route run. There will be plenty of mouths to feed, especially with the return of Travis Hunter. But Meyers appears to be a fixture in the offense and makes for a rock-solid WR3. Similar story with Meyers as with DJ Moore. His situation didn’t change much, but with the reshuffling of other receivers in this ranks update, Meyers is outside WR2 range for me.
36. Mike Evans, WR, SF
Injury after injury led to the legendary 1,000-receiving-yard streak ending for Mike Evans. Evans played in just eight games in part because of a broken collarbone, and will be 33 at the start of the season. He had a league-low 1.33 yards after catch per reception in 2025. Which makes sense, as I view Evans as similar to Davante Adams last season, a solid WR2 with a few spike weeks. Another aging stud wide receiver heading for Cali to catch some West Coast sunshine and a couple of Tuddys.
37. Alec Pierce, WR, IND
Alec Pierce emerged as the Colts’ top wide receiver and one of the most explosive in the league. He led the league in average depth of target (19.4), yards per target (11.94), and yards per reception (21.34). He’s a free agent, but it sounds like the Colts are going to make a major push to keep him. To emerge from the logjam of pass catchers in Indy, he’s shown he can be a fantasy force even in a crowded receiver room. Pierce is my perfect WR3 target and someone I hope to draft a lot of next season. Pierce resigned with Indy and has an even safer floor with Pittman heading to Pittsburgh. That floor drops significantly if Daniel Jones isn’t ready to start the season and the Colts are forced to start either Anthony Richardson or Riley Leonard.
Tier 7: The “Is This a Pigeon?” Tier
You aren’t sure if they’re a superstar or role player, but you’re starting them.
38. Josh Downs, WR, IND
We’ve been teased with production from Josh Downs when given the targets, and there’s a good chance he’ll see a bump in 2026. Pierce returns to Indy, but Pittman does not, giving Downs a chance to be a regular piece of the offense. Don’t ignore him.
39. Wan’Dale Robinson, WR, TEN
Wan’Dale Robinson produced 1,000 yards for the first time in his career and was the only receiver on the Giants worth rostering. Had Malik Nabers been healthy all season, Robinson likely wouldn’t have achieved the feat. But he showed what he’s capable of with enough volume. Robinson followed his former head coach to Tennessee, where he should be force-fed much like he was in 2025 and complements first-round receiver Carnell Tate like Baja Blast complements a Beefy Nacho Griller. He’ll be a PPR-scam WR2/3 if he and Cam Ward click. Maybe a safety blanket-type player like Robinson is exactly what last year’s first overall pick needs.
40. Quentin Johnston, WR, LAC
Quentin Johnston is one of just five receivers to score 8+ touchdowns in each of the last two seasons. Like his quarterback, Johnston started the season hot but cooled off significantly as the o-line play decayed. QJ has some upside, but the floor is rock bottom. He’s a prototypical boom-or-bust WR3 who becomes a tad more interesting with the hire of Mike McDaniel. If Johnston can become sugar-free Tyreek Hill, he’ll wind up on a lot of championship rosters.
41. Jayden Reed, WR, GB
Jayden Reed missed most of the season due to a series of injuries, including a broken collarbone, but was able to return in Week 14. He’ll be among the Packers’ top pass-catchers in 2026 and should remain a volatile WR3 for fantasy purposes. I’d like to move him up a bit more, but the targets left behind by Romeo Doubs likely get mostly absorbed by Christian Watson, whose route tree is much more similar.
42. Courtland Sutton, WR, DEN
Courtland Sutton followed up his breakout 2024 by finishing five spots higher in points per game, moving from WR27 to WR22, even though he averaged 1.2 points fewer. I mention that as a reminder not to blindly follow player rankings from year to year; make sure to look at the actual stats for added context. That being said, Sutton brushed off a midseason takeover attempt from Troy Franklin to finish as the Broncos’ WR1. Sutton entered the Broncos’ Week 12 bye with four straight games under 11 points and came out of it averaging 16.5 PPG the rest of the way, finishing as a WR9 over that period. He’s getting a little long in the tooth, and the Broncos surprisingly traded for Jaylen Waddle, pushing Sutton from solid WR2 territory to more WR3ish. That floor we once loved is gone.
43. DK Metcalf, WR, PIT
It’s long past time we had a conversation about DK Metcalf. He’s easily one of the most athletic receivers in the league, but it’s been quite a while since we’ve seen the top end of his upside. His first year in Pittsburgh was not great, Bob, with just two games over 100 yards, his first season under 60 receptions since his rookie year, and a career-low 850 receiving yards. Granted, that was on an Arthur Smith-run offense led by the ghost of Aaron Rodgers, but the Steelers cleaned house and will have a new coach, offensive coordinator, and quarterback (maybe at some point this season). We have no idea what this offense is going to look like, but regardless, it’s hard to be bullish on DK for fantasy purposes.
44. KC Concepcion, WR, CLE
I tend to have a man crush on a rookie wide receiver each season, and that guy in 2026 is shaping up to be KC Concepcion. He’s all the clichés for a short-area middle-of-the-field receiver in the best way possible. Concepcion’s explosive after-the-catch skills and ability to line up all over the field are what earned him the 2026 Paul Hornung Award, given to the most versatile player in college football (the first Aggie to ever do so). He’s struggled with focus at times, and his undersized stature and limited wingspan have led to contested catch issues. Concepcion should start the season as a FLEX option at best, with a back-end WR2 ceiling and a waiver-fodder floor.
It hurt to see Concepcion land in Cleveland. It hurt even more to see the Browns take Denzel Boston with their very next pick, capping the upside of both players. I think Concepcion still has a pretty clear path to fantasy viability, especially in full PPR leagues. His versatile skill set and slot role lend themselves to becoming the most targeted receiver. Don’t reach for him, but don’t fade the man either.
45. Denzel Boston, WR, CLE
King Kong ain’t got nothing on Denzel Boston. The 6’4″ receiver can climb the ladder like he’s scaling a skyscraper and comes down with nearly any ball thrown his way. Boston is a red zone monster with a massive catch radius and hands that might as well be covered in stick-um, sporting a 77% contested-catch rate. He struggles with the press and doesn’t separate well, but his elite contested catch skills help make up for those flaws. I get why Cleveland took both Concepcion and Boston, but their upsides are nerfed because: 1. It’s the Browns, and 2. There are suddenly a lot of mouths to feed, and this will not be a high-flying offense. Le sigh.
46. Antonio Williams, WR, WAS
Antonio Williams does a lot of things well, just nothing exceptionally well. He’s fast enough, but not a burner. His hands and catch-point ability allow him to come down with contested catches regularly, playing bigger than his frame suggests. His size limits him to the slot, where he’ll rely on timing and precision rather than physicality to win. A nagging injury history — he’s missed games every season since 2023 — is a concern worth monitoring. But I absolutely LOVE the landing spot, as the Commanders are in dire need of weapons for Jayden Daniels outside of Terry McLaurin. Washington didn’t add any other significant pass catcher (unless you count Chig Okonkwo), so Williams has the inside track to become Daniels’ #2 in a hurry.
Tier 8: The “Oops!… I Did It Again” Tier
You lose all your senses and can’t stop drafting these guys.
47. Parker Washington, WR, JAC
One of the most underrated receivers in the league resides in Jacksonville, and his name is Parker Washington. Despite a crowded receiver room that included Travis Hunter and, after Hunter’s injury, Jakobi Meyers, Washington was the WR20 from Weeks 9-17. He finished tenth in yards per route run, eighth in yards per reception, and fifth in yards per target over expectation (with a minimum of 25 targets). Often, in situations like these (multiple receivers in a good offense), I tend to target the least expensive option. Why pay for the brand-name peanut butter when the Wal-Mart Brand is ¼ of the price, and you throw it out if it’s gross? I suspect I’ll have many sandwiches shares of PB&Washington this season.
48. Michael Wilson, WR, ARI
Michael Wilson came out of nowhere to win the waiver wire league title. From weeks 10-17, Wilson was the second-most-targeted receiver in the league and ranked as the WR4 overall. Much of that production came without Marvin Harrison Jr. on the field and with Jacoby Brissett force-feeding him and Trey McBride. I fear Wilson will be over drafted in 2026 and won’t match the numbers he put up with Brissett if/when someone else takes over at quarterback for the Cards. He’s a fine WR3, but don’t overpay.
49. Ricky Pearsall, WR, SF
For a guy who’s been over 10 fantasy points in less than 50% of his career games, Ricky Pearsall sure gets a whole lot of hype. I mean, I get it. He’s shown flashes and profiles as a perfect receiver for the Shanahan system. But he can’t seem to stay on the field (to be fair, the start of last season was in no way, shape, or form his fault), and his knee continues to flare up and linger for multiple games. I think Pearsall has decent upside, but where you have to draft him is buying all the risk, and I’m ok with being wrong if he blows up.
50. Xavier Worthy, WR, KC
It was a disappointing sophomore season for Xavier Worthy, who failed to have a single 100-yard receiving game and caught only one touchdown. The most disappointing aspect, however, was his inability to take advantage of the Rashee Rice suspension for any significant output. The league announced on April 3rd that there would be no discipline for Rice’s offseason allegations, all but crushing any lingering hopes of a Worthy breakout.
51. Travis Hunter, WR, JAC
Travis Hunter had some ridiculous highlight-reel catches, but that’s about it from a fantasy perspective outside of IDP. With the acquisition and extension of Jakobi Meyers, Hunter is likely to play more defense in 2026, making the chances of him becoming a fantasy force even slimmer. He’s likely someone I’m avoiding unless there’s a massive discount in 2026.
52. Chris Godwin Jr., WR, TB
It took Chris Godwin Jr. more than half the season to score 10 or more fantasy points in a game, but that’s not surprising, as he didn’t return until Week 4 from a gruesome ankle injury from last season and missed more time due to additional issues. Godwin will be 30 years old this offseason and a decent WR3, but not someone I’m looking to draft, as his upside is gone with his age and injury issues.
53. Michael Pittman Jr., WR, PIT
Michael Pittman Jr. bounced back nicely after a disappointing 2024, but still finished just WR30 on a points-per-game basis. He set a career high with seven touchdowns, but the right situation, he did not land in. Pittman in Pitt, man, is fun to say, but not fun for fantasy. He’ll play second fiddle to Metcalf, and likely won’t be on many of my rosters this season.
54. Jayden Higgins, WR, HOU
Jayden Higgins had a disappointing rookie season considering the opportunity that presented itself. Nico Collins, Christian Kirk, and Dalton Schultz all missed time, but Higgins was unable to carve out a role, in part due to the deficiencies of the passing offense. If the offense can show some consistency, Higgins has the talent to produce as a WR3 or FLEX option. He’s worth a late-round pick as a flyer.
55. Tre Tucker, WR, LV
This guy put up a 40-burger in week three, which made the Raiders comfortable enough to trade Jakobi. He’s at best a complementary receiver who could offer some FLEX value with either of the Raiders’ new quarterbacks, Kirk Cousins or Fernando Mendoza. He’s a sneaky post-draft winner, as the Raiders didn’t add anybody of note at receiver, giving Tucker a clear path to fantasy relevancy.
Tier 9: The “Terms & Conditions” Tier
The talent is there, but you’ve gotta read the 50 pages of fine print.
56. Khalil Shakir, WR, BUF
Khalil Shakir is the most Romeo Doubs receiver that ever James Jonesed. He has no business operating as the top option for Josh Allen, but that’s what he did once again in 2025. Shakir ranked first in yards after contact per reception with 3.61, but he profiles more as a complementary receiver. Buffalo indeed brought in help in DJ Moore, and Shakir remains a solid but boring WR3/4.
57. Jauan Jennings, WR, MIN
After back-to-back WR3 seasons in San Fran, Jauan Jennings wound up in Minnesota. Honestly, I don’t value him much differently than in the past few seasons. The offense should be close to as potent as the Niners (at the very least, it’ll be better without #nine), but Jennings has a cloudier path to targets.
58. Stefon Diggs, WR, FA
Stefon Diggs played 60% of offensive snaps in just three games this season but bounced back in New England to finish as a WR2. Diggs finished inside the top 10 in yards per route run and had 1,000 receiving yards for the seventh time in his career. But at age 33 at the start of the season, the upside is nonexistent. The self-proclaimed “best WR2 in the league” doesn’t have a team, so his rank is extremely fluid.
59. Jalen McMillan, WR, TB
Jalen McMillan missed a significant chunk of the season due to a preseason neck injury, but returned in Week 15 to lead the Bucs in yards per route run, yards per target, and yards per reception. With Evans leaving town to head to San Fran, McMillian is in line to play a major role in the Bucs offense in 2026. A jump into the top 125 is attainable.
60. De’Zhaun Stribling, WR, SF
De’Zhaun Stribling is a smooth route runner with a long frame and enough downfield ball-tracking ability to flash real WR2 upside if he earns a featured role. He can separate naturally and win vertically, but the consistency still needs to catch up to the tools. The hands can get spotty, he does not always play to his size, and he is not a dynamic after-the-catch creator. With names like Denzel Boston, Antonio Williams, and Germie Bernard still on the board, the 49ers shockingly took Stribling with the first pick in the 2nd round of the draft. San Fran chose team need over talent, with Stribling a downfield threat who excels at separation. Stribling has WR2 potential if given a significant role, which could happen quickly if Mike Evans and/or Ricky Pearsall fail to stay on the field.
Tier 10: The “Mustard Seed” Tier
The path to there if you have the faith to hold on.
61. Jerry Jeudy, WR, CLE
Outside of a random week with a touchdown, Jerry Jeudy was a complete non-factor for fantasy purposes and will continue to be until the Browns get their quarterback situation figured out. The additions of KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston make Jeudy even more non-factor-er.
62. Adonai Mitchell, WR, NYJ
AD Mitchell had a bit of a career revival less than two years into it with the Jets. Geno Smith signing in New York bodes well for Mitchell becoming a volatile FLEX option.
63. Jalen Coker, WR, CAR
Cokeheads, unite! Or something like that. Jalen Coker was in line for a major role in the Panthers’ offense before a surprise injury sent him to the IR right before the season started. He returned in Week 7, but it was in Week 11 that he started cooking a little something. Coker averaged 10.2 points per game and ranked 11th in yards per target. Not necessarily mind-blowing numbers, but solid considering the play of Bryce Young and the limited targets available. He’s a perfect complement to Tetairoa McMillan, and with improved play from Bryce Young, he could provide some spike weeks.
64. Tre Harris, WR, LAC
Tre Harris made a couple of flashy catches but was overall a non-factor in his rookie season. The Chargers had a lot of mouths to feed, and an offense like that let Justin Herbert get eaten for lunch, so the subpar rookie season doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Keenan Allen is a free agent, but even if he returns, he turns 63 this offseason and faded down the stretch in 2025. Harris is a nice post-hype sleeper who can likely be had for next to nothing. I’m willing to take a shot on any piece of a Mike McDaniel offense.
65. Troy Franklin, WR, DEN
Troy Franklin appeared to have stolen the WR1 role from Courtland Sutton during a midseason stretch in which he ranked as WR8 from Weeks 7-11. Sutton reclaimed the role after the Broncos’ bye, but it was still an overall successful season for Franklin, finishing as the WR31 and tied for the fifth most red zone targets in the league. Sutton is creeping up in age, but with the addition of Waddle, Franklin’s chances of taking over as Denver’s WR1 are all but shot.
66. Jaylin Noel, WR, HOU
Jaylin Noel had back-to-back 11-fantasy-point games in the middle of the season, popped up for a 14-point Week 17, and was never heard from again.
67. Isaac TeSlaa, WR, DET
Isaac TeSlaa does nothing but catch touchdown passes, with six of his 16 receptions being scores. He’s fun to watch and a great story, but without knowing what type of offense the Lions will run, it’s hard to gauge the fantasy value of a team’s WR3 alongside an elite pass-catching tight end.
68. Malachi Fields, WR, NYG
Malachi Fields is the prototypical X receiver: he has the size, strength, and deep-ball tracking skills to come down with the back-shoulder catch with his eyes closed. What keeps him from elite prospect status is his lack of initial burst off the line and struggles with separation. A solid pick for the Giants that I’m more excited about as a Giants fan than a fantasy football analyst. Fields profiles as the perfect complement to Malik Nabers, but the upside is limited on a likely run-first team and Nabers (and Isaiah Likely?) ahead of him in the pecking order.
69. Deebo Samuel Sr., WR, FA
Deebo Samuel will spend just one season in Washington, but he did enough to show he can still be a versatile piece for any offense. Samuel scored 17 or more points in five games, but his fantasy value will depend heavily on his landing spot. In the right situation, he can be fantasy viable in 2026. The longer Deebo remains a free agent, the more concerned I am that he’ll have any fantasy value in 2026. He may have to settle for little to no role in an offense.
70. Rashid Shaheed, WR, SEA
Rashid Shaheed hasn’t made much of a fantasy impact outside of special teams since heading to Seattle from New Orleans, but that’s not a surprise, as most receivers who change teams midseason don’t. Heading back to Seattle is a disappointing outcome for his fantasy potential, though.
71. Darius Slayton, WR, NYG
Darius Slayton has had just one season with a yards per catch under 14.5, and should have a similar role/fantasy value as last season.
72. Brandon Aiyuk, WR, SF
I’m not ready to give up on Brandon Aiyuk. I have no idea what happened between him and San Francisco or why he didn’t report, but if he suits up in 2026, I am more than willing to take a shot on a 27-year-old who finished in the top 15 in his last two full seasons.
73. Matthew Golden, WR, GB
Matthew Golden is ranked here simply on his first-round pedigree and upside on a team that loves to throw the deep ball.
74. Romeo Doubs, WR, NE
Romeo Doubs is the most Khalil Shakir receiver that ever James Jonesed. Doubs had some moments early in the 2025 season, but only scored over 10 points three times after Week 8. He’s a safe floor, low-ceiling player who will get two or three games over 15 points a season. Doubs signing with New England is a net-zero move for his fantasy value.
75. Omar Cooper Jr., WR, NYJ
Get the ball into the hands of Omar Cooper Jr., and magic happens. Cooper has incredible hands and is arguably the most talented YAC machine in the class, thanks to his ability to make defenders miss. I still love the talent, but man, to land on the Jets is no bueno. Garrett Wilson will easily remain the WR1, TE phenom Kenyon Sadiq was also drafted by the Jets, and a 23-year-old AD Mitchell is still there to siphon targets. His explosiveness keeps him on the fantasy radar, but he’ll be extremely inconsistent, especially with the Jets’ quarterback situation.
76. Tyreek Hill, WR, FA
It’s an uphill battle for Hill to return to fantasy relevance, as the soon-to-be 32-year-old is recovering from a dislocated knee that tore multiple ligaments. Hill was cut and is officially a free agent for the first time in his career, and could be so for a while as he recovers from last season’s gruesome injury. Recent rumors suggest there’s a real chance he misses all of 2026.
77. Chris Bell, WR, MIA
One of the most physical receivers in the draft, Chris Bell out of Louisville is in the mold of an A.J. Brown physically but closer to the hands of Xavier Legette. Bell unfortunately tore his ACL in November and is set to miss most of the 2026 season. The tear was reportedly clean, which bodes well for his recovery timeline. Like every injured player ever, he’s reportedly “ahead of schedule.” It’s been all good news so far in his recovery, and word on the street (people still say that, right?) is he’ll be ready for training camp. How much he’s able to do and if he’ll be a full go at the start of the season is a different story, but he’s got a chip on his shoulder (people still say that, right?) from sliding to the third, and a depth chart barren of talent in front of him.
78. Chris Brazzell II, WR, CAR
A burner with explosive playmaking ability, Chris Brazzell also brings an incredible 80″ wingspan to the table, and that’s about it. He doesn’t do much after contact, has a limited route tree, and has the frame of a dogwood. A third-round pick out of neighboring state Tennessee, Brazell is a field stretcher who complements Tetairoa McMillian perfectly. While he’s one of the most talented receivers in the class, his stock was capped by immaturity concerns. He gives Bryce Young another talented deep threat.
79. Zachariah Branch, WR, ATL
Shoutout to all my fellow short kings out there! That includes you, Zachariah Branch. The 5’8″ receiver has blazing speed and ran a 4.35 40 at the combine, and excels at making defenders miss. His diminutive stature does limit his ability to win contested catches, but Branch is every bit of lightning in a bottle. Just a mini-bottle. He did have 81 catches in 2025, but 49 of them came behind the line of scrimmage. He’ll enter the league as a jet sweep/screen guy that teams will love on special teams, but his path to fantasy relevance requires a very specific role. One of the widest ranges of outcomes in the draft class, the Falcons’ WR depth chart currently has Olamide Zaccheaus and Jahan Dotson listed as starters. That should tell you enough about the opportunity Branch could have very early on in his career.
80. Germie Bernard, WR, PIT
Germie Bernard is basically “Roll Tide” Jarvis Landry — a starting-caliber slot receiver with great hands who runs extremely clean routes. He’s the guy you look for on third and a couple. Bernard isn’t an explosive playmaker or a vertical threat, but he has the traits to be a valuable fantasy and real-life receiver for a long time. Unfortunately, he landed on literally one of the only teams that could make me want to avoid him like the plague in redraft. Aaron Rodgers is back as the QB, and he’s stuck behind DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman… no thanks.
81. Elijah Sarratt, WR, BAL
If you asked Siri who the best route runner was in the 2026 class, she’d probably tell you, “I don’t have a connection right now,” and then when you Google it, chances are Elijah Sarratt’s name would show up among the top answers. The route technician has excellent hands and the heart of Rocky Balboa. Sarratt came down with 44 touchdowns in his career, but he’s not a vertical threat and not much of a contested catch guru. An already low-upside receiver ending up in Baltimore is not ideal for fantasy purposes.
82. Ja’Kobi Lane, WR, BAL
At 6’4″, Ja’Kobi Lane checks in as one of the tallest receivers in the 2026 class. He’s a tad undersized at 200-ish lbs, but his ball skills and catch point dominance make him the kind of receiver who turns 50/50 balls into touchdowns. Big body, 40″ vertical, 10.5″ hands, wins at the catch point. His whole game is “let me Moss this guy real quick.” He has four drops each of the last two seasons and lacks separation skills, but should be able to become a red zone/contested catch specialist at minimum. Ditto what I said about Sarratt, except a wider range of outcomes.
Tier 11: The “Mandela Effect” Tier
You knew they were good, but it’s like they never existed.
83. Kayshon Boutte, WR, NE
An inconsistent deep threat is still just 23 years old. Worth stashing, but don’t overdraft.
84. Jalen Nailor, WR, LV
Jalen Nailor signed with Las Vegas and has a chance to carve out a role in an offense soon to be led by Fernando Mendoza. Although Brock Bowers will serve as the de facto “WR1” in Vegas, there’s no true alpha in the receiver room.
85. Darnell Mooney, WR, NYG
Darnell Mooney joined a Giants receiving corps in which there could be an opportunity for snaps if Malik Nabers isn’t ready to start the season. His role relative to Darius Slayton remains unsettled entering training camp.
86. Tank Dell, WR, HOU
Tank Dell has continued working back from his 2024 injury, with recent reports indicating that his return timeline is becoming clearer. Even if/when he’s fully back, targets may be hard to come by alongside Nico Collins, Jayden Higgins, Jaylin Noel, and company.
87. Calvin Ridley, WR, TEN
Calvin Ridley has become one of the biggest “what if” scenarios in recent memory. The hopes he’d become the Titans alpha and return to fantasy form fell flat last season, and with the additions of first-rounder Carnell Tate and free agent Wan’Dale Robinson, Ridley is more name than anything at this point in his career.
88. Malik Washington, WR, MIA
Malik Washington enters 2026 with an opportunity for targets in Miami’s reworked receiving corps. I was a fan heading into last year before the bottom fell out in Miami, and he’s worth keeping an eye on in case he can earn a stable snap share.
89. Christian Kirk, WR, SF
Christian Kirk signed an incentive-laden 1-year deal with San Francisco after the team picked up Mike Evans. I’m not going out of my way to draft him, but if he wins the starting slot job, he could bring some sneaky PPR value.
90. Jack Bech, WR, LV
Bech enters 2026 with an opportunity to compete for a significant role in Las Vegas’ receiving corps. His fantasy production will depend on how the Raiders divide snaps and targets among Bech, Jalen Nailor, and the other receivers.
91. Dontayvion Wicks, WR, PHI
Yes, Philadelphia acquired Dontayvion Wicks in a trade with Green Bay. Yes, AJ Brown is gone. No, Wicks won’t become the stud many projected a few seasons ago. Yes, he’ll have a few spike weeks.
92. Pat Bryant, WR, DEN
Remember the Pat Bryant hype?
93. Keon Coleman, WR, BUF
Keon Coleman remains with Buffalo for now, but their offseason acquisition of DJ Moore all but shuts the casket on Coleman’s hopes and dreams of becoming the Bills’ WR1.
94. Elic Ayomanor, WR, TEN
Elic Ayomanor was fantasy relevant for about 35 seconds at the start of last season, but with the additions of Carnell Tate and Wan’Dale Robinson, he’s nothing more than a desperation FLEX during byes.
95. Rashod Bateman, WR, BAL
I’m starting to warm to the idea of taking a flyer on Rashod Bateman. With the ole “Let’s target the WR1 90% of the time” offense out the door, Bateman could return some value if he can mix those beautiful splash plays with a little more consistency.
96. Chimere Dike, WR, TEN
Chimere Dike caught a few touchdowns last season. That’s it. That’s the blurb. Oh, but if you’re in one of those leagues that counts return yards, bump this guy up into the top 20 or so. Dike broke the rookie all-purpose yards record in 2025 with 2,427 total yards, but about 80% of those were on returns. Still pretty cool!
97. Keenan Allen, WR, LAC
Still a free agent, Keenan Allen showed he can still be productive for a few weeks at the start of 2025. But it’s hard for an 83-year-old man to maintain long-term production in the NFL.
98. Tory Horton, WR, SEA
I’m still a fan long term of Tory Horton, but re-signing Rashid Shaheed makes Horton’s path to fantasy relevance much more difficult in the short term.
99. Devaughn Vele, WR, NO
Sugar Free Rashad Bateman from the past few seasons. He’ll have a random spike week or two. Good luck guessing when.
100. Marvin Mims Jr., WR, DEN
Something something Sean Payton loves this guy, wait now he doesn’t, now he does, now he traded for another receiver. There are six ducks outside, and they all want Sun Chips. Mims needs multiple injuries ahead of him to be considered even a speculative pick.
101. Kevin Coleman Jr., WR, MIA
Someone has to catch the ball in Miami, Right?
102. Jalen Tolbert, WR, MIA
Someone has to catch the ball in Miami, Right?
103. Odell Beckham Jr., WR, NYG
Honestly, I just hope he makes the team so I can wear my #13 jersey again.
104. Cooper Kupp, WR, SEA
Cooper Kupp is a swell guy. He’ll catch a few tuddys, maybe be your best buddy. But he’s not someone you want on your fantasy team other than the bye-pocolpyse.
105. Jordan Whittington, WR, LAR
Jordan Whittington has shown some flashes, but would need an injury to Puka Nacua or Davante Adams to offer fantasy viability. If there was such a thing as a handcuff WR in fantasy, it’s him.
106. Hollywood Brown, WR, PHI
Just….maybe????
And now, my full WR rankings in table form!