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.
2. 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.
UPDATE: Stafford’s back; Puka’s a top-five fantasy receiver. Well, as long as he sorts out his off-the-field things. It’s not enough to concern me from a fantasy perspective just yet.
3. 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. There’s a wide range of outcomes for where JJettas final preseason rank will land as the offseason moves along. Until we have a clearer picture of what that looks like, I can’t rank him among the top 10 receivers where he belongs. I know. I know. It hurts me too.
UPDATE: It appears Kyler Murray will 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.
4. 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.
5. 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. Well, two. First, 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 his situation is similar to teammate Jahmyr Gibbs. With a healthy LaPorta, would ARSB have finished top five, or more toward the back end of WR1s?
UPDATE: New OC Drew Petzing runs a balanced but slightly run-heavy type offense, but ARSB should still be used plenty. He doesn’t have the stratospheric upside of some of the guys above him, but he’s as reliable a WR1 as they come.
6. 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-Njibga 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. But I am saying I doubt I’ll be buying all the risk and drafting him among the top three or so.
7. 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. When both are on the field, Rice is easily a WR1. This is a volatile ranking that could change drastically by the time draft season rolls around.
UPDATE: It was a good Friday for Rice, as the league announced on April 3rd that they would not pursue any discipline related to offseason allegations. Things could always change, especially with Rice’s history of off-field issues. But for now, Rice slides right back into the top 10 and is a candidate for WR1 overall if Mahomes plays the majority of the season.
8. 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 that was 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. McConkey was honestly being overdrafted as a WR1, but if he falls back into WR2 territory, he’ll be a nice value heading into next season.
UPDATE: MIKE MCDANIELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL…ahem. Excuse me. What I meant to say was that my heart starts skipping a beat when I think about how snugly McConkey fits into 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? Couple of no names: Puka Nacua, 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.
9. 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 recovering from his torn ACL. Whenever Nabers can get on the field, he’s immediately a top-five, maybe top-three fantasy wide receiver.
UPDATE: While I anticipated Todd Monken would follow Harbaugh to New York, Monken became the head coach in Cleveland instead, and the Giants hired …gulp… Matt Nagy as OC. All in all, it doesn’t change much for Nabers. What the Giants do in the draft and how fast he can recover from injury are the things to watch.
10. 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.
11. 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, putting a damper on what should have been a positive season. If he re-signs with Dallas, slot Pickens right back in the low-end WR1, high-end WR2 range with a chance to go nuclear each and every week. If he signs elsewhere, his upside depends on the situation. On a pass-friendly offense as the top target, Pickens has top-five potential.
UPDATE: He’s back in Dallas. Rinse/Repeat 2025.
12. 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 career could legitimately be over. Penix underwent his third ACL reconstruction at the end of 2025, and although he has a chance to be ready for the start of next season, the Falcons almost assuredly will have some sort of insurance. Another team that will have a new head coach, OC, offensive system, and maybe a quarterback. It’s hard to properly place a guy like London until we know who his quarterback will be and what the offense’s strategy entails. 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.
UPDATE: Tua and Stefanski isn’t a terrible combo for the fantasy prospects of London. His value remains about the same.
13. 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 has plenty of juice left in the tank, and whether it’s in Philadelphia or another city, I’ll be willing to buy the dip on Arthur Juan. There’s little to no risk drafting him as a WR2.
UPDATE: He’s still in Philly. For now.
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. I’m drafting him with no hesitation in 2026.
UPDATE: DJ Moore leaving for Buffalo does nothing but make Rome’s situation even better. Those 85 vacated targets have to go somewhere.
15. 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.
16. Chris Olave, WR, NO
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. He finished fifth with 151 targets, caught 100 passes for the first time, and reached 1000 yards for the third time in four seasons. 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. I foresee 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.
17. 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. His 30% target share kept him afloat and likely will remain high no matter who the quarterback is in New York next season. The draft has gotten shallow at the top, so who his thrower of the football will be is still a question, and will be for quite a while.
UPDATE: 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 will remain a borderline WR1 in 2026. Just stay healthy this year, okay?
18. 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.
19. 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.
20. 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. Coming out of the bye, Harrison scored in back-to-back games… then had an emergency appendectomy. 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. But with a new offensive system and likely a new quarterback, hope still remains for Harrison to achieve his elite pedigree. He’s a buy-low for me.
UPDATE: 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 Michael Wilson and tight end Trey 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. Don’t hear what I’m not saying. I don’t think he’ll 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.
21. 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 Adams is one of five who caught eight or more in each of the last two seasons. In fact, Adams has caught eight 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 help win you some weeks when he catches a couple tuddys.
22. 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. Like all the Lions I’ve blurbed so far, his value fluctuates greatly depending on who’s their new offensive coordinator. He’ll always have that boom upside, but how regular a bust he’ll be is still up in the air.
UPDATE: New OC Drew Petzing should attack downfield plenty, keeping Jamo right around the same value as last season.
23. 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.
24. 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 as DJ Moore transitions into more of a complementary receiver in the twilight of his prime, Burden should continue to see his role grow and has the potential to be a fantasy force as early as the upcoming season.
UPDATE: 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.
25. DJ Moore, WR, BUF
DJ Moore had the worst season since his rookie year and is not so gracefully slipping into a more complementary role than the borderline alpha he came to Chicago to be. Moore has a pretty hefty price tag and is a realistic cut or trade candidate, especially with the emergence of Rome Odunze, Luther Burden, and Colston Loveland. Depending on where he lands next season, Moore is likely a boom/bust WR3 with limited upside.
UPDATE: Moore was traded to Buffalo and immediately becomes 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.
26. Makai Lemon, WR, Rookie
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, Lemon is a first-round pick in the NFL Draft and could easily wind up the first receiver off the board. He would have to land in the right system to become an Amon-Ra St. Brown-like PPR stud, but he has the after-the-catch playmaking ability to have a top-15 season. Perfectly suited to be a 1a and form a dynamic duo with someone… say… Malik Nabers? Garrett Wilson? Early mid-round pick in redraft with upside. Early first-rounder in dynasty.
NFL Comp: Robert Woods aka Bobby Trees aka Robbie Plank aka Rob Lumber aka Bob Barker
27. Carnell Tate, WR, Rookie
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. His play style helps his ability to be productive if he winds up in a less-than-favorable situation with an inaccurate QB (Cleveland, anyone?). At worst, a WR2. His ADP is entirely dependent on the landing spot, but he’ll still be one of the first three rookie receivers taken in redraft and an early first-round pick in dynasty.
NFL Comp: DeVonta Smith
28. 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.
29. 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. Evans had a league-low 1.33 yards after catch per reception. Chris Godwin will be a year removed from his gruesome injury, and both Emeka Egbuka and Jalen McMillian will be a year further into their NFL careers. View Evans as similar to Davante Adams, a solid WR2 who will have a few spike weeks. The problem is that Evans has more competition for targets and nowhere near the touchdown upside.
UPDATE: Funny that comp is what I went with back in January, because the Adams in LA role is exactly what I project for Evans in San Fran.
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. Smith doesn’t have top-10 potential with Jalen Hurts under center, even if the Eagles move on from AJ Brown. He had more games under 10 points (10) than over (7). Smith’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.
31. Jaylen Waddle, WR, DEN
It’s hard to rank any of the players on teams that have cleaned house of their coaching staff and, more than likely, their quarterback as well. Jaylen Waddle is one of those guys. Tyreek Hill is technically still on the roster, but I expect Miami to cut him with a new offensive coordinator and a new quarterback. The jury’s still out on what kind of upside we’ll see from 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 the new-look Dolphins offense.
UPDATE: We wanted him out of Miami, but a crowded Denver receiver room isn’t great for his upside. Waddle remains a WR2 with upside, but his floor is much lower than it was in Miami. I didn’t think that was possible.
32. 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 WR2.
33. 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.
34. 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, but if the Broncos don’t add any weapons this offseason, he’ll be in line for a third straight season as Bo Nix‘s go-to and a rock-solid WR2.
UPDATE: The Broncos surprisingly traded for Jaylen Waddle, pushing Sutton from solid WR2 territory to more WR3ish. That floor we once loved is gone.
35. 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.
UPDATE: Pierce resigned with Indy and has an even safer floor with Pittman heading to Pittsburgh. That floor becomes quite a bit lower if Daniel Jones isn’t ready to start the season and the Colts are forced to start one of Anthony Richardson or Riley Leonard.
36. Wan’Dale Robinson, WR, TEN
Wan’Dale Robinson caught 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 and enters the offseason as a free agent. With Harbaugh and co. coming to New York, it’s unclear what their level of interest is in bringing him back. But wherever he lands, if Robinson can get a decent target share, he’s a solid WR3/WR2.
UPDATE: Robinson followed his former head coach to Tennessee, where he should be force-fed much like he was in 2025. He’ll be a PPR-scam WR2 if he and Cam Ward click. Maybe a safety blanket-type player like Robinson is exactly what last year’s first overall pick needs.
37. Brian Thomas Jr., WR, JAC
If Brian Thomas Jr. wasn’t the biggest bust of the year, he was rubbing elbows with them. But fear not, all hope isn’t lost for our beloved BTJ. Our expectations just have to be adjusted. Early in the season, he simply 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 by making some 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 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 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.
38. 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). 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.
39. Quentin Johnston, WR, LAC
Quentin Johnston is one of the five I keep talking about. One of five receivers to score 8+ touchdowns over 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.
UPDATE: MIKE MCDANIELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
40. Jordyn Tyson, WR, Rookie
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’s 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. Mid-rounder who could bump to early-mid rounds in redraft if he lands in an optimal situation. Mid-first round in dynasty.
NFL Comp: Jakobi Meyers
41. Jordan Addison, WR, MIN
Jordan Addison is in legal trouble for the third straight offseason. Could he face league discipline? Be traded? Cut? It’s impossible to properly rank Addison with so much in flux.
42. 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.
43. Denzel Boston, WR, Rookie
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. If he lands in an offense that plays to his strengths, preferably one in need of a red zone threat, Boston could be a boom-bust WR2 from day one. He’s been linked to the Steelers, and both sides have shown interest. Boston’s redraft value may vary by landing spot, but it likely settles in the late middle rounds. In dynasty, he’s a mid-first rounder.
NFL Comp: Drake London
44. 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. Alec Pierce is a free agent, and Michael Pittman’s contract is structured to make him an easy cut with little dead cap, with the expectation he’ll move on this offseason. It’s a near virtual lock that at least one won’t be back, and if neither is, Downs could be in line for a significant target share in 2026.
UPDATE: Pierce returns to Indy, but Pittman does not, giving Downs a chance to be a regular piece of the offense. Don’t ignore him.
45. KC Concepcion, WR, Rookie
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. He’s a tier below the Tysons and Tates, but in today’s NFL, if Concepcion can find himself in a West Coast offense, he can have a Cooper Kupp-type role. I would love to see him end up in Tennessee and become new OC Brian Daboll‘s Nashville Wan’Dale Robinson (edit: Wan’Dale Robinson will be Brian Daboll‘s Wan’Dale Robinson). Concepcion should start the season as a FLEX option at best, but someone I’ll be looking to pick up late in redraft leagues. He has WR2 potential. In dynasty, he’s a mid-to-late first-rounder.
NFL Comp: Wan’Dale Robinson
46. 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.
47. 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. Worthy could find himself with yet another opportunity to do so, however, with Rice once again in legal trouble and his 2026 status uncertain.
UPDATE: The league announced on April 3rd that there would be no discipline for teammate Rashee Rice for offseason allegations, all but crushing any lingering hopes of a Worthy breakout.
48. 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.
49. 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 he likely winds up elsewhere as the Colts could shift their focus to keeping Alec Pierce, who leapfrogged Pittman as the team’s WR1. Pittman can be a serviceable WR2 if he lands in the right situation.
UPDATE: 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 DK Metcalf, and it’s still unclear who his quarterback will be. Whether it winds up being Aaron Rodgers, Will Howard, or a current unknown, Pittman likely won’t be on many of my rosters this season.
50. 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.
51. 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. Despite the attention brought to Allen’s lack of weapons and the heartbreaking divisional-round loss, I expect Buffalo to bring in some help. Shakir should be seen as a solid but boring WR3.
UPDATE: Buffalo indeed brought in help in DJ Moore, and Shakir remains a solid but boring WR3. If they bring in more, Shakir could become undraftable.
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 is no guarantee to be on the Bucs roster next season with a hefty contract. If he does return, he’s a decent WR3, but not someone I’m looking to draft, as his upside is gone with his age and injury issues.
53. Jauan Jennings, WR, FA
Jauan Jennings wound up being the 49ers’ top receiver by default, which is good timing for him, considering he’s heading into free agency. He’s had back-to-back WR3 seasons, but at age 29 in July, I’m unsure what teams will be willing to pay him a significant amount for a major role. I’ll be taking a wait-and-see approach with him.
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. 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.
56. Tyreek Hill, WR, MIA
Given that the Dolphins are in full rebuild mode, Tyreek Hill is likely to be traded or cut this offseason. 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.
UPDATE: 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 have linked him to the Bears, which would be a boost to the value of Caleb Williams but not move the needle for Hill’s fantasy value.
57. 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 next season.
58. Tre Tucker, WR, LV
This guy put up a 40-burger in week three, which made the Raiders comfortable enough to trade Jakobi Meyers. He’s at best a complementary receiver who could offer some flex value with the soon-to-be Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
59. 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 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. He’s a fine WR3 but not much more.
UPDATE: Released by New England, his value greatly depends on where he lands and what type of role he’ll play.
60. 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 WR NUMBER and tied for the fifth most red zone targets in the league. With Sutton creeping up in age, Franklin is a worthwhile target who could still take over as Nix’s top option.
UPDATE: LOL NVM, THE BRONCOS TRADED FOR JAYLEN WADDLE.
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.
62. 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.
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 solid WR2 numbers.
64. 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. Mike Evans and/or Chris Godwin could not be on the roster this time next season, setting a path for McMillan to receive significant looks and jump into the top 150.
UPDATE: With Evans leaving town to head to San Fran, McMillian is in line to play a major role in the Bucs offense in 2026.
65. 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.
UPDATE: MIKE MCDANIELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
66. Jaylin Noel, WR, HOU
Jalyin 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. 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.
69. 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. Shaheed is set to become a free agent and likely will have plenty of suitors for his services as an electric kick returner and deep threat. His fantasy value depends on whether the team he signs with has wide receiver depth, specifically a downfield weapon. (Note: Imagine Shaheed in Buffalo?!!?)
UPDATE: He’s back with Seattle, a disappointing outcome for his fantasy potential.
70. Pat Bryant, WR, DEN
Pat Bryant only scored double-digit fantasy points twice in his rookie season, which isn’t a surprise given the crowded receiver room and Bo Nix’s low passing totals. Bryant has the skill set to become a fantasy asset, but he would need multiple injuries ahead of him to get the target share needed.
UPDATE: LOL THE BRONCOS TRADED FOR JAYLEN WADDLE, REMEMBER?
71. Darius Slayton, WR, NYG
Darius Slayton has had just one season with a yards per catch under 14.5, and could become a useful boom-or-bust FLEX option if he lands in the right situation.
UPDATE: Slayton is returning to the Giants and should have a similar role/fantasy value as last season.
72. 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.
73. Romeo Doubs, WR, NE
Romeo Doubs is the most Khalil Shakir receiver that ever James Jonesed. Doubs had some moments early in the 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.
UPDATE: Doubs signing with New England is a net-zero move for his fantasy value.
74. Kyle Williams, WR, NE
The explosive rookie made only a few plays in his first season, but he could still develop into a deep threat for MVP candidate Drake Maye.
75. Kayshon Boutte, WR, NE
An inconsistent deep threat is still just 23 years old. Worth stashing, but don’t overdraft.
76. Tory Horton, WR, SEA
In a cruel twist of fate, rookie speedster Tory Horton had a two-touchdown breakout game in Week 9, just before the Seahawks traded for skill-set clone Rashid Shaheed. Luckily for Horton, Shaheed is an unrestricted free agent at season’s end, so Horton could carve out a deep-threat role if Shaheed leaves Seattle.
UPDATE: Shaheed did not leave.