Fantasy Rankings are here!

By Martin Richardson

My final rankings for the Fantasy football seasons comes by way of the wide receiver, arguably the position with the most depth, sleepers and potential busts as well. Naturally, some people will aim high with the likes of Chase and Nacua, but not everyone can get those elite names. With that in mind, part one of the wide receiver rankings looks at players who could be solid depth pieces as well as having some high upside down the stretch.

40. CHRISTIAN WATSON

I know some people are keen to see what he can do in 2026, but Watson is made of glass. But weak glass, not that shatterproof or tempered glass. I don’t see how he goes through a season without an injury, I really don’t, and fantasy players cannot rely on someone who not only gets injured but also takes a while to get healthy too. Should he stay healthy, he is fast enough to be a contributor, but we are still waiting for a season where he goes for over 650 yards, which is less than ideal for an apparent WR1 for the Packers. He is a risk with a very low floor and mid-range ceiling.

39. CHRIS GODWIN

If there was no Emeka Egbuka on the roster, Godwin would be the clear number one WR on the team, so once again fantasy players are pondering just how Godwin is going to be used down in Tampa. Another new OC in Zac Robinson and a plethora of young talent waiting in the wings (Ted Hurst fans unite) just how much will Godwin be used in 2026? Add to the mix that just like the departed Mike Evans, he has had an injury plagued 2 years, which means he could well miss time again in 2026. He has value as he is the WR2 on the roster and will get targets, you’ll just have to see just how many and how he is used as the season starts. 

38. JAYDEN REED

I mentioned that Christian Watson was the apparent WR1 in Green Bay, so why am I putting the WR2 ahead of him? If I wasn’t clear in my rundown, Watson just can’t stay fit and hasn’t had the production, yet. For me, now that Reed is back fit and healthy, he poses more of a consistent outlet for Jordan Love in 2026. The only issue will be where exactly he slots in: with Watson being the apparent WR1, and second year WR Matthew Golden looking to improve on his rookie season, does Reed’s 21% target share when on the field diminish?

37. BRIAN THOMAS JR

I feel for Brian Thomas Jr really. He was tipped to do well, breakout candidate bandied about by pretty much everyone in 2025, but it never happened. Injuries and role changes from then new HC Liam Coen mean that Thomas didn’t really get the chance to push on and cement his place as a key piece on the offense. I’m not sure that changes in 2026 either to be honest. He has the potential to be a big moment player, like Jameson Williams a few years back with big vertical plays once every month, but that’s it. Stash him on your bench to see if that changes this season, or if someone looks to trade for the talented wideout.

36. Wan’dale Robinson

Hands up if Robinson helped you out when injuries derailed your season? Not just me then, I knew it. Going into 2026, new Titans OC Brian Daboll ensured he got his man in Robinson to be the slot WR compliment to rookie WR Carnell Tate. This makes Robinson a very attractive WR2 on the Titans and more than likely a very solid WR3/FLEX option for most fantasy players. Bogged down in some of the bigger names further on in this list, Robinson presents a nice sleeper for fantasy players in 2026.

35. LUTHER BURDEN III

Don’t get me wrong, these feels like Burden should be higher. But that injury concern coming out of camp has me worried, and with the likes of Swift, Loveland and Odunze all fit and ready to go, is there a need to rush Burden back in what could be a great season for the Bears. Prior to the injury, he was a clear WR2 with upside for fantasy players who may slot him in at FLEX, but now he’s a stash on the bench and see how he recovers, with hope that it’s just a preseason blip. If he drops to you, don’t be afraid to take a chance.

34. MICHAEL WILSON

Okonkwo flashed in a bad Titans team (could be anyone here to be honest who has played for the Titans in recent times) but now he has the chance to be a solid asset for a team who don’t have many of those at the moment. With recently signed Stefon Diggs being the latest addition to a sparse WR room, Okonkwo stands to make an immediate impact for the Commanders in 2026. He could well be a steal as ESPN have him as only having 2 touchdowns and way down their rankings. I can’t see how he doesn’t have a solid to great first season in Washington.

33. mike Evans

Mike Evans made the decision to leave the Buccaneers after an amazing career in Tampa. Now with the 49ers, Evans is in line for a specific red zone target role in this Shanahan offense. With fellow veteran Deebo Samuel and rookie Ze-Shaun Stribling at WR, Evans in a line for a decent amount of targets, he just needs to stay healthy, which has been an issue for him in recent seasons and throughout camp this season as well.

32. marvin harrison jr

I am worried. Very worried that Harrison Jr is not what people thought he would be. I am very high on Michael Wilson even though I’ve ranked him below Harrison. I think the legacy of Harrison Jr, and the potential that he still has means that he will always be the main man in Arizona in terms of targets and target share. One thing that was always in his fantasy favour was the fact that when he got the ball, those receptions were over 11 yards per catch, which is money for fantasy points. Does he need more red zone involvement, yes, but if he gets those chunk yards, he stands a chance to be more fantasy relevant this season.

31. courtland Sutton

The arrival of Jaylen Waddle doesn’t mean that Sutton disappears off the roster and fantasy relevance in 2026. I don’t know why, but Sutton seems to be a consistent WR2 for fantasy players for a long time. Did things drop off a little last season, somewhat, with only 6 touchdowns. But he was used heavily to move the chains for Box Nix, with most games hitting over 60 yards and average yards over 11, which means he gets points most weeks. Maybe the addition of Waddle means teams can’t cover both all the time, so is there some upside of a veteran resurgence for Sutton, don’t discount it.

30. Michael Pittman jr

After a trade from the Colts, Pittman becomes the WR2 at the Steelers behind DK Metcalf. What is that going to look like in Pittsburgh in Aaron Rodgers’ last (apparent) season? I am interested in what this will be like for fantasy output given that it is a different situation for someone who was a consistent WR2 for most fantasy players. Is there upside to be a solid WR3 Flex, definitely. Will it be every week, that’s the question when it comes to someone like Pittman.

29. parker washington

Maybe I have bought into the Jaguars in 2026 more than others, which shows real character development from me given that ex-Bucs OC Liam Coen is the HC down in Jacksonville. But, all signs point to a fantasy relevant season from most of the Jags’ offensive players. Washington finished with 5 touchdowns and nearly 900 yards, which was incredible value for what felt like a WR3 ADP last year. Now heading into 2026, he has a chance to become a solid WR2 for fantasy players, with the added bonus of being a less than attractive name that could see him drop onto your lap in your draft.

28. jameson williams

It felt like a shaky start for Williams in Detroit, but after two 1000 yard seasons, Williams comes into 2026 as a locked in WR3 with FLEX upside. Just like Michael Pittman, Williams will need that fantasy contribution, be it big yardage games or touchdowns, a bit more consistently to remain in that FLEX spot, as 7 game last season resulted in lesson than 5 fantasy points. Conversely, 8 games were over 10 points and some had some monster yardage counts too: 119, 144 and 134 (all with a touchdown). So you can see the upside, when Williams goes off, he goes off. Fantasy players just need to make sure that they play him in those big weeks.

27. DK Metcalf

For some reason, FantasyPros are down on Metcalf, placing him as WR34, which I think is far too low for someone as good as he is. But to take their WR 19 and drop him nearly double that value seems odd to me. The addition of Michael Pittman Jr could be a factor, but for me that frees up someone as explosive as Metcalf to have a bigger impact in 2026. When he had a true WR2 next to him, be it Tyler Lockett or JSN, Metcalf had his best seasons. With double digit seasons. Could this be another big season for Metcalf?

26. carnell tate

I am so excited to see where Tate lands in fantasy drafts. I think people will take him early in some leagues because of the potential and the hype. I also think some may well let him drop because he is a rookie and not a consistent fantasy name that the likes of Metcalf and Pittman may well be. But would I feel confident taking him in those higher middle rounds given that he will be the WR1 for the Titans in 2026. Volume alone makes him a great target for fantasy players, and his big frame and elite catching ability make him a great threat for QB breakout star Cam Ward to aim for.

25. DJ Moore

After a very brief injury scare Moore looks fine now and ready for what will be a solid to good season in Buffalo. With Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman, the main WR targets in recent years, Moore should find his path to WR1 status for the Bills fairly straight forward. Which means with someone like Josh Allen as your QB, his fantasy stock as a solid mid round WR2 for your team is great value for someone like Moore. I would not be shocked to see people take him higher just for the Allen connection alone.

24. rome odunze

There has been a little bit of a roller-coaster for Odunze fans and fantasy fans this offseason. Talk of how he managed a foot injury to the ‘new normal’ caused some epic press conference reversing to make it sound like all is well, which is less than ideal when you are now the WR1 following the departure of veteran WR DJ Moore. So mix this in with that positive move for Odunze now being the WR1, the ups and down mean he now needs to kick on and really showcase what can do in this Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams offense. The injury to WR buddy Luther Burden III makes Odunze the primary target with TE Colston Loveland, so don’t be shocked if he has solid WR2 fantasy numbers.

23. Terry Mclaurin

The arrival of Stefon Diggs shouldn’t alarm fantasy players when it comes to taking McLaurin. What should concern fantasy players is that when Jayden Daniels was injured, his performances plummeted. Plus, he missed time too last season, so you’ve got to hope those fitness concerns are behind both of them. If they are, then McLaurin stands the chance of becoming a solid WR2 for fantasy players and a strong bounce-back candidate (which isn’t hard after just three touchdowns last season).

22. jaylen waddle

From a fringe WR1 candidate in Miami to the main man in Denver after his trade this offseason, Waddle poses an interesting fantasy proposition. In that average Dolphins team he mustered 6 touchdowns, just like Courtland Sutton did last season so you wonder how he will fair in new surroundings. For fantasy fans he has been more than good value due to his three 1000 yards seasons as he entered the league. Add this to solid touchdown contributions (26 in total) Waddle could well be a more than solid fantasy WR2 for those looking for a mid-round pick with upside.

21. Davante Adams

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I end part one here with someone who surprised many with his fantasy contribution in 2025. Time will catch up with Adams at some point but make the most of it whilst you can and enjoy it. With 14 touchdowns in 2025, Adams was one of those mid round steals that your fantasy counterparts would laud over you after each touchdown. In 2026, I imagine there will be some regression, but even if that is by 3 or 4 touchdowns, that production is top end WR2 and that’s exactly what he is. Do not be afraid to draft him if he is sat there at end of the third or start of the fourth round.

MARTIN RICHARDSON

NFL/FANTASY FOOTBALL ANALYST

A Yorkshireman living in Lancashire, Martin is a massive NFL fan but his heart belongs to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Also a huge Fantasy Football enthusiast and spends far too long crunching the numbers! Follow him at @MRBucsFan31

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