FantasyPros - The ONLY Wide Receivers You Need in Your 2026 Fantasy Football Drafts | Round-By-Round Targets (Ep. 1988)

Welcome to the Fantasy Pros Football Podcast. I’m Ryan Wormley with Andrew Erickson and Jake Ciely, and today we’re building a wide receiver plan for every round. Before we dive in, yes, I somehow missed Zelda and Star Fox growing up, lived on Game Boy and Backyard sports, and still dream about Pablo Sanchez.

How did you dodge Zelda and Star Fox? Fans have begged for Star Fox redemption ever since that last flop. I wore out my Backyard Baseball disc and would’ve framed a Pablo bat.

I can’t believe you skipped Zelda. When it’s re‑released, fix that. Now, let’s draft some receivers.

Round one, Andrew, who’s your guy?

Justin Jefferson. He’s priced late first, and I’m tossing out last year’s mess with a raw quarterback. Any competent veteran lift is a win, and I’m betting a Kyler upgrade restores elite volume and yards. His full seasons have never dipped outside top six, so I’m happy to click him at the turn.

Any worry that Kyler’s style doesn’t feed a true X the way we want?

A little, but the jump from last year’s situation is massive. We’ve seen a veteran alpha thrive with Kyler before, and he knows feeding Jefferson helps his own next contract. Pitch and catch should work.

End of round one, Jake, wideout or running back?

I’ll mix them. Jefferson at the turn with a tier‑two back is a great start, and I’d also take a receiver‑receiver open if a Lamb or Puka slides. Hopkins thrived with Kyler, and expectations skewed how people felt about Marvin last year.

Round two, Jake?

Chris Olave. With Tyler Shuck, the downfield rate, air yards, and touchdown juice spiked, and the target share stayed strong even with some off‑target throws. Whether they add another wideout or not, the fit we saw late is what we want for fantasy.

Andrew, you good with Olave there, or lean elsewhere?

Slight lean to DeVonta Smith or Zay Flowers for ceiling paths I like a bit more. Olave’s fine at cost, but I want to see this offense’s gear with an older rookie quarterback before I move him up.

If I open Puka plus Olave, I’m smiling. That start screams weekly ceiling.

Round three, Andrew?

Rashee Rice is the swing. He was a red zone bully in limited action and has a path where legal fallout gets pushed down the road. If he’s active week one with a functional quarterback, he can smash this price, and I’m fine chasing that upside here.

Too risky that early, Jake?

For drafts today, yes. I’d take safer locks who will play week one like Waddle, Jameson Williams, Terry McLaurin, or Rome Odunze. If we later learn Rice and his quarterback are full go, he’s back in the WR1 chat.

Zay Flowers or Rice right now, Andrew?

Zay today. In best ball, I’ll still fire on Rice’s ceiling and bet the quarterback heals fast.

Round four, Jake?

Davante Adams with Stafford. He dominated end‑zone looks even while missing late games, and Stafford locked onto him near the stripe. That role supports a back‑end WR1 finish at WR2 cost.

Andrew, you usually chase red zone roles. In or out?

Out at price. I saw efficiency decline, age and lower‑body issues, likely touchdown regression, and more competition incoming. I’m not paying for last year’s spike.

Round five, Andrew?

Jaylen Waddle in Denver. More pass volume, elite per‑route efficiency, and he’s finally out from under Tyreek’s shadow. Sutton’s profile looks less alpha now, so Waddle has a clear path to mid‑WR2 with top‑15 outcomes.

I hear upside, but also volatility. Jake?

Bo Nix won’t match Stafford’s touchdown pace, and Waddle’s soft‑tissue track record is annoying. I still like him a round later and have him near Sutton, with Waddle preferred.

Round six, Jake?

DJ Moore to the Bills is theft. Allen feeds his top option, Moore’s slot usage and air yards fit, and the Diggs template is sitting there. He should be going two rounds earlier.

Textbook value. The scheme is a match, the age curve mirrors peak Diggs, and he’s lived in the top twenty‑two most of his career. Beating a WR32 tag feels easy.

Round seven, Andrew?

Marvin Harrison Jr. is a buy at this discount. Injuries wrecked his year, but when healthy he flashed, and splits show teammates vanish when he’s active. With Jacoby Brissett willing to throw often, he carries a real top‑end ceiling and this price looks like his floor.

Brissett treated him like the one in key weeks. I’ll also stash Ricky Pearsall later; if Kittle isn’t right, he can jump into top twenty‑five, and worst case you’re getting a usable WR3.

Feels like Pearsall’s price will climb as injuries shake out.

He quietly led their team in yards per game and posted multiple big outings. I’m also grabbing Wondale Robinson around pick one hundred as a volume slot under Brian Daboll, with Cam Ward capable of keeping the chains moving. His target share profile says he should beat WR44.

Floor play or real ceiling, Jake?

Ceiling looks like last year’s top‑twenty range, and Daboll will pepper him no matter which outside piece joins. It’s the coaching fit that sells it.

Round ten, Jake?

Jayden Higgins. Steve Smith raved about him, and he finally got chances late. He profiles as the clear number two with top thirty‑five upside, and he spikes even more if Nico misses time. That’s the kind of bench bet I want.

Love him as Nico insurance. The team even comped him to Nico, so the role is obvious if the depth chart thins.

Round eleven, Andrew?

Josh Downs. He earns targets and separation, and a bigger role is possible if the room turns over. Worst case he’s a steady WR4 who can pop if usage expands.

A touch too low at WR52. Quarterback health is the only real speed bump.

Round twelve, Jake, close us out.

Romeo Dobbs in New England with Drake May is silly cheap. May rips deep balls, Dobbs wins downfield, and he’s the clear top target today. He’s a weekly WR3 unless they swing a blockbuster, and my only joke worry is May’s haircut.

Perfect late flex. Think Christian Kirk or Jakobi Meyers vibes when the market yawned, then the volume spoke. Not a superstar, but the role pays.

That’s our round‑by‑round wideout roadmap, with a few spirited debates along the way. For Andrew and Jake, I’m Ryan Wormley. Thanks for hanging with us, and we’ll be back next time. If you enjoyed the show, drop a review and follow us on social and YouTube.