Brian Thomas Jr. doesn’t even need to return to his rookie form to provide value in 2026 – he just needs to finish halfway between his rookie season (16.7 PPG) & last year (9.9 PPG).
That would put him at 13.3 PPG (equivalent to WR19 last year).
Currently sitting at a WR32 ADP.
Josh Jacobs
RB9 last year; RB18 ADP this year
Davante Adams
WR9 last year; WR26 ADP this year
D’Andre Swift
RB17 last year; RB22 ADP this year
DK Metcalf
WR23 last year; WR36 ADP this year
Rhamondre Stevenson
RB22 last year; RB28 ADP this year
Jaylen Warren
RB19 last year; RB29 ADP this year
Kyle Pitts
TE5 last year; TE8 ADP this year
JK Dobbins
RB27 last year; RB35 ADP this year
Michael Pittman Jr.
WR30 last year; WR48 ADP this year
Wan’Dale Robinson
WR17 last year; WR52 ADP this year
Dallas Goedert
TE5 last year; TE15 ADP this year
Matthew Stafford
QB2 last year; QB14 ADP this year
SOMETIMES “BORING” PICKS WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS ‼️
Consider me “in” on 5th round Bucky Irving.
RB19 as a rookie (14.4 PPG).
RB8 in PPG (18.0) through WK4 before getting injured last year.
Now barely priced as a Top-24 RB (RB23 ADP).
There wasn’t a fantasy analyst last year who didn’t make the Luther Burden comp to Amon-R St. Brown because of Ben Johnson.
But now Johnson’s protege, Declan Doyle, is in Baltimore. And no one is talking about Zay Flowers’ expected role in the new offense.
Curious.
Michael Wilson and Parker Washington were extraordinary over the second half of 2025 as Year 3 players.
They averaged 19.7 and 14.6 PPG, respectively, from Week 10 through the NFL Playoffs.
However, neither had a meaningful fantasy season before (at least 10 PPG -- aka low-end WR4 territory).
That got me wondering: How often have we seen non-Round 1 or Round 2 NFL Draft picks average 14+ PPG in the second half of their Year 3 to 5 season without a prior 10 PPG fantasy season?
And more importantly, how did they do in the following two seasons?
Hunter Renfrow (2021): 16.8 PPG --> 8.1, 3.0
Rishard Matthews (2015): 15.2 PPG --> 13.3, 11.2
Marquise Goodwin (2017): 14.9 PPG --> 7.9, 4.8
Markus Wheaton (2015): 14.8 PPG --> 5.0, 0.7
Russell Gage (2020): 14.6 PPG --> 11.9, 9.5
Jauan Jennings (2024): 14.1 PPG --> 11.6
For the record, I am not pronouncing this as some in-depth study that 100% defines how we should view Wilson and Washington. However, we shouldn't dismiss this sort of data either, imo. Both carry significant bust potential.
Players that have a real shot at 130+ targets in 2026: 🎯
Locks:
- JSN
- Puka Nacua
- Amon-Ra St Brown
- Ja’Marr Chase
- Justin Jefferson
- Emeka Egbuka
- Drake London
- CeeDee Lamb
- Malik Nabers
- Trey McBride
- Brock Bowers
- Garrett Wilson
Very likely:
- AJ Brown
- DeVonta Smith
- Jaylen Waddle
- Davante Adams
- Tyler Warren
- Rashee Rice
- Mike Evans
- DJ Moore
- Terry McLaurin
Maybe:
- Chris Olave
- Ladd McConkey
- Michael Wilson
- George Pickens
- Christian McCaffrey
- Rome Odunze
- Nico Collins
- Tetairoa McMillan
- Colston Loveland
(This list assumes all of these guys are able to stay healthy and play 17 games)
Jameson Williams posted career-highs last year & still didn’t finish as a Top-20 WR in PPG.
Had noticeably better splits without Sam LaPorta in the lineup (who returns fully healthy this season).
Basically the same PPG as DK Metcalf last year (12.9-12.5) but priced 3 full rounds ahead of him this year.
I’d take 7 of the 8 WR’s ranked below him ahead straight-up.
Would be absolutely wild if the WR who had better best-season college production and higher draft capital wound up being Mike McDaniel’s new WR1 over Ladd McConkey
Since 2022, Jaylen Waddle's 2.44 YPRR ranks 8th-best among all WRs who ran 1200+ routes over that span.
He did it on just a 23.7% first-read target share.
Here's everyone who ranks ahead of him on the YPRR list, and their first-read target shares:
Puka Nacua - 34.2%
Tyreek Hill - 32.4%
A.J. Brown - 35.6%
Nico Collins - 27.4%
Amon-Ra St. Brown - 34.5%
Justin Jefferson - 34.0%
CeeDee Lamb - 32.2%
Via @FantasyPtsData
RD1 WR’s with 750+ career routes & a 75%+ career catch-rate:
(Since 2020)
- Devonta Smith (76.5%)
- Justin Jefferson (75%)
AND…
- Carnell Tate (75.2%)
THE HYPE IS REAL ‼️
So annoying that Ladd McConkey, Luther Burden, and Emeka Egbuka are going right next to each other in drafts. I want to draft them all.
*Auction bro enters room, smirks, and starts to speak*
I know, I know. But still. It's annoying.
Last year, JSN and Trey McBride were LEAGUE-WINNERS because they had…
- Safe Floor
- Value ADP
- Elite Ceiling
Here’s 5 PERFECT Fantasy Football Draft Picks for 2026:
@JoeOrrico Things I really like about Jadarian Price:
- High Draft Capital (32nd Overall Pick)
- Light usage (only 285 Collegiate Touches)
- Durability (Healthy in 41 Consecutive Games)
For Seattle to let Ken Walker (Super Bowl MVP) leave and roll the dice on this kid..
I’m with you man
If you cut Davante’s TD production in half last year (from 14 to 7)…
He still would’ve finished as the WR21 in PPG (12.9).
He is priced as the WR26 this year.
💰💰💰
Volume WINS Fantasy Football Leagues.
Last season, EVERY top 12 WR had alpha-level target shares...
Draft these overlooked WRs with true WR1 volume ceilings in 2026. 👇
If you had Javonte Williams or Drake Maye last year…
You know LEAGUE-WINNING upside is found outside the Top 100 picks.
Target these 5 SLEEPERS in every 2026 Fantasy Football draft:
Rachaad White doesn’t have to be “this year’s Javonte Williams” – but he can easily be the 2024 version of Rachaad White again.
- 144 rushing attempts
- 51 receptions
- 9 total TD’s
- 12.5 PPG (RB22)
God forbid he goes 2023 Rachaad White again (JCM is already injured):
- 272 attempts
- 64 receptions
- 9 total TD’s
- 15.8 PPG (RB10)
There is simply no choice but to be “in” at his current RB41 ADP.
One down year does NOT mean a player is done…
Last season, these guys returned to form
- Trevor Lawrence
- Travis Etienne
- Puka Nacua
Five BOUNCE BACK League-Winners for Fantasy Football 2026: