In fantasy football, finding wide receivers later in the draft provides ample value to your team. These players can either become every-week starters, effective bench players or trade bait to upgrade a certain position.
There’s nothing better than drafting a wide receiver you viewed as more of a bench type of player, only for them to turn out to be a highly productive player with WR1 upside.
Using FantasyPros’ average draft position (ADP), we have pinpointed three wideouts drafted in the WR3 range who have an outside chance to finish as a fantasy WR1.
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Fantasy Football WR3s With WR Potential
DK Metcalf (WR – PIT)
Going as the WR34 in PPR leagues, DK Metcalf finished last season as the WR23 in the same format. While he had a lot of middling performances toward the back half of the season, the first six weeks (including a Week 5 bye) featured games with some nice production. Over that span, he averaged 15.7 PPR points per game (12th-most).
When it was all said and done, Metcalf had a 19% target share, ahead of Kenneth Gainwell (16%), Calvin Austin III (10.5%), and Jonnu Smith (10.3%). None of those players are on the team anymore.
That said, the Steelers added Michael Pittman Jr. and drafted Germie Bernard, so there’s certainly more competition. They also got rid of offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who had a fairly vanilla game plan. The offensive-minded Mike McCarthy is the new head coach.
Metcalf will remain the No. 1 WR on the team, and we should feel better about the offense overall. It ultimately comes down to how much Pittman and Bernard will be factored in, and how much Aaron Rodgers has left in the tank. Still, Metcalf has been wildly productive in the past, so the upside is there.
Alec Pierce (WR – IND)
Alec Pierce signed a four-year, $114 million deal this offseason. Now, he’s set to be the No. 1 WR for the Colts with Ashton Dulin, Josh Downs, Tyler Warren and Jonathan Taylor competing for targets. A main concern for Pierce will be whether or not Daniel Jones is ready to go in Week 1. He’s coming off a torn Achilles.
Last season, Pierce had a 15.8% target share, which was fourth on the team. He trailed Warren, Pittman and Downs. Pittman is now on the Steelers.
Prior to Jones’ injury, Pierce was third on the team in target share at 19.9%, catching 35 passes for 715 yards and two scores. When Pittman wasn’t on the field, Pierce’s target share was 26.9%. The sample size was small, though, with eight catches on 14 targets for 166 yards.
Still, considering the money Pierce was given and his natural big-play ability, plus the departure of Pittman, Pierce could be a fantasy WR1 this season. He’s currently going off the board as the WR37 in PPR leagues.
DJ Moore (WR – BUF)
Going as the WR27 in PPR leagues, DJ Moore lands on a Buffalo Bills team that desperately needed a go-to option. Last season, it was a mix of Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Brandin Cooks, Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox.
The Bills were second in rushing play rate at 49.84%, and they will continue running the ball at a high rate. However, the addition of Moore to an offense led by Josh Allen will be something that head coach Joe Brady needs to consider.
Moore had a down 2025 season, catching 50 passes for 682 yards and six touchdowns. However, he was on a Chicago Bears team with many weapons. In 2024, Moore caught 98 passes for the Bears. When called upon, he’s more than capable of being the guy.
Moore is in good form and is the Bills’ best receiver. It just boils down to how the offense is run.
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