The difference between a good fantasy football best-ball team and a bad one can be late-round picks. Running backs rest on injuries to those ahead of them, quarterbacks tend to be breakout performers and tight ends often spring from nowhere for a season that shocks everyone.
At wide receiver, though, it takes a lot of different things coming together for them to pay off as late-round sleepers, and with the NFL shifting to more tight-end-heavy personnel, it makes it even trickier to find them. As we turn the calendar into July and head to training camp, these look like some of the top best ball wide receiver sleepers.
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Best Ball Fantasy Football Sleepers: Wide Receivers
Antonio Williams (WR – WSH) | Underdog ADP: 168
This list will include some dart throws. No way about it. The fantasy football community is simply too smart these days for sure-fire options to be available outside of the top 150 picks, but those are the ones that can make a difference, so we have to embrace some risk.
With Deebo Samuel no longer with the Commanders and Zach Ertz also having moved on, the need for more pass-catchers to support Jayden Daniels was a must, pushing the Commanders to draft Antonio Williams as the ninth wide receiver off the board at pick 71 in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Williams is slightly undersized at 5-foot-11 and 187 pounds, but he’s explosive and has big-play ability, turning those traits into solid production through his four years at Clemson. Aside from Terry McLaurin, the Commanders have nobody, and Williams has the potential to become the team’s No. 2 WR quickly. If Daniels can stay healthy, that will be a valuable role.
A lot of people seem to be counting on Brandon Aiyuk being a shoo-in to join the Commanders, but as of yet, he hasn’t filed the appropriate paperwork to return to the 49ers. The more he mouths off on social media, the more likely he is to talk himself out of this offense.
Even if Aiyuk lands in Washington, it’ll have been the best part of two years since he played football, and Williams will have ample opportunities under new offensive coordinator David Blough to make his mark.
Isaac TeSlaa (WR – DET) | Underdog ADP: 171
You can look at Isaac TeSlaa’s rookie season one of two ways. The first is to shade towards the negative and be down on him because he only saw 27 targets in his rookie campaign and played 40% of offensive snaps.
The second is to remember that the Lions traded up 32 spots in the 2025 NFL Draft to secure Teslaa, who immediately became their No. 3 WR and scored six touchdowns on 16 receptions.
Retweet if you believe in Isaac Teslaa pic.twitter.com/GfkkM309ZR
— FantasyPros (@FantasyPros) May 25, 2026
Extrapolation is often the downfall of many fantasy football predictions, but it’s hard not to imagine TeSlaa having a fairly strong season if he becomes more involved in the offense. The Lions have talked positively about TeSlaa this offseason, suggesting they want to see growth from him to earn a larger role, while also expressing confidence that his No. 3 WR role is secure.
The Lions have the easiest schedule in the NFL, and their offense should bounce back under new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing. TeSlaa might not be someone you want on a managed roster, but stacking him with Jared Goff in best ball makes plenty of sense.
Germie Bernard (WR – PIT) | Underdog ADP: 183
The Steelers’ offense will look dramatically different this year than the misery Arthur Smith inflicted upon us in 2025. Mike McCarthy has always been a fantasy-friendly offensive coach, and since he arrived in Pittsburgh, it’s looked like things would trend more favorably for wide receivers.
The Steelers traded for Michael Pittman Jr. and then drafted Germie Bernard with the 47th overall pick, giving them a far better top three atop the depth chart than last season — DK Metcalf, Adam Thielen and Calvin Austin.
Bernard is 6-foot-11 and 206 pounds, with the versatility to play all three receiver positions, helping him stay on the field. Yes, Aaron Rodgers is still not the most inspiring quarterback for fantasy football purposes, but he finished 2025 with 250+ yards in three of his last five games. With a more fantasy-friendly outlook, Bernard could have some late-season appeal.
Ted Hurst (WR – TB) | Underdog ADP: 196
With many teams shifting towards tight-end-heavy personnel, it’s worth paying attention to those that don’t follow that trend. Tampa Bay hasn’t given us any indication they plan to tilt that way, instead bulking up their wide receiver room in the wake of Mike Evans‘ departure.
Ted Hurst is the ULTIMATE DRAFT SLEEPER ????
Steve Smith Sr and James Palmer breakdown Hurst's elite hands and his ability to line up at any position on the field, Steve explains why the NFL might be overthinking a potential Day 2 superstar. pic.twitter.com/uQQnB0xtDm
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) April 9, 2026
Ted Hurst joined veteran Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan to slot straight into the No. 3 WR role, a spot from which McMillan enjoyed fantasy value over the last two years when not injured. It’s possible Hurst surpasses McMillan quickly and becomes the team’s No. 2 WR and true X receiver.
Hurst has the build of an alpha wide receiver, standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 206 pounds. He created separation with ease in college. Running as the X receiver would set him up for high-value targets in the NFL. While such targets can be volatile, they could also bring good fantasy returns. That’s worth chasing in best ball.
Rashod Bateman (WR – BAL) | Underdog ADP: 213
Another team that has shown a clear shift towards wide receiver-heavy personnel is the Baltimore Ravens, who let Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar walk and waited until pick 173 to add their first tight end in the draft.
The Ravens did draft wideouts Elijah Sarratt and Ja’Kobi Lane, both interesting prospects, but it’s worth considering that Rashod Bateman is practically free at the end of best ball drafts. Bateman is one year removed from a career-high 756 yards and nine receiving touchdowns.
Last season was woeful, but everything was woeful with the Ravens’ offense, contributing to their biggest coaching overhaul in the last 18 years.
Bateman has long been someone Lamar Jackson has referred to as ‘Big Play Bate,’ and while that doesn’t always shine through in fantasy football, there is something to be said for taking the known quantity over the heavy projections involved with Sarratt and Lane.
The Ravens have a top-five strength of schedule. Jackson is second in NFL MVP odds, and Vegas expects them to be a top Super Bowl contender again. Taking shots on a virtually free No. 2 WR seems worthwhile.
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