10 ECR Risers/Fallers (2026 Fantasy Football)

The final stretch before the NFL regular season is when depth charts are solidified, injury situations become crystallized, and rankings are finalized. This provides fantasy managers with the most up-to-date and accurate information possible to aid them on draft day. One thing fantasy managers always pay special attention to is the risers and fallers in rankings, with an emphasis on understanding the rationale and potential implications. In this article, we will take a look at 10 names who have seen their fantasy stocks rise or fall since the end of last month.

10 ECR Risers/Fallers (2026 Fantasy Football)

Risers

Malik Nabers (WR – NYG) – Previous ECR: 39; Current ECR: 27

Malik Nabers completely avoided the PUP list this offseason and has been trending towards starting the season as close to completely healthy as anyone could have hoped for. Nabers is still a potential value at his current ECR and ADP, as it was at this time just a year ago, when he was a popular first round draft target. We should see him creep into the second round in ECR over the next two weeks as his role, talent, and return to health are impossible to ignore.

Parker Washington (WR – JAC) – Previous: 83 ECR; Current ECR: 69

The ultimate hard-work-meets-opportunity story at the wide receiver position, Parker Washington is slated to enter the 2026 season as Trevor Lawrence’s top target. Jakobi Meyers and, of course, Brian Thomas Jr. will both remain heavily involved, but Parker has earned the coaching staff’s trust and, perhaps more importantly, Trevor Lawrence’s trust. In the final four game stretch of the season, which went from Week 16 to the Wild Card, Washington hauled in 6.5 of his 10.3 targets per game for 113.5 receiving yards per contest. He saw at least nine targets in each of those games. From Week 9 through the playoffs, he recorded 48 receptions for 747 receiving yards. He was the WR15 in total fantasy points during the final stretch of the season (Week 9 to Week 17). Washington’s continued ECR rise is fantasy analysts adjusting to his projected role.

Stefon Diggs (WR – WAS) – Previous ECR: 173; Current ECR: 123

Stefon Diggs is one of the biggest risers in ECR for obvious reasons. Sitting at home, waiting for the right opportunity, Diggs was still ranked as an end-of-draft target due to the belief that he would eventually sign somewhere. Now paired with Jayden Daniels in an offense that will want him to play closer to 80 percent of the snaps than the 53.8 percent he logged with New England last season (where he still managed 85 receptions and 1,013 receiving yards). Diggs is a worthwhile target at his current ECR.

Deebo Samuel (WR – SF) – Previous ECR: 201; Current ECR: 142

Deebo Samuel has gone from end-of-draft flier to an upside 11th round selection thanks to signing with his old team, the San Francisco 49ers. Initially expected to step into a tertiary role behind Mike Evans and Christian Kirk, Deebo may have seen rookie De’Zhaun Stribling seize a sizable role as far as receivers are concerned. That said, Deebo will remain involved in the offense as both a runner and a receiver. His versatility is invaluable to the 49ers offense, even if he may not be as productive as he once was. Samuel should still find his way to flex value this season.

De’Zhaun Stribling (WR – SF) – Previous ECR: 206; Current ECR: 141

The hype machine has gone out of control for the 49ers rookie receiver De’Zhaun Stribling, but with good reason. For his part, Stribling looked better than advertised and has made believers of even the most vociferous naysayers who attacked his selection early on Day 2. Add to that a role that seems to be expanding weekly due to a comedy of injuries on the depth chart, and Stribling may become a household fantasy football name in Week 1 of his rookie season. His ECR was going to climb considerably over the next couple of weeks, but a minor shoulder injury may dampen some excitement, so be sure to highlight his name on your cheat sheet and be prepared to be aggressive to land what may be an Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate.

Jonathon Brooks (RB – CAR) – Previous ECR: 115; Current ECR: 88

Jonathon Brooks was trending towards seeing a spike in ECR even before Chuba Hubbard was sidelined with a hamstring injury. Brooks now has a clear path to seizing the starting/lead role for good, and his ECR climb has reflected that. Brooks is also viewed as the superior receiving weapon, which is something that will keep him on the field when the Panthers are trailing in games. Be prepared for Brooks to be a trendy reach candidate in some draft rooms.

Fallers

Jordyn Tyson (WR – NO) – Previous ECR: 92; Current ECR: 129

Jordyn Tyson will be sidelined for at least the next two months with a hamstring injury. The timeline is a cause for concern for fantasy managers, as it suggests the injury is more serious. There is also reason to believe that the New Orleans Saints will ease their rookie receiver back into action when he is finally ready. This could mean it may take until halfway through the season before we see Tyson get a full complement of snaps and targets. His ECR (and ADP) is bound to fall further over the coming days and weeks, which could eventually make him a solid stash target for those in leagues with multiple IR spots.

Alec Pierce (WR – IND) – Previous ECR: 70; Current ECR: 85

Alec Pierce has seen his ECR slip a bit as he has been slow to recover from offseason ankle surgery. Now ranked as a seventh round target as opposed to a fifth round target, Pierce could see his ECR fall further if there is a lack of positive news regarding his recovery development leading up to Labor Day. The addition of Keenan Allen coupled with the seemingly slow recovery has quieted the ‘true breakout’ discussion, but Pierce remains a strong selection in the middle rounds of your fantasy drafts.

Antonio Williams (WR – WAS) – Previous ECR: 218 Current ECR: 236

Antonio Williams’ slip down the rankings is directly caused by another player on this list, Stefon Diggs. There was glowing optimism that Williams would be able to step into a major role in Week 1 for the Washington Commanders, but with Diggs now in town, Williams is likely out of most two wide sets and may rotate on and off the field in three receiver looks when the Commanders want Diggs or McLaurin in the slot. Diggs has played 50 percent or more of his snaps in the slot over the last two years after spending most of his career as an outside receiver, and McLaurin was in the slot for over 18 percent of his snaps last season. Add it all up, and Williams could only have 40 percent of the slot snaps to work with and will have to compete with Jaylin Lane and Luke McCaffrey for snaps there. Expect Williams to fall down the rankings further over the next two weeks.

Makai Lemon (WR – PHI) – Previous: ADP 96; Current: ADP 200

This is a bit of a bonus addition, as his ECR does not yet qualify, so I listed his ADP numbers instead. Makai Lemon’s ECR has only dropped three slots since the end of last month, but his ADP has bottomed out. Going on average as the 96th player off the board less than a month ago, Lemon is now lasting until 200th overall. The concern here is what is now looking like a rotational role to open his rookie season. His drop from the eighth round to the 16th round will be reflected more closely in the ECR over the coming week as experts adjust and update their rankings.