When preparing for your fantasy football drafts, knowing which players to target and which to avoid is important. The amount of information available can be overwhelming, so a great way to condense the data and determine players to draft and others to leave for your leaguemates is to use our expert consensus fantasy football rankings compared to fantasy football average draft position (ADP). In this way, you can identify players the experts are willing to reach for at ADP and others they are not drafting until much later than average. Let’s dive into a few notable late-round wide receivers to consider deep into your 2026 fantasy football drafts.
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2026 Fantasy Football Draft Advice: Deep Wide Receivers to Target
The flip side of the fantasy football bust-candidate list: these wide receivers are being drafted later than our experts’ consensus rank says they should be. A positive ECR-vs-ADP number means the market is letting the player fall. That’s where value can lie on draft day.
Jaylin Noel (HOU) — ECR: WR68 | ECR vs. ADP: +19
Jaylin Noel barely made an impact statistically as a rookie, but Houston always viewed him as more of a long-term option behind its veteran receivers. With Christian Kirk now gone, Noel has a realistic path to a much larger offensive role after flashing whenever he received extended playing time in 2025. He was Pro Football Focus’ (PFF) seventh-highest graded returner on 72 combined kick/punt returns in 2025. He flashed on multiple occasions as a receiver in Year 1. In the games where Noel ran at least 17 routes, he averaged almost four receptions per game.Tank Dell‘s eventual return could create some overlap, but Noel is firmly on the radar as a Year 2 breakout candidate in Houston’s offense.
Ted Hurst III (TB) — ECR: WR81 | ECR vs. ADP: +15
Ted Hurst is one of the more intriguing Day 2 receivers from the 2026 class after dominating at multiple collegiate stops and testing like a true NFL athlete. The Buccaneers landed a size-speed prospect with legitimate downfield chops, as Hurst led the FBS in deep-ball production while showcasing strong contested-catch ability and red-zone upside. Tampa Bay offers a realistic path to early playing time with Mike Evans gone, giving Hurst an opportunity to compete for outside snaps immediately. He may be somewhat raw entering the league, but the athletic profile, target-earning ability, and landing spot make Hurst an appealing upside bet for both dynasty and deeper redraft formats.
Tre’ Harris (LAC) — ECR: WR66 | ECR vs. ADP: +9
Tre Harris has to be one of the best WR sleepers to take in 2026. The second-year WR is being grouped into the “elite” Chargers WR conversation alongside Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston by HC John Harbaugh. And even though his rookie year didn’t feature a ton of highlight-reel plays or counting stats, his playing time increased because of his contributions as a run-blocker. That suggests he could see much more playing time (and targets) than his bottom-dwelling ADP would indicate in 2026. Harris can create big plays and is versatile enough to line up all over the formation. He also averaged 5.5 targets in the last two games that QJ missed in the second half of the season. If the Chargers lean into the run game more with their new OC, Mike McDaniel, Harris could be a major benefactor in terms of snaps/routes based on how well he does the dirty work.
Tre Tucker (LV) — ECR: WR64 | ECR vs. ADP: +9
Tre Tucker quietly put together a solid 2025 season and enters 2026 with a legitimate chance to emerge as the Raiders’ top wide receiver, even if Brock Bowers remains the centerpiece of the passing game. The former third-round pick has improved each season, logged nearly every snap last year, and continues to command meaningful downfield volume. New coaches have already praised Tucker’s leadership and work ethic, suggesting he will remain heavily involved in the offense.
Elijah Sarratt (BAL) — ECR: WR94 | ECR vs. ADP: +7
2026 4th-rounder Elijah Sarratt may have been overshadowed by Baltimore’s earlier selection of Ja’Kobi Lane, but the former Indiana receiver offers an intriguing pathway to Year 1 relevance. Sarratt enters a crowded, run-heavy offense, yet his strong production profile, early breakout age, and red-zone skill set could help him carve out a role quickly if Mark Andrews continues declining. The Ravens already have their No.1 WR in Zay Flowers, so expectations should remain tempered, but Sarratt’s ability to win contested catches and earn targets gives him sleeper appeal. Among Baltimore’s rookie receivers, he might be the better value bet relative to cost.
Jalen Coker (CAR) — ECR: WR53 | ECR vs. ADP: +6
Jalen Coker continued proving he belongs after entering the league as an undrafted free agent, flashing whenever he was healthy enough to stay on the field. The Panthers slot receiver finished the year strong, highlighted by a huge playoff performance and a stretch of consistent production that hinted at a larger role. Coker’s strong hands and reliability helped him emerge as one of Bryce Young‘s trusted options, and he enters 2026 as the favorite for Carolina’s No. 2 WR job behind Tetairoa McMillan. If he can finally stay healthy for a full season, Coker has sneaky value in deeper formats. In Coker’s last nine games played, he was averaging 10.1 PPG in half-PPR.
Jayden Higgins (HOU) — ECR: WR50 | ECR vs. ADP: +5
We should always be looking to take swings on talented second-year wide receivers for fantasy football, and Jayden Higgins fits the bill as a possible late-round breakout candidate for 2026. Last year, in Weeks 8-18, Higgins had seven finishes as a WR3 or better in weekly scoring. During that stretch, Higgins, among 119 qualifying receivers, also ranked 24th in target per route run rate (24%) and 38th in first downs per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). During those 11 games, among the same group of 119 receivers, Higgins was also 28th in yards per route run and 25th in route win rate as a perimeter receiver. If C.J. Stroud can at least be a league-average passer in 2026, Higgins could be a weekly WR2/3 or flex option. He also has contingent upside if Nico Collins misses any time.
Jauan Jennings (MIN) — ECR: WR57 | ECR vs. ADP: +4
Jauan Jennings revived his career over the last two seasons, finishing as a fantasy WR3 in 2025 while emerging as one of the NFL’s most heavily targeted red-zone receivers. However, his move to Minnesota likely pushes him into a depth role behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell values Jennings’ versatility and physicality, but consistent fantasy relevance could be difficult to achieve without injuries ahead of him on the depth chart. Jennings still offers some touchdown appeal in deeper formats, though his weekly ceiling projects much lower in Minnesota than it was in San Francisco.
Darnell Mooney (NYG) — ECR: WR76 | ECR vs. ADP: +4
Darnell Mooney could quietly emerge as an important veteran presence in the Giants’ offense after reuniting with OC Matt Nagy in New York on a one-year deal. Injuries derailed his 2025 season in Atlanta, but Mooney still brings proven downfield ability and prior 1,000-yard production to a WR room searching for stability behind Malik Nabers. His vertical skill set meshes well with Jaxson Dart‘s aggressive style of play, and he should compete for meaningful snaps early in the season while Nabers works his way back. Among the Giants’ veteran receivers, Mooney offers the most fantasy intrigue entering 2026.
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