The 2024 NFL Draft was touted to have one of the best wide receiver classes ever. Seven wide receivers came off the board in the first round, including three in the top 10 picks. Furthermore, 10 wide receivers were selected in the first 40 picks of the 2024 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, the wide receiver draft class hasn’t lived up to the hype over their first two years in the NFL. Only six of the first 10 wide receivers drafted have any substantive fantasy football value heading into their third year in the league.
Yet, it’s too soon to give up on the draft class as a whole. Therefore, let’s look at the top-five third-year wide receivers in my 2026 PPR rankings.
- Fantasy Football Research & Advice
- Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
- 2026 Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer
Third-Year Wide Receiver Fantasy Football Rankings
WR15 – Ladd McConkey (LAC): ADP 46.2 | WR20
The Chargers’ offense struggled in 2025, as injuries obliterated their offensive line, especially at tackle. Unfortunately, that impacted McConkey’s fantasy production after an excellent rookie year. Thankfully, the team made several additions to their offensive line in the offseason. Meanwhile, McConkey could be this year’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba. A former top-40 draft pick on an offense that lacks any significant target competition but got an upgrade at offensive coordinator in his third NFL season. Furthermore, Keenan Allen isn’t coming back, making McConkey Justin Herbert’s clear-cut favorite weapon in the passing game.
WR17 – Malik Nabers (NYG): ADP 28.4 | WR13
Unfortunately, Nabers only played less than a full game with Jaxson Dart last year. Yet, the superstar still averaged 17.7 PPR fantasy points per game in his three healthy contests despite only catching passes from Russell Wilson in those matchups. Thankfully, he is on track to play in Week 1. Despite the poor quarterback play and limited sample size, Nabers averaged 0.45 fantasy points and 2.13 yards per route run in 2025, both better averages than Justin Jefferson (0.38 | 1.96). He could be a league winner if 100% healthy.
WR27 – Rome Odunze (CHI): ADP 61.6 | WR27
Odunze got off to a hot start last season, ranking as the WR3 over the first month, averaging 19.9 PPR fantasy points per game, scoring 15 or more fantasy points in half of those contests. Meanwhile, DJ Moore and Olamide Zaccheaus are gone, and the Bears did nothing to replace them, opening up 150 targets. While Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland are popular breakout candidates, Odunze could easily have a Jameson Williams-like top-12 finish if he sees the same 7.5 targets per game he got last season.
WR32 – Marvin Harrison Jr. (ARI): ADP 74.2 | WR31
Fantasy players have been disappointed with Harrison. He averaged 10.7 PPR fantasy points per game last season, a lower average than Quentin Johnston (12.2). By comparison, he averaged 11.6 fantasy points per game as a rookie. However, fantasy players shouldn’t be shocked if Harrison is this year’s Chris Olave, a mid-round WR3 that finishes as a top-12 wide receiver. Arizona improved their coaching staff by hiring an offense-minded head coach this offseason, like the New Orleans Saints did last year. Hopefully, that leads to a breakout season for Harrison.
WR35 – Brian Thomas Jr. (JAC): ADP 78.6 | WR34
Many had high hopes for Thomas in 2025 after averaging 16.7 PPR fantasy points per game as a rookie. Unfortunately, he severely regressed, earning 1.3 fewer targets per game (7.8 vs. 6.5) and posting a 7.3% lower receiving touchdown rate (11.5% vs. 4.2%). However, the former LSU star is still Jacksonville’s most talented wide receiver and led the team in targets per game last season (6.5). While I would rather draft Parker Washington over him, no one should be surprised if Thomas has a bounce-back year with some touchdown luck.
Subscribe: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Castbox | Amazon Music | Podcast Addict | TuneIn
Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
