Fantasy Football Player Notes

Emeka Egbuka could crush his mid WR2 draft cost this season. Egbuka faded after Week 5 last year after he sustained a hamstring injury, and Baker Mayfield's injury severely impacted his ability to feed catchable targets to the receiving options in Tampa Bay. In Weeks 1-5, Egbuka was the WR3 in fantasy points per game, commanding a 22.1% target share with 89 receiving yards per game, 2.71 yards per route run, a 26.1% first-read share, and 0.104 first downs per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). Had Egbuka kept up that pace all season, he would have ranked 19th in target share, third in receiving yards per game, fourth in yards per route run, 26th in first-read share, and 20th in first downs per route run. Sadly, he didn't keep up that pace. In Weeks 6-18, despite still drawing a 23.1% target share with a 28.9% first-read share, Egbuka had only 41.1 receiving yards per game, 1.50 yards per route run, and 0.052 first downs per route run as the WR55 in fantasy points per game. If Egbuka had closed the season with the flurry of production instead of the other way around, fantasy gamers would be foaming at the mouth to draft him this season. Consider me a rabid drafter hellbent upon drafting as much Egbuka as possible this season. Entering his second season with Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan as his primary competition for targets, Egbuka can establish himself as the team's clear WR1 and return WR1/2 production.

Last year, Chris Godwin had a slow ramp-up in 2025, coming off a horrific ankle fracture in 2024. After coming back in Week 5, he had a fibula injury that delayed his return to a full-time role until Week 13. Once he was back, in Weeks 13-18, he had a 16.8% target share, 49.8 receiving yards per game, 1.88 yards per route run, a 21.2% first-read share, and 0.107 first downs per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). The yards per route run and first downs per route run in that stretch loudly state that Chris Godwin isn't washed or over the hill, as he was also the WR32 in fantasy points per game. Godwin is a nice late-round receiver who could easily outkick his ADP if Baker Mayfield can stay health in 2026.

Jalen McMillan's 2025 season was essentially wiped out by injury, but the flashes he showed in limited action — and previously as a rookie — remain intriguing. The former Washington product continued to post strong efficiency metrics when healthy, highlighted by a huge Week 17 performance and over 2.0 yards per route run in a small sample. The issue has never really been talent; it has been availability. McMillan remains an upside stash in deeper formats, but fantasy managers need to factor in the growing injury concerns entering Year 3.

Ted Hurst is making waves in training camp. He could push for a starting job quicker than many anticipate if he can push Jalen McMillan aside. His play strength is surprising for his frame. He doesn't get pushed off routes and fits through contact well. Hurst has immediate and fluid speed with easy change of direction. He loses little speed when subtly changing directions mid-route. Hurst has a nice home run gear in the open field. He's a refined route runner with a varied release package. Hurst can invite indecision in cornerbacks' heads as he sets them up and dances in their blind spot. He sells the vertical push well and has solid hip sink and deceleration skills for a player his size. Hurst can play above the rim with good adjustment to back shoulder throws and nice body control in the air. He displays a large catch radius and late hands. I know he attended a smaller school in college, but the talent is real. He was 24th in missed tackles among all FBS/FCS wide receivers (minimum 50 targets, per PFF) in his final season, while overall posting an 84th percentile collegiate target share and 67th percentile collegiate dominator. Take a flier on Hurst in the final round of your drafts this season.