As we get closer to the start of training camps, NFL teams will continue their ongoing voluntary OTA sessions, capping their offseason programs with mandatory minicamps. While we watch for developments from the ongoing work, I'll be revisiting and resetting some important positional issues heading into the summer. Two weeks ago, it was Quarterback Battles, Real and Imagined; last week, it was Ambiguous Backfields.
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This week, we've been sorting out the wide receivers, from stem to stern. We started Monday with the Top-Shelf Tier, then followed up on Tuesday with the High-Confidence Tier and the We-Have-Questions Tier on Wednesday.
Today, we'll . . .
Hunt for WR1 Candidates Available at Bargain Prices
Looking for receivers going outside the WR1 tier that have chances of landing there? Of course you are. We all are. I'm going to share a half dozen I like. There are more, but the six I'm sharing here are the archetypes; players who have demonstrated WR1 upside and are in position to do it again if things fall their way.
The Runway is Cleared For Takeoff
As ESPN.com's Mike Clay pointed out, New York Jets wideout Garrett Wilson ranked no lower than sixth among receivers in targets in each of his first three years, but the 2022 first-round pick failed to produce a fantasy campaign better than 20th (on a points per game basis) due to New York's quarterback woes.
Could Geno Smith be the key to unlocking Wilson this year?
It's possible.
In three full seasons as the Seattle starter, Smith went 27-22, threw 71 touchdown passes, and averaged 4,075 passing yards per year. Some perspective: The only Jets quarterback to throw for 4,000 yards in a season was Joe Namath in 1967. The downside: Smith had 35 interceptions over his three "good" seasons, third most in the league.
The Smith acquisition represents an upgrade over what they had last season, which should lock Wilson in as a high-end fantasy asset. Wilson is assuredly going to be force-fed a ton of targets in Frank Reich's offense with Smith at the center of it all.
While the Jets added to the mix in the draft with tight end Kenyon Sadiq and Omar Cooper Jr., receivers on the Jets' current roster not named Wilson have combined for 92 career catches and two touchdowns. Wilson led the team with 395 receiving yards last season . . . And he played only seven games due to a knee injury.
Wilson will be a value if Smith is on point. The star wideout is currently being drafted as WR16 in the third round (37th overall). That ADP aligns with my own Footballguys ranking.
How About a Mulligan?
As a rookie, Emeka Egbuka finished the month of September with 18 receptions for 282 yards and four touchdowns. In Weeks 1 through 4, Egbuka was one of four NFC wide receivers (and only rookie) with 75-plus yards from scrimmage in three or more games, along with Justin Jefferson, Puka Nacua, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
From Weeks 1 through 5, Egbuka was the WR4 overall. His 20.1 points per game were tied for third with Smith-Njigba.
But the 2025 first-round draft pick went from being a top-5 fantasy producer to WR43 from Week 6 through the end of the season.
Hence, his WR20 ADP and fourth-round price.
Even with his tailspin over the final 12 games, Egbuka managed to finish the year as WR24. He also still finished second among rookies with 938 receiving yards and yards after the catch (335). His six touchdowns were also tied for second most, and he tied for fourth in receptions (63).
With Mike Evans gone and Chris Godwin Jr. entering his age-30 season, Egbuka has an opportunity to emerge as Baker Mayfield's clear-cut No. 1 target.
He's WR20 going in Round 4 (44th overall).
That ADP reflects the optimism without charging us for the potential upside.
And what is that upside?
Well, we saw it last September when Egbuka delivered WR1 production. He might not hit that ceiling again, but we know it exists.