Round 7-9 Wide Receivers: Finding League-Winners! (07/07 Fantasy Football Podcast)

Aaron Rodgers is not good enough at throwing deep balls and gets rid of the ball quickly, limiting upside for receivers like DK Metcalf.

With Michael Pittman gone, Pierce could get close to seven targets per game in Indianapolis, consolidating targets left behind.

Pierce is a steal at round 7 ADP; if healthy, he would be a round 5 receiver based on his contract and upside, though his injury status has depressed his ADP.

Pierce had surgery to ensure no issues for training camp and should be fine for the start of the season.

Pierce has led the NFL in yards per target and yards per catch two straight seasons but has one of the highest ADOTs in the NFL at 17 yards, limiting his target volume to only 84 in 15 games.

Pierce's short-area receiving metrics are poor: 58% catch rate on throws 15 yards or closer, only 1 TD on 36 such targets, 7.4 yards per target, and 0.78 yards per route run, raising questions about his effectiveness in a shorter role.

Pierce was paid like a number one wide receiver and with Michael Pittman gone, the Colts should use him accordingly, likely giving him more short and intermediate route opportunities.

Alec Pierce is ranked around WR 6 in full PPR and has organic upside to exceed his 105-target projection and finish better than WR 21, though reaching for him in round 7 is a mistake.

Godwin was a top six wide receiver per game in all three formats in 2024 but not top 50 last year; expected to exceed ADP but likely finish between those extremes, not as bad as last year due to recovery trajectory from injury.

Chris Godwin is the favorite player across rounds 7-9, returning to slot receiver role with strong rapport with Baker Mayfield; fantastic value in round 8, though downside risk exists from last year's injury.

Jeff Howe reports Rodriguez should be an important part of the Jacksonville offense; he's a good short yardage and goal line running back with history with coach Liam Cohen.

Christian Watson is projected to get about 105 targets but may not turn that into top-tier WR production like WR 21-28.

Christian Watson is clearly the alpha receiver for Green Bay no matter what LaFleur says, limiting opportunities for other receivers like Jaden Reed.

Sutton is sixth in touchdowns among wide receivers over the last three seasons but 15th in targets; his value depends on maintaining his end zone role despite Jalen Waddell's arrival, with hopes he becomes a Devontae Adams-type player.

Courtland Sutton has no path to top-24 production and should not be drafted in round 7; even if Jalen Waddle got hurt, he likely couldn't achieve it.

DeVonta Smith is hoped to get the bulk of A.J. Brown's 121 vacated targets, but that's not realistic.

DK Metcalf will not be drafted due to Aaron Rodgers' inability to throw deep balls and his tendency to get rid of the ball quickly; Metcalf had a low ADOT last year.

If Jacoby Brissett starts the majority of the season for the Cardinals, Michael Wilson could see more opportunities and targets.

Jamison Williams can get 105 targets and be efficient, finishing as a WR 19-21 type player.

Rookie expected to get more playing time and has been one of the most efficient wide receivers in football since entering the league, ranking second among wide receivers in fantasy points per target over the last three years.

Jaden Reed is a more efficient version of Josh Downs but faces snap count uncertainty; he figures to be the slot receiver for Green Bay with Christian Watson as the alpha, limiting his playing time.

Jalen Waddle's performance or injury status is the only upside scenario for Courtland Sutton, as Sutton would need Waddle to underperform or get hurt to return to his previous role.

Addison has ranked 55th or worse in targets per route run among wide receivers with 50+ targets in all three of his NFL seasons, meaning he needs to score touchdowns to be productive.

With Michael Pittman gone, Downs could get close to seven targets per game in Indianapolis, consolidating targets left behind.

Josh Downs is a huge winner with Alec Pierce gone and will lead the Colts in targets alongside Tyler Warren; he averaged over 12 PPR points per game in 2024 and should see a significant increase.

Rookie wide receiver being drafted in rounds 7-9 according to Fantasy Pros PPR consensus ADP as a potential breakout option.

Makai Lemon has more upside than Michael Pittman with A.J. Brown gone, leaving 121 targets available for the Eagles receiving corps.

Harrison's presence limits Michael Wilson's production; almost all of Wilson's big games came when Harrison was sidelined, and with both on the field, Wilson averaged only 10.2 PPR points per game.

Marvin Harrison Jr. is still viewed as the best receiver on the Cardinals and is going in round 5-6, but Michael Wilson's recent production raises questions about Harrison's target share.

Matthew Golden was a first-round pick for Green Bay and will likely get opportunities to justify his draft capital, potentially limiting snap count for Jaden Reed.

Michael Pittman could be the best receiver for the Steelers and one of the biggest surprises of 2026; he's young, had a good year last year, and could be a top-3 fantasy receiver with 77-800 yards and 6 TDs.

Wilson averaged 21.2 PPR fantasy points per game in his last 10 games, comparable to JSN's full-season average, though production was inflated when Marvin Harrison Jr. was sidelined.

Michael Wilson averaged 21.2 PPR points per game in his last 10 games but was much better playing out wide than in the slot; he's ranked in the 40s with upside if he becomes the primary receiver.

Johnston is wide receiver 37 in ADP and will apparently play a different role this season; ranked between Pierce and Sutton in value.

Quentin Johnson is a former first-round pick with huge upside under Mike McDaniel, who is comparing him to Andre Johnson and Julio Jones; he scored 8 TDs in each of the last two years and has big-play potential.