Underdog Fantasy Football - Josh & Hayden

Alec Pierce is transitioning into becoming a more complete wide receiver and is a legit NFL wide receiver being paid as one.

Alec Pierce underwent ankle surgery in the offseason after initially trying to rehab it, with a revised recovery timeline of four to six months and a goal to return late in training camp, raising concerns about his availability and performance early in the season.

Alec Pierce led the NFL in yards per catch for the second straight season at 21.3 yards and was a wide receiver 10 in his last four games, scorching the Texans twice down the stretch.

With Michael Pitman gone, Alec Pierce's role in the Colts offense could improve, though there is no clear depth chart separation as Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Josh Downs are battling him for two-wide-receiver set snaps.

Despite falling only three spots in ADP from 73rd to 76th overall, Alec Pierce's draft slot is expected to drop further as more players show out in training camp and preseason, making him a fade at current draft capital.

If Alec Pierce returns late in training camp, the opening four weeks of the season will likely be slow, creating a boom-bust profile that makes him risky at his current seventh-round ADP.

Aiyuk's status as an NFL wide receiver is questionable after missing training camp and posting a 208-pound weight on social media, raising concerns about his commitment and fit.

Aiyuk could be released immediately upon showing up to the 49ers facility, having not helped himself with his off-field behavior and missing training camp.

Aiyuk is currently priced at 194th overall on Underdog and is essentially going undrafted, but the analyst believes he is much better than that and is buying him at this discount.

Aiyuk is trying to force his way to Washington and has not been seen in training camp, with historical precedent suggesting missing training camp significantly impacts early season production.

Brenton Strange is liked and will receive some receptions in the Jaguars offense, adding to the competition for targets.

Brian Thomas is lighting things up in training camp and has a chance to break out in a big way with the Jaguars offense.

Brian Thomas is mentioned as part of a cluster of wide receivers in the same draft range as Roma Dun (wide receiver 21-29, fourth to fifth round).

Part of an elite cluster of WRs being drafted with confidence alongside Roman Dunce, Christian Watson, Colonel Tate, and Jordan Tyson.

Lighting things up in training camp after a period where he struggled; expected to be a primary target for Jacksonville.

Calvin Ridley only cleared 33 yards per game last year at 44.5 yards in a half season, indicating limited production and target share concerns on the Titans.

Calvin Ridley was the only Titans player to clear 33 yards per game last season, averaging just 44.5 yards per game over a half season, indicating limited offensive volume for Titans receivers.

Cam Ward's film was mildly concerning with inconsistent play, and offseason reports consistently show he's struggling in the new Titans offense, raising concerns about his supporting cast's fantasy viability.

Despite liking Carnell Tate individually, the analyst is concerned about his fantasy outlook due to Cam Ward's concerning film, a brand new Titans offense, and potential for him to finish as WR40 despite being priced as WR30.

Despite concerns about the Titans offense, Carnell Tate is viewed as a great value at WR30 due to his fourth overall draft capital in 2026, with massive upside if Cam Ward plays at an above-average level.

Dealing with blood clots that kept him out of week 18 last year and is still recovering; currently doing individual drills only, not team drills due to contact restrictions. Analysts are monitoring but note this is a third-round pick with 10% risk of lingering complications.

Chris Lave is dealing with blood clots and is still recovering from them after being kept out of the Week 18 game last year, a serious health concern heading into the season.

Blood clots are concerning combined with concussion history; doing individual drills but not team drills due to contact restrictions. Analysts are monitoring but not fading him strictly because of injuries.

Despite being sidelined with blood clots, Olave has climbed in ADP since mid-May from 33 overall to 29 overall, moving from WR14 to WR12.

Christian Watson is mentioned as part of a cluster of wide receivers in the same draft range as Roma Dun (wide receiver 21-29, fourth to fifth round).

Part of an elite cluster of WRs being drafted with confidence alongside Roman Dunce, Colonel Tate, Brian Thomas, and Jordan Tyson.

Sutton is a strict fade at his current draft slot (WR38, 8th pick of round 7) due to age (turning 30), the arrival of Jaylen Waddle, and expected target share decline from 21% last year. His 775-yard projection is likely too optimistic given Waddle's first-rounder-plus acquisition and Sean Payton's quick-hitting offense that favors Waddle over Sutton.

DK Metcalf is being drafted in a similar range to Alec Pierce, around the seventh round, making them comparable values in the current market.

Elijah Moore is part of a crowded Titans receiving corps that will spread targets more evenly, creating concerns about individual target share.

Isaac Teslaw goes two rounds ahead of Branduk despite catching only about four passes a month, indicating limited usage.

Jawan Jennings goes five rounds ahead of Branduk in ADP, suggesting the market values him significantly higher.

Jaden Reed is characterized as a part-time player, limiting his fantasy upside and making him a risky draft pick.

Waddle is a preferred target over Courtland Sutton at WR25 (12th pick of round 4). The 27-year-old was acquired via first-rounder-plus trade and will be the focal point of Sean Payton's quick-hitting offense, making him a better value than the aging Sutton.

Dealing with a hamstring injury that has persisted for 12 months—from the combine through his pro day where he only ran a couple routes. Currently watching practices and doing individual drills but not participating with the team.

Analysts are not fading him strictly because of injuries but are monitoring whether the hamstring lingers; hoping this is no longer a story by August 1st. His ADP has not moved despite the injury concerns.

Jordan Tyson is mentioned as part of a cluster of wide receivers in the same draft range as Roma Dun (wide receiver 21-29, fourth to fifth round).

Part of an elite cluster of WRs being drafted with confidence alongside Roman Dunce, Christian Watson, Colonel Tate, and Brian Thomas.

Josh Downs is being drafted in the round after Alec Pierce and is being considered as a potential alternative with similar value, though the analyst still prefers Alec Pierce based on proven fantasy upside.

Malik Washington is projected to be a zero this year, indicating minimal fantasy value.

Mims is mentioned as part of the Broncos' receiving corps that will compete for targets with Courtland Sutton, contributing to expected target share decline for Sutton.

Parker Washington's tape is pretty good and he can continue to ascend in the Jaguars offense, with potential to outscore Jacobe Myers due to his explosiveness.

In the middle of a breakout; tape is actually pretty good, suggesting legitimate emergence as a receiver.

Rice is expected to be a high upside pick in the third round once he returns to practice, with his ADP likely climbing back up from the 80s range as he participates in training camp.

Despite his talent, Rice carries significant risk due to off-field concerns and injury recovery, warranting a 15-20% discount to his default ranking as a baseline for drafting.

Rice's ADP will climb significantly as he participates more in training camp, likely moving from the 80s to the top of the third round or round two-three turn.

When healthy, Rice has been a top five to top ten receiver and a top seven scoring wide receiver for the Chiefs, with no legitimate replacement drafted by Kansas City.

Ted Hurst is a third round pick developmental wide receiver four who goes ahead of Branduk, suggesting better value elsewhere.

Travis Hunter, the second overall pick, is still a threat as a potential wide receiver four or more in the Jaguars offense.

Still sidelined from a rare knee injury suffered during the bye-week that could linger longer than typical injuries.

Travis Hunter is still sidelined from a knee injury he dealt with during the bye week.

Travis Hunter is wearing a teal jersey at OTAs, indicating he's practicing with the offense, which suggests he will play both sides of the ball this year.

Expected to play both sides of the ball this year, wearing a teal jersey in OTAs indicating he's practicing with the offense.

Projected to finish as the fourth-best WR in snaps for the Jaguars while also being their best corner, with snap share likely fluctuating between 30-65% across the season.

Has significant upside with flashes of elite play, including heavy contributions in critical wins against the 49ers and Chiefs with downfield big catches.

Trey Harris is getting work at OTAs in the new Mike McDaniel system while Lad Makanki is sidelined.

Troy Franklin led the Broncos in red zone targets (18) in 2025 with a 77% catch rate (14 catches for 4 TDs), suggesting he could be the WR4 on the team behind Waddle and Sutton, potentially taking more red zone opportunities from Sutton.

The analyst is relentlessly drafting Tyler Warren, indicating strong conviction in his role despite competition from Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Josh Downs for two-wide receiver set snaps.