ESPN Fantasy Football

Watson is the most-talented wideout in a Green Bay receiver room that no longer has Romeo Doubs, and the Packers will be managing snaps for TE Tucker Kraft early in the season. Yates acknowledges the statistical case for Watson is weak—he has never topped 620 receiving yards in a season—but calls this a pure gut call on 2026 being his breakout year. He ranks Watson WR29, betting on talent and opportunity despite historical production concerns.

The No. 4 pick in the 2026 NFL draft, Hyatt's catch radius combined with body control and vertical ability (over 17 yards per catch in 2025) made him a college star. Tennessee's offense is due for significant improvement with QB Cam Ward's projected progress, Brian Daboll's arrival as coordinator, and a beefed-up receiver room. Yates felt Hyatt became underrated during the NFL predraft process and now feels the same about him in fantasy. He believes Hyatt will be the featured wideout in the Titans' offense from the jump and ranks him WR22, five spots higher than ESPN consensus.

Kittle recently came off the PUP list following a torn Achilles suffered in January and just took part in his first practice, making Week 1 availability at least possible. Yates ranks him as a top-five tight end option if healthy for a full season, yet he is currently going as TE9 at the ninth/tenth-round turn. Yates notes the upside is too good to ignore given Kittle tied for the second-most fantasy points per game among tight ends at 14.7 last season.

Yates ranks Jefferson 12th overall, in line with his current ADP, but calls him his favorite late first-round pick due to bounce-back potential. The 2025 season was problematic for the Minnesota offense with Jefferson scoring just two receiving touchdowns. Kyler Murray is an upgrade at quarterback over J.J. McCarthy, and Yates notes Jefferson was essentially QB-proof before McCarthy's struggles in 2025. Yates is bullish on Jefferson reverting to top-three wide receiver form in 2026.

Henry has finished as the NFL's second-leading rusher for four straight seasons but appears underappreciated in fantasy, possibly due to drafter fatigue. Despite just 34 catches and 343 receiving yards over the past two seasons, he tied for third most among running backs with 13 games of 20-plus fantasy points. He led the NFL with 12 games of 125-plus rushing yards over the past two seasons (Saquon Barkley second with nine). Yates ranks him 11th overall, nearly a round before his average draft position.

Loveland became a focal point for the Bears during their most consequential stretch, recording 10, 13, 15, and 10 targets in the team's final four games (including playoffs), leading all Bears players in targets in each game. Yates ranks him TE3 overall and 36th in his top 160, nearly a full round ahead of his current ESPN ADP of 45.3, positioning him as a dynamic talent capable of being a lead pass-catcher for the Bears despite the presence of other talented receivers.

Field Yates ranks Herbert QB6 in his 2026 rankings, a significant upgrade driven by two factors: his faith in Herbert as a player and confidence in new Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. Yates notes that McDaniel helped Tua Tagovailoa lead the NFL in passing yards in his second year under the coordinator with three top-two QB weekly finishes. Unlike Tagovailoa, Herbert is a rushing threat with 498 rushing yards in 2025 compared to Tagovailoa's six-season total, positioning him to reach elite fantasy status under McDaniel's system.

Helm is highlighted as a young, breakout candidate tight end option available in Rounds 13-14 for late-round depth and upside.

Sadiq is looking to become the sixth consecutive tight end drafted in the first round to finish in the top 12 in fantasy points as a rookie, positioning him as a breakout candidate in Rounds 13-14.

Ferguson feels like an absolute steal in the Rounds 13-14 range, as he could easily finish third in targets in the high-scoring Rams offense, positioning him as a breakout tight end candidate.

Johnson is highlighted as a veteran tight end flier option available in Rounds 13-14 for late-round depth and upside.

Henry is highlighted as a veteran tight end flier option available in Rounds 13-14 for late-round depth and upside.

Hockenson is highlighted as a veteran tight end flier option available in Rounds 13-14 for late-round depth and upside.

Mitchell is a young receiver who fits the profile of first- and second-year receivers who are terrific upside targets in late-round selections during Rounds 13-14.

Harris is a young receiver who fits the profile of first- and second-year receivers who are terrific upside targets in late-round selections during Rounds 13-14.

McMillan is a young receiver who fits the profile of first- and second-year receivers who are terrific upside targets in late-round selections during Rounds 13-14.

Hunter is a young receiver who fits the profile of first- and second-year receivers who are terrific upside targets in late-round selections during Rounds 13-14.

Cooper Jr. is a rookie wide receiver drafted on Day 1 or 2 of the NFL draft, fitting the profile of first- and second-year receivers who are terrific upside targets in late-round selections during Rounds 13-14.

Branch is a rookie wide receiver drafted on Day 1 or 2 of the NFL draft, fitting the profile of first- and second-year receivers who are terrific upside targets in late-round selections during Rounds 13-14.

Bernard is a rookie wide receiver drafted on Day 1 or 2 of the NFL draft, fitting the profile of first- and second-year receivers who are terrific upside targets in late-round selections during Rounds 13-14.

Lane is a rookie wide receiver drafted on Day 1 or 2 of the NFL draft, fitting the profile of first- and second-year receivers who are terrific upside targets in late-round selections during Rounds 13-14.

Douglas is a rookie wide receiver drafted on Day 1 or 2 of the NFL draft, fitting the profile of first- and second-year receivers who are terrific upside targets in late-round selections during Rounds 13-14.

Boston is a rookie wide receiver drafted on Day 1 or 2 of the NFL draft, fitting the profile of first- and second-year receivers who are terrific upside targets in late-round selections during Rounds 13-14.

Lloyd is highlighted as a running back insurance option available in Rounds 13-14 for late-round depth and upside.

Allen is highlighted as a running back insurance option available in Rounds 13-14 for late-round depth and upside.

Washington Jr. is highlighted as a running back insurance option available in Rounds 13-14 for late-round depth and upside.

Sampson is highlighted as a running back insurance option available in Rounds 13-14 for late-round depth and upside.

Davis is highlighted as a running back insurance option available in Rounds 13-14 for late-round depth and upside.

Bigsby is highlighted as a running back insurance option available in Rounds 13-14 for late-round depth and upside, and is specifically mentioned as an example of a potential RB2 if a starter goes down during preseason.

Coleman is highlighted as a running back insurance option available in Rounds 13-14 for late-round depth and upside.

Pacheco is highlighted as a running back insurance option available in Rounds 13-14 for late-round depth and upside.

Mitchell is highlighted as a running back insurance option available in Rounds 13-14 for late-round depth and upside.

Robinson Jr. is highlighted as a running back insurance option available in Rounds 13-14 for late-round depth and upside.

Ward is on the source's radar as a sneaky breakout candidate quarterback option in deeper leagues during Rounds 13-14.

Willis is on the source's radar as a sneaky veteran quarterback flier option in deeper leagues during Rounds 13-14 when targeting breakout candidates.

Jones is on the source's radar as a sneaky veteran quarterback flier option in deeper leagues during Rounds 13-14 when targeting breakout candidates.

Spears is highlighted as a running back lottery ticket option in the later rounds alongside other RB insurance candidates in Rounds 13-14.

Allgeier is highlighted as a running back lottery ticket option in the later rounds alongside other RB insurance candidates in Rounds 13-14.

Rodriguez Jr. is highlighted as a running back lottery ticket option in the later rounds alongside other RB insurance candidates in Rounds 13-14.

Marks is highlighted as a running back lottery ticket option in the later rounds alongside other RB insurance candidates in Rounds 13-14.