Fantasy Football: Early look at the 2026 WR free agent class, including which players would benefit from a move
- - Fantasy Football: Early look at the 2026 WR free agent class, including which players would benefit from a move
Joel SmythJanuary 15, 2026 at 8:39 PM
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The 2025 fantasy football season has come and gone, but the offseason is just beginning. Fantasy analyst Joel Smyth will go over the potential WR moves in free agency that will drastically shift the fantasy outlook for 2026. Which wide receivers could land in new and improved spots, and which teams are primed to bring in a new player?
Most Likely Teams to Sign a Free-Agent WR1. New England Patriots
Drake Maye took the NFL by storm in his sophomore season with not much help in the receiver room. Stefon Diggs was the top option, but he only ran 65% of routes coming off an ACL tear at age-32. Based on a per-route basis, Diggs was ninth in fantasy points, and he was third in receiving touchdowns on the team. If a true No. 1 lands in New England, watch out.
2. Buffalo Bills
Buffalo has been looking for a top wide receiver for a while and hasn’t had any luck since parting ways with Diggs. For example, Diggs was a top-10 fantasy WR in all four seasons in Buffalo, including being top-five twice. The Bills aren’t a pass-heavy team in the slightest, but any offense that averages close to 30 points per game and has Josh Allen provides immense value.
3. Washington Commanders
It was a rough year for the Commanders offense, but not many landing spots come with good quarterback play. In 2024, Jayden Daniels provided the 11th-most fantasy points to his WRs. A new offensive coordinator is entering as well, but the ceiling will be high if Deebo Samuel Sr. does not return.
4. New Orleans Saints
In my opinion, a surprising top-five option is in New Orleans. The Saints averaged 55.4 receiving fantasy PPG with Tyler Shough starting, which would have ranked eighth in the NFL.
5. Baltimore Ravens
Although Lamar Jackson provides elite efficiency, the passing attack usually only results in one top-24 WR. However, it can be a great WR2 landing spot alongside Zay Flowers. A new offensive coordinator could provide a higher ceiling if fewer than two TE sets are deployed.
Others teams to watch -
Pittsburgh Steelers
Tennessee Titans
Cleveland Browns
Las Vegas Raiders
WRs Who Are Best Where They AreMike Evans, Bucs
At 33 years old, it would be a huge risk for Mike Evans to leave Tampa Bay. Although the production wasn’t his usual this season as he dealt with injuries and Baker Mayfield’s struggles, the volume was top-level, even higher than his usual. On a per route basis, he had the fourth-best volume among WRs, a feat that would be difficult to achieve elsewhere.
George Pickens, Cowboys
This one is a no-brainer. After years of being stuck in a poor Pittsburgh offense, Pickens finished the season as the fantasy WR4 after being traded to the Cowboys before the 2025 season. When CeeDee Lamb was healthy, Pickens still excelled as the overall WR7.
Deebo Samuel Sr., Commanders
I still believe in Daniels bouncing back in 2026. Samuel fits well with Daniels excelling versus zone coverage. Hopefully, without OC Kliff Kingsbury, the screen game stays high as well. In games with Daniels, Samuel averaged over 3.0 points per game more than without him in a bounce-back season.
Others Who Would Benefit From Staying Put -
Jauan Jennings, 49ers
Alec Pierce, Colts
Wan’Dale Robinson, Giants
They aren’t dominant WR1s, but these strong role players have found their niche where they are. The quarterback fits for each would be riskier to leave than if they decide to stay.
WRs Who Are Better Off ElsewhereRomeo Doubs
The Packers have WR2s galore, and they aren’t going away anytime soon. Christian Watson is healthy, Matthew Golden will continue to have his role grow and Doubs’ likelihood of being a weekly fantasy starter isn’t very high. Landing in an offense that scores as consistently as Green Bay while having steadier volume could give Doubs a true shot at being a good flex play.
Rashid Shaheed
The short experiment in Seattle has not panned out as expected (so far). After Shaheed was traded from the Saints to the Seahawks, he averaged only 20 receiving yards per game. Barring a playoff breakout, Shaheed would be better off elsewhere in an offense that isn’t No. 1 in run calls while having the NFL’s leading receiver on the other side. Last season, the deep-threat WR led the NFL in air yards per game and was top-25 in yards per route run.
Christian Kirk
It feels like forever ago, but Christian Kirk finished as a fantasy WR1 in PPR leagues back in 2022 with the Jaguars. At 29 years old, the veteran WR still has some juice, as seen on Wildcard Weekend, when he had eight catches for 144 yards and a touchdown against the Steelers. The Texans’ WR room is full, and volume is spread thin. If Kirk can land in a spot similar to Wan’Dale Robinson, Jakobi Meyers or Diggs, he can produce similar production out of the slot with a bump in volume.
Source: “AOL Sports”
