Fantasy Football Late-Round WR1s: Which Top Pass Catchers are Available Late?
Top wide receivers on three teams who are being taken late in fantasy drafts (or not drafted at all) and whether they are worth an investment given their opportunities.
There aren't many football players outside of quarterbacks that stand out more than true top receivers. WR1s like Jerry Rice, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, and Calvin Johnson were worthy top fantasy picks in their best seasons, and that has continued with guys like Justin Jefferson, Ja'Marr Chase, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba in recent years.
While some teams are blessed with one or more guys who are bona fide top pass catchers, other teams are left relying on collections of complementary players to fill the void without one guy who can really take over. Those teams/players aren't as intriguing in fantasy football, but there is still the chance for value because someone has to catch the ball.
Let's look at three teams whose top wide receiver is being drafted outside of the top 50 at the position according to ESPN ADP numbers (accurate as of September 3). Each player listed below is unlikely to be a major factor in fantasy in 2026, but there could be a guy or two who stand out and make a difference for at least a few weeks (like when I identified Nico Collins in this same article a few years ago). Most stats are from NFL.com.
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Miami Dolphins
We'll start with the toughest situation of all to comb through, as no receiver on Miami's roster is seen as draftable in fantasy football by ESPN's numbers. None of these guys is likely worth a spot on your roster right away in a 10- or 12-team league, but if you're in a deeper league, there is a little possible value to be found if you can pick the right guy who will lead this group.
That's the tough part, though. Washington is a third-year player who entered the league as a sixth-round pick and has racked up just 72 receptions and 540 yards combined in his first two seasons. There is more opportunity now, as Washington is the only WR on the roster who had more than 203 yards last season, but it would be a major surprise to see him emerge as a true fantasy contributor.
Tolbert is a similarly low-production player. He had a decent 2024 with the Cowboys, catching 49 passes for 610 yards and seven touchdowns, but that's a true outlier, as he otherwise topped out at 22, 268, and two, respectively. Tolbert might have the best case of the veterans to be the WR1 for Miami, but I'm not holding out much hope that he will be a consistent presence in fantasy football.
According to some pundits, Douglas and Bell have the best actual chances to emerge as a true top receiver, two third-round rookies who enter the league with some intrigue. Bell had 72 catches and 917 yards last season at Louisville before tearing his ACL in December, and though he has returned to the field, Bell is still working his way into shape and will likely be limited early in the season. Bell might be a name of note later in 2026.
Douglas combined for 114 catches, 1,723 yards, and 13 touchdowns over the past two years at Texas Tech, and he combines size and speed for an intriguing combination that might make him a productive player right away. If I were going to take one receiver from Miami, it would probably be Douglas, as he has isn't dealing with the health concerns that Bell is.
I'm not suggesting you take any of these receivers in your fantasy draft, but there's a chance at least one guy is mildly productive. The passing game isn't likely to be a major part of Miami's attack, as quarterback Malik Willis will probably do his best work with his legs alongside De'Von Achane. There is opportunity, though, and that's half the battle in fantasy football.
Cleveland Browns
Cleveland has a similar situation to Miami, though every player involved is more renowned than their Dolphin counterparts. Jeudy had 90 receptions and 1,229 yards just two seasons ago on this same Browns team, catching passes from Jameis Winston, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Bailey Zappe, and Deshaun Watson, the latter of whom will begin this season as his QB. Watson hasn't been effective since 2020, and Shedeur Sanders is unlikely to be a big-time passer in 2026, so the ceiling and floor are very low for Jeudy and his teammates.
Concepcion and Boston were drafted at picks 24 and 39, respectively, and represent upside in a Browns offense that is both suspect and intriguing at the same time given the plethora of young talent. Concepcion is a smaller player who will likely primarily play in the slot, but he will get the ball in different ways, as evidenced by a 14-yard touchdown run in the first preseason game. Boston is more of a traditional outside receiver with size, the prototype WR1. Concepcion might be the guy who puts up better numbers right away between the two, but Boston will be more of a red zone threat due to his size.
These players are being drafted 54th (Concepcion), 64th (Jeudy), and 65th (Boston) among wide receivers, all in around the 15th round or later. That means you can grab your choice of the Cleveland receivers later in the draft if there's a guy who you think can stand out. While Jeudy has the experience and a few good seasons to his name, I'm most intrigued by Concepcion, who reportedly stood out during the offseason and should have a real role touching the ball right away. Don't reach too far for him, but Concepcion is a decent late-round pick if you need wide receiver depth, while the other guys are deep-league options.
Tre Tucker, Las Vegas Raiders
Outside of Miami, the Raiders might have the worst wide receiver depth chart in the league heading into the season. Tucker is the only player seen as draftable by ADP rankings, and he is being taken 67th among WRs, essentially going in the last few rounds or undrafted in most leagues.
Tucker had his best season last year (this third in the league), ending with 57 catches, 696 yards, and five touchdowns, all career highs. He has also carried the ball about 10 times per season, not a big number but at least something that gets him a few more touches. Without many other productive receivers around him, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Tucker top all his career highs for the third straight year.
Vegas signed Jalen Nailor away from the Vikings this offseason, and while there's a little intrigue, Nailor has topped out at 29 receptions, 444 yards, and six touchdowns in any season. Otherwise, the WR corps consists of players who have between zero and three years of experience but haven't made any real impact in the NFL.
The Raiders' real WR1 is Brock Bowers, the star tight end entering his third season. Bowers is likely to lead Las Vegas in every receiving category, so whoever emerges as the top wide receiver will really be more of a secondary player. That lowers Tucker's potential value even if he is the clear top WR on the team, leaving him probably drafted in about the right spot.
Improved quarterback play from the combination of Kirk Cousins and top overall pick Fernando Mendoza could help Tucker's case. There's intrigue that Tucker could take another step forward, and it makes him worthy as a late-round pick to round out the end of your roster. He's unlikely to really break out as a weekly contributor, but Tucker has a chance to be a flex-level player on the right weeks, particularly in deep leagues.
