Emeka Egbuka is the undisputed rookie WR1 and already a weekly top-15 play. He leads the class with 7.9 targets per game and a 23.4% target share that’s perfect for a rookie—high enough to eat, low enough to grow. He turns those looks into 15.4 PPR points per game (back-end WR1), 1.95 points per target (best among 25+ targets), 2.15 yards per route run, and 8.9 yards per target. He’s obliterated the “slot-only” narrative: 70% of his snaps are on the outside. Godwin’s December return and Evans’ likely retirement hand him the keys to the best WR factory in football. Baker Mayfield is locked in for the future, Liam Coen dials him up on every third down, and the Buccaneers have consistently produced top-12 fantasy WRs on a per-game basis every year since I can remember. Egbuka is a locked top WR for the next 8 or so years.

Travis Hunter might be the most talented human in the class and my WR2 because his snaps were steadily rising on offense before he got injured. He sits at 6.4 targets per game (3rd in class), 17.4% share, 9.1 PPR points per game, 1.4 points per target, and 1.4 yards per route run—numbers dragged by early screens, quick/short passes, and Trevor Lawrence. His route tree has expanded through the season, just like his efficiency and usage. IR buys you the cheapest ticket you’ll ever see on a future WR1. Liam Coen (ex-Bucs) is force-feeding him, and Brian Thomas’ malcontent buzz is real (and the team’s feelings on him). Swap Hunter into Tampa and he’s WR1. Long-term: top-10 ceiling, locked alpha by 2026, should BTJ see a new home, and top 24 WR should he not.

Luther Burden is the youngest (21) and the single most explosive talent in the class—my pre-draft WR2. He sees only 2 targets per game (6.8% share) and 5 PPR points per game, yet posts 2.5 points per target (2nd), 2.95 yards per route run (class-best), and 11.4 yards per target (class-best). The argument for Burden was never going to be about him being a top-targeted weapon, but rather a hyper-efficient one. Give this man a 20% target share, and he’s a yearly WR1. Ben Johnson’s offense is stacked right now (Odunze, Loveland, DJ Moore), but Moore could be moved in future seasons, and Burden’s YAC is Ja’Marr Chase reincarnated. Patience pays: top-24 WR by 2027, top-5 ceiling (usage dependent).

Jaylin Noel is the true complement to Nico Collins and my WR6. He’s at 2.5 targets per game, 7–8% share, ~5 PPR points per game, 1.54 yards per route run (top-6), and good efficiency on limited looks. Stroud has started to trust him as a reliable chain-mover who could be the long-term HOU slot that is capable of hitting 800+ yards every year.

Jayden Higgins is the stylistic copy of Nico Collins, who is currently getting the same volume as Noel (~2.5 targets, 7–8% share, ~5 PPR points per game) but 1.01 yards per route run. Higgins has the talent and potential that I still believe in. The biggest thing that HOU can do to unlock him is give Stroud more time to throw by upgrading the O-Line. Offensive line play is a huge contributing factor to the lack of deep-developing plays, which is Higgin’s calling card.

Jack Bech is my pre-draft Ricky Pearsall—smart, strong, sure-handed, zone-savvy—and the buy-low of the year. He’s barely played; some said because he’s had a similar role as Jakobi Meyers, but Meyers was gone this week vs DEN, and Bech was out-snapped by everyone Thursday night. Second-round capital, best hands on the roster, a refined professional, and a great understanding of the game. That is who Jack Bech is, and if the Raiders start to see that, he can project as the team’s future 2nd most targeted guy after Bowers.

Elic forces his way to WR9 on sheer volume: 5.8 targets per game (4th), 18% share. The efficiency is brutal—1.0 points per target, 1.2 yards per route run, 6.1 yards per target. Drops, body-catching, and Cam Ward’s moon balls haven’t fixed the college flaws. When Tennessee adds real WRs in 2026, he will slide down the depth chart. Roster him, but don’t go paying up for him.

Dont’e Thornton out-produces Bech today (10.5% share, better PPG) but posts 0.75 points per target and 0.68 yards per route run—yikes. He’s the “shiny toy” red-zone jumper. Brock Bowers’ return caps him at 12% share. Hold, don’t chase.

Pat Bryant could be the Courtland Sutton heir in a WR room lacking anyone who instills confidence. Quiet now, but 50/50 balls + Bo Nix’s deep ball = 2026 leap. Deep-league stash.

Chimere almost doubles Elic’s points per target on half the looks. When Tennessee cleans the house, Chimere could be the last man standing. Scoop off waivers—now.

Tre Harris looked like a top-10 rookie WR, and was drafted as such in the summer…until Quentin Johnston woke up, Keenan Allen arrived, and Oronde Gadsden exploded. He’s target #5 on the depth chart with potential to be target #4 post-Keenan. Pretty hard to produce like that.