2026 Fantasy Football: Upside Metrics: Wide Receivers

Simply catching the ball is not good enough. Yes, we will always take the volume, but to win, we need more than that. We want big plays and downfield explosiveness from our wide receivers. As we look to evaluate the wide receiver position for the 2026 fantasy football season, let’s take a dive through some advanced statistics and metrics. Whether or not it uncovers hidden value or simply validates our current beliefs, there is some clear value.

Upside Metrics: Wide Receivers

Brian Thomas, Jacksonville Jaguars

2024 was an impressive rookie season for Thomas. All he did was burst onto the scene by catching 87 passes for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns. Following the hiring of Liam Coen as coach, it was only natural for optimism to swirl around year two for Thomas. Instead, 2025 was a disappointment for the receiver. When he did catch the ball, the results were good, but the problem is that he only had 48 catches.

For the second straight season, though, Thomas averaged an impressive 14.7 yards per catch while finishing with 11 catches of more than 20 yards. However, after four games of at least 100 yards in 2024, Thomas failed to reach the century mark last season. The biggest problem, though, is that he dropped all the way down to two touchdown catches.

With Jakobi Meyers and Parker Washington, there is more competition for targets, but Thomas still should be the go-to receiver for Jacksonville. I would expect the offense, led by Coen and Trevor Lawrence, to take even more steps forward next season, which would serve to benefit Thomas. Additionally, a closer look at some of the metrics shows that we should not overlook Thomas this season. In each of the below categories, Thomas was in the upper percentile.

• Air Yards Per Game – 92.2
• Team Air Yards Share – 27%
• Team Target Share – 16.7%
• Average Depth of Target – 14.2 Yards

Michael Wilson, Arizona Cardinals

Nothing against Wilson, but no one expected him to surge past Marvin Harrison last season. Wilson was a bright spot for the Cardinals last year as he quickly developed a chemistry with Jakoby Brissett. He ultimately finished with 78 catches for 1,006 yards and seven touchdowns. Now, the question is, will he be able to maintain that in 2026?

Yes, Harrison is going to be more involved in 2026 as he is also now fully healthy, but the Cardinals also have Trey McBride tying up coverage in the middle of the field. Based on the metrics for which Wilson resides in the upper percentile of, there is true reason to believe that he can have another strong season.

• Team Air Yards Share – 33.6%
• Team Target Share – 20.6%
• Average Depth of Target – 11.7 yards
• Targeted on Route – 20.5%

Tre Tucker, Las Vegas Raiders

Everything about the Raiders offense last season was a mess. Someone had to emerge as the number one receiver, and in 2025, that was Tucker. While the Raiders did upgrade their offensive line and quarterback situation, their wide receiver room remains the same from a year ago. That means Tucker is back as the number one receiver after catching 57 passes for 696 yards and five touchdowns.

Not only was Tucker very much involved in the offense, which should not change, but he also made good use of his opportunity. Let us take a look at some areas in which he finished in the upper percentile at his position. It is for these reasons that Tucker is an intriguing late-round option.

• Air Yards per Game – 53.8
• Team Air Yards Share  – 28.4%
• Team Target Share – 18.5%
• Average yards After Catch – 5.2