Depth Chart Battles
Sometimes the difference between being a team’s WR2 and WR3 can mean seeing 80% of snaps vs seeing 60% of snaps. When that happens during the season, having a guy on your roster who sees a 33% jump in opportunities can really help your team. If you’re trying to manage bye weeks, or one of your normal starters misses some time. A surprise production boost from a wide receiver or running back on your bench could help you win those weeks leading up to the playoffs and move you from the outside looking in to a championship run.
Jacksonville Wide Recievers
Parker Washington started the 2025 season as Travis Hunter’s backup. After injuries on the defensive side of the ball, Hunter became a primarily defensive player. Parker Washington made the most of this opportunity, and after their bye week, Washington went from averaging 7.2 points per game to 14.9 points per game. If you picked up Washington early, or if you were in a pinch and claimed him on waivers, he probably helped you either avoid the toilet bowl or got you to the playoffs, and scored you 19 points in the championship. For 2026, Washington now looks like the first look in Jacksonville, and he’s the latest example of an in-season position battle that can change the fantasy outlook for a receiver room.
Burden on the Rise
Luther Burden became the offseason sweetheart this year after posting incredible advanced metrics to finish last season. Burden quickly jumped up draft boards and is currently being drafted near the beginning of round five. Burden moved up the depth chart after DJ Moore missed time in December of 2025. Burden stepped in during his absence, and this offseason Moore was traded to the Buffalo Bills as they had found his replacement in Luther Burden. With the Bears’ goal of scoring more points per game than any team has in the past, Burden’s explosiveness could see him outproduce his draft price.