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Finding value in the later rounds is what separates championship fantasy football teams from the rest of the league. While the early rounds are filled with known stars, good managers can gain an edge by targeting wide receivers with an average draft position (ADP) that doesn’t reflect their true potential or upside. Whether it’s veterans stepping into larger roles or young players poised for a breakout, these six receivers are available well after the big names, but have the talent and situation to outperform their draft position.

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Jalen Nailor – ADP 148

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The Las Vegas Raiders gave Jalen Nailor a three-year, $35 million contract to leave Minnesota in free agency. Nailor now enters a receiving room with Tre Tucker and Jack Bech beside him. It’s no secret that the Raiders’ receiving room needs improvement on paper, but Nailor has the ability to elevate it.

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In Minnesota, he was overshadowed by Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson as the No. 3 option. In that role last season, he totaled 444 yards and four touchdowns, but he thrived in contested-catch situations. He had caught nine contested catches in 12 attempts and had an average depth of target of 13.1.

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The Raiders have Klint Kubiak leading their offense, and with Nailor as one of his main options out wide, expect him to get a ton of looks in Las Vegas. He’s a great option to target late for good receiver depth and a potential to be WR3 on a fantasy roster.

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Denzel Boston – ADP 155

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It’s hard to draft rookies because we’ve never seen them play on an NFL field. The Cleveland Browns took Denzel Boston in the second round of the 2026 draft, which was a steal depending on who you ask. Boston is 6-foot-4 and 209 pounds and will no doubt be one of the two starting outside receivers for Cleveland this upcoming season.

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He won’t beat you with speed, but he’s a route technician who knows how to win underneath and over the top. His ball-tracking skills have already flashed in some minicamp clips. With an ADP at 155, that’s a steal for the type of player Boston is expected to be.

Isaac TeSlaa – ADP 168

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Depending on the size of your league or how many flex and receiver positions you have, Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa could go undrafted. I’d urge you to stash him on your bench, cause his hype will only grow as we get closer to the season. TeSlaa is set to take over as the Lions’ No. 3 receiver this season behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, but if you watched the Lions last year, you know the type of playmaker TeSlaa can be.

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TeSlaa had 16 receptions last year, six of which went for touchdowns. He had five contested catches and an ADOT of 14.8. It’s clear the Lions trust him in the red zone, and he can go up and make catches in the air. The 6-foot-4, 217-pound receiver is sure to have an extended role this season, so he’s worth grabbing late in any draft.

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Romeo Doubs – ADP 117

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For the regular NFL fan, I don’t think New England Patriots wide receiver Romeo Doubs is a “sleeper,” but at 117, that’s an absolute steal. The Patriots signed Doubs in free agency to boost their receiving core for Drake Maye, and he does exactly that.

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Doubs spent his first four years of his career in Green Bay and struggled with drops, having 18. He makes up for it with his versatility. He can push the field vertically, having 45 contested catches over four seasons, and he can make players miss after the catch, having 3.4 yards of YAC per reception.

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The Patriots did trade for A.J. Brown, but expect Doubs to have the ball in his hands regularly in this Patriots offense.

Jayden Higgins – ADP 124

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Houston Texans receiver Jayden Higgins showed flashes in his first year that he can become a great No. 2 option in this league. Lining up opposite Nico Collins helps, and entering his second year, Higgins is expected to make a leap in his development.

Higgins is 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds and had 623 yards and six touchdowns in his first season. He averaged 12.5 yards per reception in his rookie season and only had one drop. The Texans seem to trust him, and his connection with CJ Stroud will only improve as the years move on. Higgins is absolutely worth a late-round selection and can contend for a flex starting spot early in the season.

Ryan Flournoy – ADP 161

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Dallas Cowboys’ wide receiver Ryan Flournoy is one of the more underrated receivers in the league. He’s a fluid mover for his size, being 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, and despite being in a crowded offense, he’ll find his spots in a game to make an impact.

Flournoy had 475 yards last season with four touchdowns and averaged 11.9 yards per reception. As the season progressed last year, the Cowboys trusted Flournoy more and more, giving him more opportunities on third downs and in the red zone. Watching him play, you can just see it with him, and I expect him to be a more prominent option for Dak Prescott this season.

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Daniel Rios

124 Articles

Daniel Rios is a Senior NFL Writer at EssentiallySports who specializes in trade and roster analysis, along with team projections and the season's major storylines. A graduate of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University, Daniel has written for Sports Illustrated, the LA Daily News, and Sports360AZ. During his time at Arizona State, he covered major events including the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl and the NFL Combine, gaining hands-on experience at some of football's biggest stages. A lifelong football fan, Daniel has a particular passion for the NFL Draft. He has hosted live draft shows alongside NFL legend Brian Urlacher and produced coverage around the event, and he brings that same energy to his daily reporting for EssentiallySports.

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