Everything in fantasy football is speculation, until the pre-season starts. Teams signal their intent in who they sit, when starters stop playing, and how they line up receivers. Throw in injuries and you get a heap of movement in fantasy football value in just three weeks. So let’s make sure you’re up to date with the biggest wide receiver risers of the pre-season. All rankings are in half-PPR, though you can find my PPR rankings here. Also, make sure you check out my running back risers and fallers article.
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Malik Nabers (NYG-WR10): Nabers has looked healthy and effective all pre-season and has more upside than most receivers in his range. He could easily finish the season as the WR1 and will be the go-to guy for the Giants whenever he is healthy. That health remains a question mark, as does Jaxson Dart’s play, but I’m growing more bullish on Nabers by the day and may even move him higher.
Ladd McConkey (LAC-WR17): The Chargers appear to be moving more tight end heavy, with Charlie Kolar and David Njoku going past Orande Gadsden on the depth chart due to their superior blocking. Meanwhile McConkey is playing in both 11 and 12 personnel and will likely be the primary target all season. Keenan Allen’s departure was already a boon to his value but everything we’ve seen in the last month has me growing in confidence even further.
Davante Adams (LAR-WR19): Reports regarding Adams have been glowing to the extreme. In an offense expected to be even more tight-end heavy than their cross town rivals, Adams will have a huge role and one of their few key pass catchers. Add in the risk of a Puka Nacua suspension and his injury troubles and the veteran Adams is looking more reliable by the day.
Chris Godwin (TB-WR34): Emeka Egbuka’s injury troubles have already started this season, with a toe injury making his Week 1 status a real question mark. Meanwhile, Jalen McMillan is battling a knee injury of his own. That leaves Godwin as the only healthy starter entering the season and we know how good he can be when he’s healthy.
Stefon Diggs (WAS-WR36): The Commanders were the ideal landing spot for Diggs but his usage in the pre-season was even more positive. Treylon Burks looks like being the WR3 meaning Diggs will get the underneath routes mostly to himself and there will be plenty of value there. Antonio Williams being well down the depth chart is also a big win for Diggs, who should have the WR2 secure all season long.
Deebo Samuel (SF-WR47): With Ricky Pearsall’s injury, this was one of Deebo’s best possible landing spots. This is an explosive offense where all key players come with massive injury concerns. Sure, Samuel is no spring chicken either, but he’ll have a valuable role in this offense from day dot and that will only increase if injuries continue to haunt the 49ers.
Malik Washington (MIA-WR49): For the first time in his career, Washington looks like he’ll be an every-down player. I was afraid we might see the likes of Caleb Douglas and Chris Bell pushing him out in 12 personnel but it looks like it will be Washington on the field in every grouping, as a key target for Malik Willis. Washington has more upside than most players in this range.
Malachi Fields (NYG-WR51): The Giants have made it very clear. Fields is the WR2 in New York. With Wan’Dale Robinson out the door the Calvin Austin done for the season, this could be a very valuable role, especially if Malik Nabers has an injury setback. He’s one of my favorite late targets.
De’Zhaun Stribling (SF-WR57): I’m not as high on Stribling as most. I think he was a reach in the second round and I don’t like how much talent is around him on the roster. But Ricky Pearsall’s injury and the likely injury to Mike Evans make Stribling as fantastic bench stash as the upside is huge.
Caleb Douglas (MIA-WR63): Caleb Douglas has locked up the number one outside receiver spot in Miami. While the return of Chris Bell carried some risk, it looks like he hasn’t gone close to supplanting his fellow rookie, who will start alongside Malik Washington in most personnel groupings. With so little target competition, Douglas should eat early.
Dontayvion Wicks (PHI-WR64): Wicks not only beat out Hollywood Brown for the WR3 role in Philly, he seems to be playing ahead of Makai Lemon in 12 personnel too. The Eagles WR3 has typically carried little value, but the WR2 usually does. Wicks is an intriguing sleeper in deeper leagues.
Ja’Kobi Lane (BAL-WR65): The Ravens love their new rookie and it’s obvious why. Lane has torn up the pre-season and will operate as the fantasy WR2 behind Zay Flowers, with Rashod Bateman still the deep threat. That hasn’t typically carried huge value, but with Isaiah Likely off to NYC, I expect the big-bodied Lane will take over a lot of that work. He’s a super late stash.
Devaughn Vele (NO-WR73): Jordyn Tyson’s loss is Vele’s gain. He was rosterable in redraft late last season and it looks like he’ll maintain that role to begin 2026. He’s worth picking up in deeper leagues.
Demario Douglas (NE-WR77): My biggest riser across all positions this pre-season, Douglas has established himself as the WR3 and could have some PPR value in deeper leagues now that Kayshon Boutte has left for warmer pastures.
Treylon Burks (WAS-WR81): Still only a deep league guy, Burks is back as a starter in Washington. I believe his talent is under-rated and he may produce better than most expect. He’s a viable stash in super-deep leagues who could emerge big time if aging Terry McLaurin gets injured.
If you have any questions or thoughts, hit me up in the comments below or message me on my socials @hashtagwasley. You should also check out my rankings here, to ensure you’re making the right picks every round. Good luck this season!
