The running back position has enjoyed a resurgence in fantasy football over the last two seasons. That said, identifying high-volume wide receivers with the ability to generate big plays after the catch is still extremely valuable in fantasy football.
Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
What else can be said about Puka Nacua’s 2025 season? The third-year receiver had a career-best season in 2025, finishing as the WR1 in PPR points per game (23.3) while catching 119 of 155 targets for 1,639 yards and nine touchdowns, while adding eight carries for 81 yards and a touchdown. Nacua led all pass catchers in targets per route run (0.37) and yards per route run (3.95) while commanding the fourth-highest target share in the NFL (29.1%).
Nacua is one of the most efficient players in the NFL, but things aren’t completely clear heading into 2026. Quarterback Matthew Stafford isn’t getting any younger and could retire at any time. Nacua also lost a lot of opportunities to Davante Adams, especially in the red zone. Adams had nine more red zone targets (27) and seven more end zone touchdowns (14) than the next closest player in the NFL and is under contract for the Rams in 2026.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks cleared the runway for Jaxon Smith-Njigba in 2025, and he responded with a dominant season. Smith-Njigba was the WR2 in PPR points per game (21.6), thanks to 151 targets, 113 receptions, and a league-leading 1,709 receiving yards with 10 touchdowns. He was second to only Puka Nacua in both targets per route run (0.33) and yards per route run (3.78) while earning 44.3% of Seattle’s first read targets.
The arrow is pointed up for Seattle’s offense in 2026, especially if the team can find a way to retain offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak under contract for another year. Even if they can’t, the offense should be fine with several returning starters on the offensive line and the clear connection between Sam Darnold and Smith-Njigba in the passing attack.
Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
Putting Ja’Marr Chase third on this list seems insane, but it has nothing to do with his talent. Chase was the WR3 in PPR points per game this season (19.3) while seeing a similar workload (175 targets) as in 2024. A general lack of efficiency led Chase to have nearly 400 fewer receiving yards (1,316) and 10 fewer touchdowns (7) in 2025.
Please give us 17 games of Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase again in 2026. pic.twitter.com/9ZQWFiesgz
— Dan Fornek (@fornekdf) January 1, 2026
Chase struggled with Jake Browning under center after Joe Burrow’s foot injury, but his fantasy season was salvaged thanks to the high-volume passing output by Joe Flacco. Even with that dip, Chase had his fifth straight season with at least 16.0 fantasy points. He absolutely has the volume and talent after the catch to be the WR1 in any given season.
Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs
The hope that Rashee Rice could return from suspension and become a league winner didn’t quite come to fruition for fantasy managers in 2025. Rice returned to the starting lineup for the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 7 and made an immediate impact, averaging 22.4 PPR points in his first three games back. Unfortunately, Rice took a step back after the Chiefs’ bye week.
He still averaged 18.8 PPR points per game on the season, but was shut down in Week 15 due to a concussion. He still averaged 9.9 targets, 6.6 receptions, and 71.4 receiving yards per game.
If Rice can play a full season in 2026, he is poised to have a massive impact on fantasy managers. His primary competition for targets (tight end Travis Kelce) is considering retirement, and the team doesn’t have any other options that have shown the ability to step up in the passing attack. The Chiefs also have several defensive needs that could take away their cap space and draft picks.
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Rice has shown the ability to command the target volume that is needed to be a top-five option in fantasy. As long as he can avoid off-field issues, then he should be drafted as such in 2026.
Malik Nabers, New York Giants
Malik Nabers was one of the best receiving talents as a rookie with the New York Giants in 2024. Nabers was second in the NFL in targets (170), third in receptions (109), and seventh in both receiving yards (1,204) and fantasy points per game (18.2). He accomplished those feats while catching passes from Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, Tommy DeVito, and Tim Boyle.
Things were supposed to be better in 2025 with Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, and Jaxson Dart. Unfortunately, Nabers struggled with consistency catching passes from Wilson before tearing his ACL in Darts’ first career start.
Nabers came into the year extremely banged up, so the ACL could serve as a blessing in disguise if it allowed his toe injury time to heal. The injury also occurred early enough in the season that Nabers should be ready for training camp, even if he needs some time to ramp up.
The combination of Dart’s willingness to attack defenses down the field with Nabers’ ability to get behind the secondary could be explosive for fantasy managers in 2026, especially if the Giants avoid using an early draft pick on a wide receiver. Even so, Nabers has already proven he is one of the most explosive pass catchers in the NFL in a limited sample size.
