Following my article from last week on deciding between the RBs at the 1-2 turn, I received a request to do the same for the cluster of WRs going at the 2-3 turn. I thought this was a good idea that could be of value to you guys, so that’s what I’m going to be writing through today.
Like with the RBs, we are going to be using FantasyPros real-time ADP for half PPR formats. Also like the RB article, we are pretty heavily pushing the “turn” phrasing, as this really covers the back half of round 2 through the entirety of round 3.
See the 10 WRs being selected in this range:
Drake London (WR7, 19.4 ADP)
AJ Brown (WR8, 22.6 ADP)
Nico Collins (WR9, 22.8 ADP)
George Pickens (WR10, 23.2 ADP)
Malik Nabers (WR11, 28.5 ADP)
Devonta Smith (WR12, 30.1 ADP)
Zay Flowers (WR13, 33.7 ADP)
Tee Higgins (WR15, 34.1 ADP)
Chris Olave (WR14, 34.6 ADP)
Rashee Rice (WR16, 35.5 ADP)
What I’m going to do for each of these guys, again like with the RB write-up, is put together a (relatively) quick write-up on my thoughts on them and their outlooks for 2026. Then, there will be a “verdict” line at the bottom of said write-ups on how I’m handling these guys this year at their respective costs.
If you want a more specific view of how I’m ranking these players, head over to the rankings page on my website.
Before we hop into it, just a few notes about were you can find my other content, Discord access, and where the data I’m pulling is coming from…
Discord: If you want a place to talk fantasy with myself and others, get updates on articles and X posts, to get answers to questions you may have and more, join the subscribers Discord HERE.
Website: If you want to access my player rankings (best ball, redraft, dynasty, and rookies), my models (for rookies, year 2, and upcoming season fantasy points), dynasty tools (trade calculator and team analyzer), best ball tools (exposure tool), and my 2026 draft guide, click HERE to access my website which has all of that.
Data: You will see several basic and advanced stats throughout this article, most of which have been pulled from the Fantasy Points Data Suite. You can check out their comprehensive data suite by clicking that link.
WR7, 19.4 ADP
London is a great NFL WR, and I don’t want the words about to be written below here to be conflated as otherwise. That being said, I do have large concerns about this passing game with Tua seeming more and more likely to win the starting job. Over the past 2 years. Tua really struggled these past couple years in Miami, despite the strong structure of the McDaniel offense and multiple high-end playmakers. His mobility has been completely zapped over the years and really limits an offense, while he has to get the ball out quick and doesn’t allow for many plays downfield. London’s target share numbers since 2024 are also significantly higher with Penix on the field (35.2%), than with him off (26.8%).
If Tua is indeed as bad as I personally think he is, the upside of London is probably pretty limited as a 2nd round pick. TDs opportunities are important to a big possession WR like London, so the possibility of even less red zone opportunities in 2026 concerns me. If Penix can’t even beat Tua out for the job, the environment concerns remain if he ends up replacing him at some point.
As talented as London is, environment still matters for TD (and overall) upside. And he’s not a special YAC creator, which I like to cancel out the poorer environment and lacking redzone drives for big-play purposes. I do also suspect both Pitts and Bijan see higher target shares this year, as Pitts shined late last year in London’s absence and Tua has a knack to checkdown with his playstyle (Bijan range). There’s similar talent levels going after London in much friendlier environments.
VERDICT: I’m hard-fading London in the middle of round 2. Even though I’m a fan of the talent, a stable-to-strong environment is important to the upside of a WR, especially at this price. I’m wary the combo of Tua and Penix is capable of providing London with good enough QB play for a league-winning season.
WR8, 22.6 ADP
AJB was a big riser following his predictable trade to New England, but I fear this firmly in round 2 price is too rich given his 2025 output. Simply put, AJ took a step back last year. It showed up in the numbers (5-year lows in YPRR, 1D/RR YPT, YAC/Rec), and in his Reception Perception profile (worst success rates of his career against man and zone). You can argue the potential motivation issues and the poorer offensive environment caused this decline, but as his price has creeped up into the 2nd round, I feel less inclined to rely on that being the case for the 29-year-old WR.
In terms of environment, I’m a big fan of Drake Maye, but we did see him struggle against much tougher competition in the playoffs. Last year’s schedule was a cakewalk, so it’s a tall task to expect league-best efficiency from this offense like in 2025.
AJ need to return to form for this price to make sense, and something I want to bet against in round 2.
VERDICT: AJB is a pretty easy fade for me inside the top 24 picks. I think he’s a lesser talent than most in this range at this point, and want to bet against that.
WR9, 22.8 ADP
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