7 Fantasy Football Rookie Wide Receiver Sleepers: Dynasty Draft Targets

March 10, 2026

Phil Clark's 7 fantasy football rookie wide receivers to target in dynasty rookie drafts to accelerate team rebuilds. His top rookie wide receiver sleepers to target for 2026.

If you have expended your time and energy into researching this year‘s rookie class at the wide receiver position, then you are already aware that Carnell Tate, Makai Lemon, and Jordyn Tyson are almost universally projected to be the top three prospects at their position. KC Concepcion, Omar Cooper Jr., and Denzel Boston also spearhead the next group of wide receivers who should be selected near the onset of your rookie drafts.

However, the unquestioned depth that exists with this year's collection of first-year receivers also provides an opportunity to locate an enticing group of newcomers who qualify as sleepers. These players possess a blend of attributes that facilitate their ability to surpass current expectations while emerging with ongoing roles in their eventual landing spots.

These rookies can eventually become assets on your dynasty rosters if their projected rise within the fantasy landscape occurs. This article will focus on seven of these first-year receivers who are the preferred options for you to target during your upcoming drafts. RotoBaller’s rookie rankings will be continually updated during the upcoming weeks, and you can find our latest rankings here.

Antonio Williams, Clemson 

Williams has become a strong candidate for an early Day 3 selection, and he could ultimately emerge among the group of wide receivers who are drafted during Day 2.

Williams is an adept route runner who operates with a combination of quickness, acceleration, and elusiveness. That enhances his ability to secure separation and accumulate yardage after the catch.

Williams was a four-star recruit who enrolled at Clemson in 2022 and immediately led the Tigers in targets (76), receptions (56), and receiving yards (604) during his first season.

Williams also constructed the most prolific numbers of his tenure during 2024 (101 targets/75 receptions/904 receiving yards/11 touchdowns) while soaring to 10th overall in passer rating when targeted (141.2), per PFF.

He also displayed his versatility by returning 17 punts and generating a touchdown pass.

What a way to secure your 200th career catch!!

📺 The CW || @a_williams2022 pic.twitter.com/P2WrQA2NUL

— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) November 22, 2025

Williams was impacted by a hamstring issue near the onset of his 2025 season, but still paced Clemson in receptions (55) and receiving yards (604).

Williams also completed the 40-yard dash in 4.41 at the NFL Combine while finishing sixth in the 3-cone drill (7.00), seventh in the vertical jump (39.50"), and registering 10’4” in the broad jump.

Williams is capable of seizing a consistent role while functioning from the slot. That sustains his status as a viable option early in Round 3 of your upcoming rookie drafts.

Skyler Bell, Connecticut 

The fusion of Bell’s consistent production at the collegiate level and the promising results that he assembled during the NFL Combine has elevated him into consideration as a prospective target during upcoming drafts.

Bell was a three-star recruit who played football and basketball at The Taft School (Watertown, Connecticut) before he launched his collegiate career at Wisconsin in 2021.

SKYLER BELL‼️

His third touchdown of the day! 😤 pic.twitter.com/YuWv8AyJ7L

— UConn Football (@UConnFootball) November 1, 2025

Bell later transferred to Connecticut, where he accumulated 241 targets, 151 receptions, 2,138 receiving yards, and 18 touchdowns during 2024-2025. He also tied for third overall in yards per route run (2.74), according to PFF.

Bell also soared to second among all wide receivers in receiving yards (1,278), yards after the catch (835), and yards after contact (325) during 2025, while rising to third in touchdowns (13) and fourth in receptions (101).

Bell's favorable performance at the NFL Combine included his completion of the 40-yard dash in 4.40. He also tied for third in the broad jump (11’1”) and finished fifth in the vertical jump (41”).

Ted Hurst, Georgia State 

At 6’4” and 205 pounds, Hurst was already an intriguing prospect due to the convergence of his size, speed, agility, and athleticism. Those attributes enhance his ability to operate effectively as a downfield weapon who can prevail in contested-catch situations.

Hurst also maximized his opportunities to participate in the Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine, which has ignited a sustained surge in his stock.

Hurst enrolled at Valdosta State in 2022, where he accumulated 60 receptions/1,027 receiving yards/seven touchdowns before transferring to Georgia State in 2024.

TED. HURST. IS. HIM!!!! 🤯#LightItBlue | #NewAtlanta pic.twitter.com/KH3oZxHjnJ

— GSU Football (@GeorgiaStateFB) September 15, 2024

Hurst secured 231 targets, captured 127 receptions, generated 1,965 receiving yards, and accrued 15 touchdowns during 2024 and 2025 while leading the Panthers in every category during each of his final two collegiate seasons. He also registered 2.38 yards per route run against zone coverage during 2024, which improved to 2.99 in 2025, according to PFF.

A lot of people are going to learn about Georgia St. WR Ted Hurst this week

- 6032, 207, 33 1/4" arms, 10" hands
- Glides to top speed and creates catching windows
- Really productive for a team that went 1-11 in 2025
- 34 catches of 20+ yards over the last 2 yrs (No. 1 in FBS) pic.twitter.com/QdsBzlYZuR

— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 28, 2026

Hurst emerged as a standout during multiple practices at the Senior Bowl, and his favorable momentum continued during the 2026 combine. Hurst paced all wide receivers in the broad jump (11‘3“), completed the 40-yard dash in 4.42, and registered 36.50" in the vertical jump.

Just Ted doing Ted things 😎

with his 14th GSU career touchdown, Ted Hurst places himself fourth in program history for receiving touchdowns. #LightItBlue | #NewAtlanta | @GeorgiaLottery pic.twitter.com/1pR9opZ9P1

— GSU Football (@GeorgiaStateFB) October 24, 2025

The expanding evidence that Hurst can operate as a productive vertical weapon justifies pursuing him late in Round 2 of your rookie drafts.

Eric McAlister, Texas Christian 

McAlister has remained below the radar when contrasted with a collection of other first-year receivers. However, McAlister has surfaced as a compelling option to secure for your rosters.

This is due to the convergence of his talent and his encouraging production during 2025, which enhances his potential to become an early selection on Day 3 of the NFL Draft.

The 6'3", 193-pound McAlister has established his ability to perform proficiently as a downfield weapon. The consolidation of his height, speed, and explosiveness also fuels his effectiveness in securing separation and generating yardage after the catch.

McAlister accumulated 294 targets/169 receptions/3,084 receiving yards/24 touchdowns while averaging 18.2 yards per reception during his four seasons at the collegiate level.

DOWN THE SIDELINE 🔥

Eric McAlister breaks a pair of tackles and turns on the afterburners to add some insurance to the @TCUFootball lead.#Big12FB | 📺 ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/QpSxvC1jir

— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) September 28, 2024

That includes his numbers following his transfer from Boise State to TCU, when McAlister secured 111 of his 177 targets, accrued 1,952 receiving yards, and produced 15 touchdowns. McAlister also led all his class in yards after contact (375) and missed tackles forced (27) last season, according to PFF, while finishing seventh in receiving yards (1,190).

McAlister did not participate in on-field testing at the NFL Combine. However, his prospects of functioning as a dynamic vertical weapon should draw significant interest from multiple teams.

He warrants consideration as a Round 3 selection in your rookie drafts if he surfaces in a favorable environment following the NFL Draft.

Bryce Lance, North Dakota State

Lance functions with a promising blend of speed, explosiveness, and athleticism. He also possesses instinctive ball tracking skills and is capable of securing a role as an X receiver at the NFL level.

TOUCHDOWN, Bison!

47-yard strike from Cam to Bryce!

Bryce Lance has now tied the NDSU single-season receiving TDs record with No. 1⃣5⃣! pic.twitter.com/tR5DuHKWfl

— NDSU Football (@NDSUfootball) December 21, 2024

Lance did not achieve his breakout until 2024. However, he operated proficiently during his final two seasons at North Dakota State while accumulating 127 receptions, 2,132 receiving yards, and 25 touchdowns.

He also accrued 1,079 receiving yards during 2025 while finishing ninth in passer rating when targeted (148.4) and 11th in yards per reception (21.2), according to PFF.

However, it is the exceptional results Lance achieved at the NFL Combine that have fueled a significant surge in his stock.

Lance rose to fifth in the 40-yard dash (4.34), finished second in the 20-yard shuttle (4.15), and tied for second in the 10-yard split (1.49). He was also fourth in both the vertical jump (41.5") and the broad jump (11’1”), and fifth in the 3-cone drill (7.00).

Bryce Lance is a WR prospect in the 2026 draft class. He scored an unofficial 9.98 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 7 out of 3844 WR from 1987 to 2026.

Pending bench and agilities, splits projected.https://t.co/qQaWvYQuav pic.twitter.com/JCojUogZfS

— RAS.football (@MathBomb) March 1, 2026

Lance’s performance also propelled him to a Relative Athletic Score of 9.98, which was the second highest at his position. He can provide a dynamic downfield presence if he is integrated into an offense that provides a clear path for his development.

Deion Burks, Oklahoma

The 5’10”, 180-pound Burks operates with a fusion of speed, explosiveness, and athleticism. That could propel him into an ongoing role at the NFL level.

Burks began his collegiate career at Purdue, where he accumulated 121 targets/ 63 receptions/804 receiving yards/seven touchdowns from 2021-23.

Burks also led the Boilermakers in multiple receiving categories during 2023 while securing career highs in targets (92), receiving yards (629), and touchdowns (seven).

Burks transferred to Oklahoma for his final two collegiate seasons (2024-25) and captured 88 of his 132 targets, generated 865 receiving yards, and produced seven touchdowns.

4.31u for @OU_Football WR Deion Burks 🔥

2026 NFL Combine on @nflnetwork
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/GXE8SvNNMi

— NFL (@NFL) February 28, 2026

However, interest in Burks has surged since he capitalized on his opportunity to participate in the NFL Combine. Burks delivered a scorching 4.30 in the 40-yard dash, which placed him third among all wide receivers. He also led his position in the vertical jump (42.5") and tied for first in the bench press (26 reps), while also tying for fifth in the broad jump (10‘11“).

Burks provides the versatility to function outside, but he will likely operate extensively in the slot. He can justify a selection during Round 3 of your rookie drafts if he is integrated into an aerial attack that will maximize his big-play potential.

Jeff Caldwell, Cincinnati 

Caldwell is a deeper sleeper who had not elicited the same level of conversation as many other wide receivers before the NFL Combine.

However, his performance during multiple events that transpired in Indianapolis should compel a franchise to secure him during the rapidly approaching NFL Draft.

The 6'5", 200-pound Caldwell became a Second-Team FCS All-American during his three-year tenure at Lindenwood University before transferring to Cincinnati for his final collegiate season.

Caldwell‘s numbers as a Bearcat were unexceptional during 2025, as he finished second behind Cincinnati teammate Cyrus Allen in targets (61), receptions (32), receiving yards (478), and touchdowns (six).

However, Allen was not invited to the 2026 combine, and the results that Caldwell achieved during his events should not be dismissed.

Caldwell rose to fourth among all wide receivers in the 40-yard dash (4.31), and finished second in both the vertical jump (42”) and the broad jump (11' 2”).

Jeff Caldwell is a WR prospect in the 2026 draft class. He scored an unofficial 10.00 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 2 out of 3830 WR from 1987 to 2026.

Pending bench and agilities, splits projected.https://t.co/Vd4HAcnEyd pic.twitter.com/3oKQNat7sK

— RAS.football (@MathBomb) February 28, 2026

Caldwell also achieved a perfect Relative Athletic Score by attaining 10.00 out of a potential 10.00.

Caldwell can be categorized as a project at the NFL level, but that does not diminish his ability to operate with speed, athleticism, and a massive catch radius.

That should increase Caldwell’s chances of becoming a Day 3 selection. It also elevates him into consideration as a receiver to target during the final round of your drafts.

Other Sleepers To Consider

Eric Rivers, Georgia Tech

KEvin Coleman Jr., Missouri

Aaron Anderson, LSU

Reggie Virgil, Texas Tech

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