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Should you draft Carnell Tate, De'Zhaun Stribling, or Makai Lemon in fantasy football in 2026? RotoBaller's fantasy outlooks for these rookies wide receivers.
According to many NFL Draft experts, the 2026 NFL Draft class was not the strongest or deepest in recent years, but several key playmakers at wide receiver are still set to make a splash in their first season in the NFL. Three of the most exciting rookies to consider in your fantasy football drafts coming into the year are Carnell Tate, De'Zhaun Stribling, and Makai Lemon.
The franchises that selected these wideouts are counting on these young options to put up big numbers early in their careers, which makes them critical options to consider in redraft leagues, as well as in dynasty situations.
Below, we'll dive into the draft outlooks of Tate, Stribling, and Lemon, who could each be potential league-winners if they hit their ceilings at their current ADP.
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Carnell Tate Fantasy Football Outlook
The first wide receiver drafted in this year's NFL Draft was Tate from Ohio State University, which has a track record of churning out top-tier receivers. Tate was the No. 4 overall pick, and the Titans are counting on him to be a key part of their young core.
Last year, the Titans drafted Cam Ward No. 1 overall, and the master plan calls for Tate and Ward to grow together into one of the most productive tandems in the league.
Hibachi Tate pic.twitter.com/1wC2uwMqU8
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) August 9, 2026
Tate could step right in as the team's top receiver this season since the team lacked receiver depth last season. Newcomer Wan'Dale Robinson could also help shoulder the load, while Calvin Ridley, Chimere Dike, Elic Ayomanor, and Gunnar Helm are the top returning options.
If he does earn the WR1 spot in Tennessee, he could be set for huge volume. New Offensive Coordinator Brian Daboll typically leans very heavily on his top receiver. During Daboll's time as Buffalo's OC, Stefon Diggs averaged over 160 targets per season, and rookie Malik Nabers had a breakout season with 170 targets in Daboll's time with the Giants.
Tate averaged 13.1 yards per target last season at Ohio State, the best mark in this rookie WR class. If the volume is there and he continues to post similar numbers, he could end up a starting receiver in all formats with true top-10 upside.
Early in training camp, Tate generated some great buzz and worked very well with Ward. However, it's been mostly quiet lately. He did make his preseason debut against the 49ers, but he was held without a catch on three targets in his 10 snaps.
Tate is currently the No. 32 WR in RotoBaller's redraft rankings and No. 13 WR in the RotoBaller rankings for dynasty leagues. For redraft leagues, he brings enough upside to be a strong third or fourth receiver depending on the size of your league.
He has the potential and opportunity to be a top-10 option by the end of the year, but he does come with the risk of growing pains, especially early in the season. Be sure to have some higher-floor options as depth later in your roster.
De'Zhaun Stribling Fantasy Football Outlook
While Tate is having a quiet training camp, 49ers rookie Stribling has been getting all the buzz and hype he can handle. The elite athlete played his last two college seasons at Oklahoma State and Ole Miss, putting up strong numbers in both systems. He was still a surprise pick when San Francisco snagged him with the opening pick in the second round.
Stribling has been phenomenal throughout training camp and preseason, drawing praise from across the organization for his understanding of the offense and playmaking ability. He is set to step into a key role for QB Brock Purdy and the 49ers' passing game.
In Preseason Game 1, he went head-to-head with Tate and put up an impressive stat line with seven catches on eight targets for a total of 63 yards. He looked like one of the best pass-catchers on the field, making contested catches and picking up solid yards after the catch.
In the second week of the preseason, Stribling put up more solid production, hauling in four of his five targets for 46 yards, including some tough catches over the middle like this one:
Strib picking up 22 yards 😤
📺: ESPN & KPIX pic.twitter.com/ghjSkUWheI
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) August 21, 2026
While he doesn't have quite the draft pedigree of Tate, Stribling does have a more established offense to step into and is set for a sizable workload. Veteran Mike Evans (quad) was limited by injuries last season and is already battling them again this preseason.
Tight End George Kittle (Achilles) is still recovering from his season-ending injury last January and has not yet been able to practice, and wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) had season-ending surgery on his PCL and will miss the entire season. With all those players not able to contribute right away, Stribling will have immediate upside.
He is the WR49 in RotoBaller's redraft rankings, but his ADP is skyrocketing after his preseason performances. Given the opportunity in front of him, he could be a WR3 or FLEX play right out of the gate this season.
He could play his way into a regular starting role in most leagues. He's getting so much buzz that you may have to reach a little early to get him, but he has the potential to pay off as one of the breakout receivers from this year's class.
Like with Tate and most rookie receivers, Stribling comes with some added risk, so it's best to be sure to insulate against that risk with some "safe" depth picks to round out your receiver group. He's definitely a rocket worth considering, though, since all the hype has looked very deserved so far in training camp and preseason.
Makai Lemon Fantasy Football Outlook
Ahead of Stribling and behind Tate, Lemon was the No. 20 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Philadelphia Eagles selected Lemon after his impressive season at USC, where he racked up 79 catches, 1,156 yards, and 11 touchdowns. Like both of his fellow rookies in this post, Lemon is poised for a sizeable role as a rookie.
A.J. Brown was traded to the Patriots during the offseason, leaving Lemon to contend for playing time with veteran additions WR Dontayvion Wicks and WR Hollywood Brown alongside top receiver DeVonta Smith.
Unfortunately for his potential role early in the season, Lemon missed an extended portion of training camp with a hamstring injury, and he just recently returned to practice in a limited capacity. He is expected to come back to full practice this week and could be ready to put together some highlights.
Right now, he's coming in much quieter than Stribling and even Tate, which creates an opportunity to buy low on him. He's the WR25 in RotoBaller's dynasty rankings and the WR48 in redraft rankings, just ahead of Stribling.
He's a little bit unknown since he hasn't practiced, but his tape from USC and his potential role in a productive offense give him a high enough ceiling to make him a nice addition as a depth option if you can afford to sacrifice some safety for his upside.
Who Should I Draft Fantasy Football Tool
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2026 Player Decisions. Today's focus is on specific players: Carnell Tate, De'Zhaun Stribling, Makai Lemon. These are some common searches for 2026 fantasy football drafts.
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