FantasyPros - 12 High-Upside Wide Receivers to Target BEFORE Their ADPs Explode (Ep. 2109)

Summary of FantasyPros - 12 High-Upside Wide Receivers to Target BEFORE Their ADPs Explode (Ep. 2109)

by iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

1h 2m•August 3, 2026
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Overview of FantasyPros - 12 High-Upside Wide Receivers to Target BEFORE Their ADPs Explode (Ep. 2109)

This episode focused on identifying wide receivers whose fantasy football ADPs still lag behind their upside. Matt Modai, Erickson, and Scott Bogman broke the discussion into three buckets: early-to-mid-round alphas, mid-round upside swings, and late-round sleepers. The core theme was simple: target receivers with clear paths to volume, role expansion, or offensive improvement before the market catches up.

Early- to Mid-Round Alphas (Rounds 3-6)

Zay Flowers

  • The hosts were extremely high on Flowers as a breakout candidate.
  • Main case:
    • Elite efficiency and production despite modest touchdown totals.
    • Strong weekly floor and strong finish to last season.
    • Expected benefit from Baltimore becoming more vertical under a new offensive coordinator.
  • Key takeaway: Flowers already looks like a fantasy WR1 talent; if touchdowns normalize, his ceiling climbs even higher.

Mike Evans

  • Scott argued Evans is undervalued as a reliable high-volume veteran.
  • Why he stands out:
    • Proven production profile and strong deep-ball fit.
    • Opportunity exists if his offense leans on him more heavily.
    • The price is still manageable for a WR3 with WR1-like upside in the right scenario.
  • Key takeaway: Evans remains a strong “bankable ceiling” pick if you want veteran stability with spike-week potential.

Jalen Waddle

  • Erickson highlighted Waddle as a player whose ADP may not fully reflect his upside.
  • Reasons for optimism:
    • Still efficient even in a down year.
    • Has already shown he can thrive when given clear target volume.
    • The discussion framed him as a strong fit in a more pass-friendly environment.
  • Key takeaway: Waddle is the type of receiver who can jump several ADP tiers if the offensive environment tilts more aggressively toward the pass.

Carnell Tate

  • Bogman loved Tate as a big-play rookie target.
  • Why he was attractive:
    • Downfield threat with strong contested-catch ability.
    • Could quickly become the top target in his offense.
    • Fits a quarterback who likes to hunt explosive plays.
  • Key takeaway: Tate offers WR2 upside at WR3 pricing if he becomes the primary vertical weapon.

Mid-Round Upside Plays (Rounds 7-10)

Marvin Harrison Jr.

  • Scott made the strongest “buy the breakout” case here.
  • Main arguments:
    • New offense and possible QB improvement create a better environment.
    • He’s still being drafted like a disappointing player rather than a player with room to grow.
    • If things click, the ceiling is much higher than the current price implies.
  • Erickson was more cautious, noting that declining ADP over multiple seasons is often a bad sign.
  • Key takeaway: Harrison is still a major talent, but the bet is more on environment and opportunity than proof of a breakout already happening.

Parker Washington

  • One of Erickson’s favorite breakout profiles.
  • Why he likes him:
    • Strong after-the-catch and downfield profile.
    • Played extremely well once he earned a larger role.
    • Has already shown chemistry with Trevor Lawrence.
  • Key takeaway: Washington is a classic “role grows into fantasy relevance” candidate and could be the Jaguars’ best value receiver.

Chris Godwin

  • Scott sees Godwin as a strong bounce-back candidate.
  • Reasons:
    • Another year removed from injury.
    • Historically excellent reception and yardage producer.
    • Likely to benefit from a healthier, more defined role in the passing game.
  • Key takeaway: Godwin still has the skill set to outperform his draft cost, especially in PPR formats.

Jordan Tyson

  • Erickson highlighted Tyson as an elite rookie value.
  • Why he stands out:
    • Strong college production and target share.
    • Immediate path to volume in a passing game that could take a step forward.
    • Health was a major concern, but he was reportedly active in camp.
  • Key takeaway: Tyson is the kind of rookie who can smash if he simply meets realistic volume expectations.

Late-Round Sleepers

Wan’Dale Robinson

  • Erickson made the strongest sleeper case on the show.
  • Key points:
    • Back-to-back high-target seasons are rare and meaningful.
    • He profiles as a PPR-friendly slot weapon.
    • If the offense leans on short-area passing, he could easily beat his ADP.
  • Scott agreed he’s a strong value and liked the fit in a Brian Daboll-style system.
  • Key takeaway: Wan’Dale is one of the safest “cheap target volume” bets in the late rounds.

Jaden Higgins

  • Scott’s favorite deeper sleeper.
  • Why he likes him:
    • Already flashed usable fantasy production in limited snaps.
    • Big-frame receiver with touchdown upside.
    • Could benefit from a healthier, more efficient offense and potential injuries ahead of him.
  • Erickson added that Higgins is likely being drafted near his floor.
  • Key takeaway: Higgins offers both standalone value and contingent upside if the depth chart opens up.

Trey Harris

  • Erickson called Harris a high-upside dart throw.
  • Reasons:
    • Explosive downfield profile coming out of Ole Miss.
    • Could carve out a role in a strong offense if given snaps.
    • Cheap access to a high-potential receiver room.
  • Scott added that his vertical ability should pair well with a quarterback willing to attack downfield.
  • Key takeaway: Harris is a classic late-round bet on talent plus opportunity.

Antonio Williams

  • Scott closed with Williams as a deep sleeper.
  • Why he matters:
    • Strong camp buzz.
    • Could be the next man up if veterans don’t sign or don’t dominate the target tree.
    • Easy dart throw at the end of drafts.
  • Key takeaway: Williams is more of a stash-and-see player, but the path to relevance is there.

Draft Strategy Takeaways

  • Prioritize upside tied to role changes. New coordinators, new quarterbacks, and vacated targets matter.
  • Don’t overreact to last season’s touchdown totals. Several players in this episode were considered better bets than their raw scoring numbers suggest.
  • Late-round receivers can still swing leagues. The hosts emphasized that you don’t need all of your upside to come from early picks.
  • Volume remains king. Many of the best targets here were players expected to gain more targets, not just more efficiency.
  • Rookie and second-year breakouts are especially valuable. Several of the highlighted names were young players with room to grow into bigger roles.

Bottom Line

The episode’s main message was to get ahead of the market on wide receivers whose roles, usage, or offensive situations are improving. Zay Flowers, Marvin Harrison Jr., Parker Washington, Chris Godwin, Wan’Dale Robinson, Jaden Higgins, and Trey Harris were among the strongest names to target before their ADPs rise.