New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) walks into a media interview after practice during training camp at The Greenbrier Resort Sports Performance Center.
Ben Queen-Imagn Images
When it comes to the wide receiver position in NFL fantasy football, there are always undervalued players in the draft. And sleepers seem to find their way to the top annually. But what about the other side of the equation? Here are five fantasy football busts at the wide receiver position for the 2026 season.
There are a couple of perhaps surprising names on this list. But there are valid reasons to be careful about spending too much draft capital on them. Let’s take a look.
Malik Nabers | New York Giants
This isn’t about talent. And to be clear, this isn’t about 2027 or moving forward. This is a one-year deal. Nabers won’t be the guy the Giants enjoyed in his 2024 season. He caught 109 passes for 1,204 yards that season with seven touchdowns.
But last year’s knee injury in Week 4 still stands as a concern. That’s especially true since he had a follow-up procedure in the spring. The Giants will likely take baby steps with their star, according to ESPN. And that’s bad news for fantasy managers.
“The Giants must be cautious with this young talent, and they appeared to plan ahead for the inevitability of Nabers starting this season late with their offseason acquisitions,” Eric Karabell wrote. “Could Nabers overcome this and dominate for four-plus months like he did during his rookie season? He could, but there are far safer receiver options in the first two rounds. Invest in healthier players.”
That’s the key. Don’t draft for Nabers’ ceiling in 2026. The chances of him reaching it are very slim. If he slides to a reachable spot in your draft, great. Grab him. But his name recognition probably won’t let that happen.
Nabers is optimistic, hoping to be ready for Week 1 despite feeling a little hitch in his giddy-up, according to The New York Post.
“No, I wasn’t upset. It’s just that dog in me is just barking a little bit,” Nabers, who wore a red no-contact jersey, said. “It’s just like, he’s coming. That was just a little spark. So, it was just letting everybody [know] he’s coming, he’s waking up a little bit.
“My soul has been dead for so long just being away from the game. So just getting out there and having my teammates behind me kind of felt that soul come back to life out there.”
Mike Evans | San Francisco 49ers
This isn’t about the impact Evans will have for the 49ers. It’s likely that his presence, if he makes it through a 17-game schedule, will bring a positive win-loss difference to the 49ers.
But teams’ wins and losses mean nothing to fantasy managers. And Evans won’t put up Evans-like numbers in 2026.
“Mike Evans is a future Hall of Famer, but he'll be hard-pressed to deliver a strong bounce-back campaign entering his age-33 season and first with the 49ers,” Mike Clay wrote. “Evans missed nine games due to injury last season and, even when active, his numbers were down (career low 12.1 PPG and one top-20 outing in seven full games).
“Over the past decade, Larry Fitzgerald and Julian Edelman are the only 33-plus-year-old wideouts to deliver top-25 fantasy campaigns. And they primarily worked in the slot and/or short range. Evans has generally made his hay as a downfield, red-zone playmaker. He'll benefit from Kyle Shanahan's efficient offense, but Evans panning out as your WR2/3 is going to require some serious touchdown fortune.”
The good news is Evans might double last year’s touchdown total. The bad news is Evans’ TD total last season was only three. Don’t take the chance. Let another deal with the injuries and lower production of Evans.
Alec Pierce | Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers in the second quarter of the game at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
You don’t have to search hard to find people who are concerned about Pierce. Foremost, Pierce has never been a fantasy stud. However, the Colts signed him to a contract that suggests that’s exactly what he has been.
Don’t let that disconnect slip by without taking notice. Yes, Michael Pittman Jr. is gone. But Pierce isn’t the same type of receiver as Pittman. It’s not like he’s going to step into that role and rack up a ton of catches. It’s more likely that Josh Downs will emerge as the Colts’ high-volume guy.
And another big red flag is Pierce’s health. He remains sidelined. And this late in the preseason, it’s a big concern, no matter what the team says about him being available for Week 1.
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A big part of the problem is his role, according to athlonsports.com.
“His vertical speed creates explosive scoring potential, but a specialized downfield role also produces inconsistent target totals and production,” Cory Bonini wrote. “Quarterback Daniel Jones returns from an Achilles injury, and Indianapolis still lacks a viable quarterback solution should he miss time for any reason. With limited established receiving help outside Tyler Warren and Josh Downs, defenses can devote additional attention to preventing Pierce’s primary strength from winning out.”
Red flags all over the place.
Tetairoa McMillan | Carolina Panthers
Part of the reason fantasy managers need to be wary here is quarterback Bryce Young. McMillan needs big numbers from Young to have a standout fantasy season. But it’s hard to get behind Young at this point in his career based on what he’s done so far.
Furthermore, the Panthers don’t throw it enough to make McMillan enticing, according to fantasylife.com.
“The Panthers aren’t going to air the ball out very much,” Adam Pfeifer wrote. “Last year, Carolina ranked 27th in pass rate over expected (-4%), while their 66% pass rate when trailing by four-plus points ranked 22nd. And while he’d occasionally show flashes, Young failed to reach 200—not even 300—passing yards in 12 of 17 games. And among 37 qualified quarterbacks, Young’s metrics didn’t exactly wow anyone. That’s 30th in EPA/play (-0.03), 33rd in YPA (6.3), and 22nd in CMP% (63.6%).”
Courtland Sutton | Denver Broncos
Say what you want about Sutton, but he seems to be set up for a disappointing season. It’s not that he won’t make some big plays. It’s just that the consistency won’t be there.
The Broncos paid Jaylen Waddle stacks of cash. They aren’t going to use him as a decoy. Sutton will be the kind of player who explodes for 20-plus points one week, and then disappears for the next three.
You have to look forward when considering Sutton. Forget the past. And you see a big chance for a decline, according to Fantasy Pros.
“Over the last two seasons, Courtland Sutton has been the unquestioned WR1 for Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos,” Derek Brown wrote. “In those seasons, he finished as the WR18 and WR24 in fantasy points per game. The arrival of Jaylen Waddle will change that this year. Sutton still can be a highly productive player in a pass-happy offense, but he'll take a backseat to Waddle.
“I expect the passing attack to condense around Waddle and Sutton with all of the other receiving options falling in behind them as matchup/coverage specific chess pieces. Sutton is a WR2/3 for 2026.”
Not a WR1. Not even close. He’s at the bottom end of the WR2 receivers. And there’s a legitimate chance he drops all the way to WR3 status.