Ranking Most Underrated WRs in NFL Ahead of 2026 Season

Wide receivers have stayed in the headlines during the 2026 NFL offseason. Alec Pierce's massive new deal, George Pickens playing on the franchise tag, multiple receivers going in Round 1 and A.J. Brown finally getting traded have ensured there's been no shortage of wideout talk this offseason.

This isn't unusual, either. Wide receiver remains a premium offensive position in the modern NFL, one not exactly known for subdued personalities or subtlety. Yet, some very good wide receivers still manage to fly under the radar.

Here, we'll examine the seven most underrated receivers entering the 2026 season. We'll look specifically at players who have never been an All-Pro or Pro Bowler, and to help put the term "underrated" into perspective, we'll also examine the latest point-per-reception (PPR) fantasy rankings from FantasyPros.

The following pass-catchers were selected and ranked based on past production, potential upside, supporting cast and projected role.

7. Jauan Jennings, Minnesota Vikings

AP Photo/Terrance Williams

Fantasy Ranking: No. 61

Jauan Jennings' fantasy ranking reflects somewhat modest statistical expectations for 2026. That's unsurprising, as he recently signed a free-agent deal with the Minnesota Vikings.

In Minnesota, the 28-year-old will be sharing targets with Justin Jefferson, budding star Jordan Addison and tight end T.J. Hockenson.

However, Jennings' value to the Vikings should be tremendous. He doesn't possess elite speed, but he's consistently shown that he can win with size (6'3", 212 lbs), physicality, route-running and work ethic.

The fact that he didn't sign with Minnesota until May was surprising.

Jennings was a reliable but overlooked receiver for three years with the San Francisco 49ers before his breakout 975-yard campaign in 2024. He battled injuries and finished with just 643 yards this past season, but he averaged 11.7 yards per catch and found the end zone nine times. In fact, 45 of his 55 receptions last season went for scores or first downs.

6. Jakobi Meyers, Jacksonville Jaguars

AP Photo/Jack Dempsey

Fantasy Ranking: No. 40

Jakobi Meyers was a very good complementary receiver during his four seasons with the New England Patriots, and he had his bright moments with the Las Vegas Raiders, too. The North Carolina State product logged his first 1,000-yard campaign with the Raiders in 2024.

However, Meyers also got lost in Las Vegas a bit as the Raiders struggled to find relevance. He jumped into the spotlight a bit this past season when he was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars and quickly established himself as Trevor Lawrence's go-to target.

"You think about where we're at in terms of volume of drops, what's his superpower? It's not dropping the football, right?" Jaguars GM James Gladstone said after Meyers was acquired, per ESPN's Michael Di Rocco.

In nine games with Jacksonville, Meyers caught 42 passes for 483 yards and three touchdowns. He also provided a 95.2 passer rating when targeted, which is impressive for a player joining a new system midseason.

Meyers' fantasy value will be limited by the presence of other Jags receivers, like Brian Thomas Jr., Travis Hunter, and Parker Washington. As a player, he continues to be underrated.

5. Jalen Coker, Carolina Panthers

AP Photo/Nell Redmond

Fantasy Ranking: No. 54

Jalen Coker joined the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent out of Holy Cross in 2024. Over the past two years, he's been overshadowed by receivers selected higher than him—first-round pick Xavier Legette in 2024 and first-rounder Tetairoa McMillan in 2025.

During that time, though, Coker has also established himself as a key cog in Carolina's offense.

Injuries have limited him to 11 games in each of the past two seasons, but Coker has recorded 65 catches for 872 yards and five touchdowns as a Panther. He further flashed his big-play potential during the divisional round in January, torching the Los Angeles Rams for 134 yards and a touchdown on nine receptions.

During his two seasons with Carolina, Coker has provided a passer rating of 113.1 when targeted.

Coker's combination of ability and reliability is why the Panthers were quick to sign him to a three-year extension as soon as he was eligible this offseason—as an undrafted player, he became extension-eligible after two seasons instead of three.

While Coker may never be a No. 1 receiver for the Panthers, he's set to be a very productive player for the foreseeable future.

4. Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills

AP Photo/Maria Lysaker

Fantasy Ranking: No. 49

After trading away Stefon Diggs in 2024, the Buffalo Bills spent two seasons without a true No. 1 receiver on the roster. This offseason's trade for D.J. Moore was meant to give Josh Allen a new top perimeter target, and there's a very good chance that Moore will dominate the target share.

However, Moore's arrival doesn't mean that Khalil Shakir will suddenly disappear from Buffalo's offense. The 2022 fifth-round pick out of Boise State has established himself as a key role player over the past three seasons. Over the past two, he has also served as Allen's No. 1 option.

Shakir led the Bills with 821 receiving yards in 2024 and 719 yards this past season. While he doesn't have the skill set of a true No. 1 receiver, he's filled in quite nicely as a go-to pass-catcher.

With a 6'0" frame and 4.43 speed, Shakir can beat defensive backs in multiple ways, and he can generate big plays when he does.

The 26-year-old has caught more than 75 percent of his targets and provided a passer rating above 100.0 in each of the past three seasons. Moore may be stepping in as the new No. 1, but Shakir should be one of the league's better second options.

3. Romeo Doubs, New England Patriots

AP Photo/Charles Krupa

Fantasy Ranking: No. 53

The New England Patriots acquired A.J. Brown on June 1, and Brown is likely to dominate the spotlight during the Patriots' training camp. He's expected to be New England's No. 1 receiver and to help quarterback Drake Maye take more positive steps in 2026.

However, New England's addition of Romeo Doubs in free agency shouldn't be discounted.

While Doubs was never a true No. 1 option with the Green Bay Packers, he cemented himself as one of the league's top slot options and a dangerous inside-outside threat. His combination of size (6'2", 204 lbs), precise route-running, and silky smooth footwork has made Doubs a receiver who just seems to find holes in the secondary.

This past season, Doubs caught 55 passes for 724 yards and six touchdowns. He also provided a passer rating of 110.1 when targeted. He's provided a passer rating of at least 97.0 in all four of his Packers seasons while averaging more than 600 yards per campaign.

There's no doubt that Brown will play a big role in Maye's ongoing development, but Doubs may prove to be just as valuable to the young QB's growth.

2. Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts

AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack

Fantasy Ranking: No. 32

Alec Pierce generated plenty of headlines at the start of free agency, as his four-year, $114 million extension came in much higher than many fans might have expected. The Cincinnati product was, after all, a relative unknown outside of Indianapolis and fantasy football circles.

However, Pierce possesses something that few other NFL receivers do. His combination of size (6'3", 211 lbs), elite speed (4.33-second 40-yard dash), and sure hands makes him a legitimate big-play threat.

Pierce's production jumped alongside the emergence of quarterback Daniel Jones in 2025, and he posted his first 1,000-yard campaign. However, he consistently flashed his deep-threat ability since entering the league as a second-round pick in 2022.

In each of the past two seasons, Pierce has led the NFL in yards per catch.

Despite the payday and the notoriety that has come along with it, Pierce is still being overlooked. In the fantasy realm, that may be because he's still recovering from offseason ankle surgery. In the real world, he simply isn't viewed as a true No. 1 receiver.

If Jones can stay healthy in 2026 and the Colts offense can continue growing, though, Pierce's yardage production could realistically go from top 20 to top 10 this season.

1. Michael Wilson, Arizona Cardinals

AP PhotoRoss D. Franklin

Fantasy Ranking: No. 36

Michael Wilson was arguably the breakout receiver of 2025. The Arizona Cardinals pass-catcher had a slow start to the year but soared after Jacoby Brissett took over at quarterback and added some punch to the passing game.

The 26-year-old logged three 100-yard games, and despite not topping 50 yards in a game until Week 9, he finished with 1,006 yards on the season.

Wilson's breakout campaign shouldn't be viewed as a fluke either.

While he's been overshadowed by fourth overall pick Marvin Harrison Jr. over the past two seasons, Wilson has been a strong contributor since he was drafted in the third round out of Stanford in 2023. He topped 500 receiving yards in each of his first two seasons and has provided a QB rating of 91.9 when targeted as a pro.

Wilson doesn't possess elite speed (4.58), but he's quick enough, has strong route skills, and can beat opposing defenders with play strength and size (6'2", 213 lbs). In other words, he just might be the go-to No. 1 receiver that Arizona thought it was getting in Harrison.

It's unclear how Arizona's QB situations will look this season with Brissett, Gardner Minshew, and rookie Carson Beck serving as the team's top options. If the Cardinals find QB stability, though, Mike LaFleur's offense should give Wilson the opportunity for another significant jump.

*Advanced statistics from Pro Football Reference.