Fantasy Football drafts seem to be dominated by wide receivers more and more every year. With three starting wide receiver spots being the most common setting for leagues, making sure you have a good core is important. Finding quality contributors late in drafts can create a large advantage for your teams. Let’s dive into some of my favorite late-round targets.

Pat Bryant, WR Denver Broncos

Pat Bryant entered the NFL after a decent college career, playing all four years for the run-heavy Illinois Fighting Illini. He excelled as a senior, posting a 2.8 Yards per Route Run and led the team in all major receiving categories. Bryant is a rangy and crafty wide receiver who uses his size and length to position himself well in the short and intermediate areas of the field. What he has in some polish, he lacks in athleticism, though. Sean Payton did compare Bryant to Michael Thomas, but that has to be taken with a grain of salt. 

Drafted in the 3rd round by the Denver Broncos, Pat Bryant landed in a spot where he could find immediate opportunity. His prospect profile is a little lacking, and his draft capital isn’t ideal, but after Courtland Sutton, the Broncos’ pass catchers aren’t that exciting. Marvin Mims is mostly a gadget player. Troy Franklin did little as a rookie. DeVaughn Vele surprised as a 27-year-old rookie but doesn’t excite anyone. Newly acquired Evan Engram could step up, but they’re likely competing for different targets.

One of the best things Pat Bryant has going for him is his cost. Bryant will routinely be available at the end of your drafts. It’s not as often these days that a day two wide receiver with a reasonable path to opportunity goes as late as he does. Finishing second on the Broncos is in the range of outcomes for the rookie. Bryant is a great way to add rookie upside to your receiver room late in drafts. 

Cedric Tillman, WR Cleveland Browns

Contributing little as a rookie in 2023, Cedric Tillman wasn’t expected to do much as a sophomore in 2024. For the first half of the season, that held. But after Amari Cooper was traded, Tillman got his chance, and he ran with it. Over the next four games, Tillman thrived, producing more fantasy points than Jerry Jeudy over that timeframe. Unfortunately, though, Tillman then suffered a concussion that took him out for the rest of the season. 

This offseason, the Browns did little to add to their wide receiver room. The biggest name and/or investment made was the signing of Diontae Johnson from free agency. But Johnson fell out of favor in the NFL in 2024, bouncing around different teams. Tillman projects to retain the X wide receiver role in the Browns’ offense in 2025 and will look to continue where he left off. Jerry Jeudy and David Njoku are projected to be the Browns’ top targets in the passing game, but Tillman isn’t that far behind. 

The main concern for Tillman is the Browns' carousel of quarterbacks and whether they can support multiple weapons. The good news is that the Browns have had a great pace of play over the last two years, ranking first and tied for first in plays as well as fifth and first in pass attempts. With the Browns’ defense looking bad, they will have no choice but to pass at a high rate. Tillman represents the potential for a WR3 with WR6 cost and is one of the better value picks at his position. 

Michael Wilson, WR Arizona Cardinals

In his time in the NFL, Michael Wilson has been a solid complementary wide receiver for the Cardinals. Over his two years in the NFL, Wilson has had PPR PPGs of 7.8 and 8.8 while playing second or third fiddle in the passing offense. With the Cardinals having a weak depth chart after Marvin Harrison Jr and Wilson, it wouldn’t have been a surprise if they added a pass catcher. But, the Cardinals made no moves of note, making a quiet winner of the offseason. 

Michael Wilson is a jack-of-all-trades type of receiver with solid size and athleticism who can play across the formation. In his two seasons in the NFL, Wilson has played just under a third of routes from the slot, showing his versatility. He’s got good route running as well. He has no trump card as a pass catcher, though. This caps his ceiling, but at his cost, he doesn’t need a top ceiling outcome to be a value. 

Being selected at the end of drafts, Michael Wilson is practically free and has next to zero risk. Wilson projects to be a good depth piece for our fantasy teams, whom you can start when in a pinch. He likely has some injury contingent upside should anything happen to Marvin Harrison or Trey McBride as well. Wilson is one of my favorite wide receivers to take at the end of my drafts. He’s got a locked-in role with potential for more. 

Demario Douglas, WR New England Patriots

Demario Douglas wasn’t expected to make an impact, let alone make the team, after being selected in the sixth round of the NFL Draft by the Patriots. But over the last two years, Douglas has been one of the Patriots' more consistent players. Douglas has put up respectable points with 7.7 and 8.8 PPR PPG over his two years in the NFL as a reliable underneath option in the slot. Douglas can easily create separation and give his quarterback easy completions.  

This offseason, the Patriots signed Stefon Diggs and drafted Kyle Williams in the third round of the NFL Draft. While Diggs and Williams are expected to be the Patriots' starting wide receivers, Demario Douglas should be their slot whenever they go three wide. Douglas could earn more play as well due to Diggs being a 31-year-old coming off a torn ACL, and Williams is still a rookie who must prove himself. Lastly, we have to weigh in that Drake Maye could ascend to a level of play in which he can support them all at their costs.

Demario Douglas will have a solid role in the Patriots’ offense as their main slot receiver at a minimum. A player of Douglas’ build doesn’t have as high a ceiling as others, but he can still provide flex value with enough opportunities. He’s got a pathway to those opportunities on an ascending offense. When I’m looking for some more guaranteed production at wide receiver at the end of my drafts, I’m looking Douglas’ way. 

Elic Ayomanor, WR Tennessee Titans

Declaring early after his junior season, Elic Ayomanor comes into the NFL after two productive seasons at Stanford, averaging 2.1 yards per route run. Ayomanor has a great blend of size and speed while excelling at working down the field. He’s also shown sneaky ability after the catch. It’s just catching the ball that can be the problem. Frankly put, his hands are inconsistent. He’ll go from making a tough catch on one play to dropping a routine one on the very next play. 

Drafted in the fourth round by the Titans, Elic Ayomanor was originally expected to be drafted on day two. There have been reports that Ayomanor had a knee issue pop up on his medicals during the draft process, but regardless, being drafted on day three isn’t ideal. What is ideal is landing on a team like the Titans, where there is a clear path to opportunities for Ayomanor. Calvin Ridley sits atop the depth chart as the only known quality player with little behind him. 

Even as a fourth-round pick, Elic Ayomanor has a real chance to make an impact as a rookie. Early reports from OTAs are that Ayomanor is excelling, and he has the physical tools to do it. Right now, Ayomanor is practically free in drafts. Given that he has a good chance to be his team’s WR2, that's too cheap. He’s an easy way to add big upside potential to your wide receiver core.

Understand Your Team

When targeting late-round wide receivers, understanding your team is important. Sometimes, you’re looking for pure ceiling like Elic Ayomanor. Sometimes, you’re looking for a solid floor that you can plug into your lineup in a pinch, like Demario Douglas. Draft wisely.

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