The short answer. The Balladex projection model's #1 fantasy wide receiver for 2026 is Ja'Marr Chase (Cincinnati Bengals) — projected for 20.4 PPR fantasy points per game, an ADP around round 1. Rounding out the top five: Puka Nacua, Amon-Ra St. Brown, CeeDee Lamb, Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Top wide receivers · 2026 projected
Ranked by projected PPR points per game and value over replacement. Tap any player for his full projection.
| # | Player | Team | Projected line | Proj PPG | VOR | ADP Rd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Ja'Marr Chase |  CIN | 120 rec · 1,521 yds · 11 TD | 20.4 | +9.4 | 1 |
| 2 |  Puka Nacua |  LAR | 123 rec · 1,636 yds · 8 TD | 20.3 | +9.3 | 1 |
| 3 |  Amon-Ra St. Brown |  DET | 111 rec · 1,354 yds · 10 TD | 18.3 | +7.3 | 1 |
| 4 |  CeeDee Lamb |  DAL | 108 rec · 1,418 yds · 8 TD | 17.8 | +6.8 | 1 |
| 5 |  Jaxon Smith-Njigba |  SEA | 103 rec · 1,455 yds · 7 TD | 17.4 | +6.4 | 1 |
| 6 |  Rashee Rice |  KC | 109 rec · 1,185 yds · 10 TD | 17.2 | +6.2 | 2 |
| 7 |  Malik Nabers |  NYG | 112 rec · 1,340 yds · 8 TD | 17.0 | +6.0 | 2 |
| 8 |  Justin Jefferson |  MIN | 92 rec · 1,356 yds · 7 TD | 15.8 | +4.8 | 2 |
| 9 |  Nico Collins |  HOU | 86 rec · 1,317 yds · 7 TD | 15.8 | +4.7 | 2 |
| 10 |  Drake London |  ATL | 90 rec · 1,208 yds · 8 TD | 15.2 | +4.1 | 3 |
| 11 |  Tee Higgins | CIN | 81 rec · 1,081 yds · 9 TD | 14.8 | +3.8 | 3 |
| 12 |  Garrett Wilson |  NYJ | 101 rec · 1,126 yds · 7 TD | 14.5 | +3.5 | 3 |
| 13 |  Brian Thomas Jr. |  JAX | 82 rec · 1,223 yds · 7 TD | 14.4 | +3.4 | 3 |
| 14 |  Chris Olave |  NO | 92 rec · 1,117 yds · 6 TD | 14.3 | +3.3 | 3 |
| 15 |  George Pickens | DAL | 77 rec · 1,207 yds · 7 TD | 14.3 | +3.3 | 3 |
Method. A Balladex model estimate (illustrative), not a guarantee: each player projected forward from his last three seasons, bent along a position aging curve and availability, TDs regressed toward red-zone opportunity, defensive scheme and weekly matchups folded in, scored PPR and ranked by value over replacement. See the full 2026 draft board, the weekly start/sit & streamers board, matchups grid, and the model's sleepers & busts.