2026 NFL Draft: Live Fantasy Tracker (Rounds 2-3)

2.39 - Browns - WR Denzel Boston, Washington

DLF Dynasty Profile: Boston doesn't quite profile as one of the top three receivers in this year's draft, but don't let that fool you, as he can play. Boston was the University of Washington's top receiver this season and has posted over 1,700 yards and a whopping 20 touchdowns over the past two seasons combined, showing a clear ability to simply produce. An outstanding competitor with NFL toughness, Boston may not have elite-level speed, but there are no questions about his hands or ability to make tough catches. His performance has dipped against better competition, and that raises some red flags, but it's hard to see Boston falling out of the second tier of rookie draft prospects based on what looks like a pretty high floor.

Harmon: Denzel Boston belongs to an expanding archetype of receivers that looks like the classic X but can be weaponized by moving across the formation to create mismatches in the modern NFL. He’s not quite at the caliber of prospect of some of these names to come into the league the last few seasons, but he certainly brings a ton of ability to the table and is a much better route runner than he’s credited by most that I’ve seen. Boston should go off the board in the later portions of the first round of the NFL Draft and immediately add a reliable possession target who can also make plays in tight coverage. If he continues to hone his craft and improve against zone coverage down the field, he could be a high-volume option early on in your offense.

Opportunity: C

Paulsen’s Fantasy Analysis: Denzel Boston is the contested-catch alpha that Cleveland has been missing. He posted a 97th-percentile PFF Receiving Grade (87.2), a 93rd-percentile contested catch rate (76.9%), and an 87th-percentile yards per route run (2.44) at Washington, all while running an 84th-percentile aDOT (14.4). This is a true X receiver who wins downfield and in traffic. Eleven touchdowns on 95 targets across just 12 games is legit production. The YAC numbers are modest (50th percentile), which tells you Boston is a points-of-the-catch winner rather than a create-after-the-catch guy, which is fine when you're this dominant at the catch point.

The fit alongside Concepcion actually makes sense on paper. Concepcion moves around the formation while Boston attacks the boundary downfield. The problem is the quarterback situation. Until Cleveland figures out whether it's Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders, or Deshaun Watson, the entire passing game operates with a hard ceiling. Boston's downfield orientation makes him especially quarterback-dependent; a 14.4 aDOT needs accuracy and arm talent on the other end. He's a late-round redraft dart throw with more risk than reward in Year 1; dynasty managers should buy the talent at a depressed price and hope the Browns eventually find a passer worthy of this receiver room.

2.47 - Steelers - WR Germie Bernard, Alabama

DLF Dynasty Profile: Bernard is one of this year's most recognized names after spending time with Michigan State, Washington, and Alabama during his time in college. For his part, he posted 155 total catches for 2,203 yards and 13 touchdowns over his four years, showing solid ability wherever he went. Bernard looks like a player who has improved every year, but it's also fair to wonder just how high his ceiling really is. He may need to land on a team that will allow him some time to learn the NFL game instead of one that needs him right away, but he still looks like a pretty solid choice in the second round of a rookie draft this Spring.

Harmon: Bernard doesn’t come with the tantalizing size/speed combination you typically want when trying to outkick a Day 2 draft slot, but man, if you want someone to get on base and potentially give you even more in the right system, Bernard checks a lot of boxes. He gets open at a high enough rate, gets to the proper depths on his routes, and can do something with the ball in his hands. He’s one of the best receivers in the class, outside of the top tiers, on the dig and out route combination. That means a lot to me, considering how much production those patterns can feed to a player.

Opportunity: C

Paulsen’s Fantasy Analysis: Germie Bernard is a high-volume target earner whose PFF efficiency metrics don't quite match the draft capital. His PFF Receiving Grade (71.6) lands at just the 68th percentile, and his yards per route run (1.70) sits at the 50th percentile; neither number screams second-round pick. The contested catch rate (23rd percentile, 35.7%) is a genuine red flag for a receiver of his size. What Bernard does well is get open and avoid drops. He had just one drop on 102 targets at Alabama, which is remarkable, and he ran routes on 94% of Alabama's pass plays. He's a reliable, high-floor possession receiver more than a dynamic playmaker.

The landing spot limits his immediate fantasy ceiling. DK Metcalf is the clear WR1 on the outside, Michael Pittman Jr. handles the other boundary role, and Bernard will likely compete for slot and third-receiver snaps.

2.54 - Eagles - TE Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt

DLF Dynasty Profile: There's a big gap between Kenyon Sadiq and Stowers at tight end in this year's rookie draft analysis, but it's hard to argue against the merits of Stowers being the TE2. He was highly productive at Vanderbilt last season with a 62/769/4 line, and his combine performance was very impressive, solidifying his athletic ability as no worse than second-best at the position. His landing spot will be a key as he needs to go to a team with a clear need at tight end in order to produce early, but you could do a lot worse with a second-round rookie draft pick.

Opportunity: B-

Paulsen’s Fantasy Analysis: Eli Stowers is a freak athlete with legit production to back it up. Per Player Profiler, he tested at the 94th percentile in the 40-yard dash, 94th percentile in Speed Score, 100th percentile in Burst Score, and 100th percentile in Catch Radius. The PFF data matches the athletic profile: a 95th-percentile PFF Receiving Grade (85.3) and a 97th-percentile yards per route run (2.55) among all tight ends in the dataset. Vanderbilt deployed him heavily in the slot (95th-percentile slot rate at 66.4%), and he drew 85 targets on 301 routes — the kind of usage rate that shows how central he was to that offense. The contested catch rate (33rd percentile) and a 6.1% drop rate are areas to clean up, but the tools and production are undeniable.

The problem is Dallas Goedert. He's still entrenched as the TE1 in Philadelphia, and Jalen Hurts' offense doesn't traditionally support two fantasy-relevant tight ends. Stowers is likely looking at a part-time role as a rookie, some two-TE sets, some slot deployment to get his athleticism on the field, but not the kind of volume that moves the needle in fantasy. This is a Year 2 breakout candidate. Goedert turns 32 this season, and his contract is up after 2026, which sets up Stowers to inherit a massive role in one of the best offenses in football.

2.56 - Jaguars - TE Nate Boerkircher, Texas A&M

Paulsen's Fantasy Analysis: Curious pick in the second round given his 19 catches for 198 yards and three touchdowns as a senior. He must be a good blocker, and we don't award fantasy points for good blocks.

2.59 - Texans - TE Marlin Klein, Michigan

Paulsen's Fantasy Analysis: 24 catches for 248 yards and a touchdown as a senior at Michigan. Another curious pick in the second round.

2.61 - Rams - TE Max Klare, Ohio State

DLF Dynasty Profile: Klare seems destined to battle the likes of Eli Stowers and possibly a few more to be the TE2 this year behind Kenyon Sadiq. Klare needs to improve as a pass blocker to be a complete tight end at the NFL level but dynasty managers won't care much as long as he's adequate enough to stay on the field. Klare's speed and ability to adjust routes to snag catches should be alluring, and the former Purdue Boilermaker and Ohio State Buckeye should be a solid choice in rookie drafts this Spring. It's fair to wonder if he'll ever be able to reach true "set it and forget it" TE1 status in dynasty leagues, but few really do reach that pinnacle, and he looks like a solid choice in round two or three at this point in the process.

Opportunity: D

Paulsen’s Fantasy Analysis: Max Klare's final season at Ohio State was a step back from his junior year at Purdue (51-685-4), and the PFF data reflects it. His PFF Receiving Grade (66.5) sits at just the 52nd percentile among tight ends, with a 56th-percentile yards per route run (1.48) and a pedestrian 38th-percentile yards after catch per reception (5.2). The one bright spot is an 82nd-percentile contested catch rate (66.7%); Klare wins at the catch point when the ball is thrown his way, but he just didn't get enough opportunity to show it consistently. The 6.9 aDOT tells you Ohio State used him as a short-area chain mover rather than a seam-stretching weapon.

The Rams are a terrible landing spot for Year 1 fantasy purposes. Tyler Higbee is still the starter, Colby Parkinson carved out a real role last season, and Terrance Ferguson provides upside and depth behind both. Klare is buried on this depth chart and would need multiple injuries to see meaningful snaps. He's completely off the fantasy radar in 2026 redraft. The contested catch rate hints at a skill set that could matter eventually, but the production regression, the depth chart, and the lack of elite athleticism make him one of the easier tight ends in this class to fade.

3.65 - Cardinals - QB Carson Beck, Miami (FL)

DLF Dynasty Profile: After spending four years at Georgia, Beck nearly had a storybook ending to his career, but his Miami team fell in the National Title game to Indiana. Still, Beck was solid again this year with 3,813 yards with 30 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. It's interesting to evaluate Beck because it's hard to argue against a player who has posted nearly 12,000 passing yards with 88 touchdowns, with most of that coming in just the last three years. Unfortunately, many scouts believe he doesn't have the same talent after UCL surgery, and many also believe he was carried a little by having superior talent in most games he played in. Beck looks like a good but not great prospect, but he also may have a higher floor than the rest of the late-round dart throws at the position.

Opportunity: A-

Paulsen’s Fantasy Analysis: Carson Beck's profile is a study in contradictions. The 93rd-percentile Adjusted Completion % (79.0) looks great on paper, but context matters, as his aDOT (7.6) sat at just the 13th percentile, meaning he was generating that accuracy almost entirely on short throws at Miami. The PFF Pass Grade (75.6, 72nd percentile) and yards per attempt (8.1, 77th percentile) are fine but not special. The big-time throw rate (29th percentile) is a concern; Beck played it safe underneath. On the positive side, his turnover-worthy play rate landed at the 90th percentile (2.2%), so at least he protected the ball.

The landing spot beside Jeremiyah Love is nice in theory, but Beck isn't walking into a starting job. The Cardinals are still sorting out the post-Kyler Murray era, and Beck will compete with Jacoby Brissett for the starting job. Even if he wins the job eventually, the lack of rushing ability and downfield aggressiveness gives Beck questionable upside. This is a game-manager profile, not a fantasy difference-maker. Thirty touchdowns to twelve interceptions across 16 games is decent volume, but it came in a dink-and-dunk system that inflated the efficiency numbers.

3.69 - Bears - TE Sam Roush, Stanford

DLF Dynasty Profile: Roush could be an underrated prospect who was simply underutilized at Stanford. While his production (four career touchdowns in four seasons) leaves a lot to be desired, he showed out at the NFL Draft Combine (third overall in terms of athleticism for tight ends), and a team could take the plunge on him in the middle rounds of the NFL Draft. If that happens, he could clearly move up draft boards in rookie formats in short order.

Opportunity: F

Paulsen’s Fantasy Analysis: Sam Roush is a real football pick, not a fantasy one. At 270 pounds, he's a mauler in the run game who lined up inline on 65.6% of his snaps at Stanford — the 20th-percentile slot rate (29.1%) confirms he wasn't running many routes from receiver alignments. The PFF Receiving Grade (56.6) landed at the 13th percentile among tight ends, which is about what you'd expect from a blocking-first profile. The 12.5% drop rate is brutal, and the targeted passer rating (69.0) suggests quarterbacks were worse off throwing his way. Per Player Profiler, the 89th-percentile Burst Score and 80th-percentile Agility Score are intriguing for a man his size, but the tape at Stanford didn't translate those traits into receiving production.

Chicago already has Colston Loveland entrenched as the TE1 and Cole Kmet serving as a reliable secondary option. Roush's role is to help Caleb Williams stay upright and open lanes in the run game — valuable for the Bears, irrelevant for fantasy managers. He's undraftable in every redraft and dynasty format. Move along.

3.71 - Commanders - WR Antonio Williams, Clemson

DLF Dynasty Profile: Williams was solid at Clemson last season, posting a 55/604/4 line but most wanted more after his 2024 campaign, where he caught 75 passes for 904 yards with 11 touchdowns for the Tigers. The challenge with Williams has little to do with his ability and more with his availability, as he's fought a lot of nagging injuries throughout his college career. He's going to prove he's tough enough to beat press coverage and physical corners at the NFL level and stay healthy at the same time, but there's some explosiveness here, and the right system could unlock his potential. Williams looks the part of a second or third round rookie pick at the moment.

Harmon: In the right ecosystem, Williams has everything you’re looking for in a high-volume slot option who can be on the field for the vast majority of plays. He wins against man coverage, is a good route runner, and can be relied upon at all levels. He’s not my favorite slot receiver to enter the league in the last few classes, but I have a ton of appreciation for his non-flashy game that you can set your watch by. The ceiling for Williams will be heavily dependent on where he lands, but he’s got the game to contribute.

Opportunity: A

Paulsen’s Fantasy Analysis: Antonio Williams is a pure slot receiver: he had a 93rd-percentile slot rate (93.0%) at Clemson with almost zero outside snaps. The PFF data supports the archetype: a 90th-percentile PFF Receiving Grade (79.6) and an 81st-percentile yards per route run (2.27), but just an 11th-percentile aDOT (7.7). He wins underneath, catches everything thrown his way (76.4% catch rate, just one drop on the season), and moves the chains. He's not a vertical threat, and the contested catch rate (42nd percentile) is nothing special, but that's not what you're drafting him for.

Washington is a sneaky-good fit. Terry McLaurin is locked in as the WR1 on the outside, and the only real competition for slot work is Luke McCaffrey and Jaylin Lane. Williams' 10-game sample is small, but the efficiency was real, and Jayden Daniels' accuracy and willingness to check down should feed Williams' short-area game nicely. The ceiling is limited by the aDOT profile; Williams needs volume to matter in fantasy, and he's unlikely to produce many big plays. He’ll hold more value in PPR formats.

3.73 - Saints - TE Oscar Delp, Georgia

Paulsen’s Fantasy Analysis: Oscar Delp had three straight seasons with 20+ catches and 248+ yards. He's behind Juwan Johnson and Noah Fant, so holds almost no fantasy value heading into 2026 drafts.

3.74 - Giants - WR Malachi Fields, Notre Dame

DLF Dynasty Profile: Fields is a really intriguing prospect as his 36/630/5 line at Notre Dame won't steal headlines but is deceiving as the Fighting Irish were extremely run heavy last season. While he didn't post the numbers he may have wanted after transferring from Virginia last season, he did record a healthy 17.5 yards per catch and looked very explosive in the process. NFL execs and dynasty enthusiasts will need to weigh the pros and cons of Fields as much is unknown but he has a high ceiling and should be a solid second round rookie pick in the process as a speedster who may have untapped potential.

Harmon: There’s no getting around some of the separation-based red flags and lack of speed manifested in Malachi Fields’s Reception Perception charting. Overall, I really like a lot of Fields’ game and hope he can find a role that suits him as a pro. You can clearly tell he’s a hard worker and dedicated technician. Hopefully, that gets rewarded with a staff that can carve out some deployment that accentuates his strengths and hides some of his flaws.

Opportunity: B

Paulsen’s Fantasy Analysis: Malachi Fields played exclusively on the outside at Notre Dame—88.7% wide rate, a 19th-percentile slot rate (9.7%). His 94th-percentile aDOT (16.4) is one of the highest in the entire dataset, and he backed it up with an 83rd-percentile PFF Receiving Grade (76.2) and 17.5 yards per reception across 12 games. The catch rate (58.1%) looks low until you factor in the depth of target and the volume of contested opportunities—23 contested targets with 11 catches. Just one drop all season. This is a vertical boundary receiver who stretches the field and makes plays at the catch point.

The YAC profile is limited (59th percentile), so he needs accurate deep balls to produce. Fields is a boom-or-bust WR5/6 in redraft with a weekly ceiling tied to one or two big plays. He’ll compete with Darius Slayton, Darnell Mooney, and Calvin Austin III for snaps alongside Malik Nabers.

3.75 - Dolphins - WR Caleb Douglas, Texas Tech

Opportunity: B+

Paulsen's Fantasy Analysis: Caleb Douglas is a volume-based outside receiver whose raw production (93 targets, 54 catches, 846 yards, 7 touchdowns across 14 games) looks a lot better than his efficiency. The PFF Receiving Grade (68.3) sits at just the 54th percentile, the yards per route run (1.77) at the 55th, and the contested catch rate (23rd percentile, 35.3%) is a real problem for a boundary receiver running a 13.6 aDOT. The 11.5% drop rate is alarming — seven drops on the season is the kind of issue that limits trust at the NFL level. Texas Tech force-fed him targets and the counting stats followed, but the underlying efficiency paints a much less exciting picture.

The Dolphins' landing spot adds intrigue despite the profile concerns, though Miami is in a full rebuild. Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill are gone, so there are plenty of targets up for grabs. Malik Willis at quarterback could be sneaky good for Douglas.

3.76 - Steelers - QB Drew Allar, Penn State

DLF Dynasty Profile: This was supposed to be the breakout season for Allar at Penn State, but it turned into a nightmare as the Nittany Lions struggled out of the gate and Allar had a season-ending ankle injury. In the end, Allar threw for 7,402 yards with 61 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in parts of four seasons while playing in State College, Pennsylvania. The challenge with Allar is simple - he looks the part and can make every throw an NFL team would ask him to. However, he has been massively inconsistent and borderline erratic at times. He would be best served to be drafted by a "quarterback whisperer" and take a year or two to develop, but it's hard to find teams that are that patient any longer. As such, Allar looks like a dart throw late in rookie drafts this Spring.

Opportunity: C+

Paulsen’s Fantasy Analysis: Drew Allar is a classic Day 2 pocket passer whose stock took a hit after a broken left ankle ended his 2025 season in November. He's a big-armed quarterback who wins with anticipation and can drive the ball into tight windows on seam routes and hole shots. He led Penn State to a 13-3 record and a CFP semifinal appearance in 2024, finishing with the 16th-best QBR in the FBS that season. But the red flags are real: a 1-7 record against AP top-10 opponents with completion percentages dipping into the 48-50% range in those games, plus key turnovers in marquee matchups.

The Steelers' quarterback room is a mess, which is both the opportunity and the problem. If Aaron Rodgers returns, Allar is a backup with no fantasy relevance. If Rodgers walks, it's a three-way competition with Will Howard and Mason Rudolph, and none of those options inspires confidence.

3.79 - Falcons - WR Zachariah Branch, Georgia

DLF Dynasty Profile: Is it really possible for a receiver who runs a 4.35 40 and posts an 81/811/6 line in the SEC to really be a sleeper in the NFL Draft? Well, it seems that could be the case with Branch, who looks to be flying under the radar a touch at the moment. The former top-10 recruit may have struggled to match the hype he had out of High School but the former USC Trojan and Georgia Bulldog could be a solid slot receiver and return man at the next level. Dynasty managers will need to be convinced he's not going to be a "gadget player" who has to have his touches manufactured, but there's a lot to like here in round two of a rookie draft.

Harmon: Zachariah Branch won’t be for every evaluator out there, and quite frankly, his collegiate usage makes for a tough Reception Perception charting profile, too. There are some “real receiver” moments for him when running in-cuts over the middle against man coverage but the rest of the picture is cloudy, at best, as a route runner. He makes up for that with his highlight-reel ability with the ball in his hands and plenty of translatable “in space” reps but that still leads to a limited application skill-set.

Opportunity: B

Paulsen’s Fantasy Analysis: Zachariah Branch’s 1st-percentile aDOT (3.6) is the lowest in virtually the entire dataset; Georgia used him almost exclusively on quick-hitters and manufactured touches. But what he did with those touches was electric: a 93rd-percentile yards after catch per reception (7.8), a 94th-percentile PFF Receiving Grade (82.6), a 91st-percentile yards per route run (2.57), and an 81st-percentile contested catch rate (62.5%). He caught 81 of 93 targets (87.1%) with just two drops, racking up 634 yards after the catch on 811 total receiving yards. Nearly 80% of his yardage came after the ball arrived. He's a dynamic playmaker who needs the ball in his hands, not a traditional route runner.

Atlanta is an interesting fit. Drake London is the clear alpha, while Jahan Dotson is the WR2, and Olamide Zaccheaus works the slot, so Branch is competing for gadget snaps and return duties early. Whether it's Michael Penix or Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback, both are accurate passers who can feed Branch on the short stuff and let his legs do the rest. The ceiling is a Deebo Samuel-lite role with jet sweeps and slot screens; the floor is a return specialist who sees 15-20 offensive snaps per game. Branch is undraftable in standard redraft formats but worth a late-round dynasty flier in PPR leagues if Atlanta commits to manufacturing touches for him.

3.80 - Ravens - WR Ja'Kobi Lane, USC

DLF Dynasty Profile: Lane was overshadowed by the highly coveted Makai Lemon at USC but still posted a healthy 745 receiving yards and four touchdowns for the Trojans last season. At 6'4", Lane projects to be at least a decent red zone target in the NFL but is going to need to prove he can be more. His size and speed combination looks good on paper but he has struggled with physical corners throughout his career. In the end, Lane looks like a bit of a boom or bust prospect but one who may just need some time out of the shadows of Lemon to prove his worth. As such, he looks like a second or third round rookie pick prior to the 2026 NFL Draft.

Harmon: Ultimately, my deployment and somewhat stylistic comparison for Ja’Kobi Lane, now a former Chiefs receiver, is to Marquez Valdes-Scantling. The difference between the two is that Lane has much better hands and overall ability at the catch point, which is not an insignificant advantage in his favor. MVS was not a separator by any means and didn’t have the fluidity or technique to weaponize his speed, but he had some utility for the Chiefs, Packers, and even a brief stint with the Saints purely as that sacrificial player who was, in an ideal world, low-usage but high-yield. He just left a lot of plays on the field because of his drops and whiffs in the contested catch game. Lane has a better resume in that portion of the game.

Opportunity: C

Paulsen’s Fantasy Analysis: Ja’Kobi Lane is an outside receiver with strong efficiency numbers in a small sample. He posted a 93rd-percentile PFF Receiving Grade (81.8) and an 86th-percentile yards per route run (2.42) across just 11 games at USC. He lined up almost exclusively on the boundary (80.9% wide rate) and ran routes at a healthy 12.5 aDOT, producing 750 yards and 15.3 yards per reception. The concerns are the 7.5% drop rate (four drops), a 37th-percentile contested catch rate (43.5%), and a 47th-percentile YAC per reception (4.8). He's winning with route running and positioning rather than physicality or playmaking after the catch.

Baltimore is a fascinating but frustrating landing spot for fantasy. The good news: Lamar Jackson is a top-three fantasy quarterback, and his downfield aggressiveness can unlock Lane's outside skill set. The bad news: Zay Flowers is firmly entrenched as the WR1, Rashod Bateman holds down the WR2 role, and Baltimore's run-heavy offensive identity means receiver targets are already scarce before you even get to the third option.

3.83 - Panthers - WR Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee

DLF Dynasty Profile: Brazzell transferred from Tulane to Tennessee in 2024 and posted mixed results as he caught just 29 passes for 333 yards and two scores during his first season in Knoxville. Coming into 2025, many thought he had a chance for a true breakout season and anyone who predicted that turned out to be right as he posted 62 catches for 1,017 yards and nine scores for the Volunteers last season. Brazzell helped himself at the NFL Draft Combine as he posted numbers in the top ten in most statistical categories as well. He looks like a player capable of starting in the NFL and has a higher ceiling than most. In the end, Brazzell looks like a late first or second round rookie draft prospect at the moment but that could change should a team draft him higher than expected.

Harmon: Brazzell brings a fascinating, rather obvious blend of red flags and appealing marks to his profile. He has gifts you can’t teach and some areas of strength to build on with his intermediate separation and play at the catch point. However, you have to weigh the fact that he may be too raw to contribute early and you’ll need to be patient for the full picture to come together.

Opportunity: B-

Paulsen’s Fantasy Analysis: Chris Brazzell II is a pure outside vertical threat: 94.3% wide rate, a 6th-percentile slot rate (5.7%), and a 91st-percentile aDOT (15.7). He's one of the few receivers in this class who cracked 1,000 yards, doing it in just 12 games at Tennessee with nine touchdowns. The efficiency backs it up: a 92nd-percentile PFF Receiving Grade (80.6) and a 91st-percentile yards per route run (2.57). The YAC profile is expectedly low (28th percentile) for a receiver who lives downfield. This is a big-play receiver, not a run-after-catch creator. The 70.9% catch rate on a 15.7 aDOT is impressive, though the contested catch rate (34th percentile) suggests he's winning with separation more than physicality.

Carolina is intriguing but crowded. Tetairoa McMillan is the clear WR1 on the outside, and Jalen Coker and Xavier Legette are battling for targets behind him. Brazzell is a deep dynasty stash with a narrow path to relevance in Carolina and completely off the 2026 redraft board, unless he’s able to usurp Coker and/or Legette this spring/summer.

3.84 - Buccaneers - WR Ted Hurst, Georgia State

DLF Dynasty Profile: Hurst is this year's version of the small school prospect who seems like he has ability that translates not one, but two levels up. The Georgia State product posted a 71/1,004/6 line and performed well at the NFL Draft Combine, showing he more than belonged with anyone on the field. There are legitimate questions about how he's going to handle NFL-level defenders, but he's a superior athlete who certainly looks the part. Players like this are gambles, and while some simply fade away, others rise up like a Phoenix. In short, you can certainly do worse in the second round on a boom or bust prospect.

Harmon: Overall, Hurst reminded me a bit of now-Seahawks wide receiver, Tory Horton. I liked Horton’s overall profile more than I do Hurst’s, but they are both bigger, somewhat lanky, slashing vertical receivers who thrive on those horizontal routes. You sometimes see these big athletic wide receivers just immediately get thrown into the X role, but that might slow down Hurst’s clearly needed development if he’s tossed into a route portfolio that doesn’t fit his skills.

Hurst is a fine enough bet later on in Day 2 of the NFL Draft as a pure upside dart throw. There’s plenty of volatility in his profile, but his ability to win on critical routes and with the ball in his hands gives you enough hope of application while his skills as a true vertical dominator grow.

Opportunity: C

Paulsen’s Fantasy Analysis: Ted Hurst dominated at the Georgia State level—124 targets, 71 catches, 999 yards in 12 games—and the PFF efficiency metrics are strong against the full dataset, though his competition plays a factor there. He posted a 94th-percentile PFF Receiving Grade (82.1) and an 86th-percentile yards per route run (2.42) as an outside-first receiver (83.7% wide rate). He drew a massive 27 contested targets and won at a respectable clip (59.3%). The red flags are the 9.0% drop rate (seven drops) and the level of competition; Georgia State's Sun Belt schedule is a far cry from SEC corners, and the 57.3% catch rate and low targeted passer rating (76.0) suggest the ball didn't always end up in good places despite Hurst's volume.

Tampa Bay is a strong long-term landing spot but offers little in 2026. Emeka Egbuka steps into the Mike Evans role as the WR1, Chris Godwin is still one of the best slot receivers in football, and Jalen McMillan has carved out a role as the WR3. Hurst is a non-power conference receiver who probably needs development before he's ready to compete for NFL snaps, and Baker Mayfield's offense already has established options at every alignment. The upside is that Tampa has historically been a pass-heavy offense that supports three fantasy-relevant receivers. If Hurst develops and Godwin ages out, there's a path. But that's a 2027-or-later conversation.

3.89 - Bears - WR Zavion Thomas, LSU

Opportunity: C-

Paulsen's Fantasy Analysis: Zavion Thomas lined up primarily on the outside at LSU (79.3% wide rate), but the PFF numbers are underwhelming across the board. None of his key receiving stats crack the 80th percentile—his PFF Receiving Grade (67.5) sits at the 50th percentile and his yards per route run (1.50) lands at just the 37th. Forty-one catches for 493 yards across 13 games at an SEC program is modest production, and the 22nd-percentile aDOT (9.0) tells you LSU wasn't asking him to stress defenses vertically despite being a boundary receiver. The 4.28 speed and 77th-percentile Speed Score per Player Profiler are the selling points here—this is a tools-over-production pick.

Chicago is betting on the athleticism translating where the college production didn't. With DJ Moore gone, there's a theoretical path to snaps, though Rome Odunze and Luther Burden are clearly the top options, and Caleb Williams' offense doesn't need a fourth mouth to feed with the tight end room also competing for targets.

3.90 - 49ers - RB Kaelon Black, Indiana

DLF Dynasty Profile: Black made a name for himself last year with the National Champion Hoosiers after transferring from JMU in 2024 and becoming the starter last season. His 1,040 rushing yards, ten touchdowns and 5.6 yards per carry were all impressive but the fact is nobody tried to stop the run for Indiana last year and Black had every opportunity in the world to post a good season. In addition, he offers next to nothing in the passing game, making him more of a system player at the next level, one who could be successful specifically in a zone blocking scheme but tough to find a spot for anywhere else. His production merits him a look late in rookie drafts but he's hardly a sure thing.

Opportunity: C

Paulsen’s Fantasy Analysis: Kaleon Black was a workhorse at Indiana—186 carries, 1,034 yards, 10 touchdowns across 16 games—but the efficiency profile is more grinder than game-breaker. His PFF Elusive Rating (58.2) sits at just the 32nd percentile, meaning he's not making many defenders miss in the open field. The PFF Run Grade (85.5) is solid at the 75th percentile, and he ran through contact well enough (3.47 yards after contact per attempt), but the real problem is the receiving game. Five catches on seven targets with a 6th-percentile yards per route run (0.31) is essentially a non-existent pass-catching profile.

San Francisco is a strong landing spot for a between-the-tackles grinder. Kyle Shanahan's zone scheme has made fantasy-relevant backs out of lesser talents, and Black's downhill running style should translate in early-down work. But he's not taking Christian McCaffrey's job—this is a clear RB2 role, competing with Isaac Guerendo and Jordan James for the backup touches.

3.94 - Dolphins - WR Chris Bell, Louisville

DLF Dynasty Profile: A late-season ACL tear is keeping Bell's draft stock in check but he's a solid prospect nonetheless. Bell is big and strong and while he may lack some dynamic qualities, he looks like a player whose game will translate easily to the NFL based on his ability to bully cornerbacks and elusiveness in the open field. A big-bodied possession-type receiver, Bell projects as a second-tier prospect but could also be a bit of a diamond in the rough in the second round of rookie drafts as his injury will clearly push down his NFL Draft slot a touch.

Harmon: Chris Bell has a high success on routes like the nine, out and slant to go along with solid marks against man and press coverage, to be cast as a credible X-receiver early in his NFL career. There’s no doubt he needs to improve as a route runner, zone-beater and clean up some up-and-down ball skills. However, if we’re looking for development X options with a high ceiling, he certainly checks some of the boxes you should actually look for in candidates.

Bell won’t be the cleanest evaluation, especially if his ACL recovery eats into his offseason time and blocks some of this “he can eat snaps early” forecast that is crucial to his development. Nevertheless, he’s an exciting Day 2 bet in a deep class and has skills teams will justifiably value.

Opportunity: B+

Paulsen’s Fantasy Analysis: Chris Bell's PFF profile is legit for a Day 3 pick. He posted a 95th-percentile PFF Receiving Grade (83.3) and a 90th-percentile yards per route run (2.55) across 11 games at Louisville, drawing a massive 106 targets on 360 routes. He's a high-volume outside receiver (85.3% wide rate) who wins with route craft on a modest 27th-percentile aDOT (9.4) rather than verticality. Seventy-two catches for 917 yards is strong production, and the 24 contested targets show he was consistently asked to make tough grabs, and he won half of them. The YAC profile (56th percentile) is average, so he's more of a chain-mover than a big-play threat.

Miami desperately needs receivers after losing both Jaylen Waddle (traded to Denver) and Tyreek Hill in the same offseason. Bell joins Caleb Douglas (drafted at 3.75) in a completely rebuilt receiver room, and the depth chart is wide open. If healthy, Bell has a real shot at the WR1 role from Day 1, which is rare for a third-round pick—the opportunity is enormous, though it remains to be seen if Malik Willis is the real deal.

3.95 - Patriots - TE Eli Raridon, Notre Dame

DLF Dynasty Profile: When you look at Raridon's stats at Notre Dame (32/482/0 last season), you aren't blown away at all. However, most believe he was underutilized in a run-first offense and has a lot to give at the next level. In addition, two different torn ACLs have clearly hurt his career and pushed him down draft boards. Should his health problems be truly in the past, and if he lands in the right spot, he could be a real sleeper late in a rookie draft.

Opportunity: C

Paulsen’s Fantasy Analysis: Eli Raridon was a complementary piece in a loaded Fighting Irish offense, and the per-route efficiency was strong: an 89th-percentile yards per route run (2.23) and an 82nd-percentile contested catch rate (66.7%). He split time between inline (46.6%) and slot (47.9%) alignments, showing versatility as a receiver. The PFF Receiving Grade (70.9, 67th percentile) is fine but not elite, and the 8.6% drop rate (three drops on 35 catchable targets) is a concern. Zero touchdowns on 44 targets across 12 games is also notable—he was efficient between the 20s but wasn't finding the end zone.

New England is a patience play. Hunter Henry is still the TE1 and isn't going anywhere in 2026. He's a reliable safety valve for Drake Maye and one of the better pass-catching tight ends in the league.