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Which WR stats lead to fantasy gold
Last Updated on July 14, 2026 9:17 pm by André Lemos | Published: July 17, 2025
There are endless stats to sift and sort the fantasy wide receivers, but which ones are the most important and which are the predictors of future fantasy success. I’m going to look at the leaders at various stats last season and try and predict which will hold, which might increase and which are outliers that won’t be replicated. Yards, receptions and TDs are still the gold standard, but there are so many layers to projecting fantasy success and I think we can dig a little deeper and get more foundational understand of what makes certain WRs pop.
Targets: League leaders last season – Ja’Marr Chase 175, Malik Nabers – 170, Drake London – 158, Justin Jefferson – 154, Garrett Wilson – 154
There is something so pure about just looking at targets. Now, not all targets are the same and obviously a-DOT is a very important complimentary stat, but it’s no coincidence that the five top WRs in targets all finished inside the top-10 in fantasy points. Of course health and targets are intertwined and you can’t be among the league leaders in targets if you’re constantly banged up. This list is pretty accurate and all five have a great shot to among the league leaders this season, but you have to worry about quality of targets for Wilson and Nabers. Looking at the past only is part of the process, now we want to try and predict who will finish in the top-five again. Wilson is the only I could see falling out out of this list because the Jets are going to pivot a run-heavy approach, but with Davante Adams moving to LA, he will the sole-alpha WR once again. CeeDee Lamb should make the list and Jaxon Smith-Njigba is my favorite pick to lead the league this season.
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I have been crazy about fantasy sports even before I knew what it was. Some people use stats as a tool and some use the eye test. I like to believe I have the perfect blend of both and that extra special spider sense that separates me from the herd. I have been nominated for one FSWA Football Article of the Year award and am just getting started. My only fear is that I will become too good at fantasy football and have to retire early like Michael Jordan. You won’t see me leave my house without at least one of my (four) dogs and if you are lucky enough, you will catch me cruising top-down with all four in tow.