The Pittsburgh Steelers were in desperate need of someone to step up behind wide receiver DK Metcalf, and second-year wideout Roman Wilson was expected to make a major leap in Year 2. That did not happen, as the 24-year-old former third-rounder out of Michigan finished the 2025 campaign with just 12 receptions on 21 targets for 166 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games played (four starts). Wilson was a healthy scratch in four of the team's final six regular-season games, and he finished eighth on the team in receiving yards. The Steelers will head into the 2026 season with a new head coach in Mike McCarthy and with questions as to whether future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers will return. Pittsburgh will most likely look for additional receiver help in free agency, which will not help Wilson's cause as he seeks to become more involved on offense in 2026. In dynasty leagues, Wilson is a clear cut candidate.

New England Patriots wide receiver DeMario Douglas had a disappointing third year in the NFL, even though his team advanced all the way to the Super Bowl. The 25-year-old pass-catcher had career lows in catches (31), targets (46), and receiving yards (447) while scoring just three touchdowns for the second straight season in 17 regular-season games. Quarterback Drake Maye was in the running for MVP honors in his second season, but Douglas just couldn't stand out in a crowded receiving corps that also included Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, and rookie Kyle Williams. His 447 receiving yards were fifth on the team, and he added seven carries for 21 yards on the ground. Douglas will be in a contract year in 2026, but with all of the above-mentioned receivers returning to New England, it's hard to envision Douglas becoming a strong weekly fantasy football option.

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Jordan Whittington was more productive on offense in his rookie campaign in 2024 in two fewer games than he was in 17 regular-season contests in 2025. The 25-year-old former sixth-round pick out of the University of Texas caught just 18 passes for 171 yards and no touchdowns on 25 targets in his sophomore season in an explosive Rams offense. On special teams, he returned 17 kickoffs for 434 yards. Even though Cooper Kupp left, the addition of Davante Adams in L.A. left very few targets for Whittington and Tutu Atwell. Whittington has a total of 40 catches on 53 targets for 464 yards and no touchdowns in his first 32 NFL games (nine starts), and nothing points to him having a drastically bigger role going into the 2026 season, barring significant injuries to either Adams or Puka Nacua. In dynasty leagues, Whittington is a cut candidate.

Green Bay Packers impending free-agent running back Emanuel Wilson once again served in a backup role to starter Josh Jacobs in 2025, finishing his third year in the NFL with 496 rushing yards and three touchdowns on a career-high 125 rushing attempts through 17 regular-season contests. The 26-year-old added a career-high 15 receptions on 17 targets for 99 yards through the air. Wilson will be a restricted free agent in March, and if he returns to Green Bay, he'll likely be the top backup option again, depending on the health of MarShawn Lloyd. In his first start of the year in Week 12 against the Minnesota Vikings with Jacobs sidelined, Wilson ran for 107 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries, rewarding fantasy managers who used him as a plug-and-play RB2. If he returns to the Packers in 2026, Wilson will probably need an injury to Jacobs to become a weekly fantasy option at RB.