Tell your friends (just not your leaguemates until next week)

by Bryan Rockwood

Published On: December 20th, 2025

You hear it all the time, but it bears repeating – dynasty is a year-round fantasy football game. Every week, subtle changes in the dynasty market force managers to react. I’ve even written a few pieces on that happening! 

For the third installment of this series, I bring to you just a few names to jot down as you begin your own rookie research process. This class is shaping up to be good-not-great, but that won’t stop us from getting excited for our rookie drafts!

I’ve already covered a few QBs to watch and RBs to watch heading into the new year.

2026 Fantasy Football Rookie Draft: Wide Receiver Prospects to Watch

Wide Receivers to Watch

Makai Lemon, USC

The 2025 Biletnikoff winner, Makai Lemon, is another name folks should expect to see in the first round of the NFL draft, as well as their own rookie drafts. Lemon had a solid sophomore season at USC and took the next important step in 2025. He’s not the biggest receiver, measuring 5’11 “and 195 lbs, but he certainly plays bigger than his size. It’s a little lazy to say his player-comp is Amon-Ra St. Brown (they both went to USC, after all), but it’s tough to ignore the similarities. Lemon has some really fun tape to review, so make sure to carve out time between the fantasy playoffs to check out the latest award-winning wideout. 

USC’s Makai Lemon is absurd. His route running and ball skills are just sick.

Came into today ranked top 10 nationally in yards per route run (3.47).

[image or embed]

— Bobby Football (@robpaul.bsky.social) November 15, 2025 at 5:47 PM

Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

I know ASU wide receivers have burned us in the past, but we can be much more confident about this year’s iteration. It takes just five minutes of film to prove that he’s the real deal. He missed time with an injury this past season, preventing him from going back-to-back years with 1,000 yards receiving. 18 touchdowns in the past two years is the type of consistent production we love to see from the potential WR1 in a class. Folks will be debating whether to pick Tyson or Makai Lemon first in rookie drafts. In this very early step in the rookie research process, it feels as though you can’t go wrong.

Carnell Tate, Ohio State

Ho-hum, another stellar wide receiver from Ohio State is entering the draft. If it weren’t for Jeremiah Smith, Tate would be someone who would easily eclipse 1,000 yards receiving. Instead, Tate will settle for 800 yards and nine touchdowns in his junior season. Tate feels a bit like his former teammate Emeka Egbuka – a solid NFL-ready wide receiver who had to share snaps with an elite prospect. Tate can be an immediate contributor if he lands in the right role.

KC Concepcion, Texas A&M

Also known as Kevin on Sports Reference, KC Concepcion is lightning in a bottle. He is an exciting player with the ball in his hands, averaging 7 yards after the catch per reception (Per PFF). He’s smaller than most names on this list, but that has not been an issue in today’s NFL. It’ll take a longer review to discuss which team he could fit best. I’m excited to see what he can do as Texas A&M begins its journey in the College Football Playoff. 

Denzel Boston, Washington

Coming off of back to back 800 yard seasons, the big wide receiver out of Washington is looking like an interesting prototypical X for NFL offenses. Denzel Boston, standing at 6’4″, has some traits that teams are sure to like. There were only three games this season in which Boston did not score. Funny enough, he had as many games where he scored twice as he had where he scored none. Boston could be an impactful second-round receiver in the NFL, making him a good bet in your rookie drafts. 

Wow, what a one handed catch by Denzel Boston

Touchdown Washington

[image or embed]

— Boxwood Beagle ⚾️ (@boxwoodbeagle.bsky.social) November 8, 2025 at 5:50 PM

Other Important Names I Didn’t Get to Today But Will Later:

There are still plenty of other names that will pop up from now, all the way up to draft day. This is a brief primer for those who want a starting point for their rookie prospect process. Please let us at Optimus know if there’s a name we didn’t mention that you think we should take a closer look at!

Bryan Rockwood is an Analyst with Optimus Fantasy who’s always on the lookout for the next deep dynasty sleeper. You can find him putting out articles here, on Fantrax, or FantasyNow+!

You hear it all the time, but it bears repeating – dynasty is a year-round fantasy football game. Every week, subtle changes in the dynasty market force managers to react. I’ve even written a few pieces on that happening! 

For the third installment of this series, I bring to you just a few names to jot down as you begin your own rookie research process. This class is shaping up to be good-not-great, but that won’t stop us from getting excited for our rookie drafts!

I’ve already covered a few QBs to watch and RBs to watch heading into the new year.

2026 Fantasy Football Rookie Draft: Wide Receiver Prospects to Watch

Wide Receivers to Watch

Makai Lemon, USC

The 2025 Biletnikoff winner, Makai Lemon, is another name folks should expect to see in the first round of the NFL draft, as well as their own rookie drafts. Lemon had a solid sophomore season at USC and took the next important step in 2025. He’s not the biggest receiver, measuring 5’11 “and 195 lbs, but he certainly plays bigger than his size. It’s a little lazy to say his player-comp is Amon-Ra St. Brown (they both went to USC, after all), but it’s tough to ignore the similarities. Lemon has some really fun tape to review, so make sure to carve out time between the fantasy playoffs to check out the latest award-winning wideout. 

USC’s Makai Lemon is absurd. His route running and ball skills are just sick.

Came into today ranked top 10 nationally in yards per route run (3.47).

[image or embed]

— Bobby Football (@robpaul.bsky.social) November 15, 2025 at 5:47 PM

Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

I know ASU wide receivers have burned us in the past, but we can be much more confident about this year’s iteration. It takes just five minutes of film to prove that he’s the real deal. He missed time with an injury this past season, preventing him from going back-to-back years with 1,000 yards receiving. 18 touchdowns in the past two years is the type of consistent production we love to see from the potential WR1 in a class. Folks will be debating whether to pick Tyson or Makai Lemon first in rookie drafts. In this very early step in the rookie research process, it feels as though you can’t go wrong.

Carnell Tate, Ohio State

Ho-hum, another stellar wide receiver from Ohio State is entering the draft. If it weren’t for Jeremiah Smith, Tate would be someone who would easily eclipse 1,000 yards receiving. Instead, Tate will settle for 800 yards and nine touchdowns in his junior season. Tate feels a bit like his former teammate Emeka Egbuka – a solid NFL-ready wide receiver who had to share snaps with an elite prospect. Tate can be an immediate contributor if he lands in the right role.

KC Concepcion, Texas A&M

Also known as Kevin on Sports Reference, KC Concepcion is lightning in a bottle. He is an exciting player with the ball in his hands, averaging 7 yards after the catch per reception (Per PFF). He’s smaller than most names on this list, but that has not been an issue in today’s NFL. It’ll take a longer review to discuss which team he could fit best. I’m excited to see what he can do as Texas A&M begins its journey in the College Football Playoff. 

Denzel Boston, Washington

Coming off of back to back 800 yard seasons, the big wide receiver out of Washington is looking like an interesting prototypical X for NFL offenses. Denzel Boston, standing at 6’4″, has some traits that teams are sure to like. There were only three games this season in which Boston did not score. Funny enough, he had as many games where he scored twice as he had where he scored none. Boston could be an impactful second-round receiver in the NFL, making him a good bet in your rookie drafts. 

Wow, what a one handed catch by Denzel Boston

Touchdown Washington

[image or embed]

— Boxwood Beagle ⚾️ (@boxwoodbeagle.bsky.social) November 8, 2025 at 5:50 PM

Other Important Names I Didn’t Get to Today But Will Later:

There are still plenty of other names that will pop up from now, all the way up to draft day. This is a brief primer for those who want a starting point for their rookie prospect process. Please let us at Optimus know if there’s a name we didn’t mention that you think we should take a closer look at!

Bryan Rockwood is an Analyst with Optimus Fantasy who’s always on the lookout for the next deep dynasty sleeper. You can find him putting out articles here, on Fantrax, or FantasyNow+!

You hear it all the time, but it bears repeating – dynasty is a year-round fantasy football game. Every week, subtle changes in the dynasty market force managers to react. I’ve even written a few pieces on that happening! 

For the third installment of this series, I bring to you just a few names to jot down as you begin your own rookie research process. This class is shaping up to be good-not-great, but that won’t stop us from getting excited for our rookie drafts!

I’ve already covered a few QBs to watch and RBs to watch heading into the new year.

2026 Fantasy Football Rookie Draft: Wide Receiver Prospects to Watch

Wide Receivers to Watch

Makai Lemon, USC

The 2025 Biletnikoff winner, Makai Lemon, is another name folks should expect to see in the first round of the NFL draft, as well as their own rookie drafts. Lemon had a solid sophomore season at USC and took the next important step in 2025. He’s not the biggest receiver, measuring 5’11 “and 195 lbs, but he certainly plays bigger than his size. It’s a little lazy to say his player-comp is Amon-Ra St. Brown (they both went to USC, after all), but it’s tough to ignore the similarities. Lemon has some really fun tape to review, so make sure to carve out time between the fantasy playoffs to check out the latest award-winning wideout. 

USC’s Makai Lemon is absurd. His route running and ball skills are just sick.

Came into today ranked top 10 nationally in yards per route run (3.47).

[image or embed]

— Bobby Football (@robpaul.bsky.social) November 15, 2025 at 5:47 PM

Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

I know ASU wide receivers have burned us in the past, but we can be much more confident about this year’s iteration. It takes just five minutes of film to prove that he’s the real deal. He missed time with an injury this past season, preventing him from going back-to-back years with 1,000 yards receiving. 18 touchdowns in the past two years is the type of consistent production we love to see from the potential WR1 in a class. Folks will be debating whether to pick Tyson or Makai Lemon first in rookie drafts. In this very early step in the rookie research process, it feels as though you can’t go wrong.

Carnell Tate, Ohio State

Ho-hum, another stellar wide receiver from Ohio State is entering the draft. If it weren’t for Jeremiah Smith, Tate would be someone who would easily eclipse 1,000 yards receiving. Instead, Tate will settle for 800 yards and nine touchdowns in his junior season. Tate feels a bit like his former teammate Emeka Egbuka – a solid NFL-ready wide receiver who had to share snaps with an elite prospect. Tate can be an immediate contributor if he lands in the right role.

KC Concepcion, Texas A&M

Also known as Kevin on Sports Reference, KC Concepcion is lightning in a bottle. He is an exciting player with the ball in his hands, averaging 7 yards after the catch per reception (Per PFF). He’s smaller than most names on this list, but that has not been an issue in today’s NFL. It’ll take a longer review to discuss which team he could fit best. I’m excited to see what he can do as Texas A&M begins its journey in the College Football Playoff. 

Denzel Boston, Washington

Coming off of back to back 800 yard seasons, the big wide receiver out of Washington is looking like an interesting prototypical X for NFL offenses. Denzel Boston, standing at 6’4″, has some traits that teams are sure to like. There were only three games this season in which Boston did not score. Funny enough, he had as many games where he scored twice as he had where he scored none. Boston could be an impactful second-round receiver in the NFL, making him a good bet in your rookie drafts. 

Wow, what a one handed catch by Denzel Boston

Touchdown Washington

[image or embed]

— Boxwood Beagle ⚾️ (@boxwoodbeagle.bsky.social) November 8, 2025 at 5:50 PM

Other Important Names I Didn’t Get to Today But Will Later:

There are still plenty of other names that will pop up from now, all the way up to draft day. This is a brief primer for those who want a starting point for their rookie prospect process. Please let us at Optimus know if there’s a name we didn’t mention that you think we should take a closer look at!

Bryan Rockwood is an Analyst with Optimus Fantasy who’s always on the lookout for the next deep dynasty sleeper. You can find him putting out articles here, on Fantrax, or FantasyNow+!

By Published On: December 20th, 2025

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