Braden Pegan, WR, Utah
Pegan broke out in 2025 with 60 receptions for 926 yards, 15.4 YPC and five receiving touchdowns while adding a rushing score, earning First-Team All-Mountain West honors. His production translated to 77.2 receiving yards per game and showcased his ability to win at all three levels of the field.
The opportunity is just as appealing as the talent. Utah lost significant production from its receiving corps with Ryan Davis graduating and J.J. Buchanan transferring, leaving Pegan with a realistic path to becoming Devon Dampier’s top target. Pegan also followed offensive coordinator Kevin McGiven from Utah State, giving him a major advantage in the offense and establishing chemistry early. Reports from spring practice indicate he has already emerged as Utah’s WR1 and has been asked to lead the receiver room during the installation of McGiven’s system.
Jojo Phillips, WR, BYU
After injuries limited his impact in 2025, the 6’5″ redshirt junior enters the season healthy with a clear opportunity to emerge as Bear Bachmeier’s top target. BYU’s top two wide receivers from last season accounted for more than 46% of the team’s targets, leaving a massive share of the passing game available.
Throughout spring practice, Phillips consistently drew praise from the coaching staff, with offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick saying he had “taken a big step forward,” and multiple reports projecting him to lead the Cougars’ receiver room entering the season. His size, catch radius, and red-zone ability make him an ideal boundary receiver.
Nik McMillan, WR, Kansas
Nik McMillan, transferring from Buffalo, where he earned First-Team All-MAC honors with 62 receptions for 981 yards while posting seven 100-yard games. He has already earned the clear WR1 role at Kansas, with spring reports consistently projecting him as the leader of the Jayhawks’ receiver room.
McMillan averaged 14.9 fantasy points per game on the season, but he finished the year on a tear, averaging 23.2 PPG over his final six contests while never scoring fewer than 17 points during that stretch. It’s unlikely he maintains a 23-point average with the jump to Power 4 competition, but a 17-plus PPG season is a realistic expectation. McMillan was a top 10 fantasy WR during the second half of last season.
Reed Swanson, WR, Boston College
Reed Swanson, transferring from Colgate, where he developed into one of the Patriot League’s top receiving threats. The 6’6″, 215-pound receiver brings a rare combination of size, catch-point ability, and contested catch upside, and he impressed during spring practices while positioning himself for a major role in the Eagles’ offense.
Boston College has an opportunity available after losing production, and last year’s WR1 commanded 112 targets, making this an appealing role to target. The injury to tight end Kaelan Chudzinski, who is expected to miss the 2026 season with an Achilles injury, removes one of the team’s top young pass-catchers and could open additional opportunities in the passing game. While the jump from the FCS level to Power 4 competition is the biggest question mark, Swanson’s size, spring momentum, and potential target volume make him a player who could outperform his draft cost and develop into a valuable WR3/FLEX option in leagues.
Chris Durr, WR, Maryland
Chris Durr, transferring from Wyoming, where he developed into a reliable pass catcher. Durr is lined up to be the guy in this wide receiver room if we are buying the spring hype, earning praise for his performance and positioning himself as a potential top target in the Terrapins’ offense.
Mike Locksley’s offense has historically leaned heavily on his slot receiver, with that role leading the team in targets multiple times, and with the Maryland receiver room wide open, Durr has a legitimate path to volume. While the transition from Wyoming to the Power 4 level comes with questions, the opportunity profile makes him an appealing late-round target.
