Reception Perception: The Show [FULL EPISODE] The State of the Wide Receiver Position w/ JJ Zachariason
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Jan 29, 2026 JJ Zachariason, fantasy analyst and founder of Late-Round Fantasy Football, shares his data-driven take on why mid-tier wide receivers cratered in 2025. He breaks down how 12-personnel and tighter end usage shifted targets, how quarterback fit and coaching choices reshape receiver roles, which archetypes are fading, and why a few unique players still buck the trend.
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Wide Receiver Scoring Split: Elites Hold, Middling Collapse
- Wide receiver scoring fell in 2025 with fewer mid-tier producers while elites remained strong.
- The position's share of fantasy points hit its lowest level since 2017, driven by a collapse in the receiver-2 tier.
Mid-Tier Fantasy Receivers Disappeared
- The number of players hitting ~14 PPR per game collapsed even though ultra-elite WRs remained.
- 2024 had double the 14+ PPR receivers compared to 2025, demonstrating a steeper mid-tier drop.
12-Personnel Rise Shrinks Wide Receiver Opportunity
- NFL personnel has shifted toward heavier 12-personnel usage, reducing wide receiver target share.
- That extra tight end usage funnels low aDOT targets to tight ends and squeezes slot and peripheral wide receivers.