Welcome back, fantasy enthusiasts. This week’s column opens with a familiar voice, Matthew Berry, who once again champions the value of thought experiments in shaping smarter lineups.
The conversation quickly pivots to a statistical shift that has been unfolding across the league: the rise of multiple‑tight end formations. In 2025, the NFL logged a record 33.1% of plays featuring at least two tight ends, a jump of more than 7.5 percentage points over the past decade.
While the trend promises richer offensive schemes, it also squeezes the traditional wide‑receiver pool, as teams often replace a slot receiver with an extra TE to gain size and blocking versatility.
The TE Surge and Its Impact on Wide Receivers
Trumedia’s data shows a league‑wide dip in three‑wide‑receiver sets, hinting that the era of three‑WR lineups may be waning, and that coaches are experimenting with new personnel packages.
Teams at the forefront of this evolution include Tampa Bay and Dallas, both near the top in +3‑WR usage, while the Houston Texans actually led the league in three‑wide‑receiver formations last season.
The Baltimore Ravens, however, may find it harder to maintain such low TE usage in 2026 as they adjust to new personnel and a revamped coaching staff.
Players Poised to Benefit
Amid these shifts, a handful of players emerge as potential steals. Jaylen Waddle, now with the Denver Broncos, is highlighted as a sleeper who could benefit from the new offensive philosophy.
Similarly, Ladd McConkey of the Los Angeles Chargers is projected to be a late‑third‑round gem, with analysts expecting a boost in his target share as the Chargers lean on his speed.
Rising rookie Tre Harris is also being pushed for increased playing‑time projections, while Devaughn Vele of the New Orleans Saints is touted as a possible early‑season WR2 for his team.
The Tennessee Titans present a more uncertain case; despite a strong receiving corps, the franchise’s ability to elevate a third‑wide‑receiver option remains in question.
All of this underscores a broader lesson: as the league embraces dual‑tight end sets, fantasy managers who can spot the ripple effects on WR production will gain a decisive edge.