If there’s one Arizona Cardinals player I think fantasy managers continue to overlook, it’s Michael Wilson.
After posting his first 1,000-yard season in 2025, Wilson enters the 2026 season as one of the most reliable pieces of the Cardinals’ offense. Despite the team’s struggles and constant questions surrounding the quarterback position, Wilson quietly finished the year with 78 receptions, 1,006 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns. Michael Wilson has already proven he can be productive regardless of the circumstances surrounding him.
The Most Overlooked Receiver in Fantasy Football?
Navigating the Arizona Quarterback Carousel
One of the biggest reasons for Wilson’s fantasy relevance is his established role within the offense. While Marvin Harrison Jr. rightfully receives much of the attention, Wilson has become a dependable target who consistently earns opportunities. Last season’s 126 targets demonstrated the trust Arizona’s quarterbacks placed in him, and that type of volume is difficult to ignore in fantasy football.
The biggest question heading into 2026 is who will ultimately be throwing him the football. Following the release of Kyler Murray, veteran Jacoby Brissett currently sits atop the depth chart, but rookie Carson Beck is waiting in the wings and could eventually challenge for playing time. Not to mention an apparently hungry Gardner Minshew. Regardless of who wins the job, Wilson has already shown he can adapt and produce despite the uncertainty at quarterback.
A Versatile Weapon for Mike LaFleur
The Cardinals also enter a new era under head coach Mike LaFleur. While the offense may look different than it has in recent seasons, early indications suggest Wilson will continue to play a significant role. His versatility allows him to line up in multiple spots, and his combination of size, route-running ability, and reliable hands makes him a valuable piece of any offensive scheme.
Wilson has also developed into a reliable red zone option. His seven touchdowns in 2025 showcased his ability to create separation and win contested catches near the goal line. At 6-foot-2 and over 200 pounds, he possesses the physical profile teams look for when targeting receivers in scoring situations.
Be sure to check our fantasy football preview of Michael Wilson and the 2026 Cardinals!
2026 Fantasy Football Outlook
Fantasy managers may be hesitant to draft him too early because of all of the uncertainty surrounding Arizona’s offense, but that’s exactly what could create value on draft day. While many managers focus on the unknowns at quarterback, Wilson’s production suggests he can remain fantasy relevant no matter who is under center.
As we head into the 2026 season, Michael Wilson offers fantasy managers a combination of proven production, steady target volume, and touchdown upside. While he may not carry the same name value as some receivers being drafted around him, he has already shown he can deliver WR3 production with weekly upside.
If Wilson’s ADP remains in the middle rounds, fantasy managers could be getting one of the better values at the wide receiver position. A second consecutive 1,000-yard season isn’t guaranteed, but Wilson has already proven he can produce despite instability around him. With so much attention focused on Marvin Harrison Jr. and the uncertainty at quarterback, don’t be surprised if Wilson quietly outperforms expectations once again in 2026.
Looking for your favorite team? This link will take you to the rest of our 2026 Look Inside team previews.
A Look Inside the Arizona Cardinals
Editor’s Note: While this article focused on Michael Wilson in fantasy football, we don’t want to leave you hanging on the rest of the team. Here is a quick look at the other fantasy-relevant Cardinals from Ryan Weisse.
Jacoby Brissett
Brissett set the world on fire after taking over the starting job last season. From Week 6 to Week 15, he was the overall QB3 in fantasy. For those streaming the QB spot, the timing could not have been more perfect, and he likely led a lot of teams to the semi-finals…and then he crashed back to Earth. Arizona will have a new offense in 2026, and it’s unlikely Brissett is a top-5 QB, but it does feel like there is some value to be had, especially in Best Ball and 2-QB leagues. He just needs to get on the field, as he is currently in a contract dispute.
Carson Beck
While Gardner Minshew is fun, he isn’t the QB you want leading this team. If Brissett holds out or gets hurt, Carson Beck is the logical backup. The team spent a 3rd-Round pick on Beck, and he is a proven winner at the NCAA level. Whether that will translate to the NFL is guesswork, but Arizona has a fantasy-friendly scheme and nice weapons. If Beck is starting, he might be worth a look in deep leagues.
Jeremiyah Love
The fantasy world was shooketh when the Cardinals spent the 3rd-overall pick on Love. He was the best back in the draft, but Arizona seemed like a questionable landing spot. They had far bigger needs, and Tyler Allgeier, James Conner, and Trey Benson were already on the roster. My advice: Don’t Ignore What They Just Told You! With all their needs, they took Love. This offense is based on the Rams’ scheme, and if Love is to play the Kyren Williams role, that will be VERY, VERY good for fantasy.
Tyler Allgeier / James Conner
In LaFleur’s scheme, the backup typically gets one-third of the work. One-third split in two equals next to no fantasy value. Both Allgeier and Conner seemed suited to vulture short-yardage work, but neither is as talented as Love, and I wouldn’t touch either in fantasy.
Marvin Harrison Jr
Harrison has fallen flat for fantasy managers in his first two years, but a new offense brings new hope. According to LaFleur, MHJ will play a role similar to Davante Adams, and that could mean touchdown upside, if you believe the coach-speak. For the first time in my life, I do not believe the coach-speak. It makes sense for Wilson to play the Puka Nacua role. He is more versatile than Harrison. But the true Davante Adams role will be manned by Trey McBride. That makes Harrison the third option in a system that feeds its first two options. Not good. I am not saying don’t draft him. But a wait-and-see approach might be best.
Trey McBride
McBride was FANTASTIC last season, but a new offense brings concern. We have never seen a McVay-style offense with an elite TE. We did see LaFleur’s brother feed Tucker Kraft for eight weeks in Green Bay last year, so that’s a positive sign. All in all, McBride is still a top-two option in fantasy, but Brock Bowers might have him beat in volume this year. BUT: If McBride is the Davante Adams in this offense, his touchdown upside is off the charts. Adams scored 14 TDs last year. If McBride hits double digits, it will make up for lost volume.
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You can also see where Michael Wilson and the rest of the Cardinals fall in our 2026 Fantasy Rankings here!