Ted Hurst

NFL player. Position: WR. Team: TB.

Quick Facts

• Position: WR
• Team: TB (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
• College: Georgia State
• Bye week (2026): 10
• 2026 Draft: Mid-round pick (5-6)

2026 Outlook

Rookie WR from Georgia State who tested well athletically and has impressed Buccaneers brass in rookie minicamp. Despite limited college pedigree due to small-school background, GM Jason Licht clearly saw something on film and valued his speed, fluidity, and quickness. The Buccaneers positioned Hurst as an "X" receiver and view him as a potential long-term replacement for Mike Evans rather than an immediate contributor. Hurst represents ideal value at the position in the mid-rounds of the draft, though realistic expectations should be tempered — he's a project player with upside rather than a season-long contributor in 2026 (per Buccaneers have another WR to get hyped about).

Day 2 sleeper profile (Aug 2): FantasyPros identifies Hurst as an intriguing Day 2 receiver with size-speed traits and legitimate downfield production — he led the FBS in deep-ball production while showcasing strong contested-catch ability and red-zone upside. With Mike Evans departed, Hurst has a realistic path to early playing time and the opportunity to compete for outside snaps immediately. While somewhat raw entering the league, the athletic profile, target-earning ability, and landing spot make him an appealing upside bet for both dynasty and deeper redraft formats. (per 10 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Wide Receivers (2026) - FantasyPros)

With Mike Evans departing for the San Francisco 49ers in free agency, Hurst now steps into an immediate succession role as the Buccaneers' primary "X" receiver. RotoBaller's June rankings place him as WR12 in dynasty rookie tiers, noting "his most direct competition could come from third-year receiver Jalen McMillan" who has returned from his 2025 neck injury and impressed in OTAs. The weak 2026 WR draft class elevates Hurst's profile—he projects as a boom-or-bust prospect unlikely to consistently reach his ceiling early, but Tampa's receiving depth struggles mean he could accelerate into immediate snaps (per 2026 Dynasty Rookie Rankings for Fantasy Football (June Updates)).

Dynasty evaluators view Hurst as an immediate WR4 with the clearest path to starting reps of any receiver in his class. While competition from Jalen McMillan exists, only McMillan stands ahead of him—suggesting realistic Week 1 snaps are within reach. Analysts note the runway could clear quickly if the Buccaneers move on from aging veterans; Hurst could enter 2027 as the team's unquestioned WR1 if he plays his rookie season as expected (per 10 Dynasty Rookie Draft Targets (2026 Fantasy Football)]).

Role / Depth Chart

Rookie WR competing for reps as the "X" receiver in the Buccaneers' receiving corps. Depth chart positioning behind Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin Jr., and Jalen McMillan.

Week 2-3 target establishment (Sept 24): Through two weeks, Hurst has established himself as a primary receiving target despite not yet translating volume into fantasy success. He's played 75% and 74% of snaps through Weeks 1-2 and commanded 10 targets, including a team-high seven targets in Week 2 at 27% target percentage (TPRR — Target Pct in Routes Run). His lack of production is attributable to Baker Mayfield's erratic play rather than lack of opportunity. Dynasty analysts note that Hurst has clearly established himself with a role that could grow, and a breakout fantasy performance is likely just around the corner once Mayfield stabilizes or the volume advantage converts to touchdowns. (per Dynasty Fantasy Football Trades - Dynasty League Football)

Injury Status

Healthy heading into 2026.

Recent News

• 2026-08-05 — Ted Hurst III Connection with Baker Mayfield, WR Injury Updates and Pressure Mentality... (Ted Hurst III Connection with Baker Mayfield, WR Injury Updates and Pressure Mentality...)
• 2026-04-03 — NFL’s Decision on Rashee Rice Could Have Profound Effect on Chiefs’ Draft Plans (NFL’s Decision on Rashee Rice Could Have Profound Effect on Chiefs’ Draft Plans)
• 2026-04-20 — 2026 NFL mock draft: Jordan Reid's predictions for 257 picks (2026 NFL mock draft: Jordan Reid's predictions for 257 picks)
• 2026-03-06 — Dynasty Fantasy Football Fallout From The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine (Dynasty Fantasy Football Fallout From The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine)
• 2026-04-22 — Report: Pending Saints-Chris Olave extension impacts draft plans (Report: Pending Saints-Chris Olave extension impacts draft plans)
• 2026-05-01 — Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings: Jadarian Price's Outlook In Dynasty and Seasonal Leagues (Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings: Jadarian Price's Outlook In Dynasty and Seasonal Leagues)
• 2026-04-22 — 7-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Browns, Jets, and Cowboys steal value early as WR and... (7-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Browns, Jets, and Cowboys steal value early as WR and...)
• 2026-04-22 — Selecting one wide receiver for Patriots in each round of 2026 NFL Draft (Selecting one wide receiver for Patriots in each round of 2026 NFL Draft)
• 2026-04-02 — NFL Draft Preview: WR Depth Plays Well To Patriots Needs (NFL Draft Preview: WR Depth Plays Well To Patriots Needs)
• 2026-06-03 — Justin Boone's 2026 WR dynasty fantasy football rankings and trade value chart updates... (Justin Boone's 2026 WR dynasty fantasy football rankings and trade value chart updates...)

Open Questions

(scoped to this player — pulled from Fantasy Football Open Questions)