Fantasy Football 2026

We nailed QB and TE last year, shouting out the likes of Purdy, Dak, Maye, Kittle, Kraft, and Ferguson. Injuries derailed our TE’s, especially Tucker Kraft as he was breaking out into a star, but the process was there. Running back and wide receiver are the meat and potatoes of a fantasy team and we had some misses last year. I was all over Omarion Hampton and RJ Harvey. Hampton was having a fine season pre injury but he was an anchor to many teams missing the weeks that he did. Harvey felt like a sunk cost until the playoffs where he then turned to a low rb1, but many teams relied on him to contribute at least something in the regular season and therefore didn’t make playoffs. I did say to fade Saquon and Bucky Irving, and key in on Gibbs and CMC. And let’s not forget my two home run late round picks of Rico Dowdle and Kyle Monangai! Receiver wise it hurts to read doubting JSN with the QB switch, but it’s littered with strong names to wait on like Tet McMillan, George Pickens, Jameo Williams, and Chris Olave. The process was elite RBs and good WRs so I’m proud of that, and hope you the readers benefited.

This year’s fantasy football draft guide will be formatted similar to last year. I’m not going to give a straight rankings but instead highlight players I’m targeting. The goal is to have some of these names stick in the back of your head so that when you’re on the clock, looking at that site’s ADP or your cheat sheet, that certain names will speak to you that spoke to me.

Roster construction is hard and league scoring format is a huge part of that puzzle. Are your quarterbacks passing touchdowns worth 4 or 6 points? 4 favors runners like Jalen Hurts while 6 favors pocket guys like Dak Prescott. Do you start 2 or 3 WRs not including flex? A 2 RB 2 WR set up tips the scale in RB importance, but adding that third WR to your league really balances it out. Emerging is Tight End premium, giving one point for a TE catch and .5 points for a RB/WR catch. That certainly makes Brock Bowers more appealing! Speaking of points per catch, seems like every league at least rewards something, but the full point vs a half point can make a CMC desirable and drop a non pass catcher like Derrick Henry a smidge. This isn’t ground breaking news but knowing your league’s ins and outs goes a long way. This is why I don’t like giving out rankings, instead I prefer giving out targets per position group, and letting you figure out construction.

So let’s get to it! Let’s have a strong winning season. And whether it’s good banter, or friendly conversations, lets value our talks with our league mates. Fantasy football is special, just dudes and chicks being dudes and chicks. It’s like being back in grade school, where our biggest worries were which shirt should I put on, and instead it’s which person should I start in my flex. It consumes us in a way hard to describe and enhances our viewing experience with the greatest sports league in America. Football lovers will remember these moments for a lifetime, so cherish them.

Most site’s top six are Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, Jalen Hurts, and Joe Burrow. Odds are I will have none of these quarterbacks. Dak Prescott’s last two healthy seasons he was QB 6 and QB 3. CeeDee and Pickens are an elite duo in Dallas and they threw the second most passes last year. Dak is THE target especially in 6 point per passing touchdown leagues. Trevor Lawrence is the backup plan, and a true toss up in who’s the target in standard, 4 point per passing touchdown leagues, thanks to his added running. For all the heat Lawrence gets, he’s one of two quarterbacks to have 4000+ yard passing seasons in three of his last four seasons. Mix in his career high 82 rushing attempts last year, and a true mastermind play caller in Liam Coen, and it’s no wonder he finished last year as QB 4. Securing one of Prescott and Lawrence allows you to fill out your skill guys, and you’d have quarterbacks with top 5 pedigree.

If you’re into drafting a backup quarterback I have 4 point per passing touchdown and 6 point names. Let’s start standard, 4 point. Kyler Murray and Malik Willis have the rushing upside to finish top 6. Let’s take out Kyler’s last year. The three seasons before that he averaged 18.7 points per game, good for QB 7. The two years for that he averaged a whopping 23 points which would be QB 1!! We have a bad taste in out mouth with Kyler, but going to a QB friendly Vikings, going off at approximately QB 16, he’s great value. If you want to get froggy, Malik Willis is your guy. We expect the Dolphins to be bad, so lots of garbage time. And when Willis plays, he produces fantasy wise! Just look at week 17 last year. 18 for 21, 288 passing, 1 touchdown, 9 rushes for 60 yards and 2 touchdowns. Look, that’s cherry picking some stats, but Miami invested good money for him to start this year, and he’s practically free usually undrafted in leagues!

That Trevor Lawrence stat 3 of 4 4000+ yard passing yards, Jared Goff is the other QB and he’s four for four. Goff is a starting fantasy quarterback when he’s in a dome, and this year 11 of his 16 fantasy games are in domes. He was QB 10 last year in this scoring, and with the Lions losing David Montgomery, I expect similar passing volume. I like the idea of Baker Mayfield this season. His three years in Tampa, he was QB 12 4 and 10, and we all know about last year’s down year, but still QB 12! You’d have to imagine better health luck, and a big time OC upgrade to Zac Robinson, going back to the McVay scheme.

Wait on Quarterback! Dak and Trevor are great targets. Know your league settings for your backups. Standard, Kyler or Malik Willis. 6pt per tud, Goff or Baker.

You have to let your draft board guide your picks, but in a perfect world it’s back to 2 RB first 3 picks, and 3 RB first 5 picks. WR is deep, and bell-cow RB is scarce. The running back that I want to start my drafts with is Ashton Jeanty. The Raiders have an improved offensive line, and one heckova good offensive mind at Head Coach. After the consensus top 4 of Gibbs, Bijan, JChase, Puka go, I don’t mind Jeanty. He had 321 touches and 10 touchdowns last year, behind THAT offensive line, there’s reason to project 350 touches and 15 touchdowns, firmly putting him in next year’s Gibbs / Bijan debate. I love the 2nd round Saquon, Hampton, Henry tier, but Chase Brown feels the best of them. The dream start is #JeantyBrown2026 ! In Brown’s 7 games with Burrow at QB, he had 9 touchdowns! He’s good for 14 carries 4 catches a game and this offense is so high powered.

Opportunity is the name of the game for Running Backs. Bhayshal Tuten, David Montgomery, Rhamandre Stevenson, and Tony Pollard could all give you stability as a RB2 if you go WR early, or could give you an advantage as a strong Flex. The role is there for Tuten as Travis Achane (hehehe) departs. Tuten was viewed as a burner in college, but secured a short yardage role his rookie season. He might lose some of that to Chris Rodriguez, but he’s shown to be not just a home run threat, and that should bode well for him staying on the field this year. David Montgomery and Rhamandre Stevenson have to fend off two 2nd year backs. Both should get the bulk of the rushing touchdowns and both should get the more consistent role as these two good teams won’t have to play catchup most games. Tony Pollard goes later than these three, but might be my favorite value. He’s getting older but there’s not many backs in this range that get you 15/17 touches week in and week out. I’m a believer that the addition of Brian Daboll, and Cam Ward going to his second year, will make the Titans offense at least average. I’ll say if healthy, Pollard beats his last year touchdown total which was 5.

When I’m looking for an RB4 I’m okay with picking wrong. These are depth pieces that I can see getting bigger than expected roles. Two RBs in a pretty heavy split that I like are Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt and Jordan Mason. This is also a bet against their competition, as Rachaad White will probably be moved to a third down role, and Aaron Jones, who has missed significant time 2 of the last 3 seasons. Bill and Mason won’t give you much in the pass game, but they are good runners who could pop in touchdowns. I can count on these two role’s in a flex spot especially during bye weeks, and if their running mate goes down, I can see an extended role to give me RB2 production. After preson week 1 I’m considering not shouting out this player, but round 10 RJ Harvey has my attention. Jonah Coleman looked good and he’s going to be a player. And when JK Dobbins is healthy he’s a dawg. Harvey shown flashes though especially when his role increased. The former second round draft pick has the best OLine in football behind him, and has the coach who brought out the best in a similar style back, Alvin Kamara. Sure, Harvey could get burried, or he can carve out a meaningful role which behind one of the most injury prone running backs in the NFL.

Get your RBs early. Later in the drafts we are drafting handcuff backups that really only will play due to injury. This is where I’m getting QBs, TEs, and flyer WRs. Just remember #JeantyBrown2026 !!

Very rarely will I target a WR in r1/r2. If you’re picking 3/4 you have to take Chase or Puka. And I’ll take AmonRa late 1 but I’d want a handful of RBs gone. Drake London is a 9/10 target a game type of player that if the draft goes RB heavy and players around him like Brown, Saquon, and even Hampton are gone, than sign me up for London! His QB has been a problem for his whole career, it can only go up from here!

I did not like the Zay Flowers contract from the Ravens, but I’m still buying the fantasy talent. Lamar has to throw it to someone and Flowers has been extremely consistent his career. Pencil him in for 120 targets, just don’t count on too many touchdowns as he averages 4.66 per season. Speaking on target getter, I’m buying that Emeka Egbuka’s start of last season is more the player than how he finished. Mike Evans is gone, Baker is healthy, Zac Robinson is from the McVay pass friendly tree – Egbuka should ascend in fantasy relevancy. On the flip side of those volume receivers, I think Jaylen Waddle is worth the risk. We haven’t seen how Payton will use him, or if he gels with Bo Nix, but they did give up a first round draft pick for him. Nix is keen on not taking any negative plays, getting the ball out quick, and Waddle should be a guy he looks for getting open early in his routes.

How good is Parker Washington? If you’re up to date on Fantasy Football twitter than you know Washington is the most hyped up player this offseason. I love him as a Jaguar! There is HUGE risk. He shares a room with BTJ, Jakobi Meyers, Travis Hunter, and Brenton Strange. The answer to all the Jaguars receivers might be just draft Trevor Lawrence, or it could be to stack him with Parker Washington. He is a crossing route assassin, and when he’s clicking then Lawrence is looking like an MVP. Who knows where he’ll go come your draft, but if you nail your picks, than he is worth the round 5/6 risk. Another risky receiver going in that range is Marv Harrison Jr. I thought he looked fine under Brissett, but had some untimely injuries. You kind of have to throw out Kyler Murray games. Kyler and Marv Jr had no chemistry and Kyler really cant see over the middle. Carson Beck might get some starts, but either way, a 6th round gamble on a 3rd year former top5 pick, sounds money to my ears. Washington and Marv Jr do have bust potential, but if you’re not first you’re last.

The best way to get targets is to be on the field … sounds pretty simple! There’s 3 WRs who are primary slot guys, one I’m not too worried on playtime, two it’s a gamble. But if all three of Wan’Dale Robinson, Jayden Reed, and Josh Downs get in those 2 WR sets, then the ceiling is the roof! Wan’Dale reunites with Daboll in Tennessee and after the big contract his role looks pretty set. Cam Ward needs to throw it to someone! Downs and Reed didn’t play enough last year and any time a 2nd TE came on they hit the bench. Both the Colts and Packers shuffled their WR room, so the opportunity is there.

I could rattle off so many names, this is why we are targeting RBs early! Y’all remember how good Quentin Johnston started last season? He had 6 touchdowns in 8 weeks, and gets the crossing god genius in Mike McDaniel calling up plays. There’s a world where QJ finishes the year top5 in receiving yards in part because of McDaniel. Romeo Doubs leaves the crowded room in Green Bay and is slated to be WR2 to Drake Maye and the Patriots. AJ Brown was ELITE, but he saw a decline last year. The MVP runner up will throw the ball all over the place, and Doubs could POP for yardage.

My dart throws are Jalen Nailor, and Don Wicks. Their roles are unknown, and they left teams where they were buried on the depth chart. The Raiders have the worst WR room in the league, and it is fair to guess Nailor is WR1. Whether it’s Cousins or Mendoza, both have a live arm, and we like buying opportunities. Don Wicks could very well be WR2 in Philly this year. Makai Lemon can play inside and out, but they look to settle him in the slot role. New OC Sean Mannion comes from Green Bay where Wicks was, and the reports out of training camp are Wicks is lining up outside as WR2. Jalen Hurts takes a lot of heat as a QB but he throws a pretty deep ball! Lemon will have to transition to the NFL, I’m buying Wicks popping early.

This article was released 8/17. 24 hours later Emeka Egbuka might be out week 1, Quentin Johnston got hurt in practice, and Keenan Allen signed with the Colts where Josh Downs could take a hit. Wild!

How could you not love McBride, Bowers, Loveland, and Warren! But it’s very understandable to not love them “at cost.” And then you scan and see the cost and names of TE 9/14 and it just doesn’t feel worth the gamble to me. I could see a late 2 early 3rd round pick on Brock Bowers, he is getting Klint Kubiak as coach after that JSN season. But, he’ll normally be gone before it’s my turn to pick. There will be drafts where Tyler Warren goes late 5 early 6, and in those I’ll gravitate towards him, but he’ll be gone in the 4th in most leagues.

So who should you target? Leave your draft with one of Tucker Kraft or George Kittle. Both of these stars had season ending injuries and both might start slow, but both will be in your lineups come playoff time. In Kittle’s 6 of 9 last fantasy games he was TE 6 or higher scoring – and this stretch is nothing new; he’s been TE 6 in 6 of the last 9 years! Achilles injuries are scary, but the rewards outweigh the risks. In Kraft’s first 8 weeks last year he was TE 1! Then the ACL gave out. Let’s assume he played 16 games and he would’ve had 12 touchdowns and 4 100 yard games! That’s like Bowers / McBride territory. Just like QB, I’m waiting on TE

You’ll want a backup if you take Kittle or Kraft, forecasting a slow start. Isaiah Likely and Dalton Kincaid have top 6 potential. Malik Nabers is looking better and better by the day, but who else is Likely really competing with? The Giants have like 3 WR3’s and Harbaugh brought Likely from the Ravens. Remember how good he was when Mark Andrews went down? And remember how good Mark Andrews was? His offense keys in on a TE. Kincaid is more of a risk, but could be more of a boom if things go right. Kincaid’s season high in snap count last year was 55%. In his first two years, in 14 games above 60% he averaged 7.25 targets per game which would have been first on the Bills last year. Joe Brady seemed to think he was limited under McDermott, and if Brady opens is up, Kincaid could be the Bills #1 passing target.

If you want to go deep, and more than likely a top waiver guy, Chig Okonkwo looks prime to break out. He’s a 50 catch 500 yard guy, he just needs those touchdowns up. In the fantasy semifinals and finals last year he was TE 4 andf TE 6. Now that he’s on the Commanders who’s top 2 WRs, McLaurin and Diggs, are 30+ years old. Greg Dulcich is healthy and is competing with a bottom 5 WR group in the NFL on the Dolphins. Bad NFL teams are okay for fantasy, expect Miami to throw a lot in the 2H when they are down. in 2022 as a rookie, Dulcich was a top 12 TE 6 of 10 games. After 2 injured years, last year he got back to averaging 12.5 yards per catch on very limited routes.

I’m still prioritizing Kraft/Kittle and Likely/Kincaid, but Chig and Dulcich are on my radar as well. And the beauty of these 6? Low cost! Build build build those RBs and WRs, and snipe TE value.