With the NFL preseason properly underway and fantasy drafts happening or looming, solidifying the participant pool to select from has by no means been extra vital. Certain, we now have to maintain all of our choices open throughout drafts for any variety of situations that might play out, however all of us have the gamers we’re gravitating towards in our draft. Our favorites. Our guys. Our amigos!
Possibly they’re the blokes we’re reaching for? Or probably the most enjoyable clicks? Might they be gamers on nice offenses? Or what if the vibes are simply actually good? That’s vital!
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Who’re the fantasy gamers I’m concentrating on as “must-haves” in 2026? Let’s dive in and check out a number of gamers who I completely will need to have on my fantasy groups this season.
Aug 22, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) calls a play within the first half in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Katie Stratman-Imagn Photos
QB Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears
Many individuals will inform you that no Chicago quarterback has ever handed for 4,000 yards in a season. These folks could also be appropriate, however Williams would be the first one to do it. Maybe this season! An increasing number of are saying this.
Yr 2 of the Ben Johnson offense may very well be a particular one for Williams, who has a Drake Maye-like trajectory in his vary of outcomes in 2026. Why cannot Williams recover from 4,000 yards, 35 landing passes, 400 speeding yards and a handful of speeding scores? That might put him into the elite tier of fantasy quarterbacks, the place the worth to search out out if he can do it’s round QB7 or QB8 in common draft place. With tight finish Colston Loveland, together with receivers Luther Burden III and Rome Odunze at his disposal, it’s not a matter of “if,” however “when” for Williams. He’s my favourite quarterback to draft and, even higher, Williams doesn’t require elite draft capital to accumulate. Win-win!
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QB Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
Nix isn’t being priced very effectively by a lot of the fantasy soccer market, however that’s to our profit. Clearly, everyone knows higher. With Nix, you’re getting a steal of a quarterback who runs and is in a wonderful offense that bought even higher this offseason. The Broncos added Jaylen Waddle to the combination by way of commerce. Together with Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims, Pat Bryant, Evan Engram and Troy Franklin, Nix isn’t with out passing-game weapons. First-time play-caller and offensive coordinator Davis Webb was additionally given the keys to the offense by head coach Sean Payton.
So, whereas it may very well be a special Broncos offense, a extra fashionable iteration may unlock much more potential with pre-snap movement and the hope of extra condensed personnel utilization than we now have been used to with Payton over the past two decades-plus. Final season, Nix took a slight step again in passing touchdowns and in his speeding. Nevertheless, with Waddle in tow now, Nix has an excellent probability to leap into the 30-touchdown membership this season. If he provides some extra speeding work, he has an opportunity to eclipse the QB7 fantasy end he has posted in every of his first two NFL seasons.
Dec 21, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins operating again De’Von Achane (28) runs the ball for a landing through the first quarter in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals at Arduous Rock Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Sam Navarro-Imagn Photos
RB De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins
Not solely is Achane probably the most environment friendly and explosive backs within the NFL, however he’s additionally among the finest receiving backs within the NFL. We have now talked advert nauseum about Achane on The Huddle. (Or a minimum of I’ve!)
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No again had extra 10-plus-yard runs or 15-plus MPH runs than Achane final 12 months. When it comes to the Dolphins and who stands to learn within the post-Mike McDaniel period, it’s actually simply Achane. There isn’t any Tyreek Hill, and Jaylen Waddle was traded to Denver. However, Achane is so good that he may carry this staff to some wins if he is ready to use his velocity and explosiveness for a bunch of lengthy touchdowns.
Achane possesses a near-perfect fantasy soccer talent set, even when the pesky Vegas sportsbooks have a 4.5-win whole for the Dolphins in 2026. I believe a double-digit landing whole and a 1,500+ total-yard season is VERY attainable regardless of being on a nasty staff. Whereas the uncooked targets might come down from the 85 he posted final season, he may nonetheless repay at ADP if he settles into a spread of 60-70 targets in 2026. In any case, he’s the focus, the alpha and the omega of the Dolphins’ offense.
RB J.Ok. Dobbins, Denver Broncos
Dobbins thrived final season in what was mainly an every-down position for the Denver Broncos earlier than a Lisfranc damage put him out for the season after Week 10. He was introduced again in free company to proceed dealing with that early-down position for Denver and dealing in tandem with R.J. Harvey.
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With the Broncos scoring a ton and Dobbins slotted in as the highest again in Denver, count on some touchdowns, effectivity and fairly a little bit of utilization from him, particularly assuming the Broncos could have some results in salt away. He is among the higher bets for touches within the center rounds after the highest 30 operating backs have come off the board.
Dec 28, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; New Orleans Saints large receiver Chris Olave (12) runs in a landing in entrance of Tennessee Titans cornerback Kemon Corridor (40) through the third quarter at Nissan Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Andrew Nelles-USA TODAY Community by way of Imagn Photos
WR Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints
Olave turned in a profession season in 2025, operating a career-high 92.4% routes per dropback en path to a WR6 end with 100 receptions, 1,163 yards and 9 touchdowns. Olave could have rather less assist than anticipated with first-round draft decide Jordyn Tyson coping with a hamstring damage that can sideline him for a minimum of a month into the season. New Orleans will primarily run again the pass-catchers from the second half of final season, with tight finish Juwan Johnson as quarterback Tyler Shough’s second goal and a 3rd receiver that’s nonetheless up within the air proper now.
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As a participant who has run a bit longer aDOT (common depth of goal) than typical prime receivers (12.3-yard aDOT final season), Olave earned an enormous 151 targets final season. As an unbelievable target-earner and big-play receiver, Olave simply must preserve the established order on his finish, and the offense must proceed to enhance in 2026 for Olave to be properly value his rating this season. As a participant on the finish of the second spherical or the start of the third, getting 151 targets at that time of a draft in an ascendant offense is a good deal. Not having Tyson for the start of the season hurts, however Olave ought to be comparatively unaffected.
WR Jaylen Waddle, Denver Broncos
The Broncos paid a fairly penny for Waddle to be their prime large receiver within the commerce market, however there’s an opportunity this season that routes may lastly consolidate to the top-two pass-catchers in 2026.
Waddle has been probably the most environment friendly per-route receivers within the NFL over his 5 seasons in Miami, and he nonetheless instructions targets at a wonderful charge with 23.8% targets per route run final season. We all know Denver goes to attain fairly a bit, and quarterback Bo Nix can let Waddle work the center of the sector to nice success. If new offensive coordinator Davis Webb can preserve the 2 highest route totals to Waddle and Sutton &sprint; whereas rotating the opposite large receivers like Pat Bryant, Troy Franklin, Marvin Mims Jr., and others amongst one another and never the highest receivers &sprint; then we’re taking a look at an enormous payoff at Waddle’s fourth-round ADP.
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WR Stefon Diggs, Washington Commanders
Diggs could also be getting into his age-33 season with the Commanders, however age shouldn’t be too massive of an element for him this season. His 23.9% targets per route run (TPRR) is Eighty fifth-percentile amongst all pass-catchers age 32 or older with a minimum of 250 routes. He’s in VERY good firm with Corridor-of-Fame-level gamers, and the chance for Diggs is all the time there with an older large receiver, however the “falling off a cliff” danger of Diggs is fairly low &sprint; all elements thought of.
All in all, Diggs ought to be a stable 1B with Terry McLaurin on this Washington offense, and the target-earning talent is one thing desperately wanted on this offense. Certain, he might not even be a 75% routes man anymore, however he’s nonetheless very environment friendly per route and per goal. There was discuss just lately about Diggs heading again into the slot, which was the case in Washington’s second preseason sport, per PFF’s Nathan Jahnke. With Diggs sporting a restricted routes final season anyway (68.5% with New England), he nonetheless earned 102 targets and caught 85 balls. Any expert pass-catcher that doesn’t need to make quarterback Jayden Daniels play hero ball is a plus in my e book, so I’m nonetheless taking Diggs at a really good value after the primary 30 large receivers are drafted.
TE Harold Fannin Jr., Cleveland Browns
All people appears to be frightened of Fannin this season. When you went on a Household Feud-style ballot, I’m satisfied that a lot of the explanation why would heart across the staff he performs for. Not far behind could be the quarterback state of affairs. The choice of WHO the quarterback shall be was resolved earlier this week with head coach Todd Monken naming Deshaun Watson the beginning quarterback for Week 1.
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That is all to say: I’m not scared. That is my “Battle of the Bastards” second, defending Fannin from the slings and arrows of the fantasy group at giant. I’ve already written my Fannin case. I’ve already made my case for Fannin. However let’s go into it extra.
All it should take for much more for Fannin is SOME quarterback enchancment. Per FTN’s Bryan Knowles, Watson had a passing DVOA of -51.1% in his final season of sport motion in 2024, which was the Eleventh-worst passing DVOA ever recorded. When you thought that was dangerous, Shedeur Sanders had a passing DVOA of -59.6% in 2025; the FIFTH-worst passing DVOA ever recorded. No one does it like Cleveland.
But regardless of the horrific quarterbacking cultivated in Cleveland final season, Fannin nonetheless had the very best targets per route run of any tight finish, and he did that enjoying half of the season because the Browns’ TE2 behind David Njoku with out a full route share. Carrying over from his closing season at Bowling Inexperienced, the place he led all of school soccer &sprint; not simply tight ends &sprint; with 117 receptions and 1,555 receiving yards, Fannin put up 72-731-6 on 104 targets final season to guide the Browns in all classes. Njoku is gone, and two rookies step into large receiver roles alongside Jerry Jeudy. With that stated, one of the best probability for the Browns to maneuver the ball lies within the fingers and duck toes of Fannin.
TE Travis Kelce, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
Kelce has been a mannequin of consistency all through his lengthy and storied NFL profession, with 10 straight seasons of a minimum of 100 targets and by no means ending worse than TE7 at any level in his profession. Up till final season, Kelce had a TPRR above 20% in each season. Kelce’s PPR worth holds much more weight, with no fewer than 72 catches and 823 yards in his 11 seasons after his first full season in 2014. He nonetheless maintained a stable 8.3 yards per goal final season, absolutely consistent with his prime marks, in addition to a 20% first-read goal charge.
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This season, Kelce as a fantasy asset is a pure projectable-volume fantasy play quite than an upside, ceiling play. However he’s nonetheless an superior click on after all people is able to write his fantasy soccer epitaph following his wedding ceremony to Taylor Swift and his hemming and hawing about his resolution to return for one more NFL season. All in all, Kelce ought to nonetheless be a nice low-end TE1 for fantasy soccer and repay his fantasy managers loads this season.
Honorable Mentions
Aug 20, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) throws the ball in opposition to the Los Angeles Chargers within the first half at SoFi Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Kirby Lee-Imagn Photos
QB Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
Purdy’s per-game stats are elite, however he must play a full season. I’m taking him with one other quarterback, however Purdy provides sneaky speeding and spike-week means.
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QB Malik Willis, Miami Dolphins
Willis’ speeding means provides him a straightforward bar to clear for top-10 fantasy quarterback manufacturing this season. Each quarterback who has rushed for a minimum of 600 yards has completed as a top-10 fantasy passer, and virtually three-quarters of these gamers have completed as a top-six fantasy passer. On the finish of drafts, he’s a straightforward click on, as a result of we are going to get rapid data on how Miami’s offense will function this season.
RB Kenneth Walker III, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
Walker comes off within the second spherical today, however it’s arduous to think about that he wouldn’t be a monumental enchancment to the Chiefs’ offense. Even when Patrick Mahomes begins in Week 1, leaning on Walker could be smart. It’s truthful to query if Walker shall be as efficient as he was in final season’s playoffs and Tremendous Bowl now that he obtained an enormous contract, however Walker ought to be an enormous 275+ contact operating again and simply eclipse double-digit touchdowns this season.
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RB Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams
Corum is a guess on the Rams’ offense, particularly the operating sport. Whereas we all know how explosive the Rams are by way of the air, Los Angeles used Kyren Williams and Corum in tandem final season to nice success. Corum was extremely explosive, ending first amongst 49 qualifying backs in whole rush EPA added plus and an elite mark in explosive run charge. The contingent worth of Corum if one thing have been to occur to Williams is very large, however Corum’s standalone worth is great in addition to a low-end RB2 or flex play.
WR DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles
Smith has been probably the most underappreciated elite large receivers in fantasy soccer over his 5 seasons. With 4 seasons with 100+ targets, a yards-per-route-run above 1.75, and a yards-per-target of 9.0 yards or higher in all 5 seasons, Smith has been a mannequin of consistency and efficiency and will get a pleasant spike in quantity as THE man with A.J. Brown now in New England.
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WR Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens
Contemplating Flowers simply put up a WR7 season in 2025, getting him within the third spherical feels actually good. Flowers has averaged 114 targets over his first three seasons after which leveled up his effectivity with profession highs throughout the board in receptions (86) and yards (1,211). Not a lot ought to change about this offense when it comes to the pecking order of the receivers and pass-catchers, particularly on the prime, so count on one other high quality season from Flowers in 2026.
WR Romeo Doubs, New England Patriots
Final season, Doubs put up one of many higher seasons he has had in his 4 NFL campaigns on a Packers squad that spreads the ball round to a half-dozen receivers. Regardless of that, Doubs nonetheless managed 85 targets and 724 yards, with one of the best yards per route run (1.73) of his profession. Including A.J. Brown to the combination doesn’t damage something for Doubs; it truly relieves loads of stress to provide. The Patriots buying and selling Kayshon Boutte to the Texans additionally removes a target-earner from the offense, additional consolidating targets to Brown, Doubs and tight finish Hunter Henry.
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TE Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints
Not having Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) for the start of the season actually helps Johnson’s bull case for 2026. Johnson had a profession season in 2025 because the second goal for quarterback Tyler Shough, with 100 targets, 77 receptions and 889 yards, resulting in an total TE8 season. Whereas Johnson solely scored three touchdowns, we are going to hopefully get a little bit of a bump this season with additional enchancment of the Saints’ offensive surroundings.
TE Terrance Ferguson, Los Angeles Rams
Ferguson’s 2025 counting stats (11 receptions on 25 targets) do not precisely leap off the web page, however his 9.2 yards per goal and superior athleticism actually do. Ferguson can play all positions, together with large receiver, so simply getting on the sector recurrently might get him to fantasy relevance. Sticking and being a helpful receiver will assist him lap his present ADP.
