The 2026 NFL Draft has come and gone, so we have a good sense of which players are trending up and which are trending down in fantasy football.
On this page, we’re going to focus on players who have been impacted by what their teams did in the draft.
Find out why Cam Skattebo, Derrick Henry, and David Montgomery are trending up, while Jerry Jeudy, Calvin Ridley, and Mason Taylor are trending down for 2026 fantasy football leagues.
Trending Up/Trending Down (2026 Fantasy Football)
Fantasy Football Trending Up
Each of these three wide running backs either benefited from moves their team made or didn’t make.
Cam Skattebo (RB – NYG)
Coming into the offseason, we heard that the Giants were interested in signing Kenneth Walker. That didn’t happen. Then, the G-Men were linked to Jeremiyah Love. That didn’t happen, either.
So, not only did Skattebo avoid competing with a potential stud running back for touches, but the team also brought in help on the offensive line with Francis Mauigoa.
The second-year bull of a running back is now set for heavy usage in Year 1 with John Harbaugh.
Derrick Henry (RB – BAL)
Derrick Henry is the ageless wonder, but there was some slight concern with the Ravens losing stud offensive lineman Tyler Linderbaum to free agency.
However, the Ravens did a great job addressing that hole by taking Olaivavega Ioane, a mauler at guard who should help in the running game.
Henry should have yet another productive season for Baltimore.
David Montgomery (RB – HOU)
David Montgomery was acquired by the Texans through trade, so clearly they hold him in high regard.
What’s great for Monty is that the Texans used their first-rounder on a guard in Keylan Rutledge. This team wants to run the football and lean on their defense.
We could see Montgomery get heavy usage with a high touchdown upside this season.
Fantasy Football Trending Down
Each of these two wide receivers and one tight end was hurt by their team’s selections.
Jerry Jeudy (WR – CLE)
Jerry Jeudy now has a lot more target competition in Cleveland after the Browns took KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston with a first and second-rounder.
I like what the Browns are doing on offense, but Jeudy is a clear avoid now.
While Jeudy was only appealing as a late-rounder in best ball, I’m no longer interested. Give me the rookies instead.
Calvin Ridley (WR – TEN)
Calvin Ridley is similar to Jerry Jeudy: a veteran wideout with limited appeal that’s now been lost. Not only did the Titans sign Wan’Dale Robinson, but they also used the fourth overall pick on Carnell Tate.
Ridley is nearing the end of his career, but now I have no interest. I’d rather take a shot on Tate or Wan’Dale in best ball leagues where I’m building Cam Ward stacks.
Smart moves by the Titans to address their hole at wide receiver.
Mason Taylor (TE – NYJ)
Mason Taylor had some flashes as a rookie, but now the Jets have drafted tight end Kenyon Sadiq at 16th overall. That pretty much takes away any fantasy appeal from Taylor as a late-round tight end.
On top of that, the team used a third first-round pick on Omar Cooper Jr., adding another pass-catcher.
Big impact on Taylor’s fantasy value moving forward.
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Play | Spotify | Stitcher | TuneIn | RSS | YouTube
