15 Players on New Teams (2026 Fantasy Football)

NFL free agency and trades reshuffled a lot of fantasy football-relevant depth charts this offseason. A change of scenery can be the difference between a wasted talent and a league-winner. New offensive systems, new quarterbacks, and new target competition all shift a player’s outlook overnight. Here’s a breakdown of the veterans who switched teams this offseason and what it means for their 2026 fantasy football value.

2026 Fantasy Football Draft Advice: Players on New Teams

Let’s dive into NFL players on new teams and their 2026 fantasy football outlook.

Wide Receivers

A.J. Brown, WR9 (Philadelphia to New England)

A.J. Brown has a new home in New England for the foreseeable future. Brown has been a WR1 in fantasy points per game over the last four seasons (WR10, WR12, WR8, WR8), and I don’t see that stopping this season. Brown moves from an Eagles offense that was 15th in neutral passing rate to a Patriots’ system that was ninth in neutral passing rate and could climb even higher this season with the additions of Brown and Romeo Doubs this offseason. Brown could easily spike a career high in touchdowns this season. Last season, Philly was 32nd in passing rate inside the ten-yard line while the Patriots were 15th. That jump in touchdown fuel (if it all works out) could send him into top five status this season among fantasy receivers. Last year, among 109 qualifying receivers, Brown was ninth in target share (27.5%), 17th in yards per route run (2.23), eighth in first-read share (35%), and 20th in first downs per route run (0.104, per Fantasy Points Data). Brown was also 30th in separation score and 16th in route win rate among the same sample of receivers. While many will worry about Drake Maye spreading the ball around in 2026, I’m not because last year that was related to New England not having an alpha-level receiver like Brown on the depth chart. That isn’t the case now. Brown is a strong WR1 with more upside than he’s had in previous seasons because of the passing volume floor and ceiling for New England this year.

Jaylen Waddle, WR21 (Miami to Denver)

It’s Jaylen Waddle SZN! I can’t wait to see him ball out in the Denver passing attack. Waddle should get a wonderful infusion of volume this season, moving from an offense that was 29th in neutral passing rate to one that was fourth in that metric last season. Overall, Denver was fourth in passing attempts behind only Arizona, Cincy, and Dallas last year. Waddle is a stud no matter what metric you look at. Last year, among 109 qualifying wide receivers (per Fantasy Points Data), he was 12th in target per route run rate, 12th in yards per route run, seventh in first downs per route run, 12th in separation score, and 11th in route win rate. He also bested Courtland Sutton in each of those metrics with the exception of route win rate (15.3% vs. 15.5%). Waddle is a flag plant player for me this year. You can easily draft him as a WR2 for your teams this season that has WR1 upside.

Mike Evans, WR26 (Tampa Bay to San Francisco)

Mike Evans has a new home with the 49ers, and he looks like a wonderful value in fantasy drafts. Yes, Evans dealt with hamstring issues again last year, but that wasn’t the big limiting factor in his games played. That was related to a broken collarbone. For all of the injury talk about Evans, before the 2025 season, he had never played less than 13 games in any season, and since 2020 he had played at least 14 games in every season. Evans might be older, but he hasn’t slowed down when you look at his metrics. Last year, during his seven full games played, he had a 24.4% target share, a 30.6% first-read share, and 0.116 first downs per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). Among 109 qualifying receivers last year, those numbers would have ranked 13th-best across the board. Yes, during that sample, he had only 1.86 yards per route run and 52.6 receiving yards per game, which would have ranked 31st and 33rd among the same group of receivers, but that was more related to Baker Mayfield‘s inaccuracy than Evans slowing down. In his full games played, Evans had only a 70.9% catchable target rate, which among those 109 receivers would have ranked 84th. Evans on field production didn’t match his deeper analytics and target-earning ability, as he was also second-best in separation and route win rate last season. If he can stay healthy this season, he should be one of the best values on the board for fantasy season with WR1 upside.

DJ Moore, WR28 (Chicago to Buffalo)

D.J. Moore’s stock took a tumble last year as Moore sank to WR41 in fantasy points per game. Moore has a new home for 2026 and beyond after being traded to Buffalo as Josh Allen‘s new WR1. Moore had a 14.3% target share with 1.33 yards per route run, a 17.5% first-read share, and 0.063 first downs per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). None of these numbers offer hope for 2026, but don’t tune out just yet because I’m getting to the hope segment of this outlook. Buffalo hasn’t had a dependable high-end target share earning receiving option since Stefon Diggs, and Joe Brady’s previous experience with Moore has him and Buffalo believing that he can return to that form in 2026. Moore’s deeper analytics agree with Brady. Last year, among 109 qualifying receivers, Moore was 47th and 49th in separation score and route win rate. The numbers get even better when we look at Moore as a perimeter receiver, which he’ll be asked to do more than the 65% of the snaps that he played there last year. As an outside receiver last year, among the same sample of receivers, he was 36th in separation and 29th in route win rate. Moore looks like a nice bounceback candidate this season as a WR2/3 with upside for much more.

Wan’Dale Robinson, WR45 (New York Giants to Tennessee)

Last year, Wan’Dale Robinson had his best season to date, easily, with a true breakout campaign as the WR14 in fantasy points per game. Among 109 qualifying receivers, he ranked 11th in target share (26.8%), 15th in receiving yards per game (63.4), 28th in yards per route run (1.94), and 11th in first-read share (32.9%, per Fantasy Points Data). A huge change for Robinson was that he wasn’t just a checkdown or underneath option anymore, as his aDOT rose to 8.7 and he was 21st among that sample of receivers in deep targets. This season, Robinson will have more target competition alongside Carnell Tate and Calvin Ridley, but I expect him to be the clear WR2 in the offense. It’s wonderful that he stays tied to Brian Daboll in Tennessee, who oversaw his breakout and usage last year, which gives me hope for his 2026 outlook. His floor and ceiling this season will be tied to Cam Ward taking a big step with this new coaching staff. If that happens, Robinson could be a weekly WR2/3 this season.

Romeo Doubs, WR52 (Green Bay to New England)

Romeo Doubs lands with the New England Patriots and should be Drake Maye‘s clear WR2 behind A.J. Brown. He should see a volume bump with the Pats, simply moving from an offense that was 30th in neutral passing rate last year (Green Bay) to one that was ninth in neutral passing rate. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Pats increase their neutral passing rate this season, either with the arrival of Brown and Doubs and Drake Maye having another year in Josh McDaniels’ offensive system. Also add in Green Bay’s love of rotating receivers and Doubs 72.8% route share last year, and it’s not difficult to see Doubs being a late-round value. Last year, Doubs was the WR43 in fantasy points per game with five weeks in weekly scoring as a top 25 fantasy wideout. Last year, among 109 qualifying wide receivers, Doubs was 36th in target per route run rate, 31st in yards per route run, 18th in first downs per route run, and 27th in fantasy points per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). Also among those 109 receivers, Doubs was 23rd in separation and fifth in route win rate. He’s primed to explode this season with WR2/3 upside if everything goes right.

Running Backs

Kenneth Walker III, RB12 (Seattle to Kansas City)

Kenneth Walker arrives in Kansas City as the Chiefs’ new lead back. Walker had a disappointing season in 2025 from a fantasy standpoint as the RB28 in fantasy points per game, but it’s easy to see why it unfolded that way. Walker had to split the passing game usage with Zach Charbonnet, and he was shown the cold shoulder by Seattle in the red zone. Last year, Walker had a 31.9% route share versus Charbonnet’s 34.7% route share (per Fantasy Points Data). In the games that Charbonnet was active, Walker saw only 34.8% of the running back red zone rushing work (30 red zone carries versus Charbonnet’s 51). With a lucrative contract signed and delivered for Walker, I don’t see him missing out on the high usage boat in 2026. Talent isn’t the problem for Walker; it was just the way that Seattle deployed him. Last year, Walker ranked second in explosive run rate, first in missed tackle rate, ninth in yards per route run, and 12th in first downs per route run. He was a per-touch efficiency marvel. I don’t foresee him being a true bellcow with Kansas City, and I don’t want that because he has dealt with injury issues in the past. With his salivating mix of talent and efficiency, Walker should be an explosive RB1 in 2026.

Travis Etienne Jr., RB18 (Jacksonville to New Orleans)

Travis Etienne excelled last year as the Jags RB1 with an RB13 finish in fantasy points per game. After a down 2024 season, it was nice to see the new Saints’ lead back bounce back. He lands with New Orleans after a season where he was 11th in snap share, 13th in opportunity share, tenth in weighted opportunities, and fifth in red zone touches. Etienne soaked up 296 touches, producing 1,399 total yards. He’s set to see a similar workload in 2026 with the Saints. Etienne was disappointing on a per-touch basis, ranking 37th in explosive run rate, 31st in missed tackle rate, and 34th in yards after contact per attempt. Those metrics are worrisome, but Etienne should see enough volume that it won’t matter this season. He’s a solid RB2 that could outkick that projection if the Saints’ offense takes a leap forward and surprises this year.

David Montgomery, RB24 (Detroit to Houston)

David Montgomery now finds himself as the Texans’ do it all workhorse for 2026. Last year, he was phased out of the Lions’ offensive plans as the season moved along, which led to his RB32 finish in fantasy points per game. In Weeks 12-18, he was the RB43 in fantasy points per game with a 32.1% snap rate, 8.2 touches per game, and only 42.8 total yards per game. Montgomery still has the juice to produce as a workhorse this season. Last season, he ranked 30th in missed tackle rate, but he was 12th in yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). His receiving chops are also still alive and well, as he was also 22nd in yards per route run and 12th in first downs per route run. Many will worry that Montgomery will split Houston’s backfield workload with Woody Marks this season, but I don’t see that happening. Montgomery should absorb a workload close to what Joe Mixon saw in 2024. In 2024, Mixon ranked fifth in opportunity share, 14th in snap share, and 13th in carries among running backs, finishing with 281 touches. Last season, Montgomery bested Marks in explosive run rate, missed tackle rate, rushing success rate, yards after contact per attempt, and yards per route run. Legit, every per-touch metric that I care about. Montgomery is the superior back, even at this stage of his career, and he’ll be a strong volume-driven RB2 that could flirt with RB1 production.

Rico Dowdle, RB31 (Carolina to Pittsburgh)

Rico Dowdle did it again last season. Dowdle fought to get to the top of the Carolina running back depth chart as he wrestled the starting job away from Chuba Hubbard. In Weeks 5-18, Dowdle averaged 18.6 touches and 87.7 total yards as the RB10 in fantasy points per game. Dowdle also excelled last season on the ground and in the receiving game. He ranked 23rd in explosive run rate, 17th in missed tackle rate, tenth in yards after contact per attempt, 17th in yards per route run, and 16th in first downs per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). After that strong season, Dowdle now finds himself reunited with Mike McCarthy in Pittsburgh as a backfield complement to Jaylen Warren. The division of the Steelers’ running back workload is up in the air for the 2026 season, but I won’t count against Dowdle’s ability to rise to the competition for RB1 duties. We’ll likely see a committee approach for Pittsburgh this season, but Dowdle could easily return RB2 value if not strong flex value this season.

Kenny Gainwell, RB36 (Pittsburgh to Tampa Bay)

Kenneth Gainwell was an integral part of the Pittsburgh backfield last year for the entire season, but he really hit his stride in Weeks 11-18 as the RB7 in fantasy points per game with 13.3 touches and 85 total yards per game. His passing game was robust during this stretch as he was third in target share (17.5%), second in receiving yards per game (45.4), fourth in yards per route run (2.10), and first in first downs per route run (0.116, per Fantasy Points Data). That also isn’t to say that he wasn’t also fantastic on early downs, ranking 14th in explosive run rate and missed tackle rate overall for the season among backs. Gainwell will play a prominent role for his new team (Tampa Bay) this season as a complement to Bucky Irving. Irving has had a substantial list of injuries that he has dealt with during his short career, so I wouldn’t be surprised if Gainwell is leading the backfield some weeks in 2026 with a solid standalone role when Irving is active. Gainwell could easily return RB2 value in 2026 if everything falls in his favor. He definitely carries more fantasy appeal in PPR formats, though.

Chris Rodriguez Jr., RB42 (Washington to Jacksonville)

Chris Rodriguez reunited with Liam Coen this offseason as he signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Rodriguez and Coen spent time together during Coen’s one-year tenure as Kentucky’s offensive coordinator during the 2021 collegiate season. In that season, Rodriguez ran for 1,379 yards with 6.1 yards per carry and 12 total touchdowns. Rodriguez will look to build upon his brief run as Washington’s starter last season. In Weeks 10-18, he drew six starts while averaging 12.7 touches and 57.7 total yards as the RB31 in fantasy points per game. Rodriguez could be an early down and short yardage option for the Jags this year, as he won’t be contributing much in the passing game. Last season, he had only four targets and 30 receiving yards with Washington. He was quite good as a rusher, though ranking 12th in missed tackle rate and second in yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). We’ll see how much Rodriguez can eat into Bhayshul Tuten‘s workload this season, but he’s a nice late-round pick in all formats.

Quarterbacks

Kyler Murray, QB17 (Arizona to Minnesota)

Last year, we only got to see Kyler Murray for five games. In the previous six seasons, he had never finished lower than QB12 in fantasy points per game. Could he be a QB1 in 2026 with the Minnesota Vikings? Yep, it’s possible. We’ll see how the quarterback camp battle shakes out with Murray against J.J. McCarthy, but I’d be shocked if Murray isn’t starting Week 1, with how his contract is structured and him choosing Minny over a bunch of other destinations. Last year, in his limited starting sample before being sidelined with a foot injury, Murray had the seventh-lowest yards per attempt, the fourth-lowest aDOT, and the fifth-lowest hero throw rate (per Fantasy Points Data). None of those numbers will make you feel warm and fuzzy, but the risk is essentially priced into Murray’s ADP while his upside as a QB1 hasn’t been. I have never been a Murray fan, but at this price point I’m willing to take the occasional late-round swing on him in 2026.

Malik Willis, QB21 (Green Bay to Miami)

Is Malik Willis in a tough spot in Miami? Sure. Could this offense outperform expectations in a number of ways? Absolutely. Greg Dulcich was outstanding on a per-route basis last year. Their receiver room is unproven and full of castoffs, but talented rookies like Chris Bell and Kevin Coleman Jr. could open some eyes in 2026 along with Willis. I know the starting resume for Willis is limited. I get it. What he have seen in limited doses over the last two years has been outstanding, though. Over the last two seasons, Willis has posted a 5.6% big-time throw rate (118 dropbacks, per PFF), 10.9 yards per attempt, and averaged 44.8 rushing yards per game. Last year, among all quarterbacks with at least 110 dropbacks, that big-time throw rate would have ranked eighth-best behind Caleb Williams, and his yards per attempt mark would have led the NFL. That rushing yardage mark per game over the last three years would have ranked first, fourth, and third among quarterbacks. Willis’s running prowess should have him flirting with QB1 production this year alone. If he and this offense surpass lowly expectations through the air, Willis would be a strong QB1 with upside in 2026.

Tight End

Isaiah Likely, TE13 (Baltimore to New York Giants)

After spending the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Ravens, Isaiah Likely signed a three-year, $40 million contract with the Giants. Likely shared targets with Mark Andrews for four years and could see increased usage with his new team. The Giants are thin at wide receiver behind young star Malik Nabers, and Nabers has been slow to recover from an ACL tear sustained last September, leaving his early-season status in question. Likely’s best season with the Ravens was in 2024, when he had 42 catches for 477 yards and six TDs. He never saw more than 60 targets in any of his four seasons in Baltimore. The world saw Likely’s potential when he had nine catches for 111 yards and a touchdown in the Ravens’ nationally televised season opener against the Chiefs in 2024. With an expected target increase in 2026, Likely has a chance to be a top-10 fantasy tight end.

View the Best Fantasy Football Team Names