14 Preseason Studs (2026 Fantasy Football)

This preseason stud list will not simply be a listing of the players who had the best week or weeks during the preseason. Stat lines need to be contextualized, as no starter plays a full complement of snaps. No one really cares that a fourth string running back totaled 200 rushing yards over three games against third stringers that won’t even make practice squads. You are not here to learn that Kaden Wetjen had a 74 yard score in Week 1 of preseason, but you might be interested to know that tight end Will Mallory hauled in six receptions for 80 receiving yards because the Colts deployed him in the Tyler Warren role. Warren will remain a focal point of the Colts offense, especially through the air. With that out of the way, let’s take a look at 14 preseason studs who project to be somewhat relevant for fantasy purposes.

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14 Preseason Studs (2026 Fantasy Football)

Week 1

Jeremiyah Love (RB – ARI)

Jeremiyah Love impressed just about everyone with his showing in Week 1 of the preseason, racking up 58 rushing yards on 11 attempts and hauling three passes for 14 receiving yards. He played 23 snaps but, unfortunately, got rolled up on and is believed to have suffered a high ankle sprain. This is not an ideal development, but it is one that should result in Love coming at a discount on draft day due to the timing of the injury. He should be considered questionable at best for Week 1 of the regular season, but has already shown enough that he will be a RB2 with weekly RB1 upside once he is healthy and ready for game action.

Caleb Douglas (WR – MIA)

Caleb Douglas has seemingly emerged as the Miami Dolphins’ number two receiver. Douglas was always seen as the rookie receiver who would make the most immediate impact, but offseason beat reports suggested that all three rookies were behind veterans like Jalen Tolbert and Tutu Atwell, and that the vets may be slated to open the season as starters. Tutu has never been someone any team wants as a starter, so it should come as no surprise that Douglas has entered the starting mix. He had a rather mundane stat line in Week 1, which may lead some to wonder why he is included here. Watch this catch, and you will know why.

Matt Hibner (TE – BAL)

Matt Hibner hauled in all five of his targets for 61 receiving yards in his first taste of NFL preseason action. The Ravens signed Durham Smythe as a blocking specialist this offseason but would much prefer that Hibner pushes him for snaps, as Hibner offers far more as a receiving threat. Hibner will not push Mark Andrews in 2026, but if he keeps on producing, the veteran may be on notice for 2027.

Robert Henry Jr. (RB – WAS)

A Maurice Jones-Drew favorite, Robert Henry impressed in Week 1 and let the world know exactly what MJD saw in the UTSA product. He rushed for 75 yards on just 12 carries (6.1 ypc), far outshining fellow rookie Kaytron Allen, who needed 23 carries to get to 85 rushing yards (3.7 ypc). His strong preseason will give him a shot to make the final roster, especially with presumed starter Jacory Croskey-Merritt banged up.

Elijah Sarratt (WR – BAL)

Elijah Sarratt turned heads in Week 1 of preseason action, hauling in six receptions for 66 receiving yards. Sarratt is currently battling Devontez Walker for the number four receiver role in Baltimore but could eventually start pushing Lane if he proves to be the superior possession receiver. This was a strong initial showing for the rookie receiver.

De’Zhaun Stribling (WR – SF)

De’Zhaun Stribling made good on the offseason hype by hauling in seven receptions for 63 receiving yards in his preseason debut. Not spectacular, but the usage is exactly what you want to see in limited action. Stribling is set to open the season with a larger role than anyone could have hoped for and should be considered part of the flex conversation for Week 1 in Australia against the Los Angeles Rams.

Week 2

Mike Washington (RB – LV)

Mike Washington was a standout for the second straight week, racking up 56 rushing yards on nine carries, seemingly solidifying his role as Ashton Jeanty’s top backup in the process. That role became more important in the last few days as Ashton Jeanty suffered an ankle injury diving for a pass. The ankle sprain is reported to be of the low ankle variety, but it still may mean Washington opens the season with a bigger role than anticipated. The rookie running back finishes the preseason with an outstanding 7.9 yards per carry on 15 touches for 119 rushing yards. His longest run was a 53 yard scamper in Week 1.

Jaydon Blue (RB – DAL)

Jaydon Blue impressed in Week 2, taking 15 carries for 75 rushing yards, which averages out to an explosive five yards per carry. The hope is that Blue can carve out a role behind Javonte Williams this season. That said, there has been enough smoke that Blue will not be handed the starting role if Javonte misses time with injury for Jaydon to see both his ECR and ADP drop over the last month.

John Metchie (WR – CAR)

John Metchie was a Week 2 standout who seemingly solidified his spot on the team and intensified the battle for the WR3 job behind Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker. The Panthers receiver hauled in six of his seven targets for 77 receiving yards. Metchie can resuscitate his NFL value if he can stay healthy, with former Alabama quarterback Bryce Young getting him the ball again. Metchie is worth a stash in the deepest of leagues and makes for an intriguing late round best ball flier.

CJ Daniels (WR – LAR)

CJ Daniels hauled in eight of his 13 targets for 68 receiving yards. The yardage is nothing to get excited about, but the showing only helps his push for the third receiver role for the Rams. While the third receiver spot is expected to be a rotation and the projected success of 12 and 13 personnel is expected to make 11 personnel used less frequently, whoever wins the job will at least be on redraft radars. An injury would make them an every week starter. If the winner is Daniels, he could have a role downfield and in the red zone even with Puka Nacua and Davante Adams healthy, due to his elite contested catch ability. He is a name to add to watch lists.

Jalen Royals (WR – KC)

Jalen Royals hauled in six of his six targets for 51 receiving yards in Week 2. Currently battling Cyrus Allen for the number four receiver role, there is a world where both Allen and Royals play more this season than anticipated. Tyquan Thornton has not proven to be reliable enough to play for 80 percent of the snaps for 17 weeks, and Rashee Rice still looks like a shell of himself. Royal’s dynasty stock has taken a nosedive with Cyrus Allen being the buzz of the offseason, but Royal remains a deep league name to monitor in redraft leagues.

Joe Milton (QB – DAL)

Joe Milton seemingly locked up the backup job in Dallas with an efficient showing where he completed nine of his 13 attempts for 179 passing yards and two touchdowns. He added a score on the ground, even if he took three carries for just two yards, including the one yard score. Milton is battling with Sam Howell, and while Howell has more experience as a starter and may be leaned on if Dak Prescott is forced to miss an extended period of time, Milton should open the season as the backup.

Preseason

Kyle Williams (WR – NE)

Kyle Williams has been one of the highlight makers of the preseason with his 4-111-2 line. He has found the end zone twice and impressed just about everyone with his 69 yard receiving touchdown from Tommy DeVito. Kyle Williams is not expected to have much of a role this year if the New England Patriots’ other receivers stay healthy, but the trade of Kayshon Boutte ascends the young receiver to number four on the depth chart. He should see snaps when Brown or Doubs move into the slot, something both receivers have done in about 15 to 20 percent of their snaps since they entered the league. Williams is worth a deep league stash where feasible.

Camden Brown (WR – DAL)

Camden Brown forced his way onto the dynasty league radar with his 5-139-2 through two preseason contests. He leads all receivers with 69.5 receiving yards per game and is making his case for the number four receiver role in Dallas. He does not have much notable competition for that role, and we have seen Dak Prescott form chemistry with former number four Ryan Flournoy, so there is some redraft upside here as well. Camden Brown is a name to monitor closely.

Raju Byfield is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Raju, check out his profile and follow him @FantasyContext.