There are always a handful of players whose ceiling, role, and consistency make them worth selecting ahead of their average draft position. Our Featured Pros break down the 2026 fantasy football draft picks they’re willing to select a round early if it means making sure they’re on their roster.
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Fantasy Football Draft Picks Worth Reaching For in 2026
If you had to reach a round early for one guy this year, who is it and why?
Bhayshul Tuten (RB – JAC)
“For me, it is Bhayshul Tuten, who is currently going in Round 5, but I would feel more than comfortable reaching for him in Round 4. I think Tuten will be the clear workhorse in this backfield following Travis Etienne‘s departure, which leaves 260 vacated rushing attempts. Tuten was impressive on the first day of training camp, and Liam Coen said he expects a big year from him. Tuten was a player I loved heading into last season, but unfortunately it was all Travis Etienne in the Jaguars’ backfield. I am fully back on the Tuten hype train for the 2026 NFL season.”
– Brady Auer (BA Sports Podcast)
“Get your guys, is one of my favorite pieces of draft advice. With that in mind, I am absolutely reaching for Bhayshul Tuten, even at his rapidly increasing ADP. The offseason has been perfect for the explosive second-year back. With Chris Rodriguez still not participating in team drills after having a procedure done on his foot this offseason, Tuten is taking all the reps with the first team. With only third-down specialist LeQuint Allen behind him, any absence by CRod will make Tuten a workhorse. Whether you believe in the talent or not, any Liam Coen Bell Cow is fantasy-dream material. Going as the last pick of the fourth round (pick 48), I would happily draft him over Bucky Irving, Quinshon Judkins, and TreyVeon Henderson, who all go in the round prior. That said, I would draw my line at Travis Etienne, currently being selected at pick 32.”
– Ellis Johnson (FantasyPros)
“If I have to reach a round early for one player this year, it’s Bhayshul Tuten. The market is underestimating both the player and the situation. Travis Etienne is gone, leaving behind one of the most valuable running back roles in fantasy football. Yet people are still treating Tuten like he has to earn the job. I think he already has. The biggest concern seems to be Chris Rodriguez stealing goal-line work because he’s the bigger back. To me, that’s the market making assumptions based on size. Tuten was outstanding in the red zone as a rookie, proving he can finish drives despite not being the biggest runner. Then there’s Liam Coen. I think Coen belongs in the same fantasy conversation as Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan. His offenses create scoring opportunities, and I want the lead back attached to that environment. Jacksonville is going to score points, and I want exposure to the player most likely to lead the backfield. Tuten checks every box I’m looking for. He has explosive big-play ability, can contribute as a receiver, and has already shown he can convert in scoring situations. That’s the profile of a league winner.”
– Fantasy Football Goonz (Fantasy Football Goonz)
Brock Bowers (TE – LV)
“Give me the prince that was promised at tight end: Brock Bowers. His Real-Time ADP is currently 22, so he’s coming off the board near the end of Round 2, right behind Trey McBride. In my rankings, though, Bowers is TE1, and I currently have him as my 11th overall player in PPR formats. He’s been insanely productive — the only tight end to average more fantasy points per game than Bowers (15.13) over their first two seasons is Rob Gronkowski (15.17). So, yeah, I’m taking Bowers if I have a back-end first-round selection. He offers such a rare combination of a high floor and stratospheric ceiling. If I’m going to reach for a player this early, it needs to be someone who can break fantasy, and Bowers fits that bill.”
– Wolf Trelles-Heard (FantasyPros)
Ladd McConkey (WR – LAC)
“If I’m reaching a round early for one player this year, it’s Ladd McConkey. He already proved he can produce at an elite level by finishing as the WR13 in points per game while averaging an outstanding 2.6 yards per route run, and now Mike McDaniel takes over as offensive coordinator. McDaniel’s offense is built around pre-snap motion, which is exactly where McConkey has been most dangerous, increasing his yards per route run by 93%, first downs per route by 150%, and points per route by 75% when put in motion. McDaniel has used motion 19% more than the league average over the past three seasons, and his WR1 has averaged 16.6 fantasy points per game during that span. With Keenan Allen gone and the Chargers expected to lean into more two-receiver sets, McConkey is positioned to become the focal point of the passing game. He already has WR1 talent, and McDaniel’s arrival gives him a legitimate chance to finish as an overall top-five fantasy wide receiver in 2026.”
– Ryan Linkletter (Blitz Sports Media)
Mike Evans (WR – SF)
“Mike Evans had eleven 1,000-yard seasons to start his career! Last year, the streak ended due to injuries. When he played, he still received 7.75 targets a game on a Tampa team that regressed significantly in 2025. During the off-season, Evans signed a 3-year contract with the 49ers and will step in as the WR1 for the team. As camp starts, Ricky Pearsall is already dealing with knee swelling from a previous injury, which is concerning coaches. There is talk that George Kittle will start week 1 after tearing his Achilles late last season. This leaves Evan atop the pecking order on the team that has 574 passing attempts in 2025. Evans’ ADP is around the 5th round of fantasy drafts. He will reward fantasy owners who reach for him a round early with a top 12 wide receiver finish on a strong 49ers team!”
– Adam Dove (The Fantasy Couriers)
James Cook (RB – BUF)
“Regardless of my draft slot, if I’m on the clock in the first round and Buffalo running back James Cook is available, he is my pick. Coming off back-to-back top-12 finishes among running backs, Cook climbed to a career-high RB6 finish in 2025 with 1621 rushing yards and 14 total touchdowns. That’s not his ceiling! Managers are starting to sleep on this Bills offense, but they are about as solid as you can find. The sky is the limit for Cook in 2026. Not only do I expect him to best his RB6 performance from a year ago, but I expect him to finish among the top 5 non-quarterbacks in fantasy points scored this season. Cook will be a workhorse yet again for Buffalo, and there are few players in fantasy who have a higher ceiling. A case can be made for him as high as 1.01 overall in 1QB redraft leagues.”
– Aaron St Denis (Fantasy Sports Advice Network)
Ted Hurst (WR – TB)
“While I’m targeting Emeka Egbuka in all my drafts, when it comes to drafting above ADP in the later rounds, I will aggressively reach for Ted Hurst. Hurst appears locked in as the X-receiver for the Bucs in a clear bounce-back season. The reasons for Tampa’s offense struggles in 2025 are going a bit overlooked. The offensive line dealt with injuries, and Baker Mayfield played through multiple injuries while dealing with a playercaller who was in over his head. A healthier offense combined with new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, who typically runs a balanced offense with plenty of pass volume, will provide enough volume to support multiple receivers. Chris Godwin has struggled through injuries for multiple seasons and could be at the point of age regression. Hurst has the potential to be the second look behind Egbuka and have a strong rookie season at an extremely cost-effective ADP.”
– Tera Roberts (OddsChecker)
Matthew Stafford (QB – LAR)
“BEAST DOME was the only site to rank Matthew Stafford a QB1 last season on FantasyPros; he won MVP. This season the consensus has him outside QB1 territory again. I am drafting Matthew Stafford in the 7th Round with confidence, as he is my No. 2 QB overall this season. Stafford is the best gunslinger in the game; there is no reason to believe a regression season is coming. He is 100% full strength and healthy, and the Rams are ready to compete for the Super Bowl.”
– Muntradamus (Beast Dome)
A.J. Brown (WR – NE)
“A.J. Brown. The newest Patriots WR remains one of the NFL’s premier alphas despite a frustrating 2025 season in Philadelphia (WR11 PPG). After being traded to New England, Brown should immediately command massive volume and reclaim high-end WR1 upside, with an ascending third-year quarterback in Drake Maye. Even in a down year, Brown still posted elite target share numbers and remained highly productive on a per-game basis. With him on a pass-heavy offense that is willing to feature him as the focal point, a major fantasy bounce-back and WR1 szn is LOADING for AJB. I wouldn’t hesitate on selecting him in Round 1.
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)
Jonathon Brooks (RB – CAR)
“Jonathon Brooks has opened camp with encouraging reports about both his health and receiving ability. That pass-catching skill could get him on the field quickly for a Panthers offense thin on dependable receiving options. He could also cut into Chuba Hubbard‘s workload after Hubbard missed time with a calf injury and struggled to 3.8 yards per carry last season.”
– Kevin English (Draft Sharks)
“Jonathon Brooks hype is starting, and the price may go up. But, right now he is coming off of the board as pick 93 and RB33. Last year we saw Chuba struggle and lose his job to Rico Dowdle. This team wants to see what they have in Brooks and has shown that the contract for Chuba doesn’t mean much. The price is worth the risk and leaves room for a lot of profit if you end up with an RB2 in the 7th or 8th round.”
– David Heilman (Dynasty Trade Calculator)
Emeka Egbuka (WR – TB)
“Emeka Egbuka: After receiving high praise during the summer heading into the 2025 season, Egbuka opened his NFL career averaging 5 receptions, 89 yards and 1 TD on a 65.8% catch rate across his first 5 games. In Week 6, he suffered a hamstring injury, and while his target share went essentially unchanged, his catch rate fell to 42.7% for the remainder of the season. Along with his own injury, QB Baker Mayfield was nursing an assortment of ailments, and Mike Evans missed Weeks 4-14 (playing 20% of snaps in Week 7). Per Matt Harmon, following Evans’ injury, Egbuka’s slot rate fell, and he was forced to play more X than Z, something he did very little of in college. Offensive Coordinator Zac Robinson has indicated Egbuka will operate largely from the Z this upcoming season, allowing him to remain on the field in 2-WR sets while playing a role he has succeeded with more in the past. With Evans’ departure this offseason, there is no question Egbuka will be the center of the offense. Egbuka is currently being drafted as the WR19 with the 43rd overall pick – I have him as my WR14 (29th overall) and see a very feasible path to him being selected in the second round of drafts next year.”
– Charlie Sisian (The Fantasy DC)
Parker Washington (WR – JAC)
“Parker Washington. He was phenomenal in the Jaguars’ final four games (including their playoff loss), when he averaged 10.3 targets, 6.5 catches, and 113.5 yards per game, with three touchdowns. For the season, Washington averaged an impressive 2.19 yards per route run. Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence has always seemed more comfortable throwing to his tight ends and slot guys than his outside receivers — and Washington is probably going to lead the Jacksonville WRs in slot snaps. The Jags’ outside receivers will face a who’s who of cornerbacks over the first half of the season — Denzel Ward, Patrick Surtain Jr., Christian Gonzalez, DJ Turner, Quinyon Mitchell, Derek Stingley Jr., Sauce Gardner — and those matchups for Brian Thomas Jr. and Jakobi Meyers could funnel additional targets toward Washington. FantasyPros’ Real Time ADP currently has Washington going WR35, 83rd overall. That’s the late seventh round, and I’d be willing to take Washington in the mid-to-late sixth.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
Sam LaPorta (TE – DET)
“Sam LaPorta should be going at least 1 if not 2 rounds ahead of where he is. With the top-2 tight ends going as 2nd round picks and Loveland going as a 4th rounder, waiting at tight end until you are past the top-32 WR and RB drafted is looking like the better option. His offensive coordinator just helped facilitate the best tight-end season ever statistically last year and led the league in pass attempts. LaPorta is only a few years away from his TE1 overall finish, was on a TE7 pace last year, his coaching staff should be repaired, and this Lions team could set passing records this year. The defense has lost a ton of key pieces, and the remaining ones are starting the year injured, which would result in a 30th-ranked defense with their schedule. Losing Montgomery should shift the team away from running more also. It isn’t ridiculous to think LaPorta is competing for TE1 overall this year.”
– Justin Weigal (FantasySharks)
Luther Burden (WR – CHI) | Omarion Hampton (RB – LAC)
“Honestly, I don’t know if there’s just one guy. I like players on high-powered offenses, and I’m not afraid to aggressively go after players I like. I think Luther Burden is underrated by many analysts. He’s the best WR in Chicago by a country mile, in my humble opinion. I expect the Bears’ offense to take a huge leap forward in year two of Ben Johnson’s tenure. They should be more comfortable with the playbook. I also think Omarion Hampton could be a bell-cow RB and score a lot of TDs for the Chargers this year. Both of L.A.’s starting offensive tackles are healthy, and that should propel their offense to another level. Honorable mention: Jameson Williams. The Lions cut their best CB, Terrion Arnold, because of his legal issues, while safety Brian Branch is currently injured. Both of those factors should force the Lions to pass more in order to win some shootouts.”
– Mark Ringo (Sleepers and Busts)
Jaylen Waddle (WR – DEN)
“Jaylen Waddle is ranked too low. Have I been one of the top guys on him since he was at Alabama? Yes. Does that factor in? Yeah, probably. Especially with not being a Nix guy. However, Waddle is (let’s get real bold) the most talented WR Sean Payton has ever had (yes, I remember Michael Thomas). The combination of hands, explosion, and routes makes him the full package. We have seen him be both a short-game possession receiver and a deep/YAC-threat, often in the same year. Payton’s offense & a great OL allow Nix to make quick passes and hold up for longer routes downfield. In a disaster 2025 for Miami, Waddle finished top-13 in PFF’s WR grade and YRR (amongst WRs with 50+ targets) while converting over 50% of contested catches and a sub-5% drop rate. This is the first time Waddle is the clear guy (while having a great second option in Sutton, who is also far too low) in a great offensive ecosystem. If he stays healthy – a real concern, to be fair – Waddle will produce closer to a 2nd round pick than one at the 4/5 turn. Honorable mention grenade: Nico Collins is a top-3 WR this season… again assuming health for him and Stroud.”
– Joseph Harlow (Fantasy In Frames)
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