8 Players Trending Up & Down (2026 Fantasy Football)

As we continue to get closer to the 2026 NFL season, it’s important to monitor who is trending up and who is trending down in fantasy football leagues. This helps you understand where you’ll need to take these players in your drafts.

During training camp and preseason, we see a lot of fluctuation in player value, as the market is reacting to camp reports and on-field performance.

In this column, I’ll identify one trending up and one trending down for each position, using FantasyPros ADP.

Fantasy Football Trending Up & Down

Fantasy Football Risers

Here are the recent risers in fantasy football:

Caleb Williams (QB – CHI)

Caleb Williams was once considered a “can’t-miss” quarterback prospect. After a disappointing rookie season, Caleb showed flashes of brilliance in Year 1 with Ben Johnson. Now heading into his second season with an elite playcaller, now fully acclimated to the offense, the sky is the limit for Caleb. Simply put, we have a combination of an elite talent with a top-tier playcaller. Don’t overthink this one.

Jonathon Brooks (RB – CAR)

Jonathon Brooks looks healthy and explosive in camp, which is why he’s moving up in ADP. Fantasy managers, including myself, prefer Brooks over Chuba Hubbard due to the untapped upside. After all, we already saw Chuba lose his lead role in this backfield to Rico Dowdle last season. The Panthers like to emphasize the run, so Brooks has a nice ceiling, albeit with a low floor. He’s the kind of boom-or-bust pick that can win you your league.

Parker Washington (WR – JAC)

Parker Washington tore it up for the Jaguars down the stretch. Now, he’s been the talk of camp every day, showing incredible chemistry with Trevor Lawrence. Even though I prefer to target Brian Thomas Jr., I have to acknowledge that Washington is making major waves in camp. He’s definitely trending positively and is now consistently ahead of BTJ in ADP. Is this the next Amon-Ra St. Brown? Only time will tell.

Tucker Kraft (TE – GB)

Tucker Kraft is expected to be ready for Week 1. Let’s not forget how dominant he was before getting injured, showing incredible upside. With the Packers moving on from Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks, the target share is more consolidated. This helps their other wideouts more, but it also benefits Kraft. If I miss out on Brock Bowers or Colston Loveland, Kraft is my next target. The Packers offense could take off in 2026.

Fantasy Football Fallers

Here are the recent fallers in fantasy football:

Matthew Stafford (QB – LAR)

Matthew Stafford is ripe for regression in 2026, fresh off a season with a 7+% touchdown rate. That is completely unsustainable. I know that the Rams have a stacked offense, but I’m not paying a premium for a pocket passer with higher injury risk than others. The time to buy Stafford was last year, when he was priced much lower. I’d rather aim for a quarterback who provides some value with rushing production as well at this cost.

Rachaad White (RB – WAS)

Rachaad White is still my preferred target in the Commanders’ backfield, but there have been positive reports on Jacory Croskey-Merritt in training camp. We’ve seen “Bill” start to go ahead of White in fantasy football drafts. I recommend buying the dip because White is the much better pass blocker, but Bill is a good pick as well. Remember, White plays a very fantasy-friendly game with his ability to rack up receptions.

Terry McLaurin (WR – WAS)

Terry McLaurin is still the top target in the Commanders’ passing game. I expect them to be much more successful through the air with David Blough calling plays. This is a rising star who shot through the ranks as a coach. However, with the Commanders signing Stefon Diggs, that eats into McLaurin’s target share. McLaurin was already being drafted around the likes of Luther Burden, but it’s tough to take him there with Diggs in town.

Chig Okonkwo (TE – WAS)

The same goes for Chig Okonkwo. The Commanders still have plans for him to feature prominently within their offense, but with the Diggs signing, Okonkwo is now the clear-cut No. 3 option. I’m still cool with drafting Chig in best ball, but you’d be wise to aim higher at tight end in redraft leagues. At the very least, the move to bring in Diggs will make this offense much better. The veteran wideout can still be a solid contributor.