Kyle Zeigler | Tue, Aug 18th 2026, 7:24am EDT

The Worst Team You Could Draft at ADP (2026 Fantasy Football)

Your fantasy football draft is not the be-all and end-all of a fantasy championship. There’s so much that goes into it. Every week we obsess over who to pick up on waivers, mull over trade proposals and stress start/sit decisions.

The draft is definitely the most enjoyable, and it’s really just the start of what’s hopefully a 17-week journey. Don’t tell me you’re a sicko and have a Week 18 championship.

To have fun on draft day, I built a roster of players you don’t want and should avoid at all costs based on their average draft position (ADP). For clarity, I used FantasyPros’ Real-Time ADP as a guide. It’s tailored for 12-team PPR drafts.

From there, I just went round by round, selecting the player with the least bang for your buck in that particular round.

**The Worst Fantasy Football Team**

Round 1: Christian McCaffrey (RB – SF)

It’s extremely difficult to choose the worst player in the first round, but if you’re going to force me, it’s Christian McCaffrey. He’s entering his age-30 season with a lot of miles on the tread.

McCaffrey is absolutely capable of smashing, but he could also miss some games. Since 2020, he’s missed half the season or more three times. Whether we want to admit it or not, his efficiency also declined.

Last season, according to the Fantasy Points Data Suite, among running backs with at least 125 carries, McCaffrey ranked 31st in explosive run rate, 22nd in missed tackles forced per attempt and 34th in yards after contact per attempt.

In all three of those categories, McCaffrey dipped significantly compared to 2023’s numbers. Obviously, you still have to take him in the first round, but he’s the player I’m least excited about selecting.

Round 2: Brock Bowers (TE – LV)

The issue is spending a premium pick on a onesie position. Even if Brock Bowers returns the value of finishing as the best tight end in fantasy, the odds are stacked against you in overall value. Since 2022, only Travis Kelce and Trey McBride have finished in the top 15 of overall scorers in PPR.

It leaves Bowers with a razor-thin margin for error. You need him to finish as the TE1, and you need a historically productive TE1 season. There is so much that has to go right here that it’s a bet I’d rather not rely on.

Round 3: Josh Allen (QB – BUF)

In a 1-QB league, you only need one starting quarterback. Josh Allen should be the undisputed QB1, but the weekly scoring gap at the position is very narrow.

Last season, the difference between Allen, the QB1, and Daniel Jones, the QB18, was only four fantasy points per game. With the position so deep, this further strengthens the case for a late-round quarterback strategy in 2026.

Round 4: Travis Etienne Jr. (RB – NO)

It’s a steep price to pay for Travis Etienne Jr. as your RB2 in a new offense with Alvin Kamara, who may still have some gas in the tank. Etienne should still do more of the work, but the concern is whether he’ll see enough to justify an RB2 price tag.

In Jacksonville, Etienne didn’t blow us away with explosive carries. Per the Fantasy Points Data Suite, Etienne ranked 37th in explosive run rate, 31st in missed tackles forced per attempt and 34th in yards after contact per attempt among 49 qualifying running backs.

It’s already being reported by Jeff Duncan of NOLA.com that Etienne is losing third-down passing snaps to Kamara. Etienne may be a bit overvalued if this backfield is more split than we think.

Round 5: Luther Burden III (WR – CHI)

You’re paying for a small-sample receiver who did flash but hasn’t shown real consistency. Just because DJ Moore is now in Buffalo does not make Luther Burden III the No. 1 WR in Chicago with WR1 upside in fantasy.

There are so many mouths to feed in this offense, starting with Colston Loveland, and last year’s target leader for the Bears was Rome Odunze, who played in only 12 games.

Burden profiles as a boom-or-bust wide receiver and is being drafted too aggressively in the fifth round. I would rather target more proven veteran receivers like Jaylen Waddle, Terry McLaurin or Davante Adams.

Round 6: Carnell Tate (WR – TEN)

The future is bright for Carnell Tate, but taking him in the sixth round is worrisome. Cam Ward is still developing and should improve, but needs more reps.

I don’t want to get carried away by one preseason game, but the fourth overall pick went catchless in his preseason debut against the 49ers. Perhaps the three targets are encouraging, but Wan’Dale Robinson, who played under Brian Daboll in New York, looked sharp.

This offense isn’t one that you want a lot of exposure to. Robinson is the better value pick among the pass-catchers in Tennessee, leaving Tate a risky pick at his current ADP.

Round 7: DK Metcalf (WR – PIT)

DK Metcalf had his worst statistical season since his rookie year. For the first time, he finished with fewer than 100 targets and a career-low 850 receiving yards.

Metcalf now has Mike McCarthy as his new head coach. However, last season showed that Aaron Rodgers doesn’t have the arm strength he once did. Among 24 qualifying quarterbacks with at least 400 dropbacks, Rodgers ranked 20th in yards per attempt (6.67), per the Fantasy Points Data Suite.

Now the Steelers have Michael Pittman Jr., who adds more competition for targets. Given Metcalf’s early signs of underperformance, having Pittman alongside him makes this situation even worse.

Round 8: J.K. Dobbins (RB – DEN)

As of now, J.K. Dobbins is the leader of the backfield committee in Denver. If I’m spending a middle-round pick on a running back, I prefer to chase more upside.

Dobbins has struggled to stay on the field throughout his career. The workload is also a big question mark.

RJ Harvey didn’t show much as a rusher, but he excelled in the receiving game. The Broncos drafted Jonah Coleman in the fourth round, who could carve out a role as well.

Given Sean Payton’s history of using multiple backs, I would prefer to take Jonathon Brooks or wait a round later for Blake Corum or Kenneth Gainwell.

Round 9: Jakobi Meyers (WR – JAX)

Jakobi Meyers has to compete with a handful of receivers. He serves the team well on the field, but he’s really just a guy (JAG) for fantasy.

Parker Washington is the receiver you want to have in this offense. Brian Thomas Jr. is set to have a bounce-back season after facing multiple injuries last year.

Trevor Lawrence spread the ball around pretty evenly, and I don’t expect that to change this season. Meyers has a solid floor in PPR, but the ceiling is capped.

Round 10: Aaron Jones (RB – MIN)

At this point in Aaron Jones’ career, he’s a one-dimensional back, sharing time with Jordan Mason. His role could be largely limited to passing downs, and that’s OK, but these same types of running backs are available much later.

Woody Marks and Alvin Kamara come to mind, and even Jonah Coleman provides more upside if you can be patient. At this point in the draft, looking for younger players with a higher ceiling is your best bet.

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