Fantasy Football League Winners (2026)

We asked our Featured Pros for their favorite running backs, wide receivers, quarterbacks, and tight ends to be this year’s fantasy football league winners. Here are their answers.

2026 Fantasy Football League Winners

What one running back do you believe will be this year’s league winner?

Bhayshul Tuten (RB – JAC)

“Bhayshul Tuten is my favorite league-winning running back candidate because the opportunity is finally there to match his talent. As a rookie, Tuten ranked fifth among qualifying running backs in rushing success rate, 11th in missed tackle rate, and averaged 12.8 PPG when seeing 10+ touches last season. With Travis Etienne gone, his 296 touches from last season are now available in a Jacksonville backfield where Tuten will compete with Chris Rodriguez for the lead role. If Tuten can command 60% or more of the backfield work, I believe he has legitimate top-12 upside at a price that could make him one of the biggest values in fantasy drafts.”
– Ryan Linkletter (Blitz Sports Media)

“Bhayshul Tuten is a threat to score anytime he touches the ball. He ran his forty at the NFL Scouting Combine in 4.32 seconds! And there should be plenty of scoring chances with an improving Jaguars’ offense. When it comes to Bhayshul “Rootin'” Tuten, his talent is obvious. He’s the fastest RB north, south, east, and west of the Pecos, according to Yosemite Sam Ringo. Ringo’s comp: Tuten reminds me of a smaller version of former Bronco and Redskin, Clinton Portis.”
– Mark Ringo (Sleepers and Busts)r

Chase Brown (RB – CIN)

“Chase Brown. I’ve been high on him all offseason, and I think this is the year he makes the jump into that elite tier. He gives you everything I want in a league-winning RB: a three-down role, plenty of work in the passing game, and a spot in what should be one of the highest-scoring offenses in football. If Joe Burrow can stay healthy and the defense puts them in a better spot, Chase Brown can be the top RB.”
– Judy Adabie (Fan Girl Football)

Jonathon Brooks (RB – CAR)

“Jonathon Brooks. The talent has never really been the question. He has the receiving ability and three-down skill set to become much more than a committee back, and Carolina has already given him first-team work this preseason. If he stays healthy and gradually takes over the backfield from Chuba Hubbard, he has a realistic path to finishing as a top-10 fantasy running back at a seventh-round price.”
– Doug Burrell (Draft With Doug)

“Jonathon Brooks is a wonderful wild card pick for 2026 with big-time upside. Brooks has had enough time to recuperate from his second torn ACL that he should enter camp this season and Week 1 fully healthy. Chuba Hubbard lost his starting job to Rico Dowdle last season, and Carolina let him walk in the offseason. Outside of Brooks and Hubbard, Carolina has only Trevor Etienne and A.J. Dillon on the roster, so Carolina is heavily betting on Brooks to return to his collegiate form. Brooks could pull an Uncle Rico from last year and steal Hubbard’s starting job in 2026. Just to remind everyone about the talent that Brooks has, in 2024 (his final collegiate season), he ranked 21st in yards after contact per attempt, ninth in elusive rating, and 21st in yards per route run (per PFF). I’ll be drafting Brooks a ton this season.”
– Derek Brown (FantasyPros)

Derrick Henry (RB – BAL)

“Derrick Henry is being overlooked as a major value again this year. Even in a “down year,” Henry still had 16 touchdowns on his way to an RB7 finish without a full season of Lamar Jackson and on a dysfunctional offense. It would be different if he looked like he is slowing down, but 5.2 YPC last year and 10 yards per reception with a below-average line says otherwise. Losing the Center hurts, but they gain new OC Declan Doyle, who was just tied to the fastest offense while Baltimore was 4th slowest last year. The Ravens are implied for the 6th most points above the 49ers and Chargers, so this team should score a lot. ”
– Justin Weigal (FantasySharks)

Omarion Hampton (RB – LAC)

“Omarion Hampton of the Chargers is my pick as the 2026 fantasy football league-winning running back. After a solid but injury-shortened rookie year, he enters a far better situation with an upgraded offensive line and Mike McDaniel’s scheme, which has historically elevated featured running backs into elite fantasy producers. His combination of size, receiving skills, and projected workhorse role gives him clear top-five upside at a mid-to-late second-round ADP that still offers value. If he stays healthy, Hampton has a realistic path to finishing as the overall RB1 and single-handedly elevating any roster that drafts him.”
– Aaron St Denis (Fantasy Sports Advice Network)

“Give me Omarion Hampton at running back. We saw what it could look like as a rookie when he averaged 17.5 fantasy points per game in the four games he played at least 79% of the snaps, and now Mike McDaniel gets to build around him. Hampton can handle the goal-line work, catch passes, and stay on the field, which is exactly what I want when I’m looking for this kind of upside. I have him at RB9, but top three is absolutely on the table.”
– Justin Fuhr (Pro Football Mania)

David Montgomery (RB – HOU)

“How often do you hear that a 29-year-old running back could be a league winner? Not often, but in the case of David Montgomery, that is the case! He is being drafted in the early 4th round, making him a prime target for “hero WR” drafters. Montgomery is stepping into a role with the Texans where he will be leaned on as a three-down back (I am not buying this 50/50 split with Woody Marks). The Texans are a contending team with a strong defense who were looking for a big back to push the ball in on the goal line. Add that to his elite pass blocking and pretty good hands, and you have the recipe for a player that will lead owners to the championship this year!”
– Adam Dove (The Fantasy Couriers)

MarShawn Lloyd (RB – GB)

“MarShawn Lloyd suddenly has one of the clearest paths to a fantasy breakout at running back. Josh Jacobs is not dealing with a routine injury or a short-term absence. He is on the Commissioner’s Exempt List, cannot practice or play, and there is currently no timetable for his return. Green Bay’s immediate move to trade for Kaleb Johnson only reinforces that the Packers are preparing for the possibility of being without Jacobs for an extended stretch, but Lloyd remains the most explosive and versatile back in that room. He has the burst to create big plays, the receiving ability to stay involved on passing downs, and now potentially the workload to turn those traits into weekly fantasy production. If he can finally stay healthy, Lloyd has gone from an intriguing upside pick to a player with a legitimate path to becoming one of the biggest values of the entire draft.”
– Tal Malachovsky (The Fantasy Scout)

Jaylen Warren (RB – PIT)

“Jaylen Warren is my pick to be a league-winning running back in 2026. He finished as the RB18 in fantasy points per game last season while ranking sixth in missed-tackle rate, ninth in yards after contact per attempt, and third among running backs in yards per route run. Kenneth Gainwell‘s departure leaves 85 targets behind, and Warren enters Week 1 atop Pittsburgh’s depth chart despite the presence of Rico Dowdle. At an ADP around RB27, I’m willing to bet on the efficiency and receiving profile finally producing a season that greatly exceeds Warren’s draft cost”
– Stephen Floyd (Draft With Doug)

Blake Corum (RB – LAR)

“Blake Corum would be a 1st round pick if Kyren Williams was not on the Rams, as would Kyren if Corum was not there. Kyren will cost you a 3rd-round pick; Corum can fall to around Round 10. Corum will get just as many opportunities every game to outperform Kyren. Both RBs will do a complete 50/50 split, taking turns on each drive. Corum is a good RB3 price who can play like an RB1, especially with how talented the Rams offense is.”
– Muntradamus (Beast Dome)

“Blake Corum is the sort of running back who could carry teams to titles by providing a big return on a mid-round investment. Corum was a ruthlessly efficient runner last season, and his role grew as the season wore on. Corum might not be able to overtake Kyren Williams to become the Rams’ lead back, but Corum’s ecosystem is splendid nonetheless. Sean McVay is one of the best running-game designers in the league, and the Rams’ defense should be lights-out this season, providing consistently run-friendly game scripts to the offense. Corum should have stand-alone value in his current role and could smash if circumstances thrust him into a larger role.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)

Travis Etienne Jr. (RB – NO)

“It’s easily Travis Etienne for me, and I’m struggling to understand why we’re still getting him at RB17. Etienne was the RB6 in points per game in 2023 and RB12 last season, and his career 13.2 PPG is essentially identical to Kenneth Walker‘s 13.3, and yet Walker is going around the 1/2 turn while Etienne is available around the 3/4 turn despite both entering 2026 as clear lead backs in explosive offenses. Now Etienne lands with Kellen Moore, whose lead backs have historically smashed for fantasy! Ezekiel Elliott finished no worse than RB7 from 2019-21 before Tony Pollard finished RB8 in 202 and he gets to run behind an ascending and potentially dominant Saints offensive line. I have Etienne ranked RB12, and at RB17 ADP, he’s exactly the kind of proven production + improved environment + discounted price bet that can win leagues.”
– James Emrick-Wilson (The Armchair Sports Corner)

Bucky Irving (RB – TB)

“Bucky Irving is my running back league winner, with Bhayshul Tuten and Keaton Mitchell deserving strong consideration as higher-volatility alternatives. We rank Bucky RB13 while consensus has him at RB19, and the market is no longer charging last summer’s second-round breakout price after an injury-disrupted season. He has already proven he can produce at the NFL level, and a healthy season with more passing work still gives him a legitimate path to finishing as the overall RB1. This feels like the point where everyone remembers the disappointment while forgetting the ceiling.”
– Jay Henry Ocho (Jay Henry Ocho)

Derrick Henry (RB – BAL)

“Derrick Henry, old age and all, has been insane since joining the Ravens two years ago. He’s averaging 5.6 yards per carry, 1,930 total yards, and 17 touchdowns per season. Henry also remains as explosive as ever, ripping off 21 breakaway runs of 15-plus yards a season ago. Just absurd production from the future Hall of Famer. And you can get that in Round 2 of drafts. It’s well documented how Henry’s production gets stronger as the season goes on. Well, he gets to play the Browns and Bengals in Weeks 16 and 17, respectively. I’m anticipating another massive year for King Henry, who continues to be a major outlier as he rebels against Father Time.”
– Wolf Trelles-Heard (FantasyPros)

Saquon Barkley (RB – PHI)

“Yes, 2025 was bad for Saquon Barkley, but his workload never went away, and now he’s being drafted as though it did: even in a “down” 2025 season, he handled 317 touches and produced 1,413 total yards. The efficiency decline is easier to explain through context than collapse, as his yards before contact fell sharply from 3.55 per carry (an offensive line stat more than an RB stat) in 2024 to 2.11 in 2025 while his explosive-run rate fell from 7.2% to 4.6%, which can be at least partially attributed to the Eagles dealing with offensive-line and play-calling issues. The Eagles enter 2026 with a projected top-3 offensive line and Sean Mannion taking over an offense projected for 10.5 wins and one of the league’s better implied scoring environments. If Barkley gets the same volume, he has a realistic path to 1,700+ total yards, 10+ touchdowns, and an overall RB1 finish, yet you’re getting him around the 1/2 turn.”
– Avery Thrasher (The Branded Sports)

Quinshon Judkins (RB – CLE)

“Quinshon Judkins is a potential league winner, carrying the ideal breakout profile after an injury‑shortened rookie season. Before going down, he was on pace to rush for more than 1,000 rushing yards and score double‑digit touchdowns despite running behind a weak offensive line. Now fully recovered from last year’s injury and a minor training camp scare and reportedly in the best shape of his life, he stands out as one of the strongest rebound candidates on the board. With the Browns rebuilding its offensive line from the ground up with five new starters, his path to elite production is wide open.”
– Lawrence Iacona (FantasyPros)

What one wide receiver do you believe will be this year’s league winner?

Parker Washington (WR – JAC)

“Parker Washington has league-winning upside after giving us a glimpse of his ceiling during Jacksonville’s late-season surge. Over the final four regular-season games, Washington averaged 22.3 fantasy points and 113 receiving yards per game while commanding a 28.9% target share, then followed it with seven catches for 107 yards and a touchdown in the playoffs. His role as the Jaguars’ primary slot receiver is especially intriguing in Liam Coen’s offense, where slot receivers have consistently produced at a high level. With Washington still being drafted around WR30, I’m willing to bet that last year’s breakout carries over and makes him one of the best values at wide receiver.”
– Ryan Linkletter (Blitz Sports Media)

“Parker Washington finished last season with a flurry of insane production; if he picks up right where he left off, he’ll be one of the best picks in fantasy football this season. Last year, in Weeks 16-19, Washington asserted himself as the Jags’ clear WR1. During that stretch, he averaged 22.3 PPR points per game while soaking up six red zone targets and 13 deep targets (per Fantasy Points Data). In those four games, he had a 28.9% target share, 113.5 receiving yards per game, 3.78 yards per route run, and a 33.3% first-read share. Those are all absolutely elite metrics no matter how you slice it. There’s some uncertainty about how the Jags target hierarchy sifts out this season with Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter healthy. Each player could effectively put a dent in Washington, putting up monster numbers in 2026, but that risk is baked into Washington’s price in drafts.”
– Derek Brown (FantasyPros)

CeeDee Lamb (WR – DAL)

“CeeDee Lamb. We know he has overall WR1 upside, and I think Dallas is going to continue to lean heavily on him. The targets are going to be there, the talent is there, and when CeeDee gets rolling, he can put up the kind of huge weeks. I’m betting on a bounce-back season and another monster year from Lamb.”
– Judy Adabie (Fan Girl Football)

Christian Watson (WR – GB)

“Christian Watson is my pick. The upside is obvious if he can finally stay healthy for a full season. He averaged more than 17 yards per catch last year, Green Bay has committed to him long term, and the target competition is a little cleaner than it has been. If Watson becomes Jordan Love‘s primary outside receiver, 1,100-plus yards and double-digit touchdowns are well within reach, which would make him a massive value at his current price.”
– Doug Burrell (Draft With Doug)

“Christian Watson is looking like the highest-upside receiver in the middle rounds after losing all competition in free agency and Josh Jacobs being suspended. Matt Lefleur has shown an ability to go to the pass when needed, like in 2023, when they had 581 attempts compared to below 500 the last 2 seasons with Jacobs. Doubs left in free agency, who was the leading receiver last year; Wicks was traded and ranked 3rd in targets; Jacobs was 4th and is now suspended; and the tight ends both have major injury concerns, where Jonnu Smith had to be added. This all vacates over 200 targets from last year and the year before. Watson excels in every metric and grading system while entering his prime years, so the sky is the limit.”
– Justin Weigal (FantasySharks)

“For one of the first times in his career, I’m completely in on Christian Watson, and at WR29, he’s one of my favorite league-winning bets on the board. Watson returned from a torn ACL last season and still averaged 13.2 fantasy points over his final 10 games, production that would have ranked WR19 over a full season, and Green Bay clearly saw enough from him post-ACL to hand him $110 million and let Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks walk out the door. The Packers were just 23rd in plays and 27th in pass attempts last season, but with Josh Jacobs suspended and a defense that could struggle early without Micah Parsons, Jordan Love may finally be asked to throw the football more. That could matter near the goal line too, where Green Bay had the seventh-lowest pass rate inside the 10 (41.9%) and third-lowest inside the five (31.6%) without Jacobs. I have a hard time believing they’re going to remain that run-heavy in the red zone sans Jacobs. Health will always be the question with Watson, but after seeing what he did immediately following the ACL, I’m willing to bet on the ceiling at WR29, and at that price the injury risk is already baked in.”
– James Emrick-Wilson (The Armchair Sports Corner)

Luther Burden III (WR – CHI)

“Luther Burden of the Chicago Bears is my pick for league-winner at receiver. With DJ Moore now in Buffalo, Burden steps into a much larger role alongside Rome Odunze and should command a significant target share in an improving Bears offense. He already showed elite per-play efficiency as a rookie, and the increased opportunity gives him a clear path to WR1 production at a mid-round ADP that offers value. If the volume materializes as expected, Burden has the talent and situation to finish as a top-12 receiver and single-handedly elevate any roster that drafts him.”
– Aaron St Denis (Fantasy Sports Advice Network)

“I’m a Luther truther. I expect Luther Burden to have a breakout season for the Bears. Burden’s quickness is extraordinary – he’s going to be one of the league’s toughest receivers to cover. The Bears have a nice thin target tree, with Burden, Rome Odunze and Colston Loveland in line for a huge combined percentage of team targets, and the Bears’ swinging-gate defense should lead to a season full of shootouts.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)

Ted Hurst (WR – TB)

“Ted Hurst is big and fast. He’s had an impressive training camp. However, the current issue is whether he’ll get a chance when the games count. He’s behind Egbuka, Godwin, and MacMillan on the depth chart; however, I’m not convinced any of them can stay healthy. Hurst’s current ADP is WR 88! He’s practically free in drafts. Bottom line: if Hurst gets a shot, I think he’ll do well. Ringo’s comp- he doesn’t have the same pedigree coming out of college, but Hurst reminds me a little of Randy Moss. He’s a tall, lanky WR with good speed and a knack for making big plays.”
– Mark Ringo (Sleepers and Busts)

Rashee Rice (WR – KC)

“When Rashee Rice is on the field, he flashes elite talent! (The key is being on the field.) Every time he catches the ball, he is a threat to take it to the house. Mahomes looks his way early and often. In 2025 (8 games) is averaged almost 10 targets/game, and that will increase with Kelce’s imminent decline and more time on the field with Mahomes. Rice is currently the WR15 and is a player who could easily be in the discussion as a top-tier pass catcher in 2026!”
– Adam Dove (The Fantasy Couriers)

Jaylen Waddle (WR – DEN)

“Jaylen Waddle is my choice because the market is pricing in what he has been lately instead of what he can become in Denver. The talent has never been the question, and even in a frustrating offensive environment last season, his efficiency metrics still looked like those of a high-end receiver. Now he steps into a much more aggressive passing offense that went out and paid a premium to make him a centerpiece, which should translate into more volume and more scoring opportunities. If Waddle simply maintains his per-route effectiveness with that added opportunity, he has a very real chance to finish as a top-10 receiver despite being drafted well outside that range. That kind of return on draft capital is what separates a good pick from a league-winning one.”
– Tal Malachovsky (The Fantasy Scout)

“Jaylen Waddle is the wide receiver I want on my teams. The talent has never really been my concern with him; it has been getting enough targets to turn all that efficiency into a huge fantasy season. I think Denver changes that, and he should have every opportunity to become the clear No. 1 option in a much more aggressive passing offense. I have Waddle at WR22, and I think there is a pretty big gap between where he’s being valued and how high this could go.”
– Justin Fuhr (Pro Football Mania)

Wan’Dale Robinson (WR – TEN)

“Wan’Dale Robinson is being drafted like last season never happened. He finished 2025 as the WR14 in fantasy points per game while commanding a 26.8% target share and 32.9% first-read share, yet his current ADP sits around WR40. Robinson now reunites with Brian Daboll, the coach who oversaw that breakout, and his expanded downfield role showed that he is no longer merely an underneath target. If Cam Ward takes another step, Robinson has legitimate WR2 production available at a price that barely requires WR4 investment.”
– Stephen Floyd (Draft With Doug)

Stefon Diggs (WR – WAS)

“Stefon Diggs has amazing late value that never really adjusted since signing with the Commanders. Before he signed with any team, Diggs was hanging around the 12th round in most drafts. Now that he has a good home, with a good QB who can get him the ball, Diggs can still be had in the 9th/10th round of most drafts. Diggs just helped lead the Patriots to the Super Bowl; he definitely has a lot of talent in the tank. WR2 capabilities on your fantasy roster every week are always a threat.”
– Muntradamus (Beast Dome)

KC Concepcion (WR – CLE)

“KC Concepcion is my wide receiver league winner, although Parker Washington and De’Zhaun Stribling were the other two names I seriously considered. Cleveland selected him 24th overall; he earned a place in the first-team rotation, won the team’s top-rookie camp award, and has the three-level ability and after-catch talent to become the Browns’ leading receiver despite an ECR of WR49. His appeal may be greatest late in the season as his role expands, and FantasyPros currently gives him the easiest fantasy-playoff receiver schedule with the Giants, Ravens, and Colts. Theo Gremminger and Dan Williamson taking him in an NFFC Primetime reinforces that this is already a sharp-market play, not merely a random deep sleeper.”
– Jay Henry Ocho (Jay Henry Ocho)

Zay Flowers (WR – BAL)

“Last year, Zay Flowers finished as a WR7 in total fantasy points and WR12 on a per-game basis. I think there’s room to go up, and I feel like he can cruise past his current ADP near the Round 3-4 turn. In 2025, Flowers finished first in juke rate (22.9%), fifth in yards per route run (2.62), and third in PlayerProfiler’s Explosive Rating (125.7). He’s a dynamo with the ball in his hands; the problem has just been touchdowns. Through three seasons, Flowers has only found pay dirt 14 times. If the Ravens start using him similarly to how the Lions use Amon-Ra St. Brown in the red zone, Flowers could easily set career highs in scores and fantasy points in 2026.”
– Wolf Trelles-Heard (FantasyPros)

Chris Godwin (WR – TB)

“Chris Godwin is woefully mispriced for a WR1. From 2025 weeks 13-18, he posted a 16.8% target share, 1.88 yards per route run, and a 21.2% first-read rate; while in his 2024 season, he was on pace for a monster 122-1,448-14 line prior to his week 7 season-ending injury, and that was with Mike Evans on the team. Tampa Bay now pairs Baker Mayfield (who should be healthy and entering a contract year with a chip on his shoulder) with Zac Robinson (who has a Sean McVay/Rams connection with Baker) on a team offense projected for roughly 388 season-long points (22.8 implied per game) with his only real competition for targets in Emeka Egbuka dealing with what the team is calling a stable toe sprain, but is likely turf toe (which has a high probability of re-injury). If Godwin can be anywhere close to his 2024 form and Zac Robinson’s offense raises Tampa Bay’s pace and passing efficiency, Godwin can turn a mid-round WR38 cost into a stable weekly WR2 with occasional WR1 outcomes; exactly the type of player that wins leagues.”
– Avery Thrasher (The Branded Sports)

Alec Pierce (WR – IND)

“Alec Pierce is my pick to be this year’s league‑winning wide receiver. Before undergoing ankle surgery that landed him on the PUP list, he exploded for more than 1,000 yards on 47 receptions and led the NFL in yards per reception during that time period. Now activated from the PUP list, the Colts will ease him in as he shakes off the rust, but his role is secure once he’s fully ramped up. His vertical explosiveness and ability to generate massive yardage make him a difference‑maker with true weekly upside. At his cost, he’s the exact type of player who can swing fantasy championships.”
– Lawrence Iacona (FantasyPros)

What one quarterback do you believe will be this year’s league winner?

Trevor Lawrence (QB – JAC)

“Trevor Lawrence is my league-winning quarterback because we’re still not paying anything close to the price his ceiling warrants. In his first season with Liam Coen, Lawrence threw for 4,007 yards, accounted for 38 total touchdowns, and finished as a top-five fantasy quarterback while ranking fourth at the position in air yards, deep attempts, and red-zone passing attempts. Even more importantly, he was the QB1 over the final 10 weeks as he became increasingly comfortable in Coen’s offense. With another offseason in the same system and Lawrence still available around QB10, he has legitimate overall QB1 upside without requiring managers to spend an early-round pick.”
– Ryan Linkletter (Blitz Sports Media)

“Trevor Lawrence. He’s my league-winner pick because I don’t think you have to pay for the upside you’re getting. In his first year with Liam Coen, Lawrence threw for 4,007 yards and 29 touchdowns, but the big difference for fantasy was his legs—359 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns. He finished with 38 total touchdowns. And this wasn’t just one or two big games; he really took off in the second half of the season. Now he gets a second year in Coen’s offense.”
– Judy Adabie (Fan Girl Football)

“While we have major debates on if we should be taking Parker Washington, Brian Thomas Jr., or Jacobi Meyers, it is easier to just take the player that benefits from them all: Trevor Lawrence. In the last 7 weeks when Meyers was on the team and Washington started his breakout, Lawrence was on pace for 4,750 yards, 43 touchdowns, 400 rushing yards, and 8 rushing touchdowns. This is likely unsustainable efficiency, but despite half a year of normal production, he finished 6th in points per game. For some reason, he is being ranked as QB10 despite a whole off-season working with his new weapons, having Strange and Hunter healthy, and having below-average running backs. Give me all the shares of the QB with a high floor and top-3 upside.”
– Justin Weigal (FantasySharks)

“In 2025, Trevor Lawrence finally showed fantasy managers the player he was touted to be coming out of Clemson! He finished at QB4, due in part to 9 rushing touchdowns! Nothing has changed in 2026, and Lawrence is ranked QB9. He still has Liam Coen at the helm, who will game plan around his strengths. He still has a plethora of pass-catchers, including an ascending Parker Washington and (hopefully) a bounce-back Brian Thomas, Jr. Owners who wait on Lawrence in their draft will be coasting to championships with another 4,000-yard season with continued success on the ground!”
– Adam Dove (The Fantasy Couriers)

Kyler Murray (QB – ARI)

“Kyler Murray has already shown he can produce top-five fantasy seasons, and now he gets Kevin O’Connell, Justin Jefferson, and a much better offensive environment in Minnesota. If Murray stays healthy and keeps the starting job, his rushing ability gives him a realistic path to another top-five finish at a massive discount.”
– Doug Burrell (Draft With Doug)

Drake Maye (QB – NE)

“Looking at the 2026 quarterback field, Drake Maye emerges as the clearest candidate to deliver league-winning production. His second-year leap already featured elite efficiency metrics and dual-threat contributions that pushed him near the top of the positional leaderboard. With an improving supporting cast in New England, the ceiling remains exceptionally high for another jump into overall QB1 territory. At a draft cost that still trails the absolute elites, Maye offers the combination of stable floor and explosive upside that can swing a championship. Managers who secure him should feel confident they hold a difference-maker at the position.”
– Aaron St Denis (Fantasy Sports Advice Network)

Caleb Williams (QB – CHI)

“The Bills gain with DJ Moore is Chicago’s loss. However, Caleb Williams still has plenty of weapons to thrive. WRs Rome Odunze and Luther Burden, along with a burgeoning star TE in Colston Loveland, are expected to pick up the slack from Moore’s departure. I expect Caleb to do even better in 2026 now that he and his teammates have more familiarity with Ben Johnson‘s offense in year two. Also note- Chicago’s schedule seems ripe for taking in 2026.”
– Mark Ringo (Sleepers and Busts)

Jaxson Dart (QB – NYG)

“Jaxson Dart is exactly the kind of quarterback who can make waiting at the position pay off. Once he became the Giants’ starter last season, he produced at a QB1 level while averaging more than 40 rushing yards per game, and that rushing ability gives him a fantasy ceiling few quarterbacks available this late can match. He accomplished that despite losing Malik Nabers and playing with an undermanned receiving corps, and now enters Year 2 with Nabers returning and John Harbaugh running the team. At an overall ADP around 94, you are paying for a low-end QB1 while getting a player with a very believable path to finishing inside the top five. That combination of rushing production, improving surroundings, and draft-day cost is what makes Dart a legitimate league winner.”
– Tal Malachovsky (The Fantasy Scout)

“Jaxson Dart is my favorite candidate to become this year’s quarterback who makes people wonder why they drafted the position early. Once he became the Giants’ starter last season, Dart finished as the QB7 in fantasy points per game while averaging 40.6 rushing yards, and his 0.60 fantasy points per dropback tied Drake Maye. That rushing floor gives him access to elite fantasy production even before accounting for a potential Year 2 passing leap. With Dart available around QB11, I believe a top-five finish is firmly within his range of outcomes.”
– Stephen Floyd (Draft With Doug)

Malik Willis (QB – MIA)

“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 has 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 massive upside in 2026.”
– Derek Brown (FantasyPros)

“Malik Willis has a Real-Time ADP of QB21 and is going well outside the first 10 rounds of fantasy drafts, and yet he’s capable of a 1,000-yard rushing season. If he hits his rushing ceiling and does anything at all as a passer, Willis is going to be a high-end QB1. It won’t look quite the same as Drake Maye‘s 2025 season, but Willis could be the Drake Maye of 2026 – a huge QB value going at a bargain price.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)

“The case for Malik Willis is that fantasy quarterback scoring heavily rewards rushing opportunity, yet he’s priced as a low-end QB2 despite having one of the more aggressive rushing profiles in the league and while already flashing spike-week capability with a 31.5 fantasy point game in 2025 that included 60 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. Among quarterbacks with 100-plus rushing attempts since 2014, 31 of 34 produced top-12 fantasy points per game (91% hit rate). Willis is projected for 600+ rushing yards, and while Miami’s offense is projected to struggle, his rushing floor offers a realistic path to top-10 weekly outcomes without requiring top-10 passing volume. Willis is a prototypical Konami code QB available towards the end of most drafts. If you miss out on one of the top QBs, load up at your other positions and watch as Malik Willis takes your team to the promised land.”
– Avery Thrasher (The Branded Sports)

Matthew Stafford (QB – LAR)

“Matthew Stafford won MVP last season; BEAST DOME was the only site to rank Stafford a QB1 in the 2025 preseason on FantasyPros. Despite winning MVP, you can always find Stafford going well after 10 QBs in nearly every draft! This season, the Rams come in with the exact same offense, which should only mean the Rams run a smooth system in 2026, the same system that Stafford just won MVP in. One plus one does equal two, do not over think it, this is the best value on draft day.”
– Muntradamus (Beast Dome)

Bo Nix (QB – DEN)

“Bo Nix is my quarterback league winner because Denver may have built one of the league’s most complete offenses around him while the market still drafts him around pick 100. We rank him QB10 compared with a QB12 ECR, and he has already produced 7,706 passing yards, 54 passing touchdowns, 786 rushing yards and nine rushing scores through his first 34 starts. The Broncos added Jaylen Waddle to Courtland Sutton and Evan Engram, while Davis Webb, Nix’s quarterback coach during his first two seasons, is now the offensive coordinator and play caller. Year 3 Josh Allen-lite is not unreasonable, and at this price Nix could be an even better fantasy purchase because he allows you to build almost the entire roster before taking him.”
– Jay Henry Ocho (Jay Henry Ocho)

Justin Herbert (QB – LAC)

“I’ve been in on Justin Herbert ever since the Chargers hired Mike McDaniel to be their offensive coordinator, so he’s my pick here. Last year, he finished second among all quarterbacks with 498 rushing yards. Back in 2021, we saw him top 5,000 passing yards and throw for 38 touchdowns. He has always had a cannon, and now there’s rushing upside, too. There’s a chance he can pair both together this season with McDaniel running the offense. I have Herbert as my QB4 and think he has a decent shot to win the league MVP award if everything breaks right.”
– Wolf Trelles-Heard (FantasyPros)

“I still don’t think we’ve seen the best fantasy version of Justin Herbert. He finished as a top-10 quarterback last season even with all the offensive-line problems and playing through a broken hand late in the year. Now Mike McDaniel is calling the offense, the line should be healthier, and Herbert has started giving us enough on the ground to matter too. He’s my QB7, but if I’m taking one quarterback outside the very top group who can finish QB1 overall, it’s Herbert.”
– Justin Fuhr (Pro Football Mania)

Jordan Love (QB – GB)

“Jordan Love projects as a phenomenal league‑winning quarterback thanks to an explosive offensive environment. With Matt LaFleur expected to fully open up the passing game given the current backfield situation, Love is positioned for a major volume spike. The offense is loaded with a deep receiving room and two dynamic tight ends who create mismatches in 12 personnel and empty looks. All offseason reports indicate he’s sharp and has significantly strengthened his chemistry, especially with ascending second‑year wide receiver Matthew Golden. That blend of elevated passing volume and elite weapons gives Love a premier ceiling to smash his draft‑day value.”
– Lawrence Iacona (FantasyPros)

What one tight end do you believe will be this year’s league winner?

Greg Dulcich (TE – MIA)

“Greg Dulcich is my favorite late-round league-winning tight end because his price doesn’t come close to reflecting his upside. Despite playing only 10 games last season, Dulcich ranked fifth among tight ends in targets per route run, second in yards per route run and yards after the catch per reception, and sixth in fantasy points per route. He now enters 2026 with a massive opportunity in Miami after the departures of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, and he finished last season with 16 catches for 222 yards over his final five games. At a TE26 price, Dulcich costs essentially nothing, but if he stays healthy and maintains that efficiency, he has legitimate top-12 upside.”
– Ryan Linkletter (Blitz Sports Media)

Colston Loveland (TE – CHI)

“Colston Loveland. I’m going with Loveland because I think he has a real chance to make that Year 2 jump. We saw flashes of what he can be as a rookie, and now I’m betting on a much bigger role in this Bears offense. He has the athleticism and receiving ability to become one of Caleb Williams‘ favorite targets, especially in the red zone.”
– Judy Adabie (Fan Girl Football)

“It took him a bit to get going, but Colston Loveland started coming on as 2025 wound down. Last year Loveland was rehabbing his shoulder from surgery. So the Bears eased him in. That won’t happen this year. He’ll be a focal point of the offense. This is the second year for the Bears in Ben Johnson’s offense. They should be familiar with the playbook and not be thinking as much. I expect the entire offense to make a leap forward, including Loveland. And while Loveland isn’t a sleeper, if he takes a step forward, he could establish himself as one of the best young TEs in the game.”
– Mark Ringo (Sleepers and Busts)

“Sure, Colston Loveland disappointed last season if you only look at his overall stats as the TE15 in fantasy points per game, but that was because he was languishing in a part-time role for most of the season. It wasn’t until after Week 15 that Loveland was consistently featured as a full-time member of the offense. In Weeks 16-20, he exploded as the Bears’ WR1 with a 25.6% target share, 81.6 receiving yards per game, 2.49 yards per route run, a 34% first-read share, 0.116 first downs per route run, and 17.2 PPR points per game (per Fantasy Points Data). If Loveland had produced like that over the course of the entire season, he would have given Trey McBride a run for his money as the TE1 in fantasy. Last year, those numbers, among all tight ends with at least 20 targets, would have ranked first, first, fourth, first, fourth, and second. If you compare those numbers against McBride’s 2025 season and Bowers’ 2024 campaign, Loveland would have beaten both players in every single category except for fantasy points per game with McBride’s 2025 season. Loveland could easily pick up right where he left off this season and compete with Brock Bowers and Trey McBride for the TE1 crown. With D.J. Moore gone, Loveland has only Rome Odunze and Luther Burden to compete with for the top spot in the target pecking order in Chicago.”
– Derek Brown (FantasyPros)

“Colston Loveland is my tight end pick, and I’m not sure we need to overthink this one. Chicago finally let him go late last season and he started producing more like a high-end receiver than a tight end. DJ Moore is gone, Loveland already has the connection with Caleb Williams and I think he can lead this team in targets. I have him TE3 already, and I’m drafting him like TE1 overall is very much in play. I could see Loveland leading the team in receptions when it’s all said and done.”
– Justin Fuhr (Pro Football Mania)

George Kittle (TE – SF)

“In George Kittle, you’re getting a proven elite tight end at roughly an eighth-round price because of the Achilles injury. If he’s healthy, the ceiling is still top-three at the position, and we’ve already seen him produce at that level repeatedly. I’m betting the injury discount ends up being much larger than the actual drop in production.”
– Doug Burrell (Draft With Doug)

“Since 2017, George Kittle has had only 3 seasons where he ended the season lower than TE5! When he is on the field, he is the go-to pass catcher for the 49ers! This year, he is coming at a discount due to his Achilles injury that he suffered in the playoffs, but all signs are pointing to him being ready for the regular season. If this is the case, owners will be getting a top-5 tight end at a TE10 cost! That value alone can help a team’s championship ambitions, but adding in that Kittle will be highly targeted by Brock Purdy for huge chunks of yardage makes him a prime candidate to be on many league-winning teams in 2026!!”
– Adam Dove (The Fantasy Couriers)

Harold Fannin (TE – CLE)

“The mid-range tight ends (TE3-TE7) are really the values in this year’s draft and should be targeted accordingly, as their production won’t be too much lower than the top-2. Harold Fannin is one in this range, which should be the top target option on his team, and he doesn’t have to compete with Njoku this year. Although he does have some more overall competition for targets, it shouldn’t be enough to put a dent in his massive 21.6 percent target share last year. New HC Todd Monken has found a way to force fantasy production to his top targets no matter the situation. Mike Evans, Jarvis Landry, post-Giants Odell Beckham, and Zay Flowers all had their best production years under Monken, and Fannin shouldn’t be any different. He was averaging 8.4 targets, 55 yards, and a full touchdown his last 5 healthy games and should take another step forward this year.”
– Justin Weigal (FantasySharks)

Tucker Kraft (TE – GB)

“Among the tight ends worth considering this year, Tucker Kraft carries the strongest case for delivering true league-winning production. His after-the-catch ability remains elite, and an expanded role in Green Bay’s offense could finally unlock the volume that was missing in prior seasons. Health permitting, that combination projects him toward a top-three finish at the position rather than mere TE1 consistency. Securing him later than the absolute elites still leaves managers with a difference-maker who can swing weekly matchups and championships alike.”
– Aaron St Denis (Fantasy Sports Advice Network)

Isaiah Likely (TE – NYG)

“Isaiah Likely is one of my favorite late-round bets to emerge as a true difference-maker at tight end. After spending four years sharing the field with Mark Andrews, he finally gets a chance to step into a much larger role with the Giants, where there is very little established target competition behind Malik Nabers. New York also invested heavily in him with a three-year, $40 million deal, and his reunion with John Harbaugh should keep him heavily involved, particularly near the goal line. At a price around TE11 to TE13, Likely does not need to become an elite real-life tight end to smash his ADP. If the volume finally catches up to the talent, he has the upside to become a weekly top-five option without costing anything close to that on draft day.”
– Tal Malachovsky (The Fantasy Scout)

“Isaiah Likely is exactly the type of tight end I want when searching for a league winner: talent finally meeting opportunity. After spending four seasons sharing the field with Mark Andrews, Likely signed a three-year deal with New York and enters the season as the Giants’ starting tight end, while training camp provided repeated indications that this offense intends to feature the position. Jaxson Dart already showed a willingness to target tight ends as a rookie, and Likely has demonstrated high-end efficiency when given meaningful volume. At roughly TE13 cost, I’d rather chase his path to becoming one of Dart’s primary targets than pay a premium for the established names.”
– Stephen Floyd (Draft With Doug)

Hunter Henry (TE – NE)

“Hunter Henry is one of those solid depth TEs you can get very late. Hunter is not a Top 10 TE in Fantasy Football, but he can play like one, and his draft price is so late that you do not have to worry about the TE position. Henry should have more opportunities as he has become a safety option for Maye, and Austin Hooper left town. At his extremely late draft cost, Henry has the opportunity and red-zone upside to dramatically outperform ADP and become a weekly starting option.”
– Muntradamus (Beast Dome)

Juwan Johnson (TE – NO)

“I’m not sure what else Juwan Johnson was supposed to do last season to get people to notice, but apparently 77 catches for 889 yards wasn’t enough. Johnson earned a career-high 102 targets, saw his target share jump from 12.8% to 18.1%, and his WOPR climb from 0.28 to 0.38, yet he’s still essentially going undrafted. He was even better once rookie Tyler Shough took over, finishing as the TE3 in their games together, giving us proof that the connection we’re betting on in 2026 already worked at a high level. Johnson also averaged 8.72 yards per target and posted +0.345 EPA per target, 10th among TEs with 60+ targets, so there was plenty underneath the raw volume to support the breakout. We’re talking about a tight end who just flirted with 900 yards, already showed top-three upside with his current quarterback, and costs virtually nothing; that’s exactly where I want to take my shot at finding a league winner.”
– James Emrick-Wilson (The Armchair Sports Corner)

Brock Bowers (TE – LV)

“It has to be Brock Bowers. If he stays healthy, he’s going to produce high-end WR1 numbers. Enough said.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)

“Brock Bowers is my tight end league winner because he is the rare player at the position capable of functioning as his team’s primary receiver. He is healthy again, was consistently the main target throughout Raiders camp, and is still available around pick 22 despite the weekly advantage he can create over almost every opposing tight end. This is not merely a bet on finishing TE1; it is a bet that receiver-level volume at tight end changes the construction of an entire fantasy roster. My bold prediction is that Bowers will be a top-five pick in every format next season.”
– Jay Henry Ocho (Jay Henry Ocho)

Dalton Kincaid (TE – BUF)

“Based on last year’s efficiency, Dalton Kincaid is a guy who could break fantasy this year. He just has to get on the field more. In 2025, Kincaid only played 38.3% of the snaps and ran just 189 routes. For comparison, Trey McBride ran 683 routes last year. Kincaid was 13th in fantasy points per game (10.5), but ranked first in basically every efficiency metric known to man. Reports this offseason suggest the PCL injury that has plagued Kincaid for a few years is finally behind him. If he can just get on the field for roughly 60-70% of the plays, Kincaid could easily have a career year and finish as one of the best fantasy tight ends in the game.”
– Wolf Trelles-Heard (FantasyPros)

Pat Freiermuth (TE – PIT)

“Pat Freiermuth is the kind of late tight end who can become an advantage because the market is pricing in last year’s usage instead of this year’s offensive reset. Pittsburgh’s 2025 offense ran only 58.1 plays per game, while McCarthy’s career offenses have averaged 64.8 and 26.2 points per game across his career (12 top-10 scoring offenses), which creates meaningful hidden volume if the Steelers normalize. Freiermuth’s 2025 disappointment came from a 51% snap-share rotation, rather than a full-time role (which correlated to a stark drop in targets), but that should normalize for the 2026 season. He’s not a sexy pick, but at a TE31 cost with a path to 60-80 receptions and usable touchdown variance, he could turn into a weekly starter acquired in the final rounds or off waivers, allowing rosters to be constructed around the studs at RB and WR while maintaining a safe floor with occasional spikes in TE.”
– Avery Thrasher (The Branded Sports)

Travis Kelce (TE – KC)

“Travis Kelce is positioned for a major rebound and is poised to deliver league‑winning upside this season. As Patrick Mahomes’ primary target and the unquestioned focal point of the offense, he remains a high‑volume PPR asset who consistently dominates target share. His durability and availability keep him locked into every critical game script, preserving his elite weekly floor. Because he operates as Mahomes’ first read in high‑leverage situations, his ceiling at the tight end position creates an unmatched positional advantage.”
– Lawrence Iacona (FantasyPros)

FantasyPros Fantasy Football Discord: An Exclusive Community for Premium Subscribers