If you’re someone who is looking to win their league this year or just looking to avoid whatever heinous punishment your league has cooked up, you need a plan of action going into your draft. In order to help, I have decided to share my full draft guide with every player ranked, as well as my thoughts on them specifically.
My main league with the biggest buy-in is a ten-man PPR league with Quarterback (QB) points slightly boosted. This will not factor into my rankings as I do not believe taking a QB early in this draft is worth it at all. There will be more on my draft day insights after the list. The list is based on positional value as well as overall production compared to similarly placed players and ADP. My personal standout “must drafts” will be highlighted in yellow for their extreme value at where they are being drafted.
This list was made on August 12-17, where the teams have mostly finished training camp and slightly before preseason. I believe there is enough evidence to have a list that will still be good at the start of the season. I also have decided to not include kickers or defense because they vary too much between leagues. I will, however, include a list of standout takes under that threshold after everything. All that being said, let’s start the list:
2026 Fantasy Football Draft Guide
1. Jahmyr Gibbs
Position: Running Back (RB)
Team: Lions
Overall Rank: #1
Expected Draft Range: Round 1
Analysis:
Jahmyr Gibbs (along with Bijan Robinson) is an absolutely generational prospect in terms of fantasy output which can only be compared to prime Christian McCaffery (CMC). While both he and Bijan are similar in this way, I give the edge to Gibbs because of his team’s average red zone appearances and overall stronger production which leads to more touchdowns. While Gibbs and Bijan both lost their handcuffs in the offseason, I believe that while his touchdowns will go up from last year, Bijan will not benefit from losing Tyler Allgier as much as Gibbs will after losing David Montgomery. Gibbs, while I believe having somewhat of a lower floor, as the much higher ceiling if the Lions offenses can produce to the level that they have shown that they can. In metrics, both Gibbs and Bijan had the exact same yardage, but Gibbs had seven more touchdowns, being the obvious stronger back in that field of play. As well as this, Gibbs has the best strength of schedule of any RB, giving you an even bigger reason to draft him. If your league is not PPR, DRAFT GIBBS FIRST. I believe Bijan only outclasses Gibbs in the receiving game, and it is only such a competition in PPR leagues.
2. Bijan Robinson
Position: RB
Team: Falcons
Overall Rank: #2
Expected Draft Range: Round 1
Analysis: With all being said from the previous ranking, Bijan is one of, if not the most talented backs in the league. Especially with the addition of Tua and his checkdowns, Bijan is primed for receiving work as well as the vast majority of the running work. He had 76 receptions for 707 yards last year, which is comparable to several WR2s. Bijan is a PPR machine and should 100% be considered as an option for the 1.01. Bijan and Gibbs are absolutely 1-A and 1-B, and I would have no issues taking either at the 1.01.
3. Christian McCaffrey
Position: RB
Team: 49ers
Overall Rank: #3
Expected Draft Range: Round 1
Analysis: CMC when healthy is the best, most consistently great fantasy player there has been in a long time, if ever. The issue with CMC, however, is his health. It seems like he is healthy every other year, and the 49ers as a whole are seemingly cursed on this front. Going in the middle of the first round, he could be a steal if he plays every game of the season. His receiving work is on par with Bijan and his rushing is on par with people like Kenneth Walker III (K9) or Josh Jacobs. He is a touchdown machine, with the only question being: how long can this machine run?
4. Ja’Marr Chase
Position: Wide Receiver (WR)
Team: Bengals
Overall Rank: #4
Expected Draft Range: Round 1
Analysis: The next four spots are somewhat interchangeable, with all of them having their downsides, but they are all the best at their position. Being one of the top receivers in the NFL, Ja’Marr Chase is always in the names of first couple receivers picked in drafts for a reason. I think Ja’Marr is on a great offensive squad in the Bengals, and when his QB is healthy, he can go off for 25+ points a game. However, I think this offense has many questions surrounding its output and people thinking of drafting Ja’Marr should keep those thoughts in mind. I also am weary of people like Tee Higgins leeching his TDs, even though he still tied the first-place spot in receiving TDs. All of that being said, he is still a top two or three receiver this year and will have great output. I would have no issues switching him out with the next player, who has similar problems and is in a very similar system.
5. Puka Nacua
Position: WR
Team: Rams
Overall Rank: #5
Expected Draft Range: Round 1
Analysis: After a tremendous year last year and being on such a studded offense, people have been very high on Puka, and for good reason. He led the league in receiving yards and tied for second in receiving touchdowns. That being said, his WR2, Davonte Adams is tied for first in receiving touchdowns and is THE red zone target for Matthew Stafford. All of that being said, since the Rams have such a good offense, I think there are enough yards and TDs to go around, and I would still absolutely take Puka if given the chance.
6. Jaxon Smith-Njigba (JSN)
Position: WR
Team: Seahawks
Overall Rank: #6
Expected Draft Range: Round 1
Analysis: JSN’s breakout year last year was one for the history books, skyrocketing him from the fourth or fifth round to a top-ten pick, a Super Bowl win, and OPOTY. However, JSN’s situation has worsened in the off season, with a new coaching staff and a toned-down offense has a whole. He is still a great receiver with stats to back it up, but I foresee a down year for JSN.
7. Amon-Ra St. Brown
Position: WR
Team: Lions
Overall Rank: #7
Expected Draft Range: Round 1
Analysis: Amon-Ra has been so consistently great and underappreciated that it drives me crazy. He is in a great offense with great coaches and has been amazing year after year. He is notorious for falling in drafts because he’s “boring.” If a nice 15-20 points a week and maybe a breakout game or two is boring, then I don’t know what to tell you. If he falls to you, DRAFT HIM!
8. Jonathon Taylor
Position: RB
Team: Colts
Overall Rank: #8
Expected Draft Range: Round 1
Analysis: JT is such a cool player to me. He led the league in rushing yards and was in RB1 debates almost all year until his team fell apart from under him. When supported, JT is an astoundingly good RB with a crazy high ceiling. However, I do not trust this Colts offense to support him like they did last year, which hurts JT’s overall performance. Great player, maybe a bad situation. Don’t not draft him but keep your trades open if he isn’t so hot.
9. Justin Jefferson (JJetas)
Position: WR
Team: Vikings
Overall Rank: #9
Expected Draft Range: Round 1
Analysis: Justin Jefferson is a stud receiver, and last year was a fluke. This fluke, though, exposed that JJetas is not QB proof. Was JJ McCarthy (9) one of the worst QBs I have ever seen? Yes. JJetas still didn’t perform to the level that he should’ve in my mind. On the bright side, Kyler Murray was just named as the starting QB for the Vikings, a definitive upgrade. This is a great chance for JJetas to shine once more. As well as a QB upgrade, he has a pretty easy schedule which should help him foster an easier connection with Kyler and perform better in general.
10. James Cook III
Position: RB
Team: Bills
Overall Rank: #10
Expected Draft Range: Round 1-2
Analysis: According to the stats, there can be a claim that James Cook should be drafted in the first couple picks. Last year, he had 1400 rushing yards and 13 TDs which is absolutely incredible. I also think the Bills offense will be better with DJ Moore, which should lead to more red zone looks for James Cook. The only concern is Josh Allen’s love for playing hero football and leeching Cook’s red zone TDs. I don’t think this will be as much of a problem as people say. In this draft, RBs are significantly more important than WRs, so this list heavily prioritizes them. The next six spots are all RBs, with many good receivers being moved after them. This is not based off skill, but that it is much more worthwhile to take RBs with your first couple picks due to the huge fall off they have after like round three or four.
11. Omarion Hampton
Position: RB
Team: Chargers
Overall Rank: #11
Expected Draft Range: Round 2
Analysis: What isn’t there to like about Hampton? He has amazing talent, a great offense, coaching staff that are all in on him, and one of the best o-lines in football. He is being taken far too low and you should absolutely scoop him up. His last season was derailed by healed injuries of both himself and the players around him. He is going to have a breakout season, you have been warned.
12. Chase Brown
Position: RB
Team: Bengals
Overall Rank: #12
Expected Draft Range: Round 1-2
Analysis: Speaking of underrated RBs, Chase Brown is someone who is carried by his situation. He’s a good RB, don’t get me wrong, but he is also on the Bengals offense and demands heavy red-zone usage and checkdown targets due to the Bengals heinous O-Line and QB pressure. I see him as a watered-down CMC, and his stats back it up. Criminally underrated pick.
13. Derrick Henry
Position: RB
Team: Ravens
Overall Rank: #13
Expected Draft Range: Round 2
Analysis: Derrick Henry is such an anomaly of a player that I don’t think anyone can tell you when his production will inevitably slow down. While it is the case that he will slow down, I do not believe this is the year. He had the 2nd most rushing yards in the league with a terrifying 13 TDs, placing him stats wise in the top four-five RBs. He is also very consistently healthy, so I have no problem there either. All of this happened in a down year for the Raven as well, so I can only imagine what he will do this year. Sleeper.
14. Ashton Jeanty
Position: RB
Team: Raiders
Overall Rank: #14
Expected Draft Range: Round 2
Analysis: Ashton Jeanty performed well enough last year without a QB or supporting cast that I think he deserves to be well looked over going into this year. Jeanty has two new somewhat capable QBs, as well as new coaches. He’s a great talent that I believe will be elevated through his offense. His coaches have also said he will be catching the second most passes on the team, so good upside there. However, I think he is not better than the RBs mentioned above and I would not draft him there. Good pick if he falls.
15. De’Von Achane
Position: RB
Team: Dolphins
Overall Rank: #15
Expected Draft Range: Round 1
Analysis: Achane, to put it simply, is one of the biggest boom or busts of this draft. The Dolphins are absolutely horrible. Tua is gone along with most of his checkdown receptions. Malik Willis is unlikely to throw even close to as many checkdowns. His O-Line is terrible, and the coaches that made him shine are gone. However, Achane has proven that he can still preform through adversity, and I think the people that say he should be taken after Josh Jacobs are insane. He is so talented, and I think he can at least be a top ten back this year. He has zero competition, and his new coach just said in an interview that he should be ready to be carried off the field after playing so many snaps.
16. Saquon Barkley
Position: RB
Team: Eagles
Overall Rank: #16
Expected Draft Range: Round 2
Analysis: After a disappointing season in 2025-2026, I think Saquon should have a bounce-back year in 2026-2027, or at least one better than his last. Even at his worst, he still had 1300 yards on the ground and 11 total TDs, which is great, don’t get me wrong, but if he stays here or only gets incrementally better, he does not warrant a pick above the RBs mentioned. He also has the 2nd best strength of schedule of any RB, which gives him a bigger advantage if he performs well. I still think he has great upside, and the riskier fantasy players should take a shot on him.
17. Brock Bowers
Position: Tight End (TE)
Team: Raiders
Overall Rank: #17
Expected Draft Range: Round 2
Analysis: Brock Bowers and Trey McBride are really in a league of their own when it comes to TE production. Positional value is super important, and they both present so much value just for being TEs. That being said, I would not argue if someone wanted to place them higher, maybe over the several RBs in a row above them on positional value alone. Thinking of which one is better is somewhat a struggle. They are both phenomenal players, but I think only one stands above the other this year, and it is Brock Bowers. Bowers’s team has gotten significantly better and McBride’s has only gotten worse. With the QB situation of both, I give the edge to Bowers.
18. Trey McBride
Position: TE
Team: Cardinals
Overall Rank: #18
Expected Draft Range: Round 2
Analysis: As said above, McBride is a great player and would be a great addition to any team. I think Bowers has a lower floor and higher upside, but Trey McBride has proven that he is still great and worth a pick.
19. Malik Nabers
Position: WR
Team: Giants
Overall Rank: #19
Expected Draft Range: Round 3-4
Analysis: I don’t think I can talk about Malik Nabers without going crazy. Nabers is a top 3, definitely a top 5 WR in the league and people have faded him into the 3rd or 4th round. It has been shown that his knee is much better and that he might even be good by week one. The whole Giants team looks great, and I would trust a middle of second round pick and 100% a 3rd or 4th round pick to get him. Also, a little tip, if he is projected 0 points in week one, TRADE FOR HIM!!! And trade for him regardless of if you didn’t pick him up. He goes for dirt cheap. He is the most underrated player of the whole draft, so please listen to my advice and grab him before it’s too late.
Final Thoughts
Big Picks
My biggest value: Ladd McConkey and Chase Brown
My biggest reach: Michael Pittman Jr, Terry Mclaurin, DJ Moore
My favorite late-round pick: Wan’ Dale Robinson / KC Conception
Players I’m avoiding: Bucky Irving early / Marvin Harrison late
Brief Overall Draft Strategy
If given picks one or two (Gibbs and Bijan), I would highly recommend drafting three RBs back-to-back because of their drop off in quality after around round 5, then drafting two receivers, then a QB, then a TE.
If given picks 3-6: I would recommend taking one of the three or four elite WRs then also taking two RBs back to back with the next picks.
If given 7-10, I would grab RB, then a WR, and finally spread out your picks to be as well-rounded as possible.
I would refrain from grabbing a QB until people like Matthew Stafford, Dak Prescott Justin Herbert and Patrick Mahomes. They don’t have great rushing upside, but they are such a steal for their value.
This article only includes numbers one through 19, out of a more comprehensive ranking of 129 players. If you would like to read the full list, click here for the article on Substack. This version will only go through the second round or so, but I think it is a great template on how your draft should look this year.
Now go out and win your league!
Stay tuned to The Roundup for more Sports Opinions!
