The 2026 Fantasy Football Landscape
Fantasy football analysts are warning that several quarterbacks who dominated the 2025 season may be overvalued heading into the 2026 draft. The caution comes from a combination of declining production, injury setbacks, and new offensive schemes that could reshape their roles. As FantasyPros highlights, the market is already adjusting, and savvy owners are re‑evaluating their early‑round picks.
Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles saw his fantasy points per game dip from 21 to 19.1 in 2025, primarily because his rushing production fell off. He managed only eight rushing touchdowns, ending a streak of four straight seasons with double‑digit rushing scores. Adding to the uncertainty, the Eagles appointed Sean Mannion, a first‑time NFL offensive coordinator, to replace the departed Shane Steichen.
Jaxson Dart of the New York Jets showed a mixed profile, completing 63.7% of his passes and averaging 6.7 yards per attempt. While he rushed for 487 yards and nine touchdowns, his aggressive running style often left him taking hard hits, raising questions about durability and consistency.
Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs endured a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee in December 2025. Despite finishing the season tied for QB2 in fantasy points behind Josh Allen, his injury history and the aggressive rehab program suggest that his mobility may be compromised when the 2026 season begins.
Baker Mayfield’s efficiency took a noticeable turn for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His completion percentage slipped from 71.4% in 2024 to 63.2% in 2025, and his yards per pass attempt dropped from 7.9 to 6.8. Those declines signal a potential regression that could make him a risky investment in the early rounds.
Daniel Jones of the Indianapolis Colts is another name under scrutiny. After tearing his Achilles in early December 2025, he is targeting a Week 1 return for the 2026 campaign. In the first ten weeks of 2025 he posted a 69.9% completion rate and 8.3 yards per attempt, earning QB5 fantasy honors, but the injury adds a layer of volatility.
The broader implications extend beyond individual players. Teams in markets such as Philadelphia, New York, Kansas City, Tampa, and Indianapolis will feel the ripple effects of these quarterback situations, influencing draft strategies across the league. Analysts at the National Football League and FantasyPros continue to monitor injury reports and scheme changes, urging owners to balance upside with risk.