Fantasy football analysts are increasingly wary of the 2026 draft class, where Yahoo’s average draft position data flags several players whose current valuations outstrip recent production.
The Risk of Overvalued Assets
Take Jalen Hurts, the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback who posted 18.7 fantasy points per game last season, a dip from his career average, and managed only a single-digit number of rushing touchdowns, raising questions about his upside.
Running back Saquon Barkley, once a staple of the New York Giants offense, averaged just 14.5 PPR points per game in 2024, his lowest figure since 2021, and saw a reduction in breakaway runs that further dampens his draft appeal.
Rookie TreVeyon Henderson of the Detroit Lions struggled to find a foothold, delivering 12.1 PPR points per game and being outshone by teammates such as Kenneth Gainwell and Rhamondre Stevenson, making him a risky early‑round pick.
Wide receiver Malik Nabers of the New York Giants suffered a torn ACL in Week 4 and underwent a second surgery, casting doubt on his availability for the opening week and adding injury risk to his profile.
Jameson Williams of the Buffalo Bills finished the previous season as the WR12 but proved inconsistent, scoring six points or fewer in nearly 42 percent of his games, a pattern that fantasy owners should heed.
At tight end, Dalton Kincaid of the Buffalo Bills ended the year as the TE20, averaging 10.5 PPR points while missing five contests due to injury, underscoring durability concerns.
Beyond the headline names, the draft also features other notable prospects such as A.J. Brown, Caleb Williams, Wan’Dale Robinson, Christian Watson, and DJ Moore, each bringing distinct upside and uncertainty.