2026 Fantasy Football: Players to Watch
As the 2026 college football season approaches, fantasy owners are already scouting the next wave of talent that could dominate draft boards and reshape matchups.
Among the quarterbacks, Arch Manning emerges as the centerpiece for Texas, projected to throw for more than 3,500 yards and 35 touchdowns, while Drew Mestemaker brings a proven track record at Oklahoma State after posting 4,379 passing yards and 39 scores last season.
Trinidad Chambliss offers a dual‑threat style that could translate into more contested games, potentially limiting garbage‑time opportunities, whereas Caleb Hawkins, who rushed for 1,434 yards and 25 touchdowns at North Texas, is expected to amplify his impact at Oklahoma State.
Running back and receiver corps also promise breakout candidates. Kewan Lacy averaged 22.3 touches last season, accumulating 1,744 scrimmage yards and 24 touchdowns, while LJ Martin’s 1,560 yards and 12 scores suggest a strong receiving role.
Wide receivers such as Jeremiah Smith, who burst onto the scene with 76 catches for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns as a true freshman, and Malachi Toney, a Miami standout who handles a variety of touches, are poised to be fantasy assets.
At Houston, Amare Thomas returns alongside quarterback Conner Weigman, the duo having connected 67 times for 966 yards and 12 touchdowns a year ago, adding a reliable option in the red zone.
Other contributors include Terrance Carter Jr., who finished the 2025 campaign with 55 receptions for 624 yards and five scores despite a midseason injury, and Kaelan Chudzinski, whose 24 catches for 313 yards and four touchdowns at Boston College could blossom into a larger role.
The depth extends to Oregon’s Jamari Johnson, who is expected to replace Kenyon Sadiq and posted 32 catches for 510 yards and five scores last season, and to Texas Tech’s emerging talents, rounding out a landscape rich with upside.
Fantasy strategists will need to weigh team dynamics, usage patterns and past statistics when projecting performance, but the early indicators suggest a deep pool of players who could exceed expectations.