The 2026 fantasy football season is already taking shape, and analysts are zeroing in on a handful of players whose performance could define draft boards.
Quarterback Landscape
Trevor Lawrence showed a marked improvement in the second half of the 2025 campaign, averaging 265.1 passing yards, 2.6 touchdown passes and 26.3 fantasy points per game. Brock Purdy, meanwhile, has posted a 19.2‑point average over 45 career starts and has finished as QB6, QB10 and QB5 in the past three seasons, making him a reliable mid‑range option.
Running Back Options
Jeremiyah Love sits at RB13 in expert consensus despite the Cardinals’ overall struggles, capitalizing on the success rate of rookie running backs. Bucky Irving posted 111.6 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns over nine games in the latter half of 2024, but a series of injuries limited his 2025 output. Blake Corum is projected as the Rams’ backup with an RB34 ADP, offering high upside if Kyren Williams succumbs to injury, while Jonathon Brooks, recovering from a double ACL tear, is a high‑upside late‑round prospect for the Panthers.
Receiver Corps
Terry McLaurin recorded 82 catches for 1,096 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2024 before missing seven games in 2025 due to injury. Young talent Emeka Egbuka exploded in the first five weeks of 2025 with 25 catches for 445 yards and five touchdowns before a hamstring issue curtailed his season. Christian Watson, after returning from an ACL tear, averaged 17.5 yards per catch and 11.1 yards per target in 10 games, while the addition of Mike Evans to the 49ers’ offense could boost Brock Purdy’s receiving corps.
Tight End Outlook
Brock Bowers emerged as a rookie with 112 catches for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns in 2024, though injuries hampered his 2025 campaign. Colston Loveland climbed to TE12 in half‑PPR scoring with 58 catches for 713 yards and six touchdowns, particularly strengthening his production from Week 9 onward.
Injuries, coaching changes and shifting offensive schemes mean that the 2026 draft will reward both proven performers and speculative sleepers. Identifying the right blend of upside and reliability will be the key to building a championship‑ready roster.