The 2026 fantasy football landscape is already taking shape, and early projections flag several high‑profile players who could underperform relative to their ADP.
Quarterback Concerns
Take Jalen Hurts, the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback who finished last season as the overall fantasy QB8 with 19.1 points per game.
Hurts logged 100 more pass attempts while gaining only 300 additional passing yards, a sign of stagnant growth.
His rushing production hit a low since becoming a starter, with just 421 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground.
The Eagles have traded away A.J. Brown and drafted rookie Makai Lemon, a move that does not fill the void left by Brown’s departure.
Under pressure on 193 dropbacks, Hurts completed just 51.1% of his passes for 819 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions.
Running Back Competition
Kyren Williams of the Los Angeles Rams entered the season as RB11 in PPR formats, having posted 1,252 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns last year.
However, the team drafted Blake Corum, who managed 746 yards on 145 carries with a 5.1 yards‑per‑carry average, creating a 65/35 snap split that could eat into Williams’s workload.
Williams’s 290 rushing snaps far outnumbered Corum’s 153, but the increased competition may cap his upside.
Wide Receiver Outlook
Ladd McConkey of the Los Angeles Chargers enjoyed a 17.7% target share last season, ranking third on the team.
That share dipped to 12.2% from weeks 10 through 17, tying him with Keenan Allen for fourth‑most targets.
The arrival of new weapons and the continued presence of DeVonta Smith and other playmakers could further erode McConkey’s share.
Tight End Turbulence
Travis Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end, will turn 37 this season while Patrick Mahomes recovers from a torn ACL.
Kelce’s target share fell behind Rashee Rice when Mahomes was on the field, 28.7% to 18.8%, and his production has been eclipsed by younger options.
Given the age factor and a shifting offensive scheme, Kelce may post his worst statistical season yet.
The broader implications of these busts extend beyond individual contracts, influencing draft strategies and roster construction across the league.