Fantasy Football 2026: A Round‑by‑Round Blueprint
Veteran analyst Jamey Eisenberg has released a comprehensive draft strategy for the 2026 fantasy football season, emphasizing adaptability and a round‑by‑round approach that can be tailored to both PPR and half‑PPR formats.
He begins by urging managers to secure an elite running back among the first two selections, highlighting prospects such as Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson as foundational pieces for any championship‑contending squad.
In the second and third rounds, Eisenberg recommends building a receiver‑centric core, suggesting combinations that may include Nico Collins, Rashee Rice and the tight end Brock Bowers, while also keeping an eye on players like Ja'Marr Chase and Puka Nacua for high upside.
Mid‑Round Mechanics
The fourth and fifth rounds present a crossroads where managers can choose between top‑tier receivers such as Jaylen Waddle and D.J. Moore or promising running backs like David Montgomery, Quinshon Judkins and Bhayshul Tuten, while also considering quarterback options Drake Maye and Joe Burrow.
Later in the draft, the strategy shifts toward securing lottery‑ticket running backs — including MarShawn Lloyd, Jonah Coleman and Keaton Mitchell — and stacking the tight end position with names like Sam LaPorta, Tucker Kraft and Travis Kelce to add depth and upside.
Eisenberg also outlines a specific sequence for rounds three through six, where he drafts four consecutive receivers — Ja'Marr Chase, Puka Nacua, Amon‑Ra St. Brown and Jaxon Smith‑Njigba — while deliberately postponing running back selections until later rounds.
When a top‑12 running back becomes available in the second round of this phase, he advises pairing it with either St. Brown or Smith‑Njigba, and later rounds can see the addition of players such as Kenneth Walker III, Drake London, Tee Higgins and Travis Etienne to round out the roster.
The plan culminates with a focus on high‑upside lottery tickets in the final stages, targeting backs like MarShawn Lloyd and Jonah Coleman, as well as receivers such as A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, ensuring that the final lineup possesses both star power and depth.