2026 Fantasy Football Rankings - Early Edition for Redraft Leagues

January 26, 2026

RotoBaller's early 2026 fantasy football rankings for QB, WR, RB, TE, DST, K and redraft leagues. 2026 tiered top 200 rankings give an early look at 2026 drafts.

The 2025 fantasy football season was a wild one, and if you already miss competing and are looking forward to next year, you are not alone. It's never too early to take a peek at next year's pecking order for redraft leagues, and we're here to give you a first glimpse.

These 2026 fantasy football rankings are put together by Nick Mariano, a top-accuracy industry ranker and the lead forecaster here at RotoBaller.

The 2026 NFL rookies are not included in these rankings, but they will be added as updates are made constantly up until the NFL Draft, and after the draft as well.

Early 2026 Fantasy Football Rankings: Redraft

2026 Fantasy Football Outlooks

Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (back) said earlier this week that he's entering the next stage of his rehab from back surgery, and he plans to be fully cleared before the start of training camp at the end of July, according to Richard Silva of The Detroit News. LaPorta played in only nine games in 2025 before suffering a herniated disc in his back against the Washington Commanders on Nov. 9. In addition to his rehab, the 24-year-old will be focused on trying to ink a contract extension with the Lions this offseason.

LaPorta burst onto the scene in his rookie year in 2023 with 86 receptions, 889 yards, and 10 touchdowns in 17 regular-season games. He wasn't quite as good in 2024, but he still had a 60-726-7 line in 16 games. Obviously, LaPorta's production suffered in 2025 due to injury, but he'll be a prime bounce-back candidate at the TE position in 2026 for the Lions.

C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans

When asked about quarterback C.J. Stroud and a potential long-term contract extension, Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said, "I'm not getting into that right now." Stroud will most likely have his fifth-year option picked up by Houston, but all bets are off as far as long-term extension talks go after a rough two-game performance in the playoffs this year.

The 24-year-old former second overall pick in 2023 out of Ohio State threw an interception and fumbled five times (two lost) in the Wild-Card win over the Pittsburgh Steelers before going 20-for-47 for 212 yards, one touchdown, and a season-high four interceptions in the loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday in the Divisional Round. Stroud burst onto the scene as a rookie in 2023, but since then, he's had two disappointing campaigns that raise questions in Houston about whether he's actually the long-term answer under center.

Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

Despite a disappointing 2025 season in which they failed to reach the playoffs, the Baltimore Ravens are standing behind franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson, according to Jamison Hensley of ESPN. "I want him to be my quarterback," owner Steve Bisciotti said on Tuesday. Baltimore's owner also said that Jackson, who is his own agent, seemed amenable to a new deal and made it clear he wants to get something done before free agency begins in March.

There were rumors late in the 2025 season that the Ravens might consider trading the 29-year-old MVP in the offseason due to a rift with head coach John Harbaugh, but that pretty much ended when the Ravens surprisingly fired Harbaugh last week. Jackson missed several games due to a hamstring injury early in the season and just never looked like himself, finishing as the QB20 in fantasy points with 2,549 passing yards, 21 TDs, and seven interceptions. He also only ran for two touchdowns. With better health, Jackson will be a prime bounce-back candidate in 2026.

Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White, who will be an unrestricted free agent in March, appears ready to move on. White said back in May that 2025 would be his "last ride" in Tampa Bay, and he said, "Thank yaw forever for da past four years," on a social-media post following the regular season. Ironically, the 2025 campaign was White's most efficient with the Bucs, as he finished with 132 carries for 572 rushing yards and four touchdowns, just 16 rushing yards behind Bucky Irving despite having 41 fewer carries.

The 26-year-old also added 40 receptions for 218 yards through the air. White's usage sharply declined after Irving returned from an early-season injury. White's ability as a runner and receiver should make him pretty attractive on the open market this offseason, but his 2026 fantasy value will depend on where he lands and what role he's in.

Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers

Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (knee) said on Monday that he's targeting a Week 1 return for the start of the 2026 season this fall, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. "By the time Week 1 rolls around, I'll be 10 months post-surgery and hopefully bulletproofed by then. I already feel pretty good. My progress so far has been great. Some would say even ahead of schedule," Kraft said.

The 25-year-old tore his ACL in the Week 9 loss to the Carolina Panthers. Before the season-ending injury, Kraft was well on his way to a breakout campaign in his third year in the league, as he caught 32 of his 44 targets for 489 yards and six touchdowns in eight starts. In 2024, he had a 50-707-7 line in 17 regular-season games. Kraft's 2026 fantasy value will mainly be tied to whether he's ready for the season opener, and if he is, he should be considered a strong TE1 target.

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