Top Dynasty Fantasy Football Risers and Fallers: 2026 NFL Free Agency

March 14, 2026

Quincy Milton III breaks down some of dynasty fantasy football's biggest risers and fallers for 2026. Who are the biggest risers and fallers for dynasty leagues?

Dynasty fantasy football is quite variable from year to year. Since managers hold onto most players each year, most dynasty players hope that they will experience similar production each year. As we know far too well, that is hardly the case. Changing circumstances, injuries, and age all factor into a player's ability to produce consistent numbers in dynasty.

Now that we are squarely in NFL free agency, we can start to truly evaluate risers and fallers across the league. Did a change of scenery help one player but hurt another? Did a lack of expected money suggest a potential lack of opportunities? These are all questions we must ask ourselves as the signings continue to pour in.

With the draft around the corner, we can start to formulate strong opinions about dynasty assets. Now is a great time to probe the trade market and see if you can offload players or acquire others. Let's dive in and take a look at five risers and fallers for the 2026 dynasty fantasy football season.

Riser: Kenneth Walker III, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

Kenneth Walker III signed with the Chiefs to open free agency. He will no longer find himself in a committee with Zach Charbonnet, and Chiefs head coach Andy Reid should have a field day scheming up touches for Walker.

Walker won Super Bowl MVP with Seattle in February on the heels of a stellar playoff run with Charbonnet out of the lineup. His performance down the stretch of the season suggested that he has what it takes to be a high-end feature back in the NFL. As long as Walker can stay healthy in Kansas City, he has potential for prime Kareem Hunt or Jamaal Charles-level production in this scheme.

The @EAMaddenNFL Super Bowl LX moment: Kenneth Walker III's MVP performance 🏃 pic.twitter.com/5GwuYMfMNg

— NFL (@NFL) February 16, 2026

If you did not trade for Walker before this deal was in place, he will cost a fortune to acquire. However, if you have Walker, you should have a borderline top-5 running back option on your hands. Walker's rare blend of speed and power opens up a lot of possibilities in this offense. He is going to consistently get the ball in space with the potential for a house call on any given play.

Additionally, Walker's passing game usage is almost certain to increase. Outside of an outlier 2024 season in which he caught 46 passes in just 12 games, Walker has never exceeded 31 receptions in a season. Expect plenty of screen passes for Walker, especially while quarterback Patrick Mahomes reacquaints himself with the offense after tearing his ACL in 2025.

Buckle up for this ride.

Faller: Jaylen Warren, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Jaylen Warren saw his chances at reclaiming a large share of the Steelers' backfield carries evaporate when the team signed Rico Dowdle this week. Dowdle is a quality back coming off a 1,000-yard season in Carolina. The Steelers handed him $6 million per year, which suggests he will be a substantial part of their plans. Keep in mind as well that Dowdle was also with the new Steelers head coach, Mike McCarthy, in Dallas.

Warren should retain a lot of his passing game work. He thrives in space, having caught at least 38 passes in each of the past three seasons. Dowdle is a solid pass-catcher in his own right, but he makes his living with excellent, tough-running skills. He should vulture most of the high-percentage touchdown opportunities in this backfield.

The Steelers also have 2025 third-round pick Kaleb Johnson on the roster. Johnson had a terrible rookie season, but the team has invested enough in him to merit him getting a shot to crack the rotation this season.

When Najee Harris left the Steelers last offseason, it seemed like Warren would be in a great position to succeed. Unfortunately, he does not fit the bill of a feature back enough for the Steelers to treat him as such. He should continue to be a solid flex option in fantasy, but high-end production is going to be hard to come by as long as Dowdle stays healthy.

Riser: Isaiah Likely, TE, New York Giants

Isaiah Likely looks like he will finally have a chance to be the feature tight end in an offense. The Giants handed Likely a three-year, $40 million contract. That type of money is nothing to sneeze at, as Likely should immediately become a top target for young quarterback Jaxson Dart.

Additionally, Likely was with the new Giants head coach, John Harbaugh, in Baltimore, and we all know how Harbaugh likes to use his tight ends.

ISAIAH LIKELY. Incredible catch and run for the @Ravens TD!

📺: #MIAvsBAL on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/sFjqko01pD pic.twitter.com/Bw7Fh2EBwX

— NFL (@NFL) December 31, 2023

Likely has a rare blend of wide receiver skills in a tight end body. Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy should be creative in finding ways to get Likely the ball. While there will be some competition for targets with fellow tight end Theo Johnson already enjoying solid chemistry with Dart, Likely's talent, contract, and the Giants' lack of established wide receivers outside of Malik Nabers should propel him in fantasy.

Likely's athleticism gives him a chance to take a massive leap forward for fantasy this year. His touchdown upside should be solid, and he should receive enough volume to PPR his way to a solid season at minimum.

Many fantasy managers have been waiting four long years for Likely to receive a shot ever since he came out of Coastal Carolina University. However, Likely could never emerge from the shadow of Mark Andrews. Likely should reward patient fantasy managers in 2026. If this experiment fails, then something will have gone horribly wrong in New York.

Faller: James Conner, RB, Arizona Cardinals

James Conner was already an expiring asset in dynasty due to age and injuries. Now with the addition of Tyler Allgeier in the backfield, the writing is on the wall for Conner in fantasy.

Arizona is going to hold onto Conner on a revised deal despite him coming off a season-ending foot injury. Conner is very important to the Cardinals' culture as a veteran leader. That carries a lot of value in NFL spaces. However, Allgeier is a quality running back who plays very similarly to Conner. Arizona identified him early in free agency and got its guy.

With Allgeier and fellow running back Trey Benson in the fold, this backfield is too crowded for Conner to recoup a lot of value. He may have some flex games here and there, but it feels like Conner is on his way to becoming a primarily useless fantasy asset this coming season. If you can get out of the James Conner business, it may be prudent to.

Riser: Malik Willis, QB, Miami Dolphins

Malik Willis was considered by many to be the best quarterback in the draft class of 2022. Unfortunately, his career stalled out early in Tennessee.

After a couple of years spent rehabilitating his career as a backup in Green Bay, Willis has earned himself a chance to start with the Dolphins this coming season. Willis' contract comes in around $22.5 million per year. It carries little risk for the Dolphins, but it gives Willis every chance to prove himself.

For any fantasy managers who held onto Willis through some tough years, he might become a solid fantasy option. Willis is a scrambler with some of the better athleticism and speed at the position. That alone will buoy his fantasy production.

Additionally, Willis demonstrated improvements as a passer during his time in Green Bay. In 11 appearances over the past two seasons, he tossed six touchdowns and never threw an interception.

Malik Willis in the game throwing 34 yard darts

📺: #NOvsGB on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/YWWrZY9CgV

— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2024

Willis is not walking into the most supportive situation regarding weaponry, but he should have a solid running game with De'Von Achane toting the rock. He also has familiarity with the Dolphins coaching staff, having just played for new head coach Jeff Hafley in Green Bay.

While this is by no means a projection for a huge season, Willis' dynasty value has unquestionably risen. He could end up being a nice surprise this coming season.

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