February 12, 2026
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback
Patrick Mahomes (knee) is no longer a top-tier fantasy option, primarily due to injury uncertainty. Mahomes tore his ACL and LCL in Week 15, and it's currently unclear whether he'll be ready for the start of the 2026 regular season. He's still one of the most talented players in NFL history, but without a clear timeline, fantasy managers shouldn't expect to rely on him as their starting quarterback in Week 1. We also can't ignore the fact that his fantasy production has gone backward. He went from the overall QB1 in 2022 to QB8 in 2023, QB11 in 2024, and QB11 in his shortened 2025 campaign. He has thrown at least 11 interceptions in each of his last five seasons, and he's been held to 27 or fewer touchdowns every year since 2022, when he threw for 41.
Josh Allen has taken over as the consensus QB1 in fantasy football, but players like
Lamar Jackson,
Drake Maye, and
Joe Burrow have also become more appealing to managers than Mahomes. Of course, that could change if the Chiefs add a superstar receiver this offseason, and it also wouldn't hurt if tight end
Travis Kelce bounces back following a down year.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 12, 2026
Pittsburgh Steelers running back
Jaylen Warren had the best fantasy finish of his career in 2025, and he could take another step forward with less competition next season. Warren entered the 2025 campaign as the Steelers' preferred running back after
Najee Harris departed in free agency. The expectation was that Warren would gradually lose touches to
Kaleb Johnson, but instead, he found himself in a split backfield with
Kenneth Gainwell. While sharing touches with Gainwell, Warren tallied 958 rushing yards, 333 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns. He finished as the overall RB17 in full-PPR leagues, while Gainwell was the RB16. Gainwell is expected to hit free agency this offseason, and early rumors indicate that the Steelers don't plan to re-sign him. Presumably, they'll bring in another running back or give more touches to Johnson. However, as the incumbent starter, Warren should maintain a heavy workload and fantasy relevance. He has shown an ability to produce as a ball-carrier and pass-catcher, and he flashed a nose for the end zone by doubling his previous career-high touchdown total. Warren is a solid hold in dynasty leagues, and he projects as a mid-range RB2 option in redraft leagues for 2026.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 12, 2026
New Orleans Saints tight end
Juwan Johnson finally broke out during the 2025 season, largely due to his rapport with rookie quarterback
Tyler Shough. Last year was Johnson's sixth in the NFL, and it seems like there had been buzz about a Johnson breakout nearly every season. It didn't come to fruition through his first five campaigns in the NFL, mostly because of a crowded tight end room and poor quarterback play. He turned the corner early last season with
Spencer Rattler at quarterback, but he really took his productivity to the next level with Shough under center. Johnson finished the 2025 season with 77 catches, 889 yards, and three touchdowns, ranking as the overall TE8 in full-PPR leagues. Signed through 2027, Johnson has a steady future in New Orleans and could take another big step forward next year, especially now that the Saints seem to have some consistency at the quarterback position. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound tight end should enter 2026 fantasy drafts as a mid-to-low TE1.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 12, 2026
Dallas Cowboys quarterback
Dak Prescott had one of the best seasons of his career in 2025, and he should remain a top fantasy option for 2026. Prescott finished the year with a 67.3% completion rate, 4,552 passing yards, 32 total touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He also rushed for 177 yards. He finished the year as the overall QB6 in fantasy football and has now ranked as a top-six quarterback in his last two healthy seasons (excluding 2024, when he missed nine games). Prescott was able to perform at an elite level largely due to the supporting cast around him. Dallas had one of the top receiver rooms in the NFL with
CeeDee Lamb and
George Pickens, while tight end
Jake Ferguson also played at a very high level. Pickens and running back
Javonte Williams are both slated for free agency, but it sounds like Dallas plans to bring back Pickens, even if that means using the franchise tag on him. If Prescott can get all three of his top targets back in 2026, he'll compete to be a top-five quarterback in fantasy football.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 12, 2026
Las Vegas Raiders All-Pro pass-rusher Maxx Crosby (knee) has been in the team's building every day as he works out and rehabs the surgically repaired meniscus in his knee, and he recently had a positive discussion with new head coach Klint Kubiak. However, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero said on the Rich Eisen Show that there are "a lot of other fences that would need to be mended" for Crosby to stay in Vegas. The 28-year-old five-time Pro Bowler has already been through six different head coaches with the Raiders and has only been to the playoffs once. Crosby still has an affinity for the franchise and owner Mark Davis, but he's in the process of determining whether he wants to be traded. Pelissero adds that meanwhile, the Raiders figuring out if it makes sense to keep Crosby, especially if they can get two first-round picks for him to aid their rebuild. With the drama between Crosby and Vegas aside, he should be a high-end defensive lineman target in IDP fantasy leagues in 2026, regardless of where he's playing, if he's healthy for the start of the 2026 season.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
February 12, 2026
The Cleveland Browns have requested an interview with Houston Texans passing-game coordinator Cory Undlin for their defensive-coordinator job, a source told Mark Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. The Browns interviewed Atlanta Falcons' defensive passing-game coordinator Mike Rutenberg for the DC job on Wednesday. Cleveland was hoping to keep Jim Schwartz as their defensive coordinator, but he resigned after being passed over for the head-coaching gig. Whoever takes over the Browns' offense will have plenty to work with, namely Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett. The 54-year-old Undlin has been in Houston since 2023 after following head coach DeMeco Ryans from San Francisco. He worked under Schwartz with the Eagles from 2016 to 2019 as a defensive backs coach and also worked on the Jaguars' staff alongside new Browns head coach Todd Monken from 2009 to 2010.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Cleveland Plain Dealer - Mary Kay Cabot
February 12, 2026
The Las Vegas Raiders are hiring former Tennessee Titans interim head coach Mike McCoy as their assistant head coach, sources told Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. The 53-year-old spent four years as the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers and will be an experienced addition to first-time head coach Klint Kubiak's staff in 2026. McCoy went 27-37 in his time with the Chargers before serving as an offensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos in 2017 and the Arizona Cardinals in 2018. He then was the Jacksonville Jaguars' quarterbacks coach for three seasons before he was hired by the Titans last year as a senior offensive assistant. McCoy will be Kubiak's right-hand man next season and will also have input on the offense, although Kubiak plans to call the plays. He will also help in the development of Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who is expected to be the first overall pick in this year's NFL Draft.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
February 12, 2026
New England Patriots wide receiver
Kyle Williams flew under the radar for most of his rookie season, catching just 10 passes for 209 yards and three touchdowns. Williams' underproduction wasn't necessarily due to a lack of talent, as the third-round pick has made big plays throughout his college career and early in his NFL career. Rather, he was buried on the depth chart behind players like
Stefon Diggs,
Kayshon Boutte,
Mack Hollins, and even
DeMario Douglas. New England doesn't have any impending free agent wide receivers, but Williams still has the potential to climb up the depth chart entering his second season. Year 2 is a common time for young receivers to make a major leap, so we wouldn't be surprised if Williams contributes at a much higher rate in 2026. It's a bit too early to invest in the Washington State product in redraft leagues, but he's a solid, affordable dynasty buy heading into the offseason.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 12, 2026
San Francisco 49ers running back
Brian Robinson Jr. spent all of 2025 as the handcuff behind
Christian McCaffrey. Now, he'll hit free agency with an opportunity to find a larger role elsewhere. We can't rule out a return to San Francisco, but given that Robinson is a three-time 700-yard rusher, he'll presumably get offers from teams looking to make him their 1B running back, rather than a true backup. Robinson's lone season on the West Coast resulted in a modest 400 rushing yards, 25 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. From a fantasy perspective, his 2026 outlook will heavily depend on where he ends up. He was a top-30 fantasy running back with the Commanders in both 2023 and 2024, so he could get back onto the weekly flex radar if he splits touches with another running back in an average or above-average offense.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 12, 2026
Kansas City Chiefs running back
Kareem Hunt has enjoyed a career resurgence over his last two years with the team. In 2025, he appeared in all 17 games, rushing for 611 yards and eight touchdowns while sharing the backfield with
Isiah Pacheco. The veteran running back also added 143 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown, and he finished the year as the overall RB31 in full-PPR leagues. Hunt now has 1,658 scrimmage yards over his last two seasons, as well as a whopping 25 touchdowns over his last three seasons. Hunt, an impending free agent, will be 31 years old when the 2026 season gets underway. His efficiency has tailed off, and he's no longer a workhorse back. However, he has shown that he can continue to be a scoring threat while contributing as both a ball-carrier and a pass-catcher. We wouldn't be surprised to see Hunt re-sign with the Chiefs, but no matter where he ends up, he could sneak into the top 36 running backs for fantasy football drafts. His dynasty outlook isn't quite as favorable, though, as he's definitely in the final stages of his career.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 12, 2026
Tennessee Titans wide receiver
Elic Ayomanor had a solid season for a fourth-round pick. By the end of the year, he had established himself as a top Titans pass-catcher along with
Chimere Dike. Ayomanor and Dike, both rookies, stepped into larger roles after
Calvin Ridley (leg) broke his fibula mid-season. The former caught 41 passes for 515 yards and four touchdowns across 16 games (14 starts). He ultimately ranked as the overall WR52 in full-PPR scoring, but he finished the year on a hot streak with 10 catches, 145 yards, and one touchdown over his final three games. It was encouraging to see Ayomanor flash upside, especially given how poorly the Titans' offense performed in 2025. If the unit (and specifically quarterback
Cameron Ward) can take a step forward next year, Ayomanor could become a weekly fantasy option. He'll face some competition, though. In addition to Dike, the Titans will likely welcome back Ridley, and they could also draft a receiver.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 12, 2026
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver
Tre' Harris struggled to produce in his depth role as a rookie. Typically fourth on the depth chart, he finished the year with 30 catches, 324 yards, and one touchdown. However, he should have more opportunities during the 2026 season. For starters,
Keenan Allen is a free agent, and all signs point to him playing elsewhere next year (or retiring). Not only will Allen's impending departure bump Harris up to third on the depth chart, but the Ole Miss product should also take over a lot of the veteran's vacated targets. In addition to stepping into a larger role, Harris could be auditioning for an eventual jump to the No. 2 receiver role behind
Ladd McConkey. Current No. 2 receiver
Quentin Johnston has a fifth-year option for 2027. If the Chargers choose to decline that option, Johnston will play out his final year under contract while the coaching staff evaluates whether Harris is capable of filling his role in 2027. That's still a while down the road, but in the short term, managers should expect Harris to take a significant leap in 2026. He's a strong dynasty hold, and he'll generate some late-round appeal in redraft leagues.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 12, 2026
Minnesota Vikings tight end
T.J. Hockenson had an underwhelming season as the team endured poor quarterback play and inconsistency at the position. Hockenson played 15 games in 2025, starting all of them. He caught 51 passes for 438 yards and three touchdowns, posting the lowest receiving yards total and fantasy points per game mark since he was a rookie. He ultimately finished as the overall TE26 in full-PPR leagues. Although it's fair to blame the trio of
J.J. McCarthy,
Carson Wentz, and
Max Brosmer for Hockenson's frustrating year, that doesn't mean he'll magically bounce back in 2026. McCarthy is due back as the Vikings' quarterback next season. Interestingly, Hockenson also struggled with
Sam Darnold as his quarterback in 2024, so he really hasn't been a trustworthy fantasy tight end since
Kirk Cousins quarterbacked the Vikings in 2023. Hockenson is under contract for two more years, but the Vikings have a potential out this offseason. If Minnesota releases Hockenson post-June 1, they would create $15.96 million in cap space while taking on $5.34 million in dead money. It certainly wouldn't hurt the Vikings to keep the veteran tight end to help support McCarthy's development, but we also wouldn't be surprised to see the team's next general manager capitalize on this opportunity to create cap space.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 12, 2026
Detroit Lions wide receiver
Isaac TeSlaa got off to a slow start in 2025, but he seemed to turn a corner near the end of the regular season. Over the final three weeks of the season, he caught eight of 12 targets for 119 yards and two touchdowns, ranking as the overall WR17 in half-PPR leagues during that span. It was an encouraging end to his rookie campaign, and while anything could happen during the upcoming offseason, it seems like he's trending toward being the Lions' established No. 3 receiver in 2026. If TeSlaa remains the third receiver behind
Amon-Ra St. Brown and
Jameson Williams, he could have occasional WR3/flex appeal while also being an appealing injury handcuff. Managers in dynasty leagues should hold TeSlaa for now, but there could be an opportunity to buy low before free agency gets underway.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 12, 2026
Washington Commanders wide receiver
Deebo Samuel Sr. continued to deliver decent contributions in the passing game last season, which was his first with the team. He finished the year with 72 catches, 727 receiving yards, and five receiving touchdowns, his highest marks in those categories since 2021. He also rushed for 75 yards and an additional touchdown on the ground. Although it was a good but not great year by Samuel's standards, he still finished as the overall WR25 in full-PPR leagues, cementing himself as a low-end WR2 or high-end WR3/flex on a weekly basis. Samuel restructured his contract with the Commanders to become a free agent this offseason, so he'll hit the open market in March. A return to Washington seems possible, but he'll presumably explore all of his options before putting pen to paper. Samuel fits best on a team with an established No. 1 wide receiver, so that he can operate as the No. 2 receiver with contributions as a gadget-type player behind the line of scrimmage or in the short-to-medium passing game. His 2026 fantasy outlook will depend on his landing spot and his eventual quarterback pairing, but for now, we'd expect him to remain a top-30 fantasy receiver.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
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