Predicting Fantasy Football Winners and Losers From the 2026 NFL Draft

April 22, 2026

Quincy Milton III predicts fantasy football winners and losers from the 2026 NFL Draft. Whose stock could be up and whose could be down for fantasy football?

The NFL Draft is merely away. The dreams of hundreds of college players are set to come true. The dreams of fantasy managers may also come true. However, they may also be completely shattered.

The NFL Draft brings a lot of excitement as we welcome the newest wave of talent into the league. Sometimes players land in a fantastic spot that allows them to produce quickly. At other times, players land in spots that may fit the team but could change the dynamic of production all around.

As such, there are inevitable winners and losers in each draft. We just have to wait and see what happens. By anticipating needs and potential moves by each team, we can make some predictions as to who might fall into each category. Let's dive in and explore this year's potential NFL Draft winners and losers.

Winner: Chris Olave

Sometimes additions at the same position can be a good thing. Chris Olave has been a victim of constant defensive attention during his time in New Orleans. The team has not had a consistent producer opposite Olave in the receiving corps. It is likely to make an adjustment in the draft.

One could make the case that adding another talented wide receiver could hurt Olave moving forward. However, Olave is not a prototypical No. 1 wide receiver, nor has he ever produced like one on a consistent basis. As such, adding a legitimate playmaker opposite Olave could alleviate some pressure.

Tyler Shough 63-yard completion to Chris Olave!

NOvsTEN on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/OlVRsH6aHF

— NFL (@NFL) December 28, 2025

My confidence lies in head coach Kellen Moore. Moore runs a high-paced offense that can support multiple wide receivers in fantasy. In 2024 in Philadelphia, which has had one of the lowest pass rates in the league in recent years, Moore ran an offense that produced solid seasons from both DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown.

With quarterback Tyler Shough displaying a lot of promise in 2025 and Moore running an offense that produces a lot of volume, Olave should be just fine with the addition of another wide receiver. His overall volume may dip, but his efficiency could increase.

Loser: Garrett Wilson

The Jets are entering the draft with a stable of selections. Unfortunately, it's the Jets, and we know they stand to butcher some of their picks.

In the case of Garrett Wilson, we know that the Jets are not in a position to draft a difference-making quarterback to bolster his production. What's worse, the Jets are heavily linked to several of the first-round wide receivers in this year's draft.

Wilson is set to catch passes from Geno Smith this season. Smith was not exactly any sort of good during his lone season in Las Vegas in 2025. Additionally, adding high-end wide receiver talent to this roster will detract from Wilson's targets.

Fewer targets and invaluable targets lead to a recipe for mediocrity. We will have to wait and see what happens, but Wilson does not seem like a player who stands to benefit from this year's draft.

Winner: Patrick Mahomes

At some point, the Chiefs are going to win the draft for Patrick Mahomes, right? Right? The Chiefs have taken plenty of swings at the wide receiver position in recent drafts. Skyy Moore, Xavier Worthy, and Rashee Rice have not exactly filled the void left by the departure of Tyreek Hill in 2021.

The Chiefs absolutely need to nail at least one difference-making playmaker selection in this draft. If we know this, then there is no doubt Kansas City is also well aware.

Patrick Mahomes takes it in himself!

LACvsKC on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/cbff3QXYCC

— NFL (@NFL) December 14, 2025

Kansas City has been consistently mocked to tight end Kenyon Sadiq in the first round. He is an athletic freak who could have a field day in an Andy Reid-led offense. Sadiq would be an exciting pick, but one who needs development. Kansas City will also likely have its pick of one of wide receivers Makai Lemon, Carnell Tate, or Jordyn Tyson at No. 9.

This draft is rich with wide receiver talent, so the Chiefs may be able to do some bargain shopping as well. Either way, Kansas City needs to get its quarterback some help.

Loser: Zach Charbonnet

Zach Charbonnet is already coming off a massive ACL injury suffered toward the end of the 2025 season. If he is ready for the beginning of the 2026 season, Charbonnet is unlikely to be at full strength until the second half of the season.

The Seahawks let fellow running back Kenneth Walker III walk in free agency. They simply cannot leave this draft without a running back. So much of this team's passing game predicates itself on a great running game. George Holani and Emanuel Wilson are both quality players, but they are not enough.

Seattle seems poised to strike on a running back at the end of the second round, depending on how the board falls. It may very well have its pick of every back not named Jeremiyah Love, given the weaker running back draft class this year.

Winner: Seattle's Rookie Running Back

Conversely to Charbonnet's situation, whoever Seattle brings in to bolster its backfield will be a massive beneficiary. Seattle has a quality offensive line, a great scheme, and playmakers everywhere to help open up running lanes.

Thus far, likely potential selections include Jadarian Price, Mike Washington Jr., or Nicholas Singleton. Washington profiles as a true three-down workhorse. His speed and size combination would be a sight to see in Seattle.

Whoever Seattle selects will likely instantly jump up the dynasty rankings as well. Not only is Charbonnet coming off a major injury, but he is also in a contract year. Seattle is going to want to employ multiple backs, but a rookie in 2026 would have a chance to stake a long-term claim on this backfield.

Loser: Rachaad White

Rachaad White gave us a couple of nice seasons with the Buccaneers, but it would appear that those days are behind him. He signed with the Commanders this offseason and is likely to be in a committee this year at minimum.

I predict that the Commanders will draft Love at No. 7. If that were to be the case, White would be relegated to full-on backup running back status. Even if the Commanders do not select Love, they are another team that needs to address the position in this draft. White is going to have further competition.

What may keep White afloat for at least part of the season is his pass-catching ability and experience. He can bring a lot to the table, even if he is not an explosive player. Even so, we have already watched White drift into the background over the last couple of years with Bucky Irving taking over in Tampa Bay.

Winner: Cam Skattebo

The section on White is a lead-in to my confidence in Skattebo. While many draft pundits are mocking Love to the Giants, it feels like that would be a serious misallocation of assets.

For starters, the Giants could use help in the defensive secondary and at wide receiver. They already have Skattebo on the roster to go along with Devin Singletary and Tyrone Tracy Jr. The latter two players will do just fine at holding down the fort while Skattebo ramps up from his 2025 ankle injury.

Look at Cam Skattebo on this pass block 😳@camskattebo5 | @Giants pic.twitter.com/kSQC66MwCF

— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2025

If there is no significant investment at the position, Skattebo should have every chance to reclaim his spot at the top of this depth chart. The new regime will have to fall in love with him, but what is there not to fall in love with this guy?

Winner: Malik Willis

After jettisoning a good chunk of its playmakers, Miami will have to upgrade for incoming quarterback Malik Willis. With pick No. 11, the Dolphins seem likely to do just that. One of Tate, Tyson, or Lemon should be available in this range.

Willis will need a true go-to wide receiver in this offense. Whoever this team drafts will likely be peppered with consistent targets. While this offense will certainly run through the running game, Willis will stand no chance of success without at least one high-end playmaker outside of running back De'Von Achane.

Proudly in the Malik Willis fan club pic.twitter.com/HJeJDZ9W79

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) December 29, 2025

Fantasy production for Willis will flow through his ability to run the football, but quarterbacks need some level of passing production to deliver solid fantasy output. The Dolphins may not stop adding playmakers in Round 1, either. Willis should leave next week a happy man.

More Fantasy Football Analysis