Josh Allen is still the king. It feels like we’ve been saying that for a decade, but looking at the final 2025 numbers, the dude just doesn’t miss. If you had the first overall pick in your draft last August and didn’t take him, you probably spent the rest of the season chasing your tail.
Fantasy football is weird now. The 2025 season just wrapped up, and the landscape for 2026 looks nothing like it did two years ago. We’ve got rookies like Drake Maye and Bo Nix puting up numbers that would’ve made peak Drew Brees blush. Honestly, if you aren't paying attention to the shift in how the quarterback position is being played, you're gonna get smoked in your 2026 drafts.
The best fantasy football players you actually need to care about
Let’s talk about Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a second. Most people thought he was just a "good" WR2. Then 2025 happened. He finished the season as a top-three wideout in almost every PPR format. It wasn't just volume; it was the way Seattle used him in the red zone. He became the safety blanket that every fantasy manager dreams of.
Then there's the Trevor Lawrence situation. People gave up on him. Called him a bust. Then Liam Coen showed up in Jacksonville and basically turned him into a top-five fantasy asset. Lawrence finished as the QB4 in total scoring for 2025, averaging over 20 points per game. If you snagged him in the middle rounds, you won your league.
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Why the "Safe" picks are getting dangerous
Christian McCaffrey is still a legend, but the red flags are everywhere now. He played four games in 2025. Four. Between the Achilles tendinitis in both feet and the general wear and tear, taking him in the top five for 2026 feels like gambling with your rent money.
Compare that to Bijan Robinson. Bijan is 24. He’s just hitting his physical prime, and even while splitting touches in Atlanta, he finished as the RB2 last year. He's the new blueprint. You want the guys who are young, explosive, and—most importantly—not currently residing in the training room.
- Jahmyr Gibbs: Most efficient player at the position, point-blank.
- Puka Nacua: Still a target monster, even with Davante Adams now in the Rams' lineup.
- Drake Maye: The Patriots' offense was a mess, yet he still finished as a top-five QB. Imagine if they actually give him a tackle who can block.
The sleepers that will define 2026
You've gotta look at Tyler Shough in New Orleans. The Saints won four of their last five games because Shough finally clicked. He averaged 20 fantasy points per game down the stretch. He’s going to be the "I told you so" player of 2026.
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And don't sleep on the running back migrations. Tyler Allgeier is likely hitting free agency. If he lands in Dallas or with the Chargers, his value triples overnight. He’s a lead back trapped in a backup’s role right now.
Honesty time: the 2026 draft class for quarterbacks looks pretty thin. That means the "rushing floor" guys are more valuable than ever. If you can get a guy who runs for 50 yards a game, he doesn't even need to be a good real-life passer to be one of the best fantasy football players on your roster. That's why Jalen Hurts and Anthony Richardson (if he can stay on the field) still command such high prices.
How to actually win your 2026 league
Stop drafting for "name recognition."
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Derrick Henry is 31. He’s still a beast, but the cliff is coming. It always does. Instead, look at the guys like Ollie Gordon in Miami or RJ Harvey in Denver. These are the players who are going to see 15+ touches a game in high-scoring offenses.
The biggest mistake I see? People overvaluing "consistency" over "ceiling."
In the modern game, you need the 30-point outbursts. You need the Drake Maye 3-touchdown games. You need the Jaxon Smith-Njigba 12-reception afternoons. Playing it safe gets you a third-place trophy and a "good job" text from your brother-in-law.
Actionable Strategy for the 2026 Offseason
- Monitor the coaching carousel: Trevor Lawrence's jump wasn't a fluke; it was Liam Coen. Watch where the top offensive coordinators land this February.
- Fade the "Old Guard": Unless they fall two rounds past their ADP, let someone else deal with the injury headaches of the 30+ club.
- Target the "Year 2" Jump: Players like Bo Nix and Caleb Williams now have a full year of NFL tape to study. Historically, this is where the massive value leaps happen.
- Value the "Handcuff Plus": Brian Robinson in San Francisco is the perfect example. He’s the direct backup to McCaffrey, but he’s talented enough to produce even when CMC is healthy.
The 2025 season proved that the old rules don't apply. Quarterbacks are scoring more with their legs, and wide receivers are becoming the focal point of every offense. If you want to find the best fantasy football players for your 2026 run, look at the data, ignore the "expert" hype from three years ago, and bet on the young guys with the high-volume roles.