Fantasy football is basically a game of who can guess the future without looking like an idiot. If you’ve spent any time on Rotoworld lately, you know the nbc fantasy football rankings are already pivoting toward 2026. It’s wild. We haven't even crowned a Super Bowl champ for the 2025 season yet, and Matthew Berry is already out here dropping a "Way, Way, Way Too Early" Top 50 list.
You’ve probably noticed the vibe is different this year. The "old guard" of legendary RBs is fading. Christian McCaffrey is still up there, sure, but he’s not the consensus 1.01 anymore. People are actually debating whether a guy like Bijan Robinson or Jahmyr Gibbs should take the throne. Honestly, it’s about time.
The New Hierarchy in NBC Fantasy Football Rankings
NBC’s lead analyst, Matthew Berry, recently shook things up by putting Bijan Robinson at the very top of his 2026 board. It’s a bold move considering how much we all obsessed over CMC for the last half-decade. But when you look at the workload and the age cliff, it starts to make sense.
The list isn't just a copy-paste of last year's stats. It's a projection of volume.
- Bijan Robinson (RB, ATL): The undisputed king of the 2026 rankings right now.
- Jahmyr Gibbs (RB, DET): The explosion potential is just too high to ignore.
- Puka Nacua (WR, LAR): Berry has him as the WR1. Ahead of CeeDee. Ahead of JJ.
- Ja’Marr Chase (WR, CIN): Still a monster, especially with a healthy Burrow.
- Jonathan Taylor (RB, IND): Making a massive resurgence in the top five.
It’s weird seeing Justin Jefferson down at 17, right? That’s the kind of stuff that gets people fired up in the comments. But the NBC crew—including guys like Patrick Daugherty (RotoPat) and Lawrence Jackson—are looking at quarterback stability. If the QB situation is a mess, the ranking takes a hit. Simple as that.
👉 See also: Why the 2025 NFL Draft Class is a Total Headache for Scouts
Why Puka Nacua is Climbing the Board
You might think WR1 for Puka is a reach. I get it. But the NBC experts are obsessed with his target share in that Rams offense. Even with Cooper Kupp still hanging around (and currently being linked to the Seahawks in some trade rumors), Puka is the engine.
Matthew Berry recently noted that if you have the 1.01 in a PPR league, you shouldn't shy away from Nacua. That’s a massive endorsement. It signals a shift away from the "Running Back or Bust" mentality that dominated the early 2000s.
The Rookies Taking Over the Top 50
If you aren't paying attention to the 2026 rookie class, you’re already behind. The nbc fantasy football rankings are peppered with names that most casual fans haven't even scouted yet.
Ashton Jeanty is currently sitting at 19th overall. He’s projected to land with the Raiders. Then you’ve got Omarion Hampton at 21 (projected to the Chargers) and Tetairoa McMillan at 31. This isn't just guesswork; it's based on draft capital and team fit.
✨ Don't miss: Liverpool FC Chelsea FC: Why This Grudge Match Still Hits Different
- Ashton Jeanty: Potential workhorse in Las Vegas.
- Omarion Hampton: Jim Harbaugh loves to run the ball. This is a match made in fantasy heaven.
- TreVeyon Henderson: Currently ranked at 30, likely headed to the Patriots.
It’s a lot to process. Most people wait until August to care about this stuff, but the sharpest players are looking at these NBC mocks in January.
What Most People Get Wrong About Rotoworld Rankings
The biggest mistake you can make is treating these rankings like a static list. They aren't. Denny Carter and Kyle Dvorchak are constantly tweaking these based on coaching changes.
Take the New York Giants, for example. The news just broke that they're expected to hire John Harbaugh. That changes everything for Malik Nabers. A Harbaugh-led team is going to prioritize "stability" and probably a more traditional offensive flow. Does that help Nabers? The NBC guys think so—he's currently sitting at WR7 for next year.
Also, don't sleep on the "Peacocky Awards." It sounds silly, but it’s where the NBC crew highlights the breakout players like Jaxon Smith-Njigba. JSN is currently ranked 8th overall for 2026. That’s a huge jump from where he was a year ago.
🔗 Read more: NFL Football Teams in Order: Why Most Fans Get the Hierarchy Wrong
The Injury Factor
We have to talk about the "Knee Club." Patrick Mahomes is recovering from ACL/LCL tears. George Kittle just had Achilles surgery. These are the details that make the NBC rankings so reliable—they actually account for the medical updates provided by guys like Dr. Neal ElAttrache.
Mahomes is currently ranked as the QB1 by some, but others are moving Josh Allen or even Drake Maye (who is rising fast at QB2) ahead of him. If Mahomes isn't 100% by training camp, his spot in the Top 50 will crater.
Actionable Strategy for Your 2026 Draft
If you want to actually win your league instead of just "competing," you need to stop drafting for floor. Draft for ceiling. The NBC rankings reflect this. They’d rather take a swing on a guy like De’Von Achane (Rank 6) than a safe veteran who will give you 10 points and zero excitement.
Start tracking these shifts now:
Check the NBC Sports Rotoworld feed every Tuesday. That’s usually when the big "Happy Hour" updates happen. Pay attention to the "Shy Away" list—it’s often more important than the Top 10. If the experts are telling you to avoid a big name like Breece Hall (who is currently sliding down to Rank 42), listen to them. There's usually a reason involving offensive line regression or coaching philosophy.
Keep an eye on the landing spots for the "Big Three" rookie RBs. If Jeanty or Hampton land in a zone-blocking scheme with a high-volume play-caller, they are instant first-round picks in dynasty and high-end second-rounders in redraft.
Move your focus to the 2026 NFL Draft in April. The moment those jerseys are handed out, the nbc fantasy football rankings will undergo their biggest transformation of the year. That's when you strike.