Hey Team 👋

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. 

Anticipation is building, fantasy drafts are actively being scheduled and the NFL preseason is now officially underway. To be honest, fantasy football kind of crept up on me this year, and suddenly it’s crunch time.

Before we start digging for those late-round sleepers and waiver-wire gems, we have to answer the important questions: Who am I taking in the first round? If I reach for a QB, who am I taking? And which players could see their fantasy value change after a trade, new team or new coaching staff?

Here are my top five at each position heading into the 2026 season.

Letter Rip!

< NFL >

The First-Round Files📁

Quarterback

1. Josh Allen: Who else? After years of proven production, both through the air and on the ground, Allen has established himself as one of the safest fantasy bets in football. Now, he gets another weapon in D.J. Moore, adding some much-needed help to a previously questionable receiving corps. More weapons for Allen? Good luck to the rest of us.

2. Lamar Jackson: Another no-brainer. Jackson's rushing ability gives him an enormous weekly floor, while his efficiency as a passer keeps the ceiling sky-high. At this point, the biggest question has nothing to do with Jackson’s ability to produce. It's whether he can stay healthy for a full season.

3. Jayden Daniels: The ceiling is enormous. While Daniels doesn’t exactly have the years of experience that Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson do, he's already shown exactly why he belongs in the conversation. He has everything fantasy managers want: a cannon for an arm, huge playmaking ability and a legitimate rushing upside. 

4. Joe Burrow: If he’s healthy, watch out. Like Lamar Jackson, Burrow’s fantasy concerns have nothing to do with his talent. The key for Burrow is staying healthy behind an incredibly weak offensive line. After missing nearly all of last season, Burrow enters 2026 with a chip on his shoulder, plenty to prove and an opportunity to return to the explosive form we saw in 2024.

5. Drake Maye: The breakout pick. Last season, Mate established himself as a breakout fantasy QB, and I love his chances to ride that same momentum this year. His mobility gives him a valuable rushing floor, and another year in the offense should further unlock his passing talent that made him such an explosive playmaker last year.

Running Back

1. Bijan Robinson: The clear RB1. And in my eyes, the clear No. 1 overall pick. He’s coming off a massive season and has the total package for a fantasy RB: volume, receiving ability and explosive-play potential.

2. Jahmyr Gibbs: Another no-brainer. Gibbs has already established himself as an integral and explosive player in Detroit’s offense, and now, with David Montgomery gone, the path to even more work is wide open. More carries, more goal-line opportunities and the same receiving role? Sign me up.

3. Jonathan Taylor: Just keep feeding him. Taylor had some monster performances last season and consistently delivered the kind of combination fantasy managers dream about: rushing volume, touchdowns and enough receiving work to pile up plenty of points. With the Colts expected to continue leaning on him, there's no reason to expect that formula to change.

4. Christian McCaffrey: Yes, he’s still the same CMC. Is CMC an injury risk? Absolutely. Is he also still one of the best PPR running backs in football when he's healthy? Same answer. It’s simple: He catches, he runs, he scores. If McCaffrey can stay on the field, his ceiling is still as high as anyone's.

5. James Cook: Let him cook. Cook quietly put together one of the league's best seasons and enters 2026 with the expectation to be a major part of Buffalo's offense. His rushing efficiency and scoring potential make him a strong bet for another top-five fantasy finish.

Wide Receiver

1. Ja’Marr Chase: News Flash: He’s still the gold standard. Chase gets targets, makes big plays and somehow keeps finding ways to produce, even when the quarterback situation around him isn't ideal. He averaged more than 100 receiving yards per game last season without Joe Burrow for most of it. Now Burrow is back. Good luck to anyone who tries to stand in Chase’s way.

2. Puka Nacua: Target magnet. Speaking of target volume, Nacua is up there with the best of them. He's become an integral part of the Rams' offense and has the talent to put together another monster season. The only concern is health, especially after his most recent groin injury during training camp. Fortunately, early reports indicate it's minor.

3. Jaxon Smith-Njigba: The breakout is already here. JSN had a massive season last year, becoming the centerpiece of Seattle’s passing game. His combination of target volume and yards-after-catch ability make him a great fantasy WR1, and his chemistry with Sam Darnold only adds to the appeal.

4. Amon-Ra St. Brown: Boring? Maybe. Reliable? Absolutely. Listen, he’s not the flashiest name on the board, but he’s as consistent and dependable as they come. His reception volume is insane, he rarely disappears to the sideline and last year, he started tacking on touchdowns too. Plus, he’s in one of the most productive offenses in the NFL. 

5. Justin Jefferson: The change we’ve all been waiting for. Jefferson has dealt with more quarterback turnover than any superstar receiver should have to, yet he's continued to produce. Now that Kyler Murray has officially been named Minnesota’s starting QB, JJeff’s expectations skyrocket. Having a veteran throwing to him could be the difference-maker he and the Vikings have been waiting for.

Tight End

1. Brock Bowers: I’ll take Bowers, but this one was close. Although Bowers only played 12 games last season, he’s already established himself as one of the NFL's most dangerous receiving tight ends. The scary part? He still has plenty of room for growth. His combination of target volume, explosiveness and big-play ability gives him an edge over the rest of the position.

2. Trey McBride: I know, you think he should be No. 1. And I get it. After last season, he seems like the clear choice. He’s one of the safest tight ends in the league because he gets insane volume, stays healthy and isn’t touchdown dependent. Although, like Amon-Ra St. Brown, he started adding more scores to his repertoire last season. But his chemistry with Kyler Murray was undeniable, and it’s hard to choose him as the clear No. 1 with Jacoby Brissett at QB. Still, McBride has proven he can make plays regardless of the situation around him.

3. Colston Loveland: The next big thing at TE? Loveland wasn't exactly on everyone's fantasy bingo card this time last year, but he quickly showed why he should’ve been. His volume was impressive, he stayed healthy and he enters the season with continuity at quarterback. This year, he looks to build on his progress and could end up being the league’s next breakout tight end.

4. Tyler Warren: The sequel could be even better. Warren had a strong rookie season and has the talent to take another step in Year 2. His target volume gives him a solid fantasy floor, while his playmaking ability provides plenty of upside. Like Loveland, he also retains his solid foundation with Daniel Jones. 

5. Harold Fannin Jr.: The wildcard. Fannin Jr. enters this season with plenty of questions in terms of his QB situation. The one thing we don’t have to question, however, is his potential. Fannin has already shown his talent with Shedeur Sanders, but Sanders is locked in a QB battle with DeShaun Watson in Cleveland. Watson isn’t exactly known for targeting tight ends, but he also doesn’t have many other weapons to look to, giving Fannin Jr. a massive edge in terms of volume.