Mon Feb 16 4:43pm ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Breece Hall will be sought after
It his hard to believe, but we are nearing the start of free agency (March 11). And there are a lot of notable free agents this year. We thought it might be a good idea to preview each position and look at the top fantasy prospects available. This should be an interesting offseason with plenty of twists and turns. Stay tuned.
QUARTERBACKS
Daniel Jones. It would be a surprise if Jones didn’t re-sign with the Colts. He was having his best season to date last year before getting hurt. He has a long road back from a torn Achilles’ but should be ready at some point.
Malik Willis. Willis might be the most intriguing free agent quarterback. He has looked really good with limited chances the last few seasons in Green Bay. He had a rough start to his career in Tennessee but is plenty of young enough to get it going. You could see the Dolphins or Jets making a run at Willis, giving him a chance a start. Willis has a chance to be a real impact fantasy player next season.
RUNNING BACKS
Travis Etienne. You would expect the Jaguars to make a play to re-sign Etienne after a strong season under the new coaching staff. But nothing is certain with the way the Jaguars are thinking. They might not want to give Etienne a big contract and go with Bhayshul Tuten as their lead back. Etienne should have some suitors if that is the case but might not get the volume he would have had if he stayed with the Jaguars.
Javonte Williams. Williams had his best season to date with the Cowboys. Dallas seems to really like him as their lead back and are likely to keep him on their roster. And if Williams stays with the Cowboys, this is great news for his fantasy value. Williams was 12th overall in fantasy running backs scoring.
Breece Hall. The Jets want to keep Hall and could end up franchise tagging him but you have to wonder if Hall wants to return to the team after last year. He might want to move on to greener pastures. And a move to a different team could bring a boost to his fantasy value. For fantasy purposes, it would be great to see him land with the Chiefs, finally giving them a dependable No. 1 back. It could happen.
Kenneth Walker. Walker was the MVP of the Super Bowl and had a great run in the playoffs, so he picked a good time to play his best football. Walker seems to really want to return to Seattle but money talks and he could take advantage of his chance in free agency to cash out. You could see a team overpaying for Walker in free agency. And a move to a new team could actually help his fantasy value, getting more chances than he does in the Seahawks backfield.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Deebo Samuel. Samuel had a solid first season with the Commanders and could return if the price is right. He isn’t getting any younger, though, and might want a longer term deal. This could lead to a change of scenery for him to go to a receiver needy team. You could see a team throwing some money at him to serve as an upgrade at the No. 2 receiver spot. We wouldn’t see his fantasy value changing a whole lot.
Mike Evans. Evans had an injury plagued season but wants to keep playing at age 32. He is expected to move onto another team, though, with the Bucs have some young receivers looking for more playing time. It makes sense for both sides. Evans could be a good fit for a team like the Patriots or Bills, giving them a dependable, veteran receiver. A move to a new team would not be all bad for Evans.
Jauan Jennings. Jennings is a little intriguing. He showed some flashes of good things in a starting role for the 49ers. He could get a chance to serve as a starter from day one on a new team. There are plenty of teams looking for receiver help, so look for Jennings to get a chance to play a big role in 2026.
Rashid Shaheed. Shaheed has never been a big-time starter but might get that chance next season. There is likely a team to spend big on him to be a big-play threat in their offense. He is another intriguing player to watch this offseason. The right fit could yield career-best fantasy numbers.
Wan’Dale Robinson. Robinson is another player that picked a good time to have a career season. The Giants would like to retain him because they are thin at the position, but there are already rumors of him going to Tennessee to reunite with with Brian Daboll. This would be a good spot for Robinson to land, racking up some receptions in that offense.
George Pickens. Pickens is the top free agent receiver. The Cowboys are likely to franchise tag him, which won’t make him happy. Pickens is going to draw some big suitors but the Cowboys likely won’t let him get away.
Alec Pierce. Kind of like Malik Willis at quarterback, Pierce might be the most intriguing fantasy receiver in free agency. He has shown flashes of big things but never been featured as a No. 1 receiver. That could change with a move to a new team, which seems likely. He should get a big boost to his fantasy value. It would be great to see him land with a team like the Patriots.
Romeo Doubs. Doubs gets overlooked at time but has been very productive in Green Bay. He has a lot to compete with for targets in Green Bay, so a move to a new team could give him some added fantasy value. He might have more of a featured role as a No. 1 or 2 receiver.
Tyreek Hill. Hill was just released by the Dolphins and should be a hot item in free agency. Sure, he is going to turn 32 shortly and is coming off a pretty devastating injury, but Hill remains a pretty dynamic receiver and still has something left in the tank. If he lands in the right spot, he could have another big fantasy season. Maybe a reunion with the Chiefs?
TIGHT ENDS
David Njoku. Njoku is not expected to return to the Browns, having to compete with Harold Fanin for playing time at tight end. Njoku is a talented pass-catching tight end. He will have his suitors and a move to a tight-end friendly offense could be a big boost to his fantasy value.
Kyle Pitts. Pitts is another player that did well to post big numbers in their walk year. Pitts is coming off a huge season and likely going to get a lot of money in free agency. He could have his second straight big season this coming year. There are plenty of teams looking for an upgrade at tight end.
Dallas Goedert. Goedert is intriguing. He has always been erratic for the Eagles, competing with a lot for targets in a run-heavy scheme. He could see an uptick in production with a new team. He is a big-play threat capable of the big game any given week. He is one to keep an eye on.
Isaiah Likely. Likely split work with Mark Andrews in Baltimore but could get his shot as a full-time starter. He showed some promise in a starting role for the Ravens. He plays more like a receiver than a tight end at times. Likely has some real fantasy potential as a No. 1 tight end.
Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.
ESPN's Nick Wagnoer writes that running back Jordan James is the most likely to win the RB2 spot for the San Francisco 49ers in 2026 behind All-Pro Christian McCaffrey. James, a fifth-round pick last year, dealt with knee and finger injuries in training camp last summer and was active for only the final three games of the regular season and two playoff contests in his first year in the NFL. In the postseason loss to the Seattle Seahawks, James got some action in garbage time and had six carries for 28 yards and added one reception for seven yards. "[He] came on really strong at the end of last year, but he missed so much in the beginning," head coach Kyle Shanahan said. "He kind of just missed his window to pass some other people up. I wish I would have got him on the field more than I did. He needs to take that next step." With Brian Robinson Jr. now in Atlanta, James, Isaac Guerendo, and rookie Kaelon Black will compete for backup duties. The Niners are reportedly looking to reduce CMC's overall workload, so James could be a highly sought-after handcuff in fantasy football this fall. Guerendo didn't log a single snap on offense in 2025, so James should have the upper hand over him and Black. At RotoBaller, James is ranked as the No. 56 RB for 2026 fantasy leagues.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry continues to ignore Father Time and remains a top option at his position. Over the last four seasons, Henry has finished as a top-8 RB or higher every season. Last season, Henry rushed for 1,595 yards with 16 touchdowns across 17 games with the Ravens. His stats took a slight decrease, but not enough to alarm fantasy managers. The Ravens haven't done basically anything to improve this running back group. With that being said, Henry remains the top dog without any real competition on the roster. The assumption is that Henry is going to slightly regress due to age, but should remain the workhorse back. As long as he remains healthy, Henry should be a high-level option for the upcoming 2026 season.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey was electric during his rookie season in 2024. He finished with 82 receptions for over 1,100 receiving yards during his first year in the league. Fantasy managers thought they caught lightning in a bottle with McConkey, but he struggled to find the same kind of success last season. He fell into a sophomore slump, where he produced 66 receptions for 789 yards across 16 games. It was a significant drop in production for McConkey, but his value could be on the rise again. The Chargers have a new play-caller in Mike McDaniel, who should help improve this offense as a whole. The bigger news is that Keenan Allen remains unsigned right now. Assuming he doesn't return to the Chargers, McConkey should spend more time in the slot, where he's usually more reliable. A revamped offensive scheme and shift to the full-time slot role should make McConkey a solid buy-low candidate.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Flournoy was a surprisingly solid contributor this past season. It's never easy to make a consistent impact when CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens are ahead of you on the depth chart. Due to some health problems, Flournoy was pushed into a larger role at times this past season. He made the most of it with 40 receptions, 475 receiving yards, and four touchdowns across 16 games. That's a decent year for a sixth-round pick who is stuck behind two stud wideouts on the depth chart. The fact that Flournoy is the WR3 is going to limit his overall ceiling heading into the 2026 season. He's not a great redraft option, but he is an intriguing dynasty stash right now. Pickens is currently playing under the franchise tag and remains without a long-term deal. He could be gone after the season or sooner, which in theory would open up more playing time and a bigger role for Flournoy in this offense.
From RotoBaller
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jalen Nailor could be poised for a breakout season with his new organization. After spending the last four seasons in Minnesota, Nailor signed a three-year deal with the Raiders this offseason. Nailor has been stuck as the third option behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison with the Vikings. Now, Nailor is expected to be a top wide receiver alongside Tre Tucker in Las Vegas. Last season, Nailor finished with 29 receptions, 444 receiving yards, and four touchdowns in 17 games with the Vikings. His numbers should see a significant rise as he moves to the top of the depth chart with the Raiders. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect Nailor to be a superstar just because he has become a top option on the depth chart. He might be able to provide WR3 value, but that depends on his chemistry with quarterbacks Fernando Mendoza and Kirk Cousins. He's an interesting buy-low candidate in dynasty formats with the move to Las Vegas.
From RotoBaller
Quarterback Jacoby Brissett and the Arizona Cardinals are still not close to reaching an agreement on a reworked deal for the 2026 season after months of negotiating, according to Josh Weinfuss of ESPN. According to a source, the two sides are "significantly" far apart. As a result, Brissett hasn't attended any of the team's voluntary OTAs or the voluntary offseason program. His current deal pays him $4.88 million with the potential to earn $5.39 million, with just $1.5 million guaranteed. Gardner Minshew, whom the team signed in free agency in March, will be guaranteed $5.14 million in 2026. The 33-year-old had a career year in 2025 for the Cardinals after taking over for the injured Kyler Murray in Week 6, and he finished with 3,366 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in 14 games (10 starts). He was second in the NFL in passing yards from Week 6 on and fourth in completion percentage above expected. Earlier this offseason, it was reported that the Cardinals informed Brissett that he'd be the starter going into 2026, but he still wants a reworked deal to reflect his performance last year. Fantasy managers are expecting regression from Brissett in a full season as a starter in a new offense that is expected to be much more balanced under new head coach Mike LaFleur.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans second-year quarterback Cam Ward has looked noticeably slimmer during OTA practices this week, and he said he lost around 10 pounds in the offseason after weighing 219 pounds in 2025 in his first year in the NFL, according to Turron Davenport of ESPN. "I think it'll help me with durability," Ward said. "Just being faster, getting up in the pocket, and trying to play my speed. I watch my diet more, continue to have more cardio, just work on my body, just now here and when I'm away from the building." The 23-year-old was taken first overall by the Titans in last year's draft out of the University of Miami, and he was the team's starter from Day 1. He ultimately struggled in his first NFL campaign, completing 59.8% of his passes for 3,169 yards, 15 touchdowns, and seven interceptions to finish as the QB22 in fantasy scoring. Ward also focused on strengthening his right shoulder after injuring it in the regular-season finale in January. He is perfectly healthy now and has looked good throwing the football during offseason workouts. The hope is that Ward will take a step forward in his sophomore season under new play-caller Brian Daboll with an improved supporting cast around him. Fantasy managers should target Ward as a low-end QB2 in superflex leagues with upside.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (knee) has emerged as a glaring trade target in dynasty leagues amid his recovery from last season's torn ACL. Kraft is reportedly ahead of schedule, and while it's still too early to tell if he'll be ready for Week 1, the 25-year-old said it's his goal to play in the season opener. Once Kraft gets back to 100% and is healthy enough to play in a game, he should re-establish himself as a top-five tight end in fantasy football. He was the top-scoring tight end in fantasy football from Week 1-8 last year, before he ultimately tore his ACL in Week 9. Because of his youth and productivity, Kraft is a high-end tight end in dynasty rankings, but managers can acquire him at a slight discount because of the injury. We'd encourage managers to send out trade offers now, because his price will go up as he gets closer to making his return. He currently ranks as the TE7 in RotoBaller's latest dynasty fantasy football rankings.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs running back Emmett Johnson will open his career in a depth role, but his every-down skill set makes him an intriguing handcuff in case prized free agent signing Kenneth Walker III misses any time. Johnson doesn't have game-changing speed, but he does have a proven track record as a ball-carrier and pass-catcher in the Big 10. He led the conference with 1,451 rushing yards as a redshirt junior in 2025, and he also impressed with 370 receiving yards and 15 total touchdowns. Walker is currently the Chiefs' every-down back, and Emari Demercado or Brashard Smith could rotate in as change-of-pace options. However, we question whether Demercado or Smith is capable of handling an every-down role if Walker goes down. Johnson could be better suited for that workload, making him an appealing dynasty stash at a low cost. He projects as a late second-round pick in 2026 rookie drafts.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Cedric Tillman was once viewed as a potential dynasty sleeper, but his long-term upside has deteriorated after the Browns made a variety of roster moves under new head coach Todd Monken. Most notably, the Browns drafted KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston to play alongside Jerry Jeudy, dropping Tillman to fourth (or lower) on the wide receiver depth chart. Given that no Browns receiver finished higher than WR52 last year, it's hard to envision a path to short-term or long-term fantasy relevance for Tillman if he is indeed the No. 4 receiver. It's a bit too early to drop Tillman, though, especially as there continues to be buzz about a potential trade. If Tillman is traded and gets a fresh new start somewhere else, his quarterback situation could improve and his dynasty value could rise. He ranks as the dynasty WR101 and is worth holding in most leagues.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Brenen Thompson is a very appealing name for managers in dynasty fantasy football leagues. While the Chargers have a somewhat crowded, young receiver room, there's an opportunity for Thompson to carve out a role in his rookie year and serve as a key receiving threat long-term. Thompson offers blazing speed and the ability to stretch the field for the Chargers. Head coach Jim Harbaugh compared the rookie to Tyreek Hill, which is very exciting when you consider that the Chargers' current offensive coordinator, Mike McDaniel, was Hill's head coach in Miami. We're not necessarily saying that Thompson will replicate Hill's back-to-back WR2 finishes from 2022 and 2023, but rather, we're encouraged by what seems like a real commitment to targeting Thompson downfield quite often. Even if it takes him a little while to adjust to the NFL in his rookie season, his ability to speed by defenders makes him a perfect fit for a pass-heavy system led by strong-armed quarterback Justin Herbert. Given his long-term upside as a WR3/flex or better, he's a steal at his current ranking as the WR94 in dynasty leagues. Dynasty managers are strongly encouraged to take a flier on Thompson in the late second or early third round of 2026 rookie drafts.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Devaughn Vele entered this offseason as one of the biggest sleepers in dynasty fantasy football leagues, but his long-term outlook took a hit after the NFL Draft. The draft potentially dropped Vele from second to fourth in the Saints' receiver room, as New Orleans spent a first-round pick on Jordyn Tyson and a fourth-round pick on Bryce Lance, who could be their Rashid Shaheed replacement. With that said, rookies often take a little while to acclimate to the NFL, presenting an opportunity for Vele to have some short-term value and emerge as a potential sell-high candidate. If Tyson and Lance don't start right away, Vele could spend a few weeks as quarterback Tyler Shough's No. 2 option in the passing game (behind Chris Olave). That won't last long, but a few weeks of high target shares could give managers a brief window to sell high on Vele. The 28-year-old is available to be added in 47% of leagues, so managers would be wise to add him now in a low-risk move. If he produces early in the season, he could be traded for a decent rookie pick. If not, then he can merely be dropped -- no harm, no foul.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor was playing at an elite level for most of last year, but his production took a hit after quarterback Daniel Jones (Achilles) suffered a season-ending injury. Taylor ranked as the RB1 in PPR leagues from Week 1 to Week 10, and it wasn't particularly close; he was a full 25.1 points ahead of the RB2 during that span, Christian McCaffrey, and a full 89.9 points ahead of the RB4, Jahmyr Gibbs. We could see Taylor return to that level in 2026, as Jones is projected to be healthy for Week 1. Additionally, the Colts might adopt more of a run-heavy approach in 2026 after trading away Michael Pittman Jr. The good news for Taylor is that the Colts didn't bring in any major competition, so the backfield should belong to him once again. If he can stay healthy, he projects to average 20+ touches per game. There's both short-term and long-term appeal, as Taylor is still just 27 years old and ranks as the overall RB6 in RotoBaller's latest dynasty fantasy football rankings.
From RotoBaller
The New York Giants are unsure of when wide receiver Malik Nabers will be able to return from what head coach John Harbaugh told reporters on Thursday was "not a simple knee" injury. Nabers tore the ACL in his right knee in a Week 4 win over the Chargers and underwent a second surgery, described as a cleanup procedure, in the spring of 2026. He did not participate in the team's organized practice on Thursday, and while Harbaugh went on to say that Nabers was doing his job to return as soon as possible, the optimism that he might be ready for the start of training camp seems to have faded. Nabers broke the team's single-season reception record with 109 grabs as a rookie in 2024, and while he and 2025 first-round pick Jaxson Dart were unable to get through even a single full game together, the future of the Giants' offense remains bright if Nabers can eventually return to anything resembling that record-breaking form. Still only 22 years old, Nabers is RotoBaller's dynasty WR5, though when fully healthy, he'll have a realistic chance of claiming the top spot in the rankings.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba finished as the fantasy WR2 in half-PPR formats on his way to winning the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year Award in 2025. At only 24 years old, he has climbed all the way to WR2 in RotoBaller's dynasty rankings. While it's entirely possible that 2025 could mark Smith-Njigba's fantasy peak, he is comfortably in his prime as one of the most dynamic wide receivers in the league. While he could obviously fetch a handsome return via trade, Smith-Njigba is a dynasty asset worth holding onto by any manager with even a sliver of hope for contention in the near future. The Seahawks deployed 11 personnel at the 29th-lowest rate in the league in 2025, and while offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak has since taken the top job in Las Vegas, he's been replaced by former 49ers tight ends coach Brian Fleury, who saw San Francisco rank 28th in that same category. For Smith-Njigba, this means continued usage in two, and even one-receiver sets, giving him a chance to match his 38.3% first-read target share from 2025, second only to the Rams' Puka Nacua. While only one receiver (Tyreek Hill) has turned in back-to-back top two fantasy finishes since 2018, Smith-Njigba will at least have a chance of joining that list. Even if 2025 does prove to represent his ceiling, in an environment built to see him succeed, his floor is still realistically in the WR1 range.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley turned in one of the best fantasy seasons in recent memory in 2024, topping 2,000 rushing yards while garnering MVP consideration. Even with regression all but a foregone conclusion following the 482-touch campaign, his second season in Philadelphia was still considered a disappointment, with his rushing yards and touchdowns both dropping by more than 40%, resulting in an RB14 finish. Now, at 29 years old, Barkley has fallen to RB11 in RotoBaller's dynasty rankings, making him an appealing trade candidate for contending managers. Philadelphia's new offensive coordinator, Sean Mannion, is unproven in the position, but with Kevin Patullo seeming to actively hold the team back during his one year on the job, the new-look Eagles offense has room to grow from its 24th-place finish a year ago. Philadelphia has the seventh-easiest schedule in 2026, according to win projections, offering Barkley the opportunity to regularly find himself in favorable situations. The depth chart behind him remains largely unchanged, and even while his raw volume was down in 2025, he still handled 76% of the team's running back touches. Barkley has never finished outside the top 15 at the position while missing fewer than four games, a sample size of six different seasons, so to get him priced near his floor now makes him a smart short-term trade target still capable of delivering multiple RB1 finishes.
From RotoBaller
Linebacker Jack Campbell and the Detroit Lions have agreed to a four-year, $81 million extension that makes him one of the highest-paid off-ball linebackers in the league and will keep the young All-Pro with the team through the 2030 season. A first-round pick in 2023, Campbell did not earn an every-down role until partway through his second season, but by year three, he'd become a mainstay at the center of Detroit's swarming defense. His 176 tackles, five sacks, and three forced fumbles in 2025 earned him his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections while making him one of the most valuable IDP assets in the game. At 25 years old, Campbell is RotoBaller's LB1, and this long-term security should be enough to keep him at or near that spot for the foreseeable future.
From RotoBaller
Reigning MVP quarterback Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams have agreed to a one-year extension worth up to $60 million with incentives. Stafford can now earn up to $105 million over the next two seasons, as he is committed to the Rams through 2027. The 17-year veteran threw a career-high 46 touchdown passes in 2025 while topping 4,700 passing yards for only the fourth time in his Hall of Fame-worthy career. With Los Angeles all in on another Super Bowl push, the environment around Stafford should continue to support fantasy success, and with him entering his age-38 season, he is one of the lower-cost dynasty quarterbacks still capable of turning in consistent week-winning finishes. Stafford is RotoBaller's QB25, but that ranking is likely to rise, with one additional season of reassurance making a monumental difference at this stage in his dynasty career.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley (leg) was not seen at the team's OTA practice session on Thursday, according to A to Z Sports' Buck Reising. It's not a huge surprise that Ridley still isn't ready for offseason workouts after he broke his fibula in the Week 11 loss to the Houston Texans last November. The 31-year-old veteran pass-catcher finished with a career-low 17 receptions (36 targets) for 303 yards and no touchdowns in seven games played in 2025 in his second year in Tennessee. Not only is his health a concern going into his eighth year in the league, but volume will most likely be an issue, too, after the Titans added target-hot Wan'Dale Robinson in free agency and rookie Carnell Tate with the fourth overall pick in the NFL draft. Ridley will also be playing for a coaching staff in 2026 that isn't tied to him at all, which will likely be bad news for his involvement when he's healthy. He has plummeted to WR61 in RotoBaller's redraft rankings for 2026, and he won't be an intriguing buy-low target in dynasty/keeper leagues.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans rookie first-round wide receiver Carnell Tate was an "instant winner" during the team's OTA practice session on Thursday, according to Austin Stanley of A to Z Sports. Tate, the fourth overall pick in April out of Ohio State, had multiple touchdown catches from quarterback Cam Ward in team drills, both long and short. He was catching footballs all over the field, both open and contested, and his hands and body control were "as advertised." Some draft analysts thought the Titans reached considerably when taking Tate within the first five picks of this year's draft, especially after his 4.53-second 40-yard dash was a disappointment at the combine. The 21-year-old wins with quickness and strong route-running skills over physicality at 6-foot-2 and 192 pounds. He might not be the highest-ceiling rookie wideout, but he is expected to contribute immediately in coordinator Brian Daboll's offense, and he should be fantasy relevant right away in redraft leagues in 2026. Tate's fantasy value in his rookie year will be tied to Ward's Year 2 development, but RotoBaller has the former Buckeye ranked as the No. 29 fantasy WR in 2026.
From RotoBaller