Fantasy football draft preparation for the 2026 season includes identifying players who could outperform their current average draft position (ADP). ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter has highlighted early-, middle- and late-round targets at quarterback, running back, wide receiver and tight end.
These players are not the only candidates to deliver strong seasons, but they stand out as potential values. They could receive serious consideration when fantasy managers are choosing between players at key points in the draft or breaking a tie.
How the 2026 fantasy football draft ranges work
The round ranges in this guide are based on ADP in 10-team leagues: “early” refers to Rounds 1-4, “middle” to Rounds 5-11 and “later” to Rounds 12 or higher.
Last season’s recommended middle-round values included wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Later-round targets included quarterbacks Drake Maye and Trevor Lawrence, wide receiver Emeka Egbuka and running back Quinshon Judkins.
Player values can change depending on league size and scoring settings. A player may not need to be drafted in a 12-team league but could become much more valuable in a 16-team format. The players below offer strong value relative to their ESPN ADPs and have the potential to produce productive seasons.
Quarterback fantasy football targets
Fantasy managers can still justify selecting quarterbacks such as Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson early. However, the position offers considerable depth in 2026, creating opportunities to find value in the middle and later rounds.
Middle-round quarterbacks
- Bo Nix, Broncos (ADP: 86.3): Nix’s ability to rack up fantasy points with his legs as much as his arm is underappreciated.
- Caleb Williams, Bears (ADP: 92.2): His talent was on full display last season and, after a year in Ben Johnson’s offense, he should be even more improved.
- Justin Herbert, Chargers (ADP: 106.0): Matched with Mike McDaniel as his offensive coordinator, Herbert could be in line for his best NFL season.
Later-round quarterbacks
- Tyler Shough, Saints (ADP: 155.4): He flashed as a rookie last season and is expected to make continued growth in Year 2.
- Jordan Love, Packers (ADP: 158.0): Team officials are confident he’s set up to take the next step this season.
- Daniel Jones, Colts (ADP: 158.2): Jones was one of the best fantasy QBs last season until he was injured — and now he looks to be healthy.
Running back fantasy football targets
A case can be made to select Bijan Robinson or Jahmyr Gibbs with the No. 1 pick in fantasy football this season. The position also offers intriguing value in the later rounds.
Early-round running backs
- Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions (ADP: 1.4): He might be the most dangerous offensive threat in the NFL, one with 38 touchdowns in the past two seasons.
- Bijan Robinson, Falcons (ADP: 2.5): Robinson and Gibbs will — and should — be going 1-2 in almost every fantasy football draft.
- Chase Brown, Bengals (ADP: 21.9): He is the lead back and a multipurpose threat in one of the highest-scoring offenses in the NFL.
- Kenneth Walker III, Chiefs (ADP: 22.3): He has never finished higher than RB18 in a fantasy season, but he seems set to shatter that mark in 2026.
- Omarion Hampton, Chargers (ADP: 25.3): When healthy last season, he was highly productive. If he’s healthy this season, he will be again.
Middle-round running backs
- Bhayshul Tuten, Jaguars (ADP: 71.8): The Jaguars loved him coming out of college, and that hasn’t changed heading into his second season.
- Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots (ADP: 83.1): Always overlooked, always productive.
Later-round running backs
- Kenny Gainwell, Buccaneers (ADP: 116.5): Bucs have raved about the different skills he brings to the offense.
- Blake Corum, Rams (ADP: 135.1): He will share work with Kyren Williams … and be drafted many rounds later.
- Jordan Mason, Vikings (ADP: 138.9): The Vikings seem determined to get their run game going, and Mason will benefit.
- Chris Rodriguez Jr., Jaguars (ADP: 165.6): Head coach Liam Coen has been a fan of Rodriguez since they worked together at Kentucky.
- Jonah Coleman, Broncos (ADP: 169.4): Denver’s backfield is crowded, but some have compared Coleman to Maurice Jones-Drew.
- MarShawn Lloyd, Packers (ADP: 170.1): Lloyd has never been healthy at the NFL level but was healthy this summer.
Wide receiver fantasy football targets
With the NFL passing more than ever, fantasy managers can find useful wide receivers in every draft tier.
Early-round wide receivers
- Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals (ADP: 4.0): Chase has lofty touchdown goals for the season and the talent to match.
- Puka Nacua, Rams (ADP: 5.2): He still has plenty on the line as he heads into the final year of his contract.
- Justin Jefferson, Vikings (ADP: 12.1): As talented as any receiver in the league and poised for a bounce-back season.
- Chris Olave, Saints (ADP: 31.1): He is expected to be the team’s leading receiver in a high-paced offense.
Middle-round wide receivers
- DeVonta Smith, Eagles (ADP: 40.4): Minus A.J. Brown, there should be even more targets for the talented and tough Smith.
- Ladd McConkey, Chargers (ADP: 50.1): With Mike McDaniel as his offensive coordinator, McConkey could become the focal point of the Chargers’ passing attack.
- Luther Burden III, Bears (ADP: 76.2): Head coach Ben Johnson has compared Burden to Amon-Ra St. Brown.
- Parker Washington, Jaguars (ADP: 93.3): Washington’s talents shined at the end of last season and again in training camp.
Later-round wide receivers
- Wan’Dale Robinson, Titans (ADP: 113.4): Former Giants head coach and current Titans offensive coordinator Brian Daboll fed him the football in New York last season, and now he gets to do the same in Tennessee.
- Jordan Addison, Vikings (ADP: 114.1): With Kyler Murray at quarterback, Addison should make many plays downfield.
- Josh Downs, Colts (ADP: 136.6): The older brother of Cowboys rookie safety Caleb Downs. This Downs is set to make his own mark.
- KC Concepcion, Browns (ADP: 144.1): Even as a rookie, he’s expected to have a prominent role in the Browns’ offense.
- Ja’Kobi Lane, Ravens (ADP: 167.7): A third-round pick this past spring, Lane was the star of Baltimore’s training camp.
- Caleb Douglas, Dolphins (ADP: 169.4): Everybody struggled to cover him at a recent practice against the Commanders.
- Cyrus Allen, Chiefs (ADP: 169.5): One of the most talked about players at Chiefs camp this summer.
- Kayshon Boutte, Texans (ADP: 170.7): The talent has always been there, and now he has the opportunity to be the WR2 in Houston.
- Pat Bryant, Broncos (ADP: 170.6): Bryant looks ready to shine in his second season.
- Ryan Flournoy, Cowboys (ADP: 170.9): CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens aren’t the only Cowboys receivers who will produce this season.
- Tre’ Harris, Chargers (ADP: 171.0): Like Bryant, he is poised to make a jump in his second season.
- Devaughn Vele, Saints (ADP: 171.5): Showed a connection with Shough last season, and it figures to continue this season.
Tight end fantasy football targets
The tight end position could be among the deepest and most talented groups in fantasy football. There are premium options available early as well as potential values in the middle and later rounds.
Early-round tight ends
- Brock Bowers, Raiders (ADP: 24.3): It didn’t take long for new head coach Klint Kubiak to identify the top option in his offense.
Middle-round tight ends
- Colston Loveland, Bears (ADP: 45.0): Loveland’s targets in the Bears’ final four games last season: 10, 13, 10, 15.
- Harold Fannin Jr., Browns (ADP: 75.0): Fannin stood out when he shared time with David Njoku last season, and now Njoku is no longer there.
- Tucker Kraft, Packers (ADP: 88.8): He might not be full time until midseason, but even part-time Kraft is a threat.
Later-round tight ends
- Isaiah Likely, Giants (ADP: 127.4): Likely followed his head coach to the Giants in free agency so he can be the No. 1 tight end. There’s no Mark Andrews around to block him.
- Terrance Ferguson, Rams (ADP: 165.6): Head coach Sean McVay has admired Ferguson’s talents since the team drafted him in Round 2 last year.
- AJ Barner, Seahawks (ADP: 169.5): Those around the Seahawks have described Barner as an ascending player.
- Gunnar Helm, Titans (ADP: 170.6): Like many in the Titans’ offense, poised to make a jump.
Source: www.espn.com
