ESPN Fantasy Football on Matthew Stafford

ArticleFantasy football: Sleepers, busts and breakouts for 2026
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I hate to say it as a staunch Rams fan, but Matthew Stafford is screaming regression for 2026. His 2025 MVP campaign was magical. At age 38, Stafford started all 17 games, led the league in passing yards (4,707) and set career highs in passing TDs (46) and TD% (7.7%). It is extraordinarily likely that most, if not all, of those numbers take a dip in 2026. This year we're drafting Stafford as QB9, when in 2025 his price tag was QB20!

STACKED’s take

Negative signalBust

Stafford's age-38 regression and elevated ADP (QB9) make him a likely 2026 disappointment.

Stafford is screaming regression for 2026 after a magical 2025 MVP campaign. At age 38, he started all 17 games, led the league in passing yards (4,707), and set career highs in passing TDs (46) and TD% (7.7%). It is extraordinarily likely that most or all of those numbers will dip in 2026. Even if he plays all 17 games again—difficult at his age—it will be tough to match 2025 production. He adds next to nothing with his legs. Stafford is being drafted as QB9 in 2026 when his 2025 price tag was QB20, making him likely to disappoint fantasy managers who invest in him.

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