6 Players NFL OTA Insiders Say We NEED to Draft in Fantasy Football Leagues (2026)

Dealing with a foot injury and ankle injury; might not be totally 100% for September this season.

Dealing with a foot/ankle injury and might not be totally 100% for September this season.

Pierce is positioned as the true X receiver for the Colts and will benefit from explosive play opportunities and contested catches, though he'll need to earn more targets this season due to roster changes.

Pierce is positioned as the Colts' true X receiver with explosive play potential, though he'll need to earn more targets this season due to roster changes.

Ashton Jeanty is preferred over Kenneth Walker III in draft rankings.

Ashton Jeanty is preferred over Ken Walker, with the analyst stating he would rather have Jeanty than Walker.

Ashton Jeanty is preferred over Ken Walker in draft rankings.

Despite his rookie season being viewed as disappointing with only 83 carries, Bijan Robinson led the Jaguars backfield in yards after contact per attempt, missed tackles forced per attempt, and success rate, positioning him for potential second-round value and low-end RB1 status this year.

Despite his rookie season being viewed as a disappointment with only 83 carries, Bijan Robinson's efficiency metrics and athletic profile suggest he can have a breakout year with significant upside.

Bijan Robinson led the Jaguars backfield in yards after contact per attempt, missed tackles forced per attempt, and success rate on 83 carries in his rookie season.

Bijan Robinson got about a quarter of the inside five carries last year compared to Travis Etienne's 38%, indicating he received most of the goal line work and design screens.

Bijan Robinson's athletic metrics and film study show strong feel for zone rush scheme concepts, pressing the hole perfectly, positioning him for a significant role increase this year.

Bijan Robinson's film shows excellent feel for zone rush scheme concepts and he presses the hole perfectly, demonstrating the fundamentals needed to increase his role in the offense.

Bijan Robinson has a chance to go from a fifth round pick to second round value this year, with potential for top-10 running back production and low-end RB1 status.

Bowers is going above Kittle in ADP, creating an opportunity cost compared to Kittle's current draft position.

Bowers is going above George Kittle in ADP, creating an opportunity cost when considering Kittle at his current price point.

Cam Akers is mentioned as part of the tier of running backs in conversation with Ken Walker after James Cook and Ashton Jeanty.

Cam Akers is mentioned as a comparable option to Ken Walker in the same tier for draft consideration.

Chris Rodriguez suffered a Jones fracture, which has historically caused significant regression in production for receivers like Julio Jones, Dez Bryant, and Sammy Watkins in the same season and future seasons.

Chris Rodriguez suffered a Jones fracture, which has historically caused significant regression in production for receivers like Julio Jones, Dez Bryant, and Sammy Watkins in the same season and beyond.

Chris Rodriguez has fallen about 10-11 spots in ADP since the start of OTAs due to his Jones fracture injury.

Chris Rodriguez has fallen about 10-11 spots in ADP since the start of the offseason due to his Jones fracture injury.

Chris Rodriguez does not play in the pass game, limiting his upside in an offense that emphasizes designed screens to running backs.

Chris Rodriguez doesn't play in the pass game, which limits his fantasy upside in an offense designed around screens to running backs.

Chris Rodriguez doesn't play in the pass game, limiting his upside compared to other running backs in Liam Cohen's offense that emphasizes designed screens to running backs.

Chris Rodriguez did not practice in OTAs and underwent foot surgery, with speculation of a Jones fracture, which historically causes significant regression in players like Julio Jones, Dez Bryant, and Sammy Watkins.

Chris Rodriguez was not practicing in OTAs and had foot surgery, with speculation it was a Jones fracture, which has historically caused significant regression for players like Julio Jones, Dez Bryant, and Sammy Watkins.

Chris Rodriguez has virtually no background of strong production outside of last year, bounced around practice squads, and now faces a potential Jones fracture injury, which opens the door for other backfield options.

Chris Rodriguez has virtually no background of strong production outside of last year, bounced around practice squads, and now faces a Jones fracture injury that opens the door for other backfield options.

Kmet is going above George Kittle in ADP, creating an opportunity cost when considering Kittle at his current price point.

Kmet is going above Kittle in ADP, creating an opportunity cost compared to Kittle's current draft position.

Loveland is going above George Kittle in ADP, creating an opportunity cost when considering Kittle at his current price point.

Loveland is going above Kittle in ADP, creating an opportunity cost compared to Kittle's current draft position.

De'Andre Swift is being underrated at his current ADP of RB24-RB26, as he has finished top 24 in PPR points per game in every year of his career and is a rock-solid RB2.

De'Andre Swift is the clear lead back for the Bears with primary pass-catching duties, while Kalen Ballage serves as a change-of-pace back.

De'Andre Swift has the clear lead back role with the Bears and will handle the majority of pass-catching duties, with Kalen Ballage limited to change-of-pace roles.

De'Andre Swift has significant upside if Kalen Ballage gets injured, as he would move to third or even second-round value, and the Bears lack depth at running back with limited options behind him.

If Kalen Ballage gets injured, De'Andre Swift could jump to second or third-round value, and he was already above RB21 in games where the Bears were splitting carries last season.

Swift will be the primary pass-catching back for the Bears, taking over those duties from Kalen Ballage, similar to the split situation seen at the end of last season.

Swift could reach RB1 status if Kalen Ballage gets injured, as the Bears coaching staff doesn't have strong backup options and previously gave Kamara and N'gata significant volume when De'Andre Swift missed time.

Swift is going around RB21 cost but was above that last year in games where the backfield was already splitting, suggesting his current ADP has the split situation baked in without accounting for upside.

De'Andre Swift was already performing above RB21 value in games where the Bears were splitting carries last season, suggesting his current ADP undervalues his actual production.

Swift was above RB21 last year in games where the backfield was already splitting, suggesting his current ADP around RB21 may be buying him at his floor without accounting for offense improvement or injury upside.

If the Bears offense improves with Caleb Williams playing better, Swift could reach around RB1 value; if Kalen Ballage gets hurt, Swift becomes a definite RB1 situation.

If the Bears offense improves with Caleb Williams playing better, Swift could reach around RB1 value; if Kalen Ballage gets hurt, it's definitely an RB1 situation.

The Bears backfield was sixth in expected fantasy points last season, providing a large pie to split even in a committee situation, with only the Rams, Bills, Patriots, Colts, and Seahawks having more backfield expected fantasy points.

The Bears backfield was sixth in expected fantasy points last season, providing a large pie to split with significant potential for spiked weeks even in a split situation.

Swift's ADP varies significantly across platforms—going in the early 50s on Underdog but closer to 60 overall on Sleeper, ESPN, and Yahoo—making him a strong value pick for hero running back builds in the fifth or sixth round.

Swift has varying ADP across platforms: going in the early 50s on Underdog but closer to 60 overall on Sleeper, ESPN, and Yahoo, making him a strong value pick for hero running back builds.

Swift is expected to provide consistent 10-13 usable fantasy points per week as a low-end RB2 with significant upside if he outplays Kalen Ballage or if Ballage gets injured.

Swift had one of his best seasons on film last year, possibly his best ever, and the Bears bringing back the same backfield without adding competition suggests he's underrated heading into 2026.

D'Ernest Johnson's pricing versus Chris Rodriguez is compared to the sharper Chase Brown versus Zack Moss comparison from a couple years ago, suggesting Johnson is undervalued relative to his opportunity.

D'Ernest Johnson's pricing versus Chris Rodriguez is compared to the sharper Chase Brown versus Zack Moss from a couple years ago, suggesting Johnson is undervalued relative to Rodriguez.

D'Ernest Johnson and Chris Rodriguez had the exact same success rate last year, both top five, but Johnson's carries were often short yardage situations; with more full rushing slate usage, Johnson could show greater skill set potential.

D'Ernest Johnson had a top-five success rate last year and showed strong efficiency in short-yardage carries despite stacked boxes, suggesting his skill set could translate to more significant production with expanded usage.

Goedert is ranked tight end 15 and offers immediate early season production while waiting for Kittle to return to health.

Goedert is ranked tight end 15 and offers immediate early season production while waiting for Kittle to return, making him a solid alternative at his ADP.

The analyst has a lot of confidence in Devon Achane's role going forward.

Derrick Henry is noted as a Hall of Fame player in the mid-second round ADP conversation, with potential similarities to Saquon Barkley's 2024 situation with the Eagles.

Derrick Henry is described as a Hall of Fame player, positioning him as a strong draft option.

Dez Bryant had a Jones fracture and experienced significant regression in performance that season and in future seasons.

Amari Demercado is a backup running back for the Chiefs likely to be used in pass-down situations rather than taking carries from Ken Walker.

Kittle is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a torn Achilles and is significantly cheaper in ADP than ever before, going at TE9 (113 ADP) compared to his historical top-5 tight end status.

Kittle is looking ahead of schedule in his recovery from a torn Achilles, and while there's a chance he may not be at 100% in September, the analyst is targeting him for October-December production rather than early season.

Kittle is going at TE9 (ADP 113), significantly cheaper than his historical ADP and cheaper than several other tight ends despite his consistent top-5 fantasy production when healthy.

Kittle is going at TE9 (113 ADP), barely changed from May (116-117), but analyst believes he's underpriced. If he reaches even 75-80% health by October/November, he'll pay off his ADP given his historical top-5 tight end production.

Even if Kittle reaches close to 100% health by early October (week 5-6), he's likely to pay off his ADP given his historical role as a top target on his team.

Kittle has consistently been a top-5 fantasy tight end whenever healthy, and can now be drafted at TE9, representing significant value despite the Buccaneers adding Mike Evans.

Kittle's Achilles injury is higher up on the Achilles area closer to the calf, which recovers much faster and has less long-term impact than typical Achilles injuries. Modern medical procedures allow recovery within roughly 6 months, with return to performance within a few months after that.

Kittle has been top three in XFP per route run, fantasy points per game, first downs per route run, and passer rating when targeted amongst tight ends over the past two seasons.

At his current ADP (tight end 9), Kittle offers elite upside without requiring spending up on QB, WR, or RB, and doesn't carry the same opportunity cost as Cole Kmet, Colston Loveland, Brock Bowers, Trey McBride, or Ty Warren who are going above him.

At his current ADP, Kittle offers elite tight end production without requiring the opportunity cost of spending up on quarterback, receiver, or running back, unlike competitors like Cole Kmet, Loveland, Brock Bowers, Trey McBride, and Ty Warren.

Kittle should be targeted for November and December production rather than September, making him valuable at his current ADP as a late-season league winner when fantasy football money is made.

Kittle should be healthy for November and December when fantasy football money is made, making him a valuable late-season asset despite missing early season production.

At tight end 9 ADP, Kittle is a strong target to click continuously throughout the summer if he doesn't get pushed into the 90s or 180+ range.

At tight end 9 ADP, Kittle represents excellent value and is a continuous target for drafting throughout the summer.

Kittle is priced as a tight end nine, which represents excellent value given his productivity in games he played last year and the ability to stream production early in the season.

Kittle is valued at tight end nine, which represents nice value based on his price. The analyst likes the bet because Kittle was productive in games he played last year, and his ADP is attractive compared to his upside.

Tonges can be streamed as a waiver wire option if Kittle misses a game or two, as he was productive in games Kittle missed last year at a low-end tight end one level.

Tonges was pretty productive in games that Kittle missed last year, ranking as a low-end tight end one, making him a viable streaming option if Kittle misses games early in the season.

James Cook is due for a big increase in his pass game role due to the Bills' coaching change, with Pete Carmichael bringing experience utilizing running backs as pass catchers.

James Cook is due for a big increase in his pass game role under new offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael, who has experience utilizing running backs as pass catchers like Alvin Kamara and LaDainian Tomlinson.

James Cook's route share is expected to increase from 38% in 2025 toward the 50-60% range that Alvin Kamara saw under Pete Carmichael, potentially adding 1-2 receptions per game.

James Cook's route share is expected to increase from 38% in 2025 toward the 50-60% range that Alvin Kamara saw under Pete Carmichael, potentially adding 1-2 more receptions per game.

Expected to see increased pass-game opportunities (1-2 more receptions per game) while potentially losing some rushing carries, which could add 1-2 PPR points per game and project to 20-21 PPR points per game—a top-3 to top-5 running back season despite being drafted as RB6 or RB7.

Expected to see decreased rushing role but increased pass-down role, with one to two additional targets per game, which could add 1-2 PPR points per game and push him toward 20-21 PPR points per game—a top-three running back season.

James Cook could reach 20-21 PPR points per game with the increased pass game role, which would be a top-3 to top-5 running back season, yet he's currently being drafted as RB6 or RB7.

James Cook's increased pass game role could add 1-2 fantasy points per game, potentially pushing him to 20-21 PPR points per game, which would be a top-3 to top-5 running back season.

James Cook is currently being drafted as running back 6 or 7, despite the potential for a top-3 to top-5 season based on his increased pass game role.

Being drafted as running back six or seven, but is an awesome pick at the end of the first round or one-two turn pick, ranked in the second tier right after JT McCaffrey.

An awesome pick at the end of the first round or one-two turn pick, ranked in the second tier right after JT McCaffrey.

A target is worth 2.7 times more PPR points than a single carry; if Cook goes from 300 carries to 275 but gains one to two extra targets per game, that would be a massive boon to his fantasy value.

Scored 32 touchdowns in his last 33 games, providing awesome touchdown upside.

Scored 32 touchdowns in his last 33 games, giving him awesome touchdown upside.

Had 8 games with 60% or more snap share last season (vs. just 1 the prior year), and even with Raheem Davis taking some carries, Cook's increased pass-game role should maintain his snap share around 55-65% this season.

Had eight games with 60% or more of the snaps last season (8 of 16), up from just one game the prior year, showing increased snap share; even with Raheem Davis taking a few carries, Cook's pass-game role should maintain him at 55-65% snap rate this season.

James Cook is preferred over Ken Walker and is in a higher tier for draft consideration.

James Cook is ranked higher than Kenneth Walker III and is not being taken over by Walker in draft discussions.

James Cook is preferred over Ken Walker in draft rankings, with the analyst stating he would not take Walker over Cook.

Role is expected to change significantly; has played just 6% of snaps in 12 personnel throughout his career and essentially never when two tight ends are on the field, but this must change this year.

Role is expected to change significantly; has played only 6% of snaps in 12 personnel historically and essentially never on the outside, but reports indicate he'll see more opportunities and was spotted practicing on the outside.

Unless the Colts sign Keenan Allen or Stefon Diggs, it is wheels up on Josh Downs getting a full-time route share this season.

Seen practicing on the outside, which is something new; this gives him the opportunity to show he can be a Z receiver, which is huge because the Z receiver usually lines up on the side of the tight end and doesn't have to play on the line of scrimmage.

Seen practicing on the outside as a Z receiver, which is new and significant; in 11 personnel he'll be the slot receiver, and the team is getting him in motion and situations to avoid press coverage.

Extremely bullish on his prospects; even if the Colts add a guy like Keenan Allen or Deebo Samuel in a third-down specialist role with 50-60% route share, there's still opportunity for Downs to play in the outside role.

Extremely bullish on his prospects; even if the team adds a receiver like Keenan Allen or Deebo Samuel in a third-down specialist role (50-60% route share), Downs should still have opportunity to play the outside role.

Downs is expected to play in the flanker/outside role in Steichen's offense, which uses motion to get receivers in optimal positions. This represents a significant change from his past where he rarely played outside, even when other receivers were injured.

Downs is expected to play in the flanker/outside receiver role in Steichen's offense, which uses motion to get receivers in optimal positions. This represents a significant expansion from his past usage where he rarely played outside.

Analyst projects Downs will achieve a 75%+ route share this season as long as he stays healthy, which would be a virtual lock unless the Colts sign a major free agent receiver.

A virtual lock to achieve 75% plus route share this season as long as he's healthy, unless the Colts sign Stefon Diggs.

A virtual lock to achieve 75%+ route share this season unless the team signs Stefon Diggs, which hasn't been reported as a realistic possibility.

Downs is currently going at WR43 in ADP, up 20 spots from May 1st, but analyst believes he's still undervalued. At 70 catches and 800 yards, he would pay off his ADP with additional upside.

Downs' ADP has risen significantly from around 110-115 in May to WR43 currently, but the analyst still views him as underpriced at that level, calling it 'a little too cheap for him.'

If Downs reaches 70 catches for 800 yards at his current ADP of WR43, he will more than pay off that draft cost with additional upside potential.

Analyst expects Downs to have an awesome season at age 25 entering a bigger role, fully healthy after an ankle injury limited him last year. He's trending up as a target despite ADP rising from 110-115 to WR43.

At 25 years old and fully healthy entering a bigger role, Downs is positioned to have an outstanding season after being hampered by an ankle injury that kept him from being fully healthy in September last year.

Zane Dehghany discovered and tweeted out a video of Josh Downs discussing his role in the offense from a local reporter, which caught significant traction and sparked his broader OTA analysis work.

Zane Dehghany discovered a video of Josh Downs discussing his role in the offense from a local reporter, which sparked his interest in tracking OTA insights for fantasy purposes.

Julio Jones experienced production decline after suffering a Jones fracture, serving as a historical reference point for the impact such injuries can have on player performance.

Kalen Ballage is expected to serve as a change-of-pace back in the Bears backfield with De'Andre Swift as the clear lead back.

Ballage will handle the early-down running duties for the Bears, with Swift taking over pass-catching responsibilities in a split similar to late last season.

If Ballage gets hurt, the Bears don't have quality backup options, as the coaching staff doesn't like Roshan Johnson and British Brown is only a backup-backup.

Kenneth Walker III could realistically finish as RB4 if he stays healthy all season, with the potential to be placed in a Jamal Charles-type role under Andy Reid with Eric Bieniemy returning and Matt Nagy gone.

Kenneth Walker's price is fair, and he could be in the conversation with elite backs like Saquon Barkley, Cam Akers, James Cook, Chase Brown, and Derrick Henry in the same tier.

The Chiefs backfield has 12th-ranked expected touchdowns over the last two seasons, just behind elite teams like the Ravens, 49ers, and Eagles, providing significant touchdown equity even if Patrick Mahomes is at 80% of his former self post-ACL.

The Chiefs backfield has significant touchdown equity with 12th-ranked expected touchdowns over the last two seasons, and Walker could operate in a productive Damien Williams-type role under Andy Reid with Eric Bieniemy returning.

Kenneth Walker III is being compared to the Damien Williams role under Andy Reid, which was a highly productive fantasy role, with Walker having superior talent compared to Williams.

Kenneth Walker could potentially finish as RB4 overall if he stays healthy all season, behind only Gibbs, Bijan, and CMC.

Kenneth Walker III has significant touchdown upside and could push for 15 touchdowns this season, with no other roster competition for goal-line carries.

Kenneth Walker III has significant touchdown upside and could realistically push for 15 touchdowns this season with the majority of goal-line carries.

Walker should get the majority of goal-line carries with no other roster competition for those opportunities.

Andrews is a reliable plug-and-play tight end option at his ADP who provides immediate early season production, contrasting with Kittle's late-season availability.

Andrews is described as a boring but reliable plug-and-play option at tight end who provides immediate early season production, offering a contrast to Kittle's late-season timeline.

Patrick Mahomes is expected to be back likely for week one after a knee injury and is critical to elevating the Chiefs offense, as he transforms them from worst to top-five in the league.

Patrick Mahomes is coming off a knee injury and is expected to be back likely for week one, but his performance level upon return is critical to the Chiefs offense's success.

Mahomes is expected to be fine and will be the key facilitator of the Chiefs offense, transforming them from the worst offense to a top-five offense just by being on the field.

Everything the analyst is reading indicates that Patrick Mahomes is going to be fine after his knee injury.

Samaje Perine will compete with Bashaul Toon for third-down snaps in the pass game, which could limit Toon's upside.

Sammy Watkins had a Jones fracture and experienced significant regression in performance that season and in future seasons.

Ken Walker's situation with the Chiefs is being compared to Saquon Barkley's 2024 season with the Eagles, with similar ADP, running style, and boom-bust potential reliant on big plays.

Saquon Barkley is mentioned as a comparable player to Ken Walker in terms of ADP and running style, with similar boom-bust characteristics.

There is a possibility of the Chiefs adding Stefon Diggs, which would further elevate the floor of the Chiefs offense.

There is a possibility of the Chiefs adding Stefon Diggs, which would elevate the floor of the offense.

Travis Etienne had around 38% of inside five carries last year, compared to Basil Tuten's quarter of those carries.

Travis Etienne has always been a little overrated as a pass catcher, suggesting his value may be inflated in fantasy drafts.

Travis Etienne has always been a little overrated as a pass catcher, but the Jaguars' scheme with designed screens will be conducive to his receiving touches regardless.

Travis Etienne has always been a little overrated as a pass catcher, but the Jaguars' scheme with designed screens will be conducive to his touches regardless.

Travis Etienne left the Jaguars for the Saints in free agency, opening up the backfield for other running backs.

Travis Etienne left the Jaguars for the Saints in free agency, opening up significant fantasy production opportunity in the Jacksonville backfield.

McBride is going above Kittle in ADP, creating an opportunity cost compared to Kittle's current draft position.

McBride is going above George Kittle in ADP, creating an opportunity cost when considering Kittle at his current price point.

Tucker Kraft is going three and a half rounds ahead of Kittle in ADP despite also coming off a significant injury, creating a relative value discrepancy.

Kraft is going three and a half rounds ahead of Kittle despite also coming off a significant injury, suggesting he may be overvalued relative to Kittle's discount.

Kraft got injured earlier in the year than Kittle but should have more injury optimism than Kittle given the nature of his injury.

Kraft got injured earlier in the year than Kittle but is being taken at 80 overall, suggesting less injury optimism for Kittle despite the positive nature of Kittle's injury.

Tyler Warren is expected to lead the Colts in targets, though perhaps not by a significant margin this season given the expanded receiving role opportunities.

Zach Charbonnet was Ken Walker's split-role partner in Seattle and is no longer with the Chiefs, opening up more opportunities for Walker.