A Quick 2026 Fantasy Football Draft

Ron Stewart raises the question of whether Amari Cooper is 'cooked,' expressing uncertainty about Cooper's fantasy relevance heading into 2026 and suggesting concerns about his declining production or role.

Ron Stewart has moved off on Amon-Ra St. Brown in favor of Jalen Nailor (JSN) in his rankings, indicating a downgrade in relative valuation between the two receivers. While Stewart initially targeted St. Brown at the 108 pick as a fallback option if he could not acquire Christian McCaffrey or Jonathan Taylor, his subsequent ranking shift suggests declining confidence.

Ron Stewart would not move off Bijan Robinson at pick two despite Falcons preseason concerns, reasoning that moving off Bijan forces a zero-RB strategy in home leagues which he views as 'really tough,' and questioned what alternative would be worth taking over him. Stewart also positioned Bijan as a top-tier draft target, arguing that getting Bijan at the top of the draft (via third-round reversal in a 14-team league) is a significant advantage.

Ron Stewart indicated he has a slight preference for a Doomsday player over Brian Thomas in Dynasty format, suggesting Thomas is ranked slightly lower in his dynasty rankings.

Ron Stewart views Brock Bowers as a must-draft if he falls to the 2-3 turn, especially once elite running backs like Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley are gone. Stewart identifies a huge tier break between Bowers and the next tier of running backs (Jeremiah Love, Breece Hall), indicating Bowers' elevated value at that draft position.

Ron Stewart stated that the Darren Waller signing does not improve Bryce Young's fantasy outlook, suggesting the quarterback's situation remains unchanged or problematic despite the tight end addition.

Ron Stewart selected Calvin Ridley as a wide receiver in his 2026 Underdog Best Ball Mania draft team in the sixteenth round, indicating confidence in his late-round value and draft positioning.

Ron Stewart recommends keeping Chris Olave in round 7 as a keeper option, indicating strong value at that keeper cost relative to draft-day ADP. However, Stewart is reluctant to move Olave up further in rankings despite considering it, citing that he already has Olave positioned where he cannot move him over Zay Flowers due to Flowers' superior touchdown upside in the Ravens offense and Olave's lack of ceiling growth compared to DeVonta Smith's unlocked potential with A.J. Brown gone.

Ron Stewart prefers Christian McCaffrey over Jonathan Taylor in his rankings, though he notes they are back-to-back and acknowledges that breaking the tie in favor of Taylor is defensible. Stewart expresses a preference to acquire either McCaffrey or Jonathan Taylor if available at the 108 pick, indicating both are preferred targets at that round. However, Stewart moved McCaffrey back down to the 108 in full PPR, acknowledging downside risk but noting best-ball format mitigates the concern.

Stewart selected Dallas Goedert as the preferred tight end play in the draft, explicitly stating he thinks Goedert is the play, indicating strong conviction on Goedert's value at his draft position. Stewart later selected Goedert in his final 2026 Underdog Best Ball Mania draft team, confirming confidence in the veteran's draft value.

Ron Stewart views Darren Waller as a fine flyer in best ball formats but advises against going too aggressive on the signing, suggesting limited upside despite the move.

Ron Stewart is not into Devon Achane as a general draft target. He would only take Achane as a conditional pick if he fell to a tier where Achane was the only running back available after Stewart had taken receivers like Puka Nacua or JSN, indicating Achane is a fallback option rather than a preferred target.

With A.J. Brown gone, Smith has unlocked a second-tier ceiling that provides significant upside; Ron Stewart views this role expansion as meaningful for Smith's 2026 fantasy value, contrasting it with Chris Olave's ceiling which already showcased similar production last year without the same growth potential.

DK Metcalf was considered but not selected in this draft round; Stewart chose Tyson Etienne instead, indicating he preferred Etienne's value over Metcalf at this point. DK was passed over in favor of Tyson at the 5-6 turn in this draft; the drafter explicitly chose not to select him at that point.

Wicks was drafted in the fifteenth round and stacked with Jalen Hurts in a best-ball format, indicating the source views him as a value pick with upside in a Hurts-led offense. Ron Stewart also selected Wicks in his final 2026 Underdog Best Ball Mania draft team.

Ron Stewart has Dylan Sampson ranked around 170 ADP, which aligns with current market expectations; Stewart indicates this is approximately where the market has him valued.

Egbuka is described as a defensible third-round pick in a one-league-for-life scenario if the drafter loves him, indicating the source views him as a legitimate elite wide receiver prospect despite unconventional draft timing.

Ron Stewart recommends keeping George Pickens in round 5 as a keeper option, indicating strong value at that keeper cost relative to draft-day ADP.

Ron Stewart selected Harold Fannin as the starting tight end in his 2026 draft and affirmed the selection with 'I like that,' indicating Stewart views him as a viable starting fantasy option.

Ron Stewart views Jahmyr Gibbs as a top-tier draft target and lead-back option in 2026. Stewart selected Gibbs in multiple drafts, including as a starting RB in an underdog draft and in his final Underdog Best Ball Mania team. Stewart argues that getting Gibbs at the top of the draft via third-round reversal in a 14-team league is a significant advantage, positioning him as a preferred target over picks 1/2.

Ron Stewart selected Jalen Hurts as his starting quarterback in multiple 2026 best-ball drafts, including his final Underdog Best Ball Mania team; Hurts was drafted in the seventh round in one format, indicating Stewart has confidence in the quarterback's draft positioning and value.

Stewart has upgraded Jalen Nailor (JSN) in rankings relative to Amon-Ra St. Brown, indicating improved valuation and preference for Nailor at their respective draft positions.

Ron Stewart notes that James Cook is a viable option at the 108 pick in half-PPR, running-back-hungry leagues, though it appears to be a secondary choice behind preferred options like Christian McCaffrey, Jonathan Taylor, and Amon-Ra St. Brown.

Ron Stewart recommends keeping Javonte Williams in round 11 as a keeper option, indicating strong value at that keeper cost relative to draft-day ADP.

Ron Stewart targets Jayden Daniels in round five as part of his draft strategy, considering whether to go double running back or pair a receiver like CD Lamb with a running back at that juncture.

Jaylen Higgins is used as a reference point in the middle tier of wide receiver rankings; Ron Stewart is considering moving Jaylen Higgins Rondale Moore range upward, suggesting Higgins sits in the 132-142 ADP range.

Stewart explicitly avoided drafting Jayden Reed in favor of Josh Downs and Tyson Etienne at the 5-6 turn, indicating a preference ranking Downs and Etienne above Reed at their respective ADP/draft positions. However, Reed was later selected as one of two players Stewart wanted to target in the draft, indicating he is viewed as a value pick with upside despite earlier hesitation.

Wright was drafted in the fourteenth round of a best-ball draft, indicating late-round running back depth valuation.

Ron Stewart ranks Jeremiah Love as RB13 and projects his floor at 14-15 PPG based on rookie comparisons to Ashton Gentry and Bijan Robinson; even at that floor, Love pays off anywhere in the third round. Stewart views this as a fair price and takes Love frequently in the third round, citing that people are unfairly burned from prior rookie RB disappointments. Love stood out in preseason and Stewart expresses desire for more exposure to him as an undervalued breakout candidate.

Ron Stewart prefers Christian McCaffrey over Jonathan Taylor at the top tier but conviction is loosening; Stewart would flip to JT if the Colts were guaranteed a top-15 scoring offense. In full PPR, JT's receiving ceiling of approximately 50 catches is offset by Colts offense volatility compared to the 49ers' more stable scoring environment. Stewart expresses a preference to acquire either Jonathan Taylor or Christian McCaffrey if available at the 108 pick.

Jonathan Brooks has been moving up ADP significantly, but Ron Stewart declined to draft him, stating he did not want to take Brooks at his draft position. This suggests Brooks is overvalued or not a fit for Stewart's draft strategy at that point, despite market recognition of his upside.

Ron Stewart selected Jordan Addison as a wide receiver in multiple 2026 best-ball drafts, including his final Underdog Best Ball Mania team; Addison was drafted in the sixth round in one format, indicating Stewart views him as a mid-tier WR option with draft value.

The Jordan Tyson injury or health situation appears very negative and is being tracked for updates to the Basement Draft Guide, suggesting a significant downside risk or role concern that warrants monitoring heading into the 2026 draft season. However, Stewart later drafted Tyson in round 72-73 as a late-round value play, reversing his initial hesitation.

Stewart preferred Josh Downs over Jayden Reed in a direct draft decision comparison at the 5-6 turn, indicating Downs is ranked higher in Stewart's draft board at their respective ADP positions.

Ron Stewart selected Kaelin Black as a running back in his final 2026 Underdog Best Ball Mania draft team, indicating confidence in the prospect's draft value.

Ron Stewart believes Malik Nabers is 'coach proof,' meaning his fantasy production and value are not dependent on the Giants' coaching situation, suggesting confidence in Nabers' talent and role regardless of offensive scheme changes. Nabers was drafted in the second round of Stewart's best-ball draft, indicating top-tier wide receiver valuation.

Ron Stewart is actively pulling up Marshawn Lloyd for draft consideration, stating 'I'm pulling up Marshawn Lloyd, bro. I don't care,' indicating conviction to target him despite potential preseason or ADP concerns. Lloyd was also selected in Stewart's final 2026 Underdog Best Ball Mania draft team, further demonstrating confidence in the prospect's draft value.

Ron Stewart expresses a strong desire to acquire more Mike Evans in his drafts, indicating he views Evans as underowned or undervalued at his current ADP. Stewart selected Evans as a starting wide receiver in multiple draft formats, including his final 2026 Underdog Best Ball Mania draft team, demonstrating consistent confidence in the veteran's draft value despite age concerns. Evans was drafted in the fourth round of a best-ball draft, indicating continued mid-tier wide receiver valuation.

Ron Stewart explicitly endorsed Mike Washington as a running back handcuff, stating 'I want to start mixing in more Mike Washington' and noting he is 'very clearly the handcuff on his team,' indicating strong conviction in Washington's backup role and league-winning upside if the starter goes down.

Ron Stewart ranks Parker Washington at 512 overall in his 2026 rankings and describes him as 'a fine fun pick' with upside as a late-career breakout candidate, indicating Stewart views him as a solid value target in late-round drafting.

Ron Stewart expressed hesitation about Pat Freiermuth as a tight end option, stating 'I'm trying to come around on Freiermuth,' suggesting uncertainty about the tight end's draft appeal despite considering him.

In full PPR format, Ron Stewart suggests Puka Nacua and London can be drafted together as a stack, with the flexibility to figure out the rest of the roster later, indicating confidence in their combined value.

Ron Stewart is out on Rashee Rice, citing two primary concerns: the knee injury doesn't look right, and the Chiefs will not run their offense through Rice again. Stewart characterizes Rice as a 5-yard air-dot screen merchant, suggesting limited upside in the Chiefs' passing game architecture. The combination of injury concern and offensive role uncertainty makes Rice a fade for Stewart.

Ron Stewart has Rondale Moore ranked around 142 ADP, while co-Jahmyr Gibbs Elijah has him at 132, suggesting Stewart is considering moving him up to the Jaylen Higgins/Rondale Moore tier range, though he could be talked into moving him right behind Casey Concepcion.

Ron Stewart referenced Stefon Diggs as the primary target receiver in the Washington offense, with other receivers (Antonio Williams, Chigoziem Okonkwo) and the running back sharing remaining targets, indicating Diggs' elevated role in the passing game.

Ron Stewart selected Tank Bigsby as a running back in his final 2026 Underdog Best Ball Mania draft team, indicating confidence in the prospect's draft value and late-round depth potential.

Ron Stewart highlights that McLaurin's playoff schedule is excellent with all three games in domes, including a favorable matchup against the Raiders. While Stewart notes he doesn't have much McLaurin exposure at this point in his drafts, he maintains confidence in McLaurin's target share despite potential downward movement in rankings. After Stefon Diggs, targets are distributed among Antonio Williams, Chigoziem Okonkwo, and the running back, leaving enough volume for McLaurin to remain viable. Stewart selected McLaurin as a wide receiver in his final 2026 Underdog Best Ball Mania draft team.

Ron Stewart rejected Theo Johnson as a tight end option, stating 'I'm kind of all set on Theo Johnson,' indicating he has moved away from targeting the tight end in his draft strategy.

Flowers finished as a top-12 wide receiver in points per game despite being drafted in the 30s, demonstrating strong value; Ron Stewart notes his massive touchdown upside in the Ravens offense and ranks him above Chris Olave, citing that despite Olave's consideration for ranking movement, Flowers' touchdown ceiling in Baltimore is superior.