Fantasy Life Articles

If you miss out on drafting one of the top three TEs, consider punting to help load up at RB and WR with intentions of drafting Likely in the later rounds. His floor will help keep you competitive while giving you much needed depth at the other positions.

With Malik Nabers on the sideline, Isaiah Likely has been able to build a strong connection with Jaxson Dart, turning into a viable pass catcher as their TE1. Dart flashed glimpses of brilliance in his rookie campaign last season, finishing the year ranked 14th overall in EPA per play at the position.

With the RB position suffering a drop off after the third tier, Achane is worth a strong consideration if he is still available by the time you make your selection in the second round. His high usage rate and heavy workload solidify him as a surefire RB1.

After gutting out their roster, the Miami Dolphins have their eyes set on the 2027 NFL Draft. Even when fielding one of the more underwhelming offenses in the league, their void at WR is to the benefit of De'Von Achane, who is expected to receive a heavy workload while being lined up at multiple positions. Whether it is in the backfield or in the slot, Achane's high usage rate solidifies him as a surefire RB1, giving his drafters little to worry about when investing early draft capital in him.

Burden's upside in Ben Johnson's high-powered offense is contingent on Caleb Williams' performance. Williams' inconsistencies were on full display in his 2025 campaign, ranking dead last of all qualified QBs in CPOE and 34th in Bad Throw Percentage. If Williams can improve the quality of his throws, then Burden will have a great opportunity to rival the top of the position in fantasy.

Luther Burden avoided suffering a major injury and is expected to make his return to the field before the start of Week 1. This is a major sigh of relief for anyone who has already drafted him, retaining a young prospect who is expected to blossom in Ben Johnson's high-powered offense.

Less than seven months after suffering a devastating injury, Kittle has been spotted back on the field running through non-contact drills, flashing his agility. This is a stunning development that further strengthens the belief Kittle may be back on the field sooner than anticipated. When healthy, Kittle is one of the most productive TEs in the league, leading the position in YPRR and in catch rate while hovering in the top three in Targets/Route Run. His high level of play is critical to the 49ers success, playing a key role in an offense that ranked third overall in DVOA. If Kittle continues to trend upward his ADP will skyrocket, making him a valuable asset to grab now before drafters react to the recent development.

Ashton Jeanty is one of three players Joe Metz is making a conscious effort to draft more of in August best ball drafts on Underdog, having identified him as underexposed in his portfolio; Jeanty carries 12.7 PPG utilization and 226.8 projected points.

Garrett Wilson is one of three players Joe Metz is making a conscious effort to draft more of in August best ball drafts on Underdog, having identified him as underexposed in his portfolio; Wilson carries 11.4 PPG utilization and 181.0 projected points.

Joe Metz is making a conscious effort to draft Matthew Golden more in August best ball drafts on Underdog, having realized he has far less exposure to the player than he actually wants; Golden is listed with 4.8 PPG utilization and 128.2 projected points.

Josh Allen is highlighted as a set-it-and-forget-it elite QB option worth considering in a third- or fourth-round draft pick strategy, offering the upside to justify an early QB investment.

Matthew Stafford finished first in passing touchdowns and first in passing yards last season but did not command a premium ADP, partly due to epidural headlines; this represents potential value for an elite QB in later rounds rather than a third- or fourth-round investment.

Christian McCaffrey is referenced as an elite receiving back archetype—agile, powerful, and capable of producing on a single touch—representing the gold standard for pass-game involvement and versatility in the backfield.

Matthew Freedman identifies Derrick Henry as the league leader in rushing yards and touchdowns over the past two years, establishing him as a consistent, durable workhorse rusher with a decade-long track record of elite production.

Jordan Mason posted a career year in Minnesota in 2025 with 159-758-6 rushing after leaving San Francisco; consensus ADP of 116.8 (RB38) aligns with 2026 projections of 169-760-6, suggesting the Vikings' backfield offers more clarity and opportunity than Denver's muddied situation, making Mason a more attractive target than his Round 10 ADP peers.

Aaron Jones carries consensus ADP of 116.9 (RB41) with 2026 projections of 124-526-2 rushing; his receiving upside has dipped significantly, posting only 41-199-1 receiving in 2025, suggesting reduced pass-game role and overall offensive involvement in Green Bay.

J.K. Dobbins carries consensus ADP of 98 (RB34) with 2026 projections of 169-787-5 rushing; however, entering his sixth season and second with Denver, Dobbins has never played a full season, creating durability risk that may not be reflected in his ADP and projections despite the volume upside.

Denver drafted Jonah Coleman in Round 4 of 2026, creating backfield competition with RJ Harvey and raising questions about the distribution of carries and role clarity in the Broncos' running back room.

RJ Harvey carries consensus ADP of 89 (RB31) despite Denver drafting Jonah Coleman in Round 4 of 2026, raising questions about backfield clarity; 2026 projections show decline to 103-434-3 rushing and 37-249-3 receiving compared to 2025's 146-540-7 rushing and 47-356-5 receiving, suggesting reduced role and opportunity in a muddied Denver backfield.

Alex Cupps ranks Skattebo at RB16 (39th overall) with an ADP of 42.0, calling him "an unbelievable value" in a season where the running back position is being pushed up the board. Despite playing only eight games as a rookie, Skattebo flashed elite upside: 15.96 FPPG (10th among all RBs), 27% first-down market share (8th), 25.9 receiving yards per game (7th), and 82.7 PFF receiving grade (7th). His prospect profile was strong—72.9 production score (97th percentile) despite athleticism concerns that led to a fourth-round draft fall, yielding an 87th percentile prospect score. His comps include elite backs. Early offseason health concerns have been resolved; he's been a full training camp participant. Cupps states: "a top-five finish is absolutely within his range of outcomes."

Alex Cupps ranks Burden at WR21 (40th overall) with an ADP of 52.4, noting that while he has legitimate concerns about his role fit, "if he hits … he's going to hit in a massive way." Burden posted a 73.1 CUPPS Score (92nd percentile) as a prospect and delivered elite per-route efficiency in 2025: 0.25 targets per route run and 2.69 yards per route run (both first in the 2025 WR class), though his 7.5-yard average depth of target was last in the class. His comps include Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Davante Adams. Cupps highlights that head coach Ben Johnson is signaling major plans for Burden, with Fantasy Life's Zain Dhanani comparing his role to how Ben Johnson used Amon-Ra St. Brown in Detroit. Johnson stated Burden is "wired in a kind of way where... they feel like this is their destiny." Cupps concludes: "All the signs are pointing toward a breakout sophomore season for Luther Burden. All we have to do is read them."

Alex Cupps ranks Jeanty at RB3 (6th overall) despite an ADP of 12.6, citing his transcendent prospect profile—the best running back prospect in Cupps' model's history (back to 2014) with a predicted 24 PPG ceiling across his three best seasons. Despite a worst-case 2025 environment (Raiders ranked dead last in points per game at 14.2 and offensive line grade), Jeanty finished RB16 with 14.5 FPPG, gaining 84% of his 975 rush yards after initial contact. With massive 2026 offseason upgrades—new head coach Klint Kubiak (Super Bowl-winning offensive mastermind), new OL coach Rick Dennison (Seattle's run game coordinator under Kubiak), Pro-Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum signing, and new QB Fernando Mendoza (#1 overall pick)—Cupps calls him his favorite overall pick and believes he could be "you HAD to have" in retrospect.

Pacheco is drafted at Pick 168 as a speculative play with multiple paths to more-than-expected production: if teammate Jahmyr Gibbs (the No. 1 pick in many non-superflex drafts) suffers a meaningful injury, or if Pacheco inherits much of the role previously occupied by the departed Montgomery.

Shakir has been an efficient receiver throughout his career (8.9 yards per target) and was the No. 1 WR for the Bills over the past two seasons (148-1,540-8 receiving, 195 targets). With veteran DJ Moore now on the team, Shakir's unlikely to remain the top pass catcher, but he still has a fair chance to approach the 95 targets he earned in 2025, and if Moore disappoints, could resume his No. 1 role. His fantasy floor is sneakily solid, and he's a strong situational stacking option with Josh Allen.

Mitchell has hot, nasty, badass speed and could be OC Mike McDaniel's new De'Von Achane—a speculative breakout comparison suggesting high-ceiling upside in McDaniel's scheme.

Robinson has modest career efficiency (6.3 yards per target) and just 9 TDs across four seasons, but excels at catch rate (68.9%) and ranks among the top WRs in targets over the past two seasons (280 targets, behind only St. Brown, Ja'Marr Chase, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Justin Jefferson). With the Titans and OC Brian Daboll (history together), Robinson has a real chance to be the No. 1 WR and is a PPR cheat code if target volume holds, though 2025 success (92-1,014-4) may not repeat.

Young has improved throughout his career (5.0 AY/A as rookie, 6.0 in year two, 6.2 in 2025 with 8-8 record), but ranked No. 31 in passing efficiency last year and his rushing regressed (54-216-2 vs. 43-249-6 in 2024). He's a starter unlikely to be benched, making him the No. 3 QB option when drafted at the end of Round 10.

Young has improved throughout his career: as a rookie he was abysmal (5.0 AY/A, 2-14), in his second season he was benchable (6.0, 4-8), and last season he was almost tolerable (6.2, 8-8). However, last year he was still No. 31 in passing efficiency and his rushing regressed (54-216-2 vs. 43-249-6 in 2024). Matthew Freedman notes Young is better than he was but not yet good. Still, as a starter unlikely to be benched, he is good enough for a No. 3 QB at the end of Round 10.

Pierce is one of Matthew Freedman's fantasy favorites and has been the NFL's most explosive WR over the past two seasons (11.9 yards per target). Last year he had a career-best 47-1,003-6 receiving and secured a four-year, $116M contract from the Colts. The team parted ways with Michael Pittman and Adonai Mitchell, positioning Pierce to emerge fully as the No. 1 receiver (a role he has secretly held since 2024). While his efficiency will likely decline, he is in line for 100+ targets for the first time. Freedman projects a floor of 824 yards and 6 TDs and a ceiling of 1,200+ yards and 10+ TDs.

Reed had a terrible 2025 (235 yards, 1 TD) but missed 10 games with injuries that impacted his entire season. Even so, he was efficient (9.4 yards per target, 9.3 yards per carry) and in his two prior campaigns proved himself a big-play producer (1,932 yards, 17 TDs). With Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks gone, Matthew Golden lost as a rookie, and Christian Watson never having 700 yards in a season, Matthew Freedman sees Reed as someone with league-winning 1,000-10 potential.

Swift is one of Matthew Freedman's favorite RBs this year. He was more efficient than Kyle Monangai last year (4.9 yards per carry vs. 4.6; 6.2 yards per target vs. 5.5) and has 1,200+ scrimmage yards, 220+ carries, and 40+ targets in each of the past three seasons. Coming off a career-best 1,386-yard, 10-TD campaign at age 27, Swift is not a full-blown workhorse but has outperformed his ADP for four straight campaigns. There is a chance the Bears offense is still ascending with QB Caleb Williams and HC Ben Johnson.

Montgomery had a career-worst performance last season (908 yards, 8 TDs) and will be 29 years old by Week 1. However, in his two prior campaigns with the Lions he was the league's best No. 2 RB (2,248 yards, 25 TDs in 28 games) and now has a shot to operate as a true No. 1 RB with the Texans. With decent efficiency last year (4.5 yards per carry, 6.6 yards per target), Matthew Freedman believes Montgomery probably still has enough juice to produce, though he doesn't love stacking him with C.J. Stroud.

McBride is No. 2 in the league in targets (316) and receptions (237) over the past two years and No. 6 in receiving yards (2,385). Last season he leveled up with 11 TDs. While Matthew Freedman has him on his fantasy fades list because he's the No. 1 TE on ESPN and Sleeper (which Freedman thinks is wrong), he loves the pick at 5.01 because McBride has a real chance to finish the year as the No. 1 TE when taken after Brock Bowers.

Stroud was unfathomably bad in two playoff games last year (3.5 AY/A, 5 INTs, 5 fumbles) and had disappointing play over two seasons (7.0 AY/A), a sharp decline from his 2023 OROY campaign (273.9 yards passing per game). Matthew Freedman notes he probably should be on his 2026 fantasy fades list but takes him at 4.12 in superflex because he is a starting QB unlikely to lose his job, which is good enough at that point in the draft.

Since his 2022 breakout, St. Brown is No. 1 in receptions (457), No. 2 in targets (623), No. 3 in receiving TDs (39), and No. 4 in receiving yards (5,340). Matthew Freedman takes him at 3.01 as one of the best WRs in football.

Cook led the league with 1,621 rushing yards in 17 games last year and has 3,179 scrimmage yards and 32 all-purpose TDs over the past two seasons. While he has only 78 targets in two full seasons under Joe Brady's playcalling, he demonstrated receiving ability with 44-445-4 in 2023 on 54 targets and 7.5 yards per target over three seasons. With Brady now as HC, there is potential for increased pass-game usage. The Bills have been No. 1 in offensive EPA (0.134) and success rate (48.5%) over the past four years and are projected for the NFL's best offense again. Matthew Freedman calls Cook an awesome player and is inclined to take the No. 1 RB on the No. 1 offense at the turn of Rounds 2-3.

Allen is the No. 1 QB in Fantasy Life Rankings and 2026 Player Projections. He has been a top-2 fantasy QB in every season since 2020, took 62%, 58%, and 58% of his fantasy investors to the playoffs in ESPN leagues over the past three years, and was the No. 1 QB last year with 23.2 fantasy points per game. Matthew Freedman calls him one of his 2026 fantasy favorites and the only worthy selection at 1.01 in superflex.

Tucker is a major ADP faller (-6.2 spots) with limited upside in Tampa Bay. While he's had two career games with 14+ carries that resulted in 100+ yards and a touchdown, his production dipped to 3.7 yards per carry in 2025-26. With both Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell clearly ahead of him on the depth chart, he's unlikely to get significant opportunities barring injury. Matt LaMarca ranks him RB57 in consensus and suggests there are more interesting late-round flyers available.

Gadsden is a major ADP faller (-6.3 spots) despite being an interesting breakout candidate in his second season. While the Chargers' decision not to bring in another receiver before the season means all of Keenan Allen's 122 targets from last season are available, Gadsden faces a significant obstacle: David Njoku, who was brought in during the offseason. Unless the team uses significantly more two-TE sets, Njoku will cut into Gadsden's workload, making it tough for him to be an every-down player. He's now ranked TE20 in Underdog ADP.

Sadiq has had a setback in his recovery from hernia surgery that will keep him sidelined for a few weeks, making him a major ADP faller (-6.4 spots). As a rookie already behind Mason Taylor on the Jets' depth chart, the injury will impact his early-season production and ability to play his way onto the field. While he remains an extremely talented pass catcher, he's becoming tougher to trust as a TE sleeper in a deeper-than-usual position.