Fantasy Football 2026 Draft Rankings - August
- Kev Wheeler
- 7 minutes ago
- 27 min read
Below you’ll find my 2026 fantasy football draft rankings for points per reception (PPR) and half-PPR leagues. Included are my rankings for the top 25 quarterbacks, top 60 running backs, top 70 wide receivers and top 20 tight ends. As you can see below, these are among the most accurate rankings you can find over the past three years.
Fantasy Football Draft Rankings
This is not a cheat-sheet, although you probably won’t get into trouble using it as one. This is how I have players ranked for your home-league draft, but I need to run them through a few tests before I create the draft cheat-sheets.
Rankings for the Fantasy Pros Accuracy competition will be published in September. They are more closely related to pure projections, but considerations for injuries, consistency, and pure gut feel are taken into consideration. You can click this link for the methodology FantasyPros uses for their Accuracy Competition.
Please join our Discord for updates and discussion, and you can let me know where you think I’m getting it wrong; it could help me improve my process.
Fantasy Football Rankings Perspective
When I began publishing fantasy football rankings, back in 2015, it was out of frustration that the most popular "analysts" were really just writers or entertainers that didn't know much about real football, let alone the strategy of this game. Sadly, the more things change, the more they remain the same.
There are some very good analysts out there, but most get swallowed-up by click-bait specialists or hype-beasts that just say outlandish things to be seen and recognized. Back when I started there was an ESPN analyst that touted Michael Vick as a first-round pick. While this person might have whole-heartedly believed what he was saying and doing, it was irresponsible of him to tout such an outlandish position to such a broad and naive audience. Please do yourself a favor and stay away from anything on ESPN, Barstool, or PFT (ProFootballTalk).
Quarterback
Josh Allen has finished each of the past six seasons no worse than second among quarterbacks in fantasy points. Despite seeing less passing volume the past two seasons (14th or lower in pass attempts both years), the 2024 NFL MVP has finished in the top 10 in passing TDs six seasons in a row and remains a major threat rushing (top five in carries and rushing TDs among quarterbacks all eight seasons of his career). Allen's 21.4 fantasy points per game in 2025 was actually his lowest since 2019, but it was still enough to lead the position.
Lamar Jackson is set up for a rebound season after an injury-plagued 2025. Jackson started the season strong (26-plus fantasy points in each of his first three games) but left Week 4 because of an injury and wasn't the same once he returned in Week 9 (13.5 fantasy points per game in his final nine outings). Jackson's rushing was down, but that was likely a product of him not being healthy, considering his scramble rate (8.4%) remained high. Jackson has a new coach (Jesse Minter) and play caller (Declan Doyle), but his supporting cast is otherwise similar to 2024 in which he paced all quarterbacks in fantasy points.
Drake Maye is entering his third NFL season and second full season as New England's starter. The 2024 No. 3 draft pick is fresh off a breakout 2025 campaign in which he finished in the top five among quarterbacks in pass completions, yards and TDs, as well as rush attempts and yards. Maye led the league in completion percentage (72%) and yards per attempt (8.9), trailing only Josh Allen in fantasy points (351.9), fantasy points per game (20.7) and top-10 fantasy weeks (10). The NFL MVP runner-up will need to overcome a tougher schedule, but the additions of AJ Brown and Romeo Doubs should give a boost to the passing game. The 24-year-old's combination of passing talent and rushing ability have him well positioned for another top-five fantasy season.
Drake Maye was a 74% passer for 2474yds in the 1st half of games in 2025. This was the best rate for any QB for either half in both metrics. He also had the 7th most drop-backs of any QB in either half, the 2nd most TDs, the most scrambles, and 2nd most points per opportunity. There could be a higher ceiling with better opponents in the future.
Jayden Daniels is looking to bounce back after appearing in only seven games due to injury last season. The 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year began his career by tossing 25 touchdowns and rushing for 891 yards and six scores in his first season. He wasn't quite as dominant when healthy last season (16.3 points per game, compared to 20.9 in 2024), but he remained a major factor with his legs (58-278-2 in seven games, three of which were partial appearances). Daniels' supporting cast is underwhelming and he'll be working with a new playcaller David Blough.
Jalen Hurts threw for a career-high 25 touchdowns last season, but his rushing production was way down (105-421-8 after delivering at least 139 carries, 605 yards and 10 TDs in each of the prior four seasons). Hurts' fantasy production dipped, as his 18.7 points per game was his lowest as a starter and ranked eighth at the position after three straight top-five campaigns. Hurts' supporting cast remains strong despite losing AJ Brown, and new playcaller Sean Mannion very well could add some juice back to the offense.
Joe Burrow will try to bounce back after injuries limited him to eight games in 2025. The 29-year-old has missed at least six games in three of his six pro seasons, including two of his past three. Burrow was still a starting-caliber fantasy quarterback when active last season (top-12 scorer in five of his final six games), but his ceiling was limited by a near complete lack of rushing (41 yards on 14 carries). Burrow was a top-five scoring quarterback in each of his past two full seasons, and coach Zac Taylor cut back a bit on his extreme pass-heavy playcalling last season.
Brock Purdy is looking to rebound after injuries caused him to appear in only nine games. Purdy played well in his limited season, scoring 17-plus fantasy points in seven of the nine games, including 26-plus points in three straight games during Weeks 15-17. A highly effective passer and solid contributor as a rusher, Purdy has quietly finished in the top 10 in fantasy points per game in each of the past three seasons. With a good supporting cast led by Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle (once healthy) and free agent addition Mike Evans, Purdy is an underrated back-end QB1 in 2026.
Trevor Lawrence is coming off a breakout 2025 season in which he ranked no lower than seventh among quarterbacks in pass attempts, completions, yards and touchdowns, as well as top 10 in carries, yards and TDs. He reeled off seven consecutive top-10 fantasy outings to finish the season. Lawrence continues to generate big volume, having finished in the top 10 among QBs in pass and rush attempts in each of his four full seasons. With a strong, deep group of pass catchers and Liam Coen back as playcaller, Lawrence is well positioned for QB1 production.
Patrick Mahomes followed up a pair of disappointing fantasy seasons (2023-24) with an elite start to 2025 (24.5 points per game during Weeks 1-8) and a disappointing finish that included 15.0 points per game during his final six games and a torn ACL in Week 15. Mahomes' efficiency has dipped the past three seasons, and while he made up ground as a rusher in 2025 (fifth among QBs in rushing yards and TDs despite three missed games), he might not be able to run as often this season as he recovers fully from the knee injury. Mahomes might be ready to play in Week 1, but even if he does, he hasn't been a consistent fantasy QB1 since 2022. With the addition of Kenneth Walker defenses may not be able to play the cover-2 shell against KC as often which should open up the deep passing game where Mahomes had thrived in his peak seasons. Mahomes has been forced to check-down most of the time over the past three seasons and hasn’t had a healthy receiving corps during that time.
Bo Nix has finished exactly seventh among quarterbacks in fantasy points during each of his first two seasons. Nix's passing efficiency needs to improve (career 6.5 yards per attempt), but his dual-threat ability has kept him in the weekly QB1 mix. Nix has finished both seasons no lower than 11th in pass attempts, completions, passing TDs, carries, rushing yards and rushing TDs. Last season, he provided a solid floor (11 games with 15-plus fantasy points), but his ceiling was low (four top-10 weeks). In 2026, he'll have a new playcaller in Davis Webb and an upgraded group of pass catchers with Jaylen Waddle added to the mix.
Caleb Williams took a big leap forward in 2025. Williams finished last season no lower than 11th among QBs in pass attempts, completions, pass yards, passing TDs, carries, rush yards, rush TDs and fantasy points per game. While Williams' completion percentage was one of the worst in the league (58%), his dual-threat ability and turnover avoidance (seven INTs both seasons) has led to solid fantasy output. The 2024 No. 1 draft pick has a good supporting cast in playcaller Ben Johnson and a trio of young pass catchers in Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland.
Dak Prescott is coming off a successful 2025 season in which he led the NFL in completions and ranked no lower than fourth in dropbacks, pass attempts, passing yards and passing TDs. Prescott appeared in all 17 games and has now finished no worse than 11th in fantasy points during all seven seasons in which he has played at least 16 games. Last season, his nine top-10 fantasy weeks were tied for third most at the position. Prescott is no longer much of a threat with his legs, but he should continue to put up big passing numbers with CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens at his disposal.
Jaxson Dart is considered a strong 2026 breakout candidate by most analysts following an impressive rookie campaign in which he delivered eight top-10 fantasy weeks (tied for fifth most) despite playing in only 12 games. Dart was solid as a passer but elite as a rusher, finishing in the top five at the position in rushing attempts, yards, TDs and carries inside the 5-yard line. Dart's aggressive playing style raises concerns about his durability, and is a major reason we have him as a bust candidate. The new coaching staff led by John Harbaugh and a new playcaller in Matt Nagy does not give us optimism that he will develop as a passer. His supporting cast includes a hopefully healthy Malik Nabers and newcomers Isaiah Likely and Darnell Mooney, who seem to be more hype than substance.
Giants OC Matt Nagy said QB Jaxson Dart is “super talented,” but is experiencing “struggles” in training camp. According to Nagy, the Giants’ goals for Dart this offseason consisted of getting into the huddle, calling the play, getting up to the line of scrimmage, seeing the defense and playing fast. The New York Daily News’ Pat Leonard writes that Dart’s summer has not been “devoid of progress” because Dart has apparently mastered the first three items on the checklist — which seems like a fairly low bar to clear. Dart and his pass catchers have also reportedly struggled to connect downfield. Coaches like Nagy, pass game coordinator and QB coach Brian Callahan and senior offensive assistant Greg Roman dot coach John Harbaugh’s somewhat disconcerting staff. Dart is a talented player who may be able to overcome perceived schematic shortcomings. It would be really nice to see him perform well in the preseason, but Harbaugh has not yet revealed whether Dart will suit up this weekend. - Nic Bodiford
Running Back
Bijan Robinson has finished in the top five among running backs in carries, rushing yards, touches, yards and fantasy points in each of the past two seasons. He has ranked no lower than fifth at the position in routes, targets, receptions and receiving yards in his three pro seasons. In 2025, PFF tracked him with 86 forced missed tackles, which was easily the most among backs. The 24-year-old has a new coach in Kevin Stefanski, and former teammate, RB Tyler Allgeier, has moved on to the Cardinals clearing the path to a massive offensive role.
Jahmyr Gibbs has finished in the top 10 among running backs in yards per carry, routes, targets, receptions, touchdowns and fantasy points in each of his first three seasons. His 38 touchdowns over the past two seasons are four more than any other player. Gibbs has finished as a top-three fantasy back in each of the past two years, but he has yet to finish a season higher than seventh in touches. We could see that change this season with David Montgomery moving onto the Texans. The 24-year-old Gibbs is one of the NFL's top playmakers in one of its best offenses.
Christian McCaffrey finished the 2025 season leading all running backs in snaps, routes, touches, targets, receptions, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns and fantasy points. McCaffrey's rushing efficiency wasn't great (3.86 yards per carry), and he's entering his age-30 season after handling 450 touches (including the playoffs) in 2025. The history of overworked backs suggests we should expect a step back in 2026. There's obvious risk here, but McCaffrey is an elite option whenever he's on the field.
Ashton Jeanty is looking to take a leap forward after an uneven rookie season, in which the first-round pick enjoyed a ton of volume (seventh among backs in carries, targets and receptions) and played fairly well (eighth among RBs in forced missed tackle rate, per PFF) but struggled to overcome the awful Las Vegas offense. The good news is that the Raiders' offense should improve in 2026 with a better/healthier offensive line, a new coach in Super Bowl champion Klint Kubiak and a new quarterback in No. 1 NFL draft pick Fernando Mendoza. Jeanty has a clean path to a massive offensive role and is a strong bet to break out in 2026.
Jonathan Taylor enters the 2026 season having improved in fantasy points per game in each of the past three years. Last season, he delivered his best production since his huge 2021 breakout, as he paced the NFL in carries and TDs while finishing second in carries inside the 5-yard line (19) and fourth in fantasy points. He saw increased usage in the passing game, ranking in the top 10 among backs in routes, targets, catches and receiving yards, setting career highs in each. Taylor's season likely would've been even better had QB Daniel Jones not been injured, as the running back averaged 24.8 points with Jones but 12.9 without him. Jones is expected to be ready to play in Week 1, but at a diminished capacity.
De'Von Achane has become one of the best running backs in the NFL. The 2023 third-round pick has scored 11 or more touchdowns in each of his three seasons and put up a career-high 1,838 scrimmage yards in 2025. Achane's elite receiving production is nothing new (he has finished in the top five among backs in targets and receiving yards in each of the past two years), but he made another leap forward as a rusher last season, finishing fifth at the position in rushing yards. His 5.62 yards per carry is best among qualified backs since he entered the league. The 24-year-old is eyeing his third straight top-five fantasy finish, but will face challenges in an overhauled Miami offense led by quarterback Malik Willis.
James Cook signed a contract extension last offseason and was immediately given the biggest role of his career. The 2022 second-round NFL draft pick finished in the top five among backs in carries, rushing yards (league-high 1,621), touchdowns and yards per carry (5.25). The one limiting factor in Cook's fantasy output was a minimal receiving role (his 40 targets ranked 26th among RBs), but he still came through with a sixth-place finish in fantasy points. The 26-year-old is set to play the same role in Joe Brady's scheme and will be a candidate for his third straight double-digit touchdown output.
Saquon Barkley is looking to rebound after a rough 2025 season. After producing 2,283 yards and 15 touchdowns on 378 touches in his first season with Philly, Barkley dipped to 1,413 yards and nine scores on 317 touches in 2025. Barkley fell from first among backs in fantasy points per game (22.5) to 15th (14.5). Now 29 years old, it's possible Barkley's best days are behind him, but he's still positioned as a clear feature back in a good offense that will have a healthier offensive line and a new playcaller in Sean Mannion.
