Dynasty Fantasy Football: 2026 Free Agency Analysis

NFL Free Agency is one of the best times of the year, and it might just be my personal favorite. It is extremely exciting to see new faces in new homes and the domino effect of values following these moves. Landing on a new team historically has meant a wide variety of things for Fantasy Football. These moves can elevate players in Fantasy Football, or they can go the complete opposite way and crash values.

Heading into day two, there are still so many relevant players who have not yet signed. As I am writing this, I may need to add players as I go before hitting the submit button. With each of these players, I will detail their landing spot along with the Dynasty impacts for not only the individual players but also players that are impacted by these moves. Dynasty Fantasy Football is a game played where values greatly shift up and down, so it is important to stay in touch with changes in the NFL and what exactly they mean. That is where I come in. Let’s get it

Dynasty Fantasy Football: 2026 Free Agency Analysis

Tyler Allgeier (RB, Cardinals)

The Cardinals signed Tyler Allgeier to a two-year, $12.25 million contract. This comes right after the Cardinals reworked a deal for James Conner to stay with the team. Tyler Allgeier was able to earn over 150 touches with Bijan Robinson in front of him in Atlanta this past season, totaling 514 rushing yards and a career-high eight total touchdowns. Allgeier has finished three seasons with over 640 rushing yards, with 1,035 as a starter in his rookie season.

The Cardinals will likely roll out a committee approach with Allgeier and Conner, with the odd man out being Trey Benson. For Dynasty, this is a very positive move for Allgeier to escape Bijan, and even further means a blow to Benson’s stock. In reality, there are three guys here who can compete for the RB1A job, with two of those being returning Cardinals who missed plenty of time last season.

Tua Tagovailoa (QB, Falcons)

After Miami released Tua Tagovailoa, he signed a one-year, $1.3 million deal. Tua has missed significant time through his career, playing 14 or fewer games in five of his six seasons. Turnovers and concussions have been major concerns throughout time. In 2023, Tua played a full 17 games, finishing first in passing yards (4,624), second in yards per attempt (8.3), second in deep ball completion percentage, seventh in true completion percentage, and fifth in passing touchdowns (29) via playerprofiler. Tua’s 18.4 Fantasy PPG in 2022 ranked ninth that year.

I expect Tua to beat out Michael Penix Jr. for the starting job, which, of course, negatively impacts Penix in Dynasty. Yes, it is a one-year prove-it deal, but I expect Tua to do just that. Tua’s resume shows passing upside with accuracy qualities, which is great for the pair of Drake London and Kyle Pitts. London and Pitts should get slight bumps for what I view as a more competent quarterback for them both. A solid passing game could certainly open things up for Bijan Robinson as well.

Jahan Dotson (WR, Falcons)

Jahan Dotson signed with Atlanta on a two-year, $15 million deal. Dotson was a former first-round selection back in 2022 by the Commanders, who flashed with seven receiving touchdowns in just 12 games his rookie season. Dotson would play two seasons in Washington before landing with the Eagles, to play with AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith. Dotson did play a role, but was always going to be buried behind AJB, DVS, Dallas Goedert, and Saquon Barkley in importance to the team. I do believe much could have been learned playing on the same roster with one of the best wide receiver duos in the NFL.

The Falcons also signed Olamide Zaccheaus, but I have always been a big fan of Dotson’s skill set. I was a fan of Dotson’s profile coming out of Penn State as a prospect, and do think he can take a Fantasy step forward into FLEX potential. Tua Tagovailoa is a quarterback upgrade, and while Dotson may need to compete for targets behind both Drake London and Kyle Pitts, I do believe he could play a more significant WR2 role in Atlanta. Dynasty sleeper.

JK Dobbins (RB, Broncos)

The Broncos extended JK Dobbins on a two-year, $20 milllion deal. Dobbins turned his career around following some major injuries in 2024 with the Chargers, rushing for 905 yards and scoring nine total touchdowns through 13 games. In 2025 with the Broncos, Dobbbins rushed for 772 yards and scored four touchdowns through 10 games played. Through those 10 starts with rookie RJ Harvey rostered, Dobbins played above 50% of the snaps in six of them, finished with 16+ touches in seven of them, and scored 14+ Fantasy Points in five of them.

RJ Harvey had some very solid Fantasy weeks last season, especially after the Week 12 BYE. Dobbins was the clear RB1 when healthy, evident by the touches. For 2026, both backs should get work, and I would expect the split to be a bit closer. With Dobbins’ injury history over the last two seasons, this extension may be more encouraging for Harvey’s stock over the Broncos’ signing or drafting another back. The Broncos do like Dobbins and Harvey, who obviously impressed through his rookie season, so both backs should get plenty of work in 2026, but their ceilings may be capped.

Alec Pierce (WR, Colts)

The Colts extended Pierce on a four-year, $116 million deal. Pierce has led the Colts in receiving yards the last two seasons, with 1,003 in 2025 and 824 in 2024. Pierce has done this through just 84 and 69 targets in those seasons. The 21.3 and 22.3 yards per catch numbers the last two years have been elite, and Pierce was very Fantasy useful in 2025 with his 12.2 PPG. Pierce finished five weeks with 17+ Fantasy Points and two weeks with 24+ Fantasy Points through 15 games in 2025.

Daniel Jones was retained, but is coming off a significant injury. Anthony Richardson and the Colts are cutting their ties. So the QB1 situation for 2026 is in question. The Colts did trade away Michael Pittman Jr. to the Steelers, so this frees up 111 targets from 2025. With what Pierce has done for the Colts the last two seasons and the amount of money they have invested in him, the targets should finally be coming in 2026. When you give your big-play guy more opportunities to make big plays, good things likely follow for Fantasy Football. While I would have liked to see Pierce play somewhere else on a team with a solid quarterback and a wide receiver need, the money and MPJ departure are positive signs.

Kenneth Walker III (RB, Chiefs)

The Chiefs signed Kenneth Walker III to a three-year, up to $45 million deal. Walker has finished seasons with 1,051 (2022), 905 (2023), and 1,027 (2025) rushing yards, with three of those seasons being ones in which he scored eight to nine touchdowns. KWII exploded in the NFL Playoffs, with the result being a Super Bowl and the MVP honor of that game. KWII rushed for 116 yards and three touchdowns with 29 receiving yards in the NFC Divisional. He then rushed for 62 yards and a touchdown with 49 receiving yards in the NFC Championship. Then in the Super Bowl, KWII rushed for 135 yards and finished with 26 receiving yards. Workhorse volume paired with workhorse production.

Since Patrick Mahomes took over as the Chiefs’ starting quarterback in 2018, the team has never had a running back rush for 1,000 yards. Having an actual run game to complement the passing game is a boost for Mahomes and his pass-catchers. Could this mean less passing volume? Potentially. Could this mean more efficient passing? Also potentially. KWIII could operate as a true workhorse in a great offense, which should give him a huge Dynasty value boost.

Travis Kelce (TE, Chiefs)

The Chiefs are bringing Travis Kelce back on a one-year, $12 million deal. There were many questions about whether Kelce was going to hang it up after 2025, given that he was 36 years old. Kelce caught 76 balls in 2025, which was his lowest since 2015. Kelce did produce 851 yards and scored five touchdowns.

Kelce’s 11.4 Fantasy PPG in 2025 ranked eighth for the position, but it tied for his lowest career mark, which was in his rookie 2014 season. Kelce will go down as one of the most dominant Fantasy Football tight ends to ever play the game, but we are at the end of the road here. Kelce should still be useful for Fantasy Football in 2026, but not to any extent that you have an advantage rostering him. The end is likely 2027.

Jalen Nailor (WR, Raiders)

The Raiders signed Jalen Nailor to a three-year, $35 million deal. Nailor produced a career-high 444 yards in 2024 with the Vikings, with two weeks of 19+ Fantasy Points. Nailor has finished 2025 with 15.3 yards per catch, 14.8 in 2024, and 19.9 in 2022.

Brock Bowers is the clear alpha through the air in this Raiders offense that should be led by incoming rookie Fernando Mendoza. After that, the receiving room is wide open. 2025 rookies Jack Bech and Dont’e Thornton Jr. were both held to 20 or fewer catches and 224/135 yards. Tre Tucker led the team with 696 receiving yards. Nailor could have deep league sleeper value to hold and stash.

Malik Willis (QB, Dolphins)

After releasing Tua Tagovailoa, the Dolphins signed Malik Willis to a three-year, $67.5 million deal to be their new QB1. Willis played the majority of two games in 2025. In Week 16, Willis played 64% of the snaps against the Bears, filling in for an injured Jordan Love. Willis finished with 121 passing yards and a touchdown and also rushed for 44 yards. In Week 17, Willis played the full game, passing for 288 yards and a touchdown with 60 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. Willis also flashed in 2024, Week 3, passing for 202 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for 73 yards and another touchdown.

Willis has had a small sample size of games as a starter, with six total since 2022. He flashed enough to earn a deal with the Dolphins, and his Dynasty value is way up from being a backup. The dual-threat abilities, specifically his consistent rushing upside, should keep Willis very fantasy-relevant. For a guy who has had many question marks about his abilities as a passer, I do believe that De’Von Achane is safe as a dump-off option while Jaylen Waddle takes a slight hit in Dynasty. Everyone seems to hate Tua Tagovailoa, but I do believe he is a much more competent passer than what we know of Willis so far. Willis and Achane will keep offenses honest on the ground together, and the passing game is something we will not be too sure about until we see it. Less passing volume could be the case here, though.

Travis Etienne (RB, Saints)

The Saints signed Travis Etienne to a four-year, $52 million deal. Etienne had a major bounce-back season after a down 2024, with 1,107 rushing yards, 292 receiving yards, and 13 total touchdowns in 2025. Etienne has rushed for 1,000+ yards in three of his four seasons played, caught 58 balls for 476 yards in 2023, has finished with double-digit touchdowns twice, and has seasons of 14.9(2025) / 16.6 (202) Fantasy PPG.

The Saints had a wide range of running backs factor in last season, with all of Alvin Kamara, Devin Neal, Audric Estime, and Kendre Miller earning work through the year. None of those running backs played above 11 games. Alvin Kamara could limit Etienne’s ceiling if he remains on the Saints and eats up the pass-catching work, but with New Orleans knowing Etienne has pass-catching qualities, they could let Kamara walk. Estime and Miller would battle for the backup role. Tyler Shough at quarterback looked solid as a rookie last year, and Chris Olave had his best season to date, so locking Etienne into the backfield just makes this offense better. Etienne should be valued around the same in Dynasty, unless Kamara is back and healthy, while all other backs take a big hit here.

Isaiah Likely (TE, Giants)

The Giants signed Isaiah Likely to a three-year, $40 million deal. Likely has flashed in moments for the Ravens, operating as the TE2 behind Mark Andrews since 2022. Likely finished with 477 yards in 2024, and has produced over 300 receiving yards in each of his four seasons played. Likely also has scored five or six touchdowns in half of his seasons played.

I am projecting Likely to beat out Theo Johnson for the TE1 role in New York. Johnson caught 45 of his 74 targets in 2025 for 528 receiving yards and five touchdowns. This offense is growing, with Jaxson Dart entering year two, Cam Skattebo entering year two, Malik Nabers coming back from injury in year three, and the hire of John Harbaugh. Harbaugh obviously has ties to Likely from back on the Ravens. Wan’Dale Robinson is vacating 140 targets for Nabers to eat back up, but is still a huge target earner gone, so the role can either be one Likely can cut into or addressed in the draft.

Mike Evans (WR, 49ers)

The 49ers signed Mike Evans to a three-year, $60.4 million deal. Now 32 years old, Evans broke his streak of 11 straight seasons with 1,000+ yards in 2025 due to playing in just eight games due to injury. Evans did show he still had juice at the end of the year, with 132 yards in Week 15, and two touchdowns scored across his final four games of the season. Evans averaged a solid 17.2 Fantasy PPG in 2024, not long ago.

The 49ers are set to part ways with both Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings this offseason. George Kittle is coming off an Achilles injury, with a timeline unknown. Evans will step right into a very, very important role for Brock Purdy in a solid offense. Evans will operate with what feels like only Ricky Pearsall until Kittle is back, which feels like less target competition than he had with Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin in Tampa Bay. Short-term boost for Evans and Purdy here.

Kenneth Gainwell (RB, Buccaneers)

The Buccaneers signed Kenneth Gainwell to a two-year, $14 million deal. Gainwell had a career year across the board with 114 rushing attempts, 537 rushing yards, 73 receptions, 486 receiving yards, eight total touchdowns, and 13 Fantasy PPG. Gainwell finished five weeks with 19+ Fantasy Points, as one of the biggest surprise assets in 2025 for Fantasy Football.

Rachaad White will vacate 132 rushing attempts and 40 receptions from last season, with a chunk of that coming from Bucky Irving being out of the mix. Bucky should assume the lead role, with Gainwell playing the White role, who I do not think is as good as White on a personal level. Gainwell can continue to have some Fantasy relevance due to his pass-catching abilities, but nowhere in the world of what he did last year with the Steelers. Depth running back if anything for Fantasy.

Wan’Dale Robinson (WR, Titans)

The Titans signed Wan’Dale Robinson to a four-year, $78 million deal. Robinson has earned exactly 140 targets for the last two seasons in a row, with 2025 being a major statistical one. Robinson finished the year vs. the position seventh in targets (140), seventh in receptions (92), 13th in receiving yards (1,014), and 14th in Fantasy PPG (13.6). For being looked at as just a “slot guy”, Robinson finished three weeks with 142 (Week 2), 156 (Week 12), and 113 (Week 17) receiving yards, along with four weeks of 20+ Fantasy Points.

Robinson reunites with former Giants Head Coach Brian Daboll in Tennessee, who is now the Offensive Coordinator. Obviously, this is a good thing as Daboll knows Wan’Dale extensively as a player, and can scheme up plenty of plays that will lift his skillset. While 2025 first-overall pick, Cam Ward, did not have a stellar rookie season, he did throw the ball 540 times (#8) and showed signs of progress at the end of the year. Robinson will compete for targets in 2026 with sophomores Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike, along with the ghost of Calvin Ridley (if he remains on the team). I actually really like this move for Robinson, as he should continue to earn heavy targets on a growing offense.

Rico Dowdle (RB, Steelers)

The Steelers signed Rico Dowdle to a two-year, $12.25 million deal. Dowdle rushed 235 times for 1,079 yards, caught 39 passes for 249 yards, scored five touchdowns, and averaged 12.4 Fantasy PPG in 2024 with the Cowboys. Then, in 2025 with the Panthers, he had extremely similar stats with 236 rushing attempts for 1,076 yards, 39 receptions for 297 yards. He scored seven touchdowns and averaged 12.7 Fantasy PPG. Dowdle had spike rushing weeks in 2025 with 206 in Week 5, 183 in Week 6, and 130 in Week 9.

Kenneth Gainwell is gone and vacates 114 rushing attempts and 73 receptions. Jaylen Warren remains on the roster and rushed 211 times for 958 yards, with 40 receptions for 333 yards, and eight total touchdowns in 2025. I believe both backs will get plenty of work, but I feel Dowdle is the 1A here with the heavier rushing load, while Warren plays more of the Gainwell, secondary role. Dowdle landing on a team where he can be the lead back bumps his Dynasty value up. Warren takes a hit here, and 2025 rookie Kaleb Johnson is all but forgotten in this equation unless there is an injury.

Isiah Pacheco (RB, Lions)

The Lions have signed Isiah Pacheco. Pacheco has been limited to 20 games across the last two seasons due to injury. Back in 2023, Pacheco rushed for 935 yards, caught 44 balls for 244 yards, scored nine touchdowns, and averaged 15.3 Fantasy PPG through 14 games played. As a rookie in 2022, Pacheco rushed for 830 yards.

David Montgomery, now a Texan, vacated 158 rushing attempts and 24 receptions from last year. Monty has consistently served as a complement to Jahmyr Gibbs, which Pacheco will now turn into. Pacheco runs tough and can grind out the extra yards, so he should earn work in Detroit, which has been a great offense for years. This move does not hurt Gibbs at all, it actually might be less competition than what Monty was in Detroit. For Pacheco, he remains in a great offense, but now, instead of potentially being a starter, he is going to be watching a ton of Jahmyr Gibbs. Solid handcuff for Fantasy Football in the end.

Romeo Doubs (WR, Patriots)

The Patriots signed Romeo Doubs to a four-year, $68 million deal. Doubs has finished with over 600 yards for three straight seasons for the Packers, with a career-high eight touchdowns in 2023. Doubs has averaged 10-ish Fantasy PPG for three straight seasons.  In 2025, Doubs caught 55 of his 85 targets for 724 yards and scored six touchdowns. In Doubs final game as a Packer in the NFC Wild Card, he caught eight of his 11 targets for 124 yards and a touchdown. That performance alone drew plenty of attention.

Romeo Doubs becomes a new weapon for Drake Maye, who finished second in MVP voting for 2025. This is a quarterback upgrade for the long run. Through the air in 2025, Maye finished with 492 attempts, 4,394 yards, and 31 passing touchdowns. Stefon Diggs is gone, so as of today, Doubs is primarily competing with Kayshon Boutte, Demario Douglas, Mack Hollins, and Kyle Williams for targets out of the wide receiver room. Unless the Patriots trade for AJ Brown or draft someone significant, this move can be looked at as a Dynasty boost for Doubs. Doubs has been a guy who has touchdown upside, and does all of the dirty work that a lot of receivers do not as a blocker.