League Winners for 2026 Fantasy Football

My motto has always been “Play 2 Win” in the Fantasy Football world. This is the masterpiece cheat sheet on how to do that in 2026. I have compiled a list of my biggest league-winners for Fantasy Football this season, covering all positions, and quick-hitter notes for the context behind my reasoning. Targeting as many of these players in Fantasy Football this season will lead to championships. Let’s get it!

League Winners for Fantasy Football in 2026

Lamar Jackson (QB, Ravens)

• 2025: Limited to 13 games due to multiple ailments
• 2024: Career-highs in passing attempts (474), completions (316), passing yards (4,172), and passing touchdowns (41)
• Seasons of 915 (2024), 1,005 (2020), and 1,206 (2019) rushing yards
• Six seasons of 20+ Fantasy PPG with two of those being at 25+ PPG
• New coaching for 2026 in Jesse Minter (HC) and Declan Doyle (OC)
• Vega Ioane (first-round rookie) and John Simpson added to the Offensive Line
• Ja’Kobi Lane (WR), Elijah Sarratt (WR), Matt Hibner (TE), and Adam Randall (RB) drafted
• Zay Flowers (WR) is coming off of a career-year as the WR1

Caleb Williams (QB, Bears)

• 2025: 3,942 passing yards, 27 passing touchdowns, seven interceptions, 388 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns
• 2025: Six weeks of 250+ passing yards. Three weeks of three or more passing touchdowns
• 2025: Three weeks of 53+ rushing yards
• 2025: Seven weeks of 21+ Fantasy Points with two weeks at 29+ points. Averaged 19.1 for the year
• 489 rushing yards as a rookie in 2024
• Heading into year two of a Ben Johnson-led offense
• Added Garrett Bradbury to the offensive line this offseason
• All of Luther Burden III (WR), Rome Odunze (WR), and Colston Loveland (TE) are rising young potential breakouts this season

Justin Herbert (QB, Chargers)

• Five seasons of 3,700+ passing yards with a high of 5,014 in 2021
• Four seasons of 25+ passing touchdowns with two of those over 30 passing touchdowns
• Coming off of a career-high 498 rushing yards in 2025
• Four seasons of 18+ Fantasy PPG with two of those at 22+ PPG
• 2026 Offensive Line: Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt return from injuries. Tyler Biadasz and Cole Strange added this offseason. Jake Slaughter (second round) and Travis Burke (fourth round) were selected in the 2026 NFL Draft
• Mike McDaniel hired as the new Offensive Coordinator to elevate the LAC offense
• RB Core of Ladd McConkey (WR), Omarion Hampton (RB), Oronde Gadsden II (TE), Quentin Johnston (WR), Tre Harris (WR), David Njoku (TE), and Keaton Mitchell (RB)

Kyler Murray (QB, Vikings)

• Signed a one-year deal with the Vikings, while still getting paid by the Cardinals
• Four seasons of 3,700+ passing yards with a high of 3,851 in 2024
• Four seasons of 20+ passing touchdowns with a high of 26 in 2020
• Three seasons of 544+ rushing yards with a high of 819 in 2020
• Three seasons with five or more rushing touchdowns with a high of 11 in 2020
• Six seasons of 18+ Fantasy PPG with two of those at 22+ PPG
• 2026 Receiving Core: Justin Jefferson (WR), Jordan Addison (WR), TJ Hockenson (TE), Jauan Jennings (WR), and Aaron Jones (RB)
• Offensive Line additions: Signed Brian O’Neill in Free Agency and drafted Caleb Tiernan in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft

Tyler Shough (QB, Saints)

• As a rookie in 2025 from Week 9 on, he was the QB9 in total Fantasy Points while averaging 17.6 Fantasy PPG
• 21+ Fantasy Points in 3/5 of his final games played
• 4/9 starts (44.4%) with 270+ passing yards
• 3/9 starts (33.3%) with multiple passing touchdowns
• 3/9 starts (33.3%) with 32+ rushing yards. Three rushing touchdowns recorded
• This offseason, the Saints signed David Edwards (G), Travis Etienne Jr. (RB), and Noah Fant (TE)
• In the 2026 NFL Draft, NO selected Jordyn Tyson (WR) in the first round, Oscar Delp (TE) in the third round, Jeremiah Wright (G) in the fourth round, and Bryce Lance (WR) in the fourth round
• Chris Olave (WR) is coming off of a career year with a clear Shough connection

Saquon Barkley (RB, Eagles)

• 2024 Upside in Philly: 2,005 rushing yards, 13 rushing touchdowns, 278 receiving yards, and two receiving touchdowns
• Five seasons of 1,000+ rushing yards, with three of those at 1,300+ yards
• Three seasons of double-digit rushing touchdowns
• Three seasons of 52+ receptions with a high of 91 as a rookie in 2018
• Five seasons of 15+ Fantasy PPG with two of those at 22+ PPG
• The hiring of a new Offensive Coordinator (Sean Mannion) and the departure of AJ Brown (WR, Patriots) can mean a shift to emphasizing Barkley like the 2024 Super Bowl-winning season
• Added offensive line depth in the 2026 NFL Draft through Markel Bell in the third round

Kenneth Walker III (RB, Chiefs)

• Signed a three-year, $43.05 million deal with the Chiefs this offseason
• Averaged 24.9 Fantasy PPG across three games in the last NFL Playoffs operating as a workhorse. Super Bowl MVP
• 2025: Via Playerprofiler, Walker finished the year for the position 12th in yards per touch, sixth in evaded tackles, and third in breakaway runs
• Finished three of his four seasons played with 900+ rushing yards, and two of those seasons were at 1,000+
• As a rookie in 2022, Walker scored a career-high nine rushing touchdowns, and in 2024 through just 12 games played he caught a career-high 46 balls
• Teams up with Patrick Mahomes (QB), who has never played in KC with a running back who rushed for 1,000+ yards
• Rookie Emmett Johnson can be a complement back or simply a handcuff. Workhorse opportunity for 2026

Javonte Williams (RB, Cowboys)

• Signed a three-year, $24 million contract extension with the Cowboys in 2026
• 2025 career-highs: 252 rushing attempts, 1,201 rushing yards, 11 rushing touchdowns
• Weeks of 135 (Week 5) and 116 (Week 7) rushing yards in 2025
• Weeks of 20.4 (Week 1), 25.0 (Week 2), and 26.9 (Week 5) Fantasy Points in 2025
• Three seasons of 43+ receptions, with a high of 52 in 2024
• Seasons of 316 (2021) and 346 (2024) receiving yards. 903 rushing yards as a rookie
• Elite core of Dak Prescott (QB, CeeDee Lamb (WR), George Pickens (WR), and Jake Ferguson (TE) for defenses to focus in on

Quinshon Judkins (RB, Browns)

• Returning from a severe right ankle dislocation and a fractured fibula in Week 16
• Rookie season: Rushed 230 times for 827 yards, scored seven rushing touchdowns, and caught 26 balls for 171 yards
• 2025: Six weeks of 75+ rushing yards, with a high of 110 in Week 5
• The three-rushing-touchdown game in Week 7 last season shows high potential in scoring
• Scored 15+ Fantasy points five times as a rookie, and in two of those games he scored over 21 Fantasy Points.
• 2026: Todd Monken took over as the Head Coach for the Browns as the former Offensive Coordinator for Derrick Henry and the Ravens
• Offseason offensive line haul that included Spencer Fano (ninth overall pick in the NFL Draft), Zion Johnson (Free Agency), Elgton Jenkins (Free Agency), Parker Brailsford (NFL Draft), and Tytus Howard (trade)

D’Andre Swift (RB, Bears)

• 2025: 223 carries for 1,087 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns. 34 receptions for 299 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown
• 2025: Games of 108 (Week 6), 124 (Week 7), and 125 (Week 13) rushing yards
• 2025 via Playerprofiler: #9 in yards per touch, #12 in yards created per touch, #9 in explosive rating, and #11 in breakaway runs
• 1,000 rushing yards in two of the last three seasons.
• Three seasons over 45 receptions
• Three seasons of 14+ Fantasy PPG with a high of 16.1 in 2021
• Entering year two back connected to Ben Johnson, who he worked with back in Detroit
• Passing offense creates plenty of attention from Caleb Williams (QB), Luther Burden II (WR), Rome Odunze (WR), and Colston Loveland (TE)

AJ Brown (WR, Patriots)

• The Patriots send a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick to bring in AJB
• Six seasons of 1,000+ receiving yards with two of those over 1,400 yards
• Seasons of 145 (2022) and 158 (2023) targets. 106 catches in 2023
• Two seasons of 11 receiving touchdowns (2022/2020)
• Three seasons of 17+ Fantasy PPG
• Reunites with Head Coach Mike Vrabel, who AJB spent time with in Tennessee
• 2026 WR1 for Drake Maye (QB), who passed for 4,394 yards and 31 touchdowns last season. Via Playerprofiler, Maye finished #4 in deep ball completion percentage in 2025

Emeka Egbuka (WR, Buccaneers)

• 2025 rookie season: 127 targets, 63 receptions, 938 receiving yards, and six touchdowns
• Finished top-15 in yards after catch as a rookie
• 2025 Weeks 1-10: Three weeks of double-digit targets, three weeks of six or more catches, three weeks over 100 receiving yards, six receiving touchdowns, and four weeks of 20+ Fantasy Points through nine games played
• 2025 injury impacts for the context of production drops: Egbuka dealt with some hip, groin, and hamstring issues. Baker Mayfield (QB) dealt with knee issues, a bad biceps contusion and tendon injury, an AC joint sprain in his shoulder, and other ailments that derailed this connection
• Mike Evans (WR, 49ers) vacates a big role. Egbuka is the clear WR1 with complements of Chris Godwin (WR), Jalen McMillan (WR), Cade Otton (TE), and rookie Ted Hurst (WR) through the air
• Baker Mayfield in 2024 (healthy): 4,500 passing yards and 41 passing touchdowns. That type of ceiling for 2026 with Egbuka the focal point through the air

Zay Flowers (WR, Ravens)

• 2025 career-highs (with QB Lamar Jackson playing 13 games): 118 targets, 86 receptions, 1,211 receiving yards, 62 rushing yards
• 2025 via Playerprofiler: #8 in yards after the catch, #5 in yards per route run, #12 in yards per target, #1 in juke rate, and #3 in explosive rating
• Weeks of 143 (Week 1), 124 (Week 14), and 138 (Week 18) receiving yards in 2025
• Four weeks of 20+ Fantasy Points in 2025
• Three straight seasons of 100+ targets with 74+ receptions
• Lamar Jackson (QB) returning to health after having a career-year through the air in 2024. Touchdown scoring boost potential for Flowers
• The additions of Head Coach Jesse Minter, Offensive Coordinator Declan Doyle, and rookie wide receivers Ja’kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt can be a boost for Flowers in 2026

Jaylen Waddle (WR, Broncos)

• Traded to the Broncos with a fourth-round pick for a 2026 first-round pick, a 2026 third-round pick, and a 2026 fourth-round pick
• Four seasons of 100+ targets (140 in 2021) and three seasons of 72+ receptions (104 in 2022)
• Three seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards, with his highest being 1,356 yards in 2022 when he averaged 18.1 yards per catch
• Three seasons of finishing top-12 in yards after the catch
• Three seasons of 14+ Fantasy PPG, with two of those being 15.5/15.3 in his first two seasons
• Bo Nix (QB) is coming off a season in which he threw a league-high 612 times
• Complementary receivers in Courtland Sutton, Troy Franklin, Pat Bryant, and Marvin Mims Jr. will be a boost to Waddle being the alpha in a solid offense

Christian Watson (WR, Packers)

• Received a four-year, $110.5 million extension this offseason
• 2025 Weeks 8-17 upon ACL tear return: WR12 in total Fantasy Points and WR12 in receiving yards during this span
• Finished three of his 10 games played in 2025 with 20+ Fantasy Points
• 17.5/21.4 yards per catch in 2025/2024 show upside in receiving
• Six touchdowns in 10 games played in 2025 and seven touchdowns in 14 games played in 2022 show upside there
• Romeo Doubs (WR, Patriots) and Dontayvion Wicks (WR, Eagles) vacate targets for 2026
• A full year of upside, as Jordan Love’s (QB) WR1 for 2026

Ladd McConkey (WR, Chargers)

• 2025: Three weeks of 20+ Fantasy Points
• 2024 as a rookie: 112 targets, 82 receptions, 1,149 receiving yards, seven touchdowns, and 15.1 Fantasy PPG
• 2024 Season NFL Playoffs (one game): 14 targets, nine receptions, 197 receiivng yards, and one touchdown for 34.7 Fantasy Points
• Vis Playerprofiler: #6 in yards per route run in 2024 and inside the top-20 in yards after catch in both seasons played
• Keenan Allen (Free Agent) vacates 1222 targets for 2026
• Hiring Mike McDaniel as the Offensive Coordinator and having a healthy, boosted OL will make Justin Herbert (QB) and Ladd more effective in 2026

Wan’Dale Robinson (WR, Titans)

• Signed a four-year, $70 million contract this offseason with the Titans, which reunites him with his former Giants Head Coach turned Titans Offensive Coordinator, Brian Daboll
• 2025: 140 targets, 92 receptions, 1,014 receiving yards, four touchdowns, and 13.6 Fantasy PPG
• Weeks of 142 (Week 2), 156 (Week 12), and 113 (Week 17) receiving yards as a “slot gy”
• Four weeks of 20+ Fantasy Points in 2025
• 2024: 140 targets, 93 receptions, 699 receiving yards, and three touchdowns
• Rookie Carnell Tate (WR) will draw plenty of defensive attention on the outside as a big-play guy, but Robinson is the easier outlet with proven target-earning skills
• Cam Ward (QB) showed some end-of-season flashes through the air. Coaching changes, OL additions, and more weapons can mean a year-two leap for Ward.

Antonio Williams (WR, Commanders)

• Round three, pick 71 selection by the Commanders in the 2026 NFL Draft out of Clemson
• Three seasons of 600+ receiving yards at Clemson with a high of 904 in 2024 when he scored 11 touchdowns. 179 total rushing yards across his last two college seasons
• Great run-after-catch abilities with solid vision, crafty route-running, plus body control, creative, versatile skillset, true playmaker
• WR2 opportunity is Williams’ for the taking behind Terry McLaurin (WR). Deebo Samuel (WR, 49ers) vacates 99 targets and Zach Ertz (TE, Free Agent) 72 from last season
• Jayden Daniels (QB) finished his rookie year in 2024 with 3,568 passing yards and 25 passing touchdowns, which he can build on in 2026
• Williams can have a similar rookie season to receivers such as Ladd McConkey, Rashee Rice, or Jayden Reed based on potential usage, dynamic playmaking, and versatility

Brock Bowers (TE, Raiders)

• Appeared in just 12 games in 2025 due to a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury and a bone bruise in his left knee. Shut down for the season to be safe
• Week 9 in 2025: 12 receptions on 13 targets for 127 receiving yards, three touchdowns, six rushing yards, and 43.3 Fantasy Points
• Finished six games with over 14 Fantasy Points through 12 games in 2025. Scored seven touchdowns in total
• 2024 as a rookie: 153 targets, 112 receptions, 1,194 receiving yards, five touchdowns, and averaged 15.5 Fantasy PPG
• 2024 via Playerprofiler: #1 in deep targets, #1 in air yards, #1 in targets, #1 in receiving yards, #1 in yards after the catch, #8 in yards per route run
• Two quarterback upgrades in veteran Kirk Cousins and 2026 NFL Draft #1 pick, Fernando Mendoza. Both will be the best quarterbacks Bowers has ever played with
• Massive target ceiling in 2026 with one of the weakest wide receiver rooms in the NFL. Could break records

Tyler Warren (TE, Colts)

• 2025 rookie season: 112 targets, 76 receptions, 817 receiving yards, four receiving touchdowns, 11.1 Fantasy PPG
• The Daniel Jones to Tyler Warren connection was great in Weeks 1-13 prior to Jones suffering a major injury in Week 14. During this span, Warren ranked fourth (tied) in targets, fifth in receptions, third in receiving yards, fourth in total Fantasy Points, and seventh in Fantasy PPG at 13.1
• Four weeks of 16+ Fantasy Points last season with two of those at 18.3 points
• Finished 2025 second in yards after the catch
• Michael Pittman Jr. (WR, Steelers) vacates 111 targets, and Alec Pierce opened up training camp on the PUP due to his offseason ankle surgery.
• Daniel Jones will be back, and I project Warren to lead the Colts in targets and have a full season of what we saw before the Jones injury last year.

For more great fantasy football rankings and analysis, make sure to check out the 2026 FantraxHQ Fantasy Football Draft Kit!