Fantasy Rankings are here!

By Martin Richardson

In part one, we saw some real value players lower down the rankings, players who you can turn to once your roster has been set with starters and some bench fillers. Now it is time to look at the big names and see who may well be worth taking early, or who may well be a bigger risk than previous years. Who is a safe pair of hands in 2026, or who has a worse situation that they have had in fantasy years gone by…

12. MATTHEW STAFFORD

I’m starting my second part of the QB rankings here with something that feels a little criminal with Stafford at number 12 on the list. Why does it feel criminal? Well, he has another elite WR pair in Nacua and Adams to throw to every week and they combined for a total of 24 touchdowns in 2025. He has a top running back in Kyren Williams and a back up who is no slouch in Blake Corum; and he has a whole host of tight ends to choose from who are so valuable in this Sean McVay offense. Some outlets have the words ‘regression’ and ‘injury concerns’ thrown about as reasons to be weary of taking Stafford, but with a total of 46 touchdowns in 2025. I’d still take him and some regression to be a solid starter for my fantasy team.

11. BO NIX

Embed from Getty Images

Bo Nix will forever be part of the ‘what if’ discourse when it comes to that injury in the playoffs. Now in 2026, the Broncos have another chance to go again, and they have upgraded in at WR in the process too, with a blockbuster trade for Jaylen Waddle in the off season. Whilst he has yet to his elite numbers, he is very much in the ‘high ceiling’ conversation with his rushing ability added to those offensive targets. Providing that ankle injury really is behind him, Nix has a chance to break into the top 10 fantasy QB conversation with some big weeks.

10. DAK PRESCOTT

This is a very exciting Cowboys year. But don’t we say that every year? Seriously though, Prescott has a lot of pieces slotting into place: two top WR that rival Chase and Higgins in my opinion, a running back in Javonte Williams who impressed last year and a TE who had 8 touchdowns last year in Jake Ferguson. So long as the O-line in front of him gives Dak time to get the ball out and on target, Prescott could well be on track for a top 30 touchdown and near 4000-yard season that could mean great things for Cowboys and fantasy fans alike. I really like the value of someone like Prescott here, as people will naturally gravitate to the names further up these rankings, which makes someone like Dak great value.

9. trevor lawrence

Lawrence is positioned to have a great season for fantasy football players and I think he could be a top factor in players’ success in 2026. He has a myriad of WR to aim for: Parker Washington (Sleeper candidate), Brian Thomas Jr, Jacobi Meyers and Travis Hunter. He has a committee back system that work well in the catching game with Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez Jr and he has Brenton Strange at TE who I think should be involved more but with so many people to utilise it may be hard. All of this means that Lawrence has a shot at being really competitive for fantasy players in 2026. Don’t be afraid to take him if you see a rush of QBs go in your leagues, the upside is there.

8. jayden daniels

Should I have Daniels at 5? Should I be concerned that he isn’t and I have used number 5 later? What an odd off season for Daniels. Caught in this nonsense and then his pal Brandon Aiyuk wish-casting himself onto the team that never happened. All that aside and Daniels has slid down my rankings because the Commanders need to up their game offensively in 2026. The addition of 1000 yard WR Stefon Diggs and rookie Antonio Williams will no doubt help, but with a committee back system that isn’t quite at top level and an O-line that needs help, Daniels’ ability to scramble and rush with the ball may well be the X factor he needs to rely on to be a top 5 (sorry Jayden) fantasy QB in the future.

7. jalen hurts

This could be something that comes to haunt me putting Hurts as a top 10 fantasy QB with what I am thinking here, but here go. Hurts has a new offensive co-ordinator (again) and is now AJ Brown-less as well, so change is incoming in Philly. But, that change could be positive for someone like Hurts. He had an all-time low rushing the ball with less than 30 yards per game, so I would imagine that changes given that Barkley is a year older and Hurts is still dynamic with his legs when given the chance. He still has DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert (big year incoming?) and now has rookie Makai Lemon to help in the slot from day one, so Hurts has the weapons to continue to be a top fantasy QB providing it all slots into place. The one concern would be what happens if it doesn’t and can you rely on him to be the guy for your team?

6. Justin herbert

*Copies and pastes the following line from any Chargers player in fantasy football discourse*

Is this the year that the Chargers finally push on and take the leap? For Herbert, a lot hangs on the fitness of his elite offensive line, which was plagued by injury in 2025. But, with the quirky Mike McDaniel as the OC, if someone can help Herbert reach his previous best of 38 touchdowns in 2021, then McDaniel can. With offensive targets such as Omarion Hampton, Ladd McConkey and Oronde Gladston, Herbert has the chance to break into consistent Top 10 fantasy QB relevance.

5. caleb williams

I really like Williams, perhaps more than others, and this may well be because of what is around him heading into 2026. Two solid WR with Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III (albeit with a questionable injury to monitor), TE Colston Loveland looking to take the position to another level and a committee back system of Swift and Monangai, all mean that Williams has a great chance to be a top 10 fantasy QB. One thing that helped last season for fantasy players was his lack of turnovers as well, so he becomes much more valuable than others at the position for fantasy players. Williams is fancied across multiple platforms, so don’t be surprised if someone takes him early because of the hype. However he could drop because he sits outside the legacy and history of other QBs in the league. If he does, then pounce and take a QB with a very high ceiling.

4. Joe burrow

PLEASE STAY HEALTHY…

PLEASE STAY HEALTHY…

PLEASE STAY HEALTHY.

That’s all I have to say on Joe Burrow really. We all know how good Burrow can be: two fantastic WR options in Chase and Higgins; a solid dual threat at RB in Chase Brown helps Burrow churn out those great fantasy numbers. The only downside to Burrow is that he has pretty much no rushing ability as a QB, which means he is not as much of a threat as those ahead of him in the discourse. Add to this that even in preseason he somehow managed to get sacked on his first drive, Burrow has the talent around him to be an elite fantasy option. But if that offensive line doesn’t do it’s part, it could well be a similar tale for Burrow in 2026.

3. drake maye

Striking whilst the proverbial iron is hot, the Patriots have added to their offensive arsenal with AJ Brown and Romeo Doubs to help get them consistently in the AFC title conversation. Now, the schedule will be harder, such is life, so will there be some drop off based on that, possibly. But with Brown and Doubs providing a top 1-2 punch for Maye, fantasy players should be safe drafting someone like Maye to be their QB1 heading into 2026. Maye was just behind Josh Allen in terms of fantasy points, which can excite players if they choose to take him this year.

2. lamar jackson

As we get to the top 2, and Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, I get there may be some push back here. But there were so many things wrong with the Ravens last year that I don’t think will be the same heading into 2026. First of all, he has a much better WR group to work with: Zay Flowers does need to do more for me, but he his new contract shows faith from the top brass. I really think new WR pair of Ja’Kobi Lane (I am keen on this rookie) and Elijah Sarratt will have more of an impact on this season than Rashad Bateman and Devontez Walker and will be big targets for Jackson in a more dynamic offense, led by 29-year-old Declan Doyle. Add to this as well the eternal RB in Derrick Henry to fire the ball to whenever the pressure arrives, and Jackson’s own ability in the run game, I am keen to see how Jackson does in 2026.

1. josh allen

Embed from Getty Images

Another great season looms for the Bills QB. He has more options at WR with the addition of DJ Moore this off season to add to Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman (if he finally reaches that potential), as well as Dalton Kincaid at tight end and top RB James Cook. Not to mention Allen’s rushing ability, Allen has the chance once again to continue his consistent top 2 fantasy QB performances. Don’t be afraid to take Allen early in fantasy drafts as his output is worth more than any mid round RB and WR. If you get the urge to take him in your draft, then do it, you know it makes sense.

MARTIN RICHARDSON

NFL/FANTASY FOOTBALL ANALYST

A Yorkshireman living in Lancashire, Martin is a massive NFL fan but his heart belongs to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Also a huge Fantasy Football enthusiast and spends far too long crunching the numbers! Follow him at @MRBucsFan31

Rated 5 out of 5