Even after 25-plus years in the fantasy industry and much success in high-stakes leagues, there inevitably comes a day early in each season in which I wish I had taken the time to write out the bull and bear case for each player likely to get drafted. Such a thing takes a lot of time, which is part of the reason why it is so hard to find such a thing on any fantasy website.
With my Big Board rankings being released as we speak, now feels like the perfect time to conduct such an exercise. Along with several members of my talented writing team here at The Huddle (Steve Hungarter, Harley Schultz, HC Green, Kevin Tompkins), we present the first edition of what I hope becomes a yearly tradition: detailed analysis as to why a player will live up to his
Big Board ranking and why he may not.
Note: Rankings are based on the release of the 8/21 version of the Big Board. Because of the amount of time it will take to update each of the five articles in this series each time there is a change in the rankings, there are no plans to update the rankings next to each player in this story. If new players are added to the Big Board over the final few weeks of the preseason, I will add a sixth installment at the end of the series.
The links to all five stories (and the 150 players we discuss) are below:
1-30 | 31-60| 61-90 | 91-120 | 121-150
61. TE Harold Fannin Jr., Cleveland Browns
Why Fannin will justify this ranking: If Fannin keeps going on his trajectory, he will be meeting and/or exceeding his 2025 rookie season. All it will take for even more for Fannin is SOME quarterback improvement. Fannin had the highest targets-per-route-run of any tight end last season, and he did that playing half of the season as the Browns' TE2 behind David Njoku without a full routes share. Carrying over from his final season at Bowling Green, where he led ALL of college football with 117 receptions and 1,555 receiving yards, Fannin put up 72-731-6 on 104 targets last season to lead the Browns in all categories. Njoku is gone, and two rookies step into wide receiver roles alongside Jerry Jeudy, but the best chance for the Browns to move the ball lies in the hands and duck feet of Fannin.
What could keep Fannin from justifying this ranking: Let's face it: it is if the Browns are the Browns. To quote the late Dennis Green, "they are who we thought they were!" The quarterbacking of Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders is historically putrid. Maybe the Browns just cannot move the ball even in the intermediate ranges like they could last season. What if rookies KC Concepcion and/or Denzel Boston are legitimate threats in the Browns' offense? Jerry Jeudy pulls an Undertaker and comes back from the dead to post a usable stat line this season? All of these factors (and new ones we don't expect) can all hamper Fannin in 2026. But that leads us back to Occam's Razor: "the simplest explanation is usually the correct one," where 2026 could be a failure for Fannin if "the Browns are the Browns."
-- Tompkins
62. WR Wan'Dale Robinson, Tennessee Titans
Why Robinson will justify this ranking: Because we keep discounting Robinson, and he keeps putting up excellent seasons! It turns out that maybe we should buy into the fact that Robinson might be an altered version of Jarvis Landry! Robinson has put up a 92- and 93-catch season in the last two years and now joins former Giants head coach Brian Daboll in Tennessee, where he will be the offensive coordinator. There will be a little more target competition with receiver and top-five rookie Carnell Tate and veteran Calvin Ridley, but Robinson was a highly-paid free agent who will be productive for quarterback Cam Ward and will bring some legitimacy to this offense in 2026. And what if the offense scores a lot more in this configuration? Robinson was not just a PPR scam either in 2025; he extended his aDOT from 5.1 yards in 2024 to a solid 9.0 yards last season. You cannot get 140 targets this low in drafts, so I will buy Robinson where I can.
What could keep Robinson from justifying this ranking: What if Robinson IS a PPR scam? If Tennessee remains the graveyard of once-great receivers (Andre Johnson, Randy Moss, DeAndre Hopkins, Julio Jones), then it is not looking good for our guy here. Honestly, there has not been a worthwhile fantasy wide receiver from the Titans since Hopkins and, before that, A.J. Brown. Ward did not look the greatest at quarterback last season, but to be fair, he did not have a lot to work with. If it is a Ward thing, then it is REALLY not looking good for our boy. What if Calvin Ridley has a little left in the tank? Between him and Tate, that is a lot of pass-catchers demanding targets, and somebody has to play third fiddle here in an offense that is not poised to score a ton of touchdowns. Sadly, there are a handful of ways Robinson could fail to live up to his ranking in 2026.
-- Tompkins
63. WR Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears
Why Odunze will justify this ranking: With DJ Moore gone, Odunze is firmly entrenched as the team's No. 1 receiver, a role that he began to fill last season. He now has an experience edge among Caleb Williams' top targets, and a full year in Ben Johnson's system should benefit him as well. Although he faded as the season wore on, Odunze proved he could be an intermediate weapon and a force in the red zone. While Odunze raised concerns about last season's foot injury when he said playing in pain may become the "new normal" for him, he later stated his foot was no longer an issue.
What could keep Odunze from justifying this ranking: While you should not read too much into his second-half struggles as he tried to navigate a stress fracture in his foot, the potential for second-year jumps from Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III could eat into his opportunities. It also feels like the anointment of Williams could be a bit premature.
-- Green
64. WR Luther Burden, Chicago Bears
Why Burden will justify this ranking: The Bears' offense, already having put their wheels up after takeoff, continues to fly upwards into the sky. With Ben Johnson piloting this aircraft, Burden will be one of the main engines of this offense and continue from his small sample size of 2.69 yards per route run and 24.8% targets per route run on just 242 routes last season. He could not quite shake Olamide Zaccheaus last season, but Burden flashed otherworldly ability and speed at times. With DJ Moore now in Buffalo, the trio of Burden, wide receiver Rome Odunze, and tight end Colston Loveland should consolidate targets in this high-flying Chicago offense quarterbacked by Caleb Williams. If Burden can get a starter's share of routes in this offense, the sky is the limit for him in 2026.
What could keep Burden from justifying this ranking: If the dreaded "small sample size" bug bites Burden in 2026. While what Burden did was impressive in a small sample, it has got to give fantasy managers slight pause as to why he could not fully beat out Zaccheaus to earn routes and time on the field last season. Odunze has been an afterthought this offseason, but he is entering his third season and was a top-ten NFL Draft pick; why can't Odunze be the one to level up? Loveland taking the baton and becoming THE alpha pass-catcher of this offense clearly affects Burden as well. But let's not mince words: Burden is really good; he is an incredibly volatile fantasy asset who could either be a top-12 wide receiver, WR50 or anywhere in between.
-- Tompkins
65. RB Rico Dowdle, Pittsburgh Steelers
Why Dowdle will justify this ranking: Dowdle has finished as a top-24 back in consecutive years despite not beginning either season as the starter. He is an underrated all-purpose back who has attracted at least 49 targets in back-to-back seasons (with 39 catches each year) and topped 1,300 total yards. Pittsburgh represents his first real opportunity to play for a team that could/should consistently play with a lead, which means he has a real chance at posting a third straight season of at least 270 touches. Dowdle should be considered the favorite for goal-line work as well. The bull case for Dowdle includes him handling more than half of the early-down work, most of the goal-line touches and 40-50 targets. It has a good chance of happening, and it would likely result in a career year for him if it does.
What could keep Dowdle from justifying this ranking: The most likely answer is that Pittsburgh opts to use Dowdle and Jaylen Warren in a true split backfield, one in which they are considered interchangeable and neither one has a lock on a specific role. It is an unlikely scenario, but it is possible. The common sense play for the Steelers is to have Dowdle serve as a more explosive Najee Harris and have Warren play the same role he did in 2023 and 2024. There is also a small chance the defense does not rebound from last year, which would take away some of the volume that most of Dowdle's strongest supporters are expecting from him this season.
-- Orth
66. RB Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots
Why Stevenson will justify this ranking: Stevenson essentially needs to repeat last year. What that means is he must continue producing big plays, holding onto the ball (he did not fumble after Week 5 after doing so three times before then) and remaining the team's most trusted back in pass pro and at the goal line. It speaks volumes that Stevenson turned in an overall RB28 finish despite missing three games and logging a modest 162 offensive touches (roughly 11.5 per game). The additions of A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs mean opponents will have to respect the passing attack more than they did at any point in 2025. Last but certainly not least, Drake Maye's ability to burn the defense as a passer and runner puts defenses in a bind. Stevenson should be among the league leaders in percentage of runs against a non-stacked box.
What could keep Stevenson from justifying this ranking: It is much easier to make a case against Stevenson disappointing in fantasy than to make one for him. The team used a second-round pick last season on TreVeyon Henderson, who was supposed to be one of the most pro-ready backs to enter the league in recent memory given the skills he showed in pass pro and as a receiver at Ohio State. If he improves in those areas enough as the season progresses, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels will not be able to justify keeping Stevenson as the team's lead back. There is also a real chance the acquisition of Brown (and Doubs, to a lesser degree) convinces McDaniels to lean more heavily on the passing attack ‐ especially because the Patriots will be playing a first-place schedule in 2026.
-- Orth
67. RB Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers
Why Warren will justify this ranking: The addition of Rico Dowdle suggests the Steelers want to return Warren to the complementary role he played two years ago when Najee Harris was still on the roster. If that is what Pittsburgh has in mind, it would be great timing for Warren. He is an obvious fit to replace what Kenny Gainwell gave the Steelers in 2025, which was basically the role Warren played for Pittsburgh over the previous two seasons. Given Aaron Rodgers' desire to get rid of the ball quickly, Warren has a real chance to exceed the 60-catch mark for the second time in his career. The 27-year-old is also no stranger to doing significant work on the ground (three straight seasons with at least 500 yards rushing), making him a good bet to produce over 1,000 total yards in 2026.
What could keep Warren from justifying this ranking: Dowdle has produced back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons and unexpectedly stolen the starting job both times (Dallas and Carolina). Not only has he handled the bulk of the rushing work each time, but he has also been targeted a total of 99 times over that span. In other words, there is no guarantee that Warren will simply be handed (and/or keep) the Gainwell role. There is also Dowdle's history with new head coach Mike McCarthy, who put the South Carolina product on the map with the Cowboys in 2024. Dowdle is a powerful running back who should handle the majority of goal-line work as well.
-- Orth
68. TE Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons
Why Pitts will justify this ranking: New head coach Kevin Stefanski and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees (especially the former) have long made the tight end position an important part of the offense. Their arrival almost guarantees Pitts will remain a key component of the passing attack. There is another important reason that Pitts should expect 100-plus targets for the third time in his career: the Falcons do not have any proven/great options in the passing game after Drake London and Bijan Robinson. Pitts also proved he was capable of handling a much bigger role near the end of the season (after London's PCL injury effectively rendered him useless for more than a month).
What could keep Pitts from justifying this ranking: Despite being a running back, Robinson could command 100-plus targets again this year. Along with London being a lock to get there as well barring injury, it is rare for one team to have three players with that many targets, and Pitts is probably no better than third on Stefanski and Rees' priority list in the passing game. Moreover, the quarterback situation is far from ideal. Whoever wins the quarterback battle (Tua Tagovailoa or Michael Penix Jr.) seems unlikely to support three high-level fantasy assets. And for whatever reason, Pitts has never been much of a scoring threat during his NFL career ‐ outside of a few eruption games.
-- Orth
69. WR Marvin Harrison Jr, Arizona Cardinals
Why Harrison will justify this ranking: Selected fourth overall in 2024, Harrison has ideal size for the position along with the strength and speed to excel at the highest level. While he missed five games a season ago, much of that came because of an emergency appendectomy, which is not the type of injury to linger. The development of Trey McBride and Michael Wilson should help take some pressure off Harrison.
What could keep Harrison from justifying this ranking: Despite all of his physical gifts, Harrison simply has not done enough on Sundays, failing to top 100 yards in a game since Oct. 27, 2024. While Jacoby Brissett played well last year, there is no guarantee he will do it again, and there is every chance we will see journeyman Gardner Minshew and/or unproven Carson Beck at some point in 2026.
-- Green
70. WR Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans
Why Tate will justify this ranking: If new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll truly "knows ball" and installs Tate as the alpha from Week 1. Tate is an elite separator and has solid size as well at 6-foot-3, 195 lbs, plus he was very productive at Ohio State with some of the best target competition any receiver prospect ever has. As the fourth overall pick in the NFL Draft, Tate may get an immediate head start on the rookies by getting on the field right away. Can he get 75% routes in Week 1? That would be an impressive sign of what the Titans think he can do and be in his rookie season if he bypasses the typical rookie ramp-up of some work into a full-time role well into the season. Drafting Tate in fantasy football is a bet on talent, a bet on Cam Ward and a bet that offensive coordinator Brian Daboll can manage to produce a functional passing game in Tennessee for the first time since Ryan Tannehill under center.
What could keep Tate from justifying this ranking: The typical rookie lull. We know that rookie wide receivers tend to mix in with veterans in the first half-dozen weeks of the season and then are given more opportunity as the season progresses. Tate may be the fourth overall pick in this past April's NFL Draft, but he could start the season working in with Calvin Ridley and others. It is certainly not ideal, but holding Tate on the bench in fantasy leagues is the higher percentage outcome for rookie receivers, and that could definitely keep Tate from paying off his ranking. Do not forget that the Tennessee Titans' offense has not exactly been fruitful for many pass-catchers in recent seasons, either.
-- Tompkins
71. RB TreVeyon Henderson, New England Patriots
Why Henderson will justify this ranking: Have another stretch like he did when Rhamondre Stevenson missed three games with a toe injury last season. Henderson's performance during Stevenson's absence is what ultimately allowed him to finish as the overall RB20 as a rookie despite his disappointing usage last season. Henderson is the kind of explosive back who does not need a lot of touches to make a huge fantasy impact. He is also a dynamic receiving threat out of the backfield, which means he has two of the most important elements that a running back needs to be a potential fantasy RB1. There should be even more running lanes to exploit in 2026 after the Patriots added A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs in the offseason.
What could keep Henderson from justifying this ranking: If he fails to recapture the same pass-blocking acumen he showed at Ohio State and led many to believe he was one of the best combinations of explosiveness and pass-blocking skill to come out of the draft in recent memory. It was the same thing that led the coaching staff to limit his snaps once Stevenson returned from injury in Week 12 last season. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels' history suggests he would prefer to keep Stevenson and Henderson in a committee, which is another reason why the latter should probably not be drafted in the first four or five rounds.
72. WR Michael Pittman Jr., Pittsburgh Steelers
Why Pittman will justify this ranking: It has been well-documented that Aaron Rodgers is the latest "old" quarterback who likes to get rid of the ball quickly and avoid getting hit. Quick passes usually don't travel much more than 10 yards down the field, which is an area where Pittman has lived for most of his career. Pittman is no stranger to working over the middle of the field either and has some of the best hands in the league (career 4.9% drop rate and 68.4% catch rate). At 6-foot-4 and 223 pounds, he does not need to create much separation because his size alone makes him hard to defend.
What could keep Pittman look at will from justifying this ranking: DK Metcalf may not be the stylistic fit for Rodgers that Pittman is, but he is still a dominant perimeter receiver that deserves to be fed. Rodgers has become more of a short passer as he has aged, but he has a longer history of targeting the one-on-one matchup downfield or throwing the back-shoulder when he sees fit. Those are areas Metcalf should thrive in more often, if only because Pittman is a good enough receiver to force defenses to play Metcalf honestly. It is also possible that the 42-year-old Rodgers becomes even more of a check-down quarterback than he was last year.
-- Orth
73. RB Jonathan Brooks, Carolina Panthers
Why Brooks will justify this ranking: Assuming he is about 90% of the back he was in college, Brooks has a real chance to lead this backfield in Week 1 and make Chuba Hubbard more of a true backup. The Panthers have been smart about how they handled his recovery from two ACL tears in the same knee in less than three years, giving him roughly 21 months from the latest injury to the time he will take the field in Week 1. Despite not having a lot of talent to work with on offense over the last two seasons, head coach Dave Canales has coaxed top-20 fantasy seasons out of Hubbard (2024) and Rico Dowdle (2025). Brooks is also a very adept receiver out of the backfield, which gives him a legit shot at 200-plus carries and 40-plus catches if he manages to overtake Hubbard.
What could keep Brooks from justifying this ranking: There is no question about the amount of risk fantasy managers are taking on when they select Brooks. It would seem highly unlikely that Brooks will rediscover his college form after the same ACL twice, and there is no guarantee Canales wants him to be the man while Hubbard settles into more of a backup role. Last but not least, Carolina will be without both starting tackles for at least part of the season (left tackle Ikem Ekwonu and right tackle Taylor Moton) due to injury. The Panthers did well to land Rasheed Walker (free agency) and Monroe Freeling (first-round pick), but they cannot be expected to play as well as the usual starters.
-- Orth
74. WR Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts
Why Downs will justify this ranking: Let's daydream a moment. The idea that Downs has possible WR1 potential this late in drafts is alluring. Let's say the Colts can give him the slot role and enough volume to beef up his PPR play, then he would be useful enough to give big-play spike weeks and be a major force throughout the overall season.
What could keep Downs from justifying this ranking: The Colts have enough guys to play a game of musical chairs. Plus, Downs profiles as a smaller receiver, and as you know, that's not always conducive for touchdown producers. Downs is likely somewhere between two worlds: a complementary piece that will help sustain drives yet have big weeks for owners along the way, and that would be the floor being a dependable receiver.
-- Hungarter
75. QB Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
Why Burrow will justify this ranking: When healthy, Burrow is on the short list of best quarterbacks in the NFL. He has two elite playmakers on the outside in Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, and he has proven capable of putting up top-tier fantasy production even without running. Perhaps no offense in the NFL lives and dies on its quarterback's arm more than Cincinnati.
What could keep Burrow from justifying this ranking: One word: injuries. For as talented as Burrow is, he is the walking embodiment of the adage about availability being the best ability. Two of his last three seasons have been ruined by injuries. That makes his durability a massive red flag.
-- Green
76. QB Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
Why Daniels will justify this ranking: Much like Lamar Jackson before him, Daniels is a cheat-code quarterback. If he comes anywhere close to the 148 rush attempts and 891 rush yards that he amassed in 2024, it is a near-lock this ranking will look ridiculous. The Huddle's very own Drew Phelps did a fine job of making the case for him in mid-July. Fantasy managers are one season removed from watching Daniels put an offense on his back as a rookie and deliver an overall QB5 finish despite only having one weapon (Terry McLaurin) who struck any fear into defenses. The 2026 edition of the Washington offense has McLaurin, Stefon Diggs and Chig Okonkwo.
What could keep Daniels from justifying this ranking: Daniels is not exactly built to absorb a lot of punishment. He mostly dodged the injury bug as a rookie, but he paid for it in 2025, missing games due to a knee strain, hamstring sprain and two elbow injuries. Thus, a bet for Daniels this season is hoping he can rekindle the good injury luck he had in 2024. The odds of that happening decreased in early August when left tackle Laremy Tunsil suffered a torn triceps that is expected to sideline him for most of the season. Furthermore, it remains to be seen how much better (or worse) of a play-caller new offensive coordinator David Blough is than Kliff Kingsbury. It is rare when a first-time play-caller like Blough consistently has answers when the league figures out what he is all about.
-- Orth
77. RB Jonathan Brooks, Carolina Panthers
Why Brooks will justify this ranking: Assuming he is about 90% of the back he was in college, Brooks has a real chance to lead this backfield in Week 1 and force Chuba Hubbard into more of a true backup role. The Panthers have been smart about how they handled his recovery from two ACL tears in the same knee in less than three years, giving him roughly 21 months from the latest injury to the time he will take the field in Week 1. Despite not having a lot of talent to work with on offense over the last two seasons, head coach Dave Canales has coaxed top-20 fantasy seasons out of Hubbard (2024) and Rico Dowdle (2025). Brooks is also a very adept receiver out of the backfield, which gives him a legit shot at 200-plus carries and 40-plus catches if he manages to overtake Hubbard.
What could keep Brooks from justifying this ranking: There is no question about the amount of risk fantasy managers are taking on when they select Brooks. It would seem highly unlikely that Brooks will rediscover his college form after tearing the same ACL twice, and there is no guarantee Canales wants him to be the man while Hubbard serves as a true backup. Last but not least, Carolina will be without both starting tackles for at least part of the season (left tackle Ikem Ekwonu and right tackle Taylor Moton) due to injury. The Panthers did well to land Rasheed Walker (free agency) and Monroe Freeling (first-round pick), but they cannot be expected to play as well as the usual starters.
-- Orth
78. RB Jadarian Price, Seattle Seahawks
Why Price will justify this ranking: Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III is gone. Zach Charbonnet is working his way back from a torn ACL. There is a vacuum waiting to be filled, and the rookie first-round pick should have the inside track to do just that. Price has an ideal combination of size and speed, and he was generally viewed as the second-best back in this year's draft class.
What could keep Price from justifying this ranking: It is unclear what kind of load Price can carry, and what Seattle will ask of him. Price did not start in college, instead working as the backup to No. 3 overall pick Jeremiyah Love at Notre Dame. Early reports out of camp suggest George Holani and Emanuel Wilson will be involved. That picture gets even fuzzier whenever Charbonnet returns.
-- Green
79. WR DK Metcalf, Pittsburgh Steelers
Why Metcalf will justify this ranking: Even at 28 years old and after seven years in the league, there is no denying the fact that Metcalf is a freak athlete. Beyond that, Metcalf should benefit greatly from the arrival of new head coach Mike McCarthy, who is much more capable of drawing up an offensive game plan than Arthur Smith. Pittsburgh's decision to trade for Michael Pittman Jr. is another reason to believe in Metcalf in 2026, at least from the perspective that he will not be the sole focus of every defensive game plan again. Aaron Rodgers may be more of a check-down artist than he used to be, but that does not mean he will avoid a one-on-matchup whenever one of his key receivers gets one.
What could keep Metcalf from justifying this ranking: There is always a fine line that needs to be walked when deciding whether the arrival of a receiver helps or hurts the incumbent. While it is true Pittman should make defenses pay for showing Metcalf too much respect, it is also true that Pittman's ability as a receiver in the short and intermediate passing game is a better fit for the quarterback Rodgers is now. There is also a real chance that Pittsbugh's defense rebounds to the point that Rodgers & Co. will be able to win games only attempting 25-28 passes per game.
-- Orth
80. QB Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
Why Hurts will justify this ranking: A bounce-back in passing volume would be very nice for Hurts to reclaim some of his value. Hurts had his lowest fantasy points per game last season since becoming the Eagles' starter in 2021. The rushing component for Hurts took a little slide from the last four years as Hurts ran less and finished with just 421 rushing yards. The "tush-push" touchdowns were still there with eight rushing scores, but even that was a five-season low. Enter new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion, who has no play-calling experience after working next to Matt LaFleur last year as Green Bay's quarterbacks coach and in 2024 as an offensive assistant. Still, Hurts in fantasy can bump up his stock with more passing and more short touchdowns to reclaim his value. People are down on him, but I think he has plenty of upside at age 28.
What could keep Hurts from justifying this ranking: Mannion having zero play-calling experience is a big deal for a player like Hurts and for us trying to figure out what the Eagles' offense is going to be. Gone is A.J. Brown, so there is one safety net gone for Hurts. He does still have DeVonta Smith and tight end Dallas Goedert, but there are some wild cards in rookie receiver Makai Lemon and trade acquisition Dontayvion Wicks from the Packers. Will the passing game become less concentrated than it has been in seasons past? That is a lot of turnover for a veteran quarterback to still have to go through. That could be too much for Hurts and cause a tumble for fantasy purposes.
-- Tompkins
81. WR Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers
Why Watson will justify this ranking: Watson got a hefty four-year extension to stay with the Packers in June, and he will be their top wide receiver this season. We know he has the juice, as he has been insanely efficient, with at least 2.25 yards per route run or better in three of his four NFL seasons. But he has run 1,058 total routes in that span, missing time in each season of his NFL career. Can Watson stay healthy? Will the Packers' offense consolidate touches after Romeo Doubs left for New England and Dontayvion Wicks was traded to the Eagles? If so, Watson is going to crush his ranking and finally provide fantasy managers with the truly elite season he was paid to provide.
What could keep Watson from justifying this ranking: Can Watson even stay on the field to provide that elite wide receiver fantasy season? Will there even be enough pass attempts? I would love to believe that the Packers have finally learned their lesson and they consolidated their personnel down to Watson, second-year receiver Matthew Golden, slot receiver Jayden Reed and tight end Tucker Kraft. Watson will likely run the most routes of any Packers wide receiver when healthy, taking that baton from Doubs, but it all comes back to being on the field to do so and taking the Packers at their word with the moves they made this offseason. I am in the camp of "I'll believe it when I see it" with the Packers, and with Watson having the highest draft cost of any Packer in fantasy football, I would not be surprised if Watson fails to justify his draft cost yet again in 2026.
-- Tompkins
82. QB Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
Why Herbert will justify this ranking: Whenever you see a list of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, Herbert's name is inevitably located just below the elite tier. His talent and toughness are undeniable, and he has proven he can produce huge numbers (5,014 yards, 38 TDs in a single season). Herbert is also more dangerous as a runner than you might think, giving him borderline dual-threat appeal.
What could keep Herbert from justifying this ranking: That 5,014-yard, 38-touchdown season came in 2021. In four years since, he’s averaged 3,868 yards and 24 TDs. Herbert has also taken a pounding behind porous offensive line play, including 54 sacks in 2025. If the Chargers cannot tighten up the blocking, it does not matter how good Herbert's arm is.
-- Green
83. RB Bhayshul Tuten, Jacksonville Jaguars
Why Tuten will justify this ranking: Tuten is the most realistic candidate to pick up the bulk of the 296 offensive touches Travis Etienne left behind when he bolted for New Orleans in free agency. While speed does not define a running back, Tuten has it in spades; he can turn any play into a big play. Unlike last season, Jacksonville does not have a roadblock like Etienne in Tuten's way, but rather a big back who played for his new coach in college five years ago (Chris Rodriguez) and a passing-game specialist (LeQuint Allen). In other words, Tuten should be considered the prohibitive favorite to lead this backfield in touches by a wide margin.
What could keep Tuten from justifying this ranking: Tuten's biggest concern entering the league last season is the same one that could keep him from becoming a fantasy darling in 2026: ball security. Another problem with all of the hype Tuten is receiving is that Rodriguez could handle the bulk of goal-line carries and Allen could be the primary option for the Jags on third down and/or during two-minute drills. While an explosive running back is always a good thing to have in fantasy, one that does not have any of those roles locked down caps his upside significantly. The offensive line is not a weakness per se, but it is far from a strength and Jacksonville did not do much to improve it in the offseason.
-- Orth
84. WR Michael Wilson, Arizona Cardinals
Why Wilson will justify this ranking: An afterthought for most of his first 2 1/2 years in the NFL, Wilson exploded over the final two months of last season, closing with an eight-game run of 56 catches, 775 yards and six TDs. That is elite production. Wilson showed he could be a volume option while also generating big plays and being a force in the red zone.
What could keep Wilson from justifying this ranking: During that eight-game stretch, Marvin Harrison appeared in just three, including one where he departed early. Wilson also showed a tremendous connection with Jacoby Brissett, who before last year had been little more than a game manager in his career. The arrival of Jeremiyah Love (and his ability to contribute in the passing game) adds another player capable of attracting targets. With Arizona likely going nowhere in 2026, we could see the Cardinals use the opportunity to give Carson Beck an extended look. Speaking of a likely lack of competitiveness, is there any guarantee Arizona will handle garbage time the same way they did last year? One of the reasons new head coach Mike LaFleur wanted Love was to rely more heavily on the ground game.
-- Green
85. QB Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
Why Purdy will justify this ranking: Purdy has been a consistently underrated fantasy asset for the last few seasons. Even without full seasons of play, Purdy has been QB5, QB10 and QB6 in fantasy points per game over the last three campaigns. He is easily one of the most accessible quarterbacks in fantasy as well, with him being outside the top 12 quarterbacks and being essentially free in drafts. His pass-catchers are still excellent, with running back Christian McCaffrey and a returning George Kittle leading the way. The team also added Mike Evans and brought back Deebo Samuel after Ricky Pearsall was lost for the season. Even with the pass-catchers skewing a bit older, Purdy should be more than capable of putting up fantasy points by the bunches this season. He should have little trouble justifying his ranking and then some in 2026.
What could keep Purdy from justifying this ranking: Are Purdy's pass-catchers TOO old? Evans is entering his age-33 season, Kittle is in his age-32 season, plus Samuel and McCaffrey are playing in their age-30 seasons. That feels like a lot of pressure for Purdy to have to manage these old-timers. I am kidding, clearly, as they are all still high-level players, but it is certainly a worthwhile concern. Purdy has also had a little bit of trouble staying on the field, as he missed eight games last season with a turf toe injury. These factors combined could sink Purdy's value a bit in 2026.
-- Tompkins
86. WR De'Zhaun Stribling, San Francisco 49ers
Why Stribling will justify this ranking: In an offense that is lacking in size and speed, Stribling has both. On draft day, the rookie looked like he could be a designated field stretcher to put those wheels to work. However, durability is a question mark for most of San Francisco's most likely pass-catchers, such as Christian McCaffrey, Mike Evans and George Kittle. The unexpected loss of Ricky Pearsall also created a massive opportunity for Stribling to step in and fill one of the primary spots alongside Evans.
What could keep Stribling from justifying this ranking: On a veteran-laden team, how patient will Mike Shanahan be with potential growing pains? Even without Pearsall, the 49ers still have names like Deebo Samuel, Christian Kirk and Demarcus Robinson that can function as reliable options. If they feel they can get away with a top three of Evans, Kirk and Samuel, maybe Stribling’s primary contribution in Year 1 is the occasional deep shot.
-- Green
87. WR Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers
Why Johnston will justify this ranking: Keenan Allen's 122 departed targets have to go somewhere. Maybe Johnston finally turns the corner and improves on his 59.5% catch rate, which could easily happen if offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel focuses on Johnston's strength as a yard-after-catch monster. It is worth noting that Johnston has scored eight of his 18 career touchdowns from beyond 20 yards. The Chargers, who posted a 57.7% passing percentage in 2025, could be forced to continue to throw the ball more this season if the defense regresses following the departure of defensive coordinator Jesse Minter.
What could keep Johnston from justifying this ranking: That catch rate falls even further or second-year receiver Tre Harris cuts into Johnston's 77% snap rate. Considering the issues he has had with drops, I prefer leaving Johnston to best ball contests, as I am concerned that he will see a touchdown regression this year.
-- Schultz
88. TE Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
Why Kelce will justify this ranking: Kelce has been a model of consistency throughout his long career, with 10 straight seasons of at least 100 targets, never finishing lower than TE7 at any point in his career. Up until last season, he also posted a targets-per-route-run above 20% in every season. Kelce's PPR value holds even more weight, with no fewer than 72 catches and 823 yards in his 11 seasons after his first full season in 2014. He still maintained a solid 8.3 yards per target last season, fully in line with his prime marks, as well as a 20% first-read target rate. More of a projectable volume play than a flash "spreadsheet bro" play, Kelce should still be a fine low-end TE1 for fantasy football and pay off his fantasy managers plenty this season.
What could keep Kelce from justifying this ranking: Father Time. It is closer to Kelce's door than almost any other player in the NFL, and we have seen some signs of it. However, Kelce is still willing to give it a go at 37 years old, and his per-route metrics are slipping. In the last two seasons, Kelce posted the worst two yards-per-route-run marks (1.43 and 1.47) of his storied career. For the first time, we saw a huge dip in target earning in 2025, with a 17.9% targets per route run rate, which was easily the worst of his career. It is certainly possible we could see further cratering in 2026.
-- Tompkins
89. QB Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
Why Lawrence will justify this ranking: Lawrence has no fewer than four legit passing game weapons to target, plus CB/WR Travis Hunter in reserve. The Jaguars parted ways with their primary running back from the past few seasons (Travis Etienne), turning the backfield over to the mostly unproven Bhayshul Tuten. This should force the offense to lean more towards the passing game, and they already ranked fifth in passing TDs per game last season.
What could keep Lawrence from justifying this ranking: Not much. At least two of the three starting receivers would need to miss significant time or Tuten would have to prove to be so historically awful that the opposition ignores him and plays quarter defense all game.
-- Schultz
90. WR Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings
Why Addison will justify this ranking: We saw what Addison was capable of as a rookie when he caught 70 passes for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns. With defenses forced to contend with Justin Jefferson on the opposite side, Addison often draws advantageous matchups. The naming of Kyler Murray as QB1 should help, too, as the USC product showed little chemistry with J.J. McCarthy.
What could keep Addison from justifying this ranking: Addison has been trending the wrong way statistically since 2023. While Murray offers some hope, he has been a middling producer much of his career. Plus, who is to say how long they stick with Murray, who only signed to a one-year deal. If/when the season goes south, a move back to McCarthy could kill Addison's value.
-- Green
This article originally appeared on The Huddle: Big Board Explained (Players 61-90)
