Fantasy football draft season is a ways away, but those who fail to prepare are preparing to fail. With the NFL schedule now in hand, we can start to analyze the friendliest run-outs for the stars who dictate who wins leagues this winter. Understanding that a lot can change between now and your draft date, these three stand out as players potentially in a little trouble given how their schedule plays out.
Fantasy Football Schedule Losers
Kyren Williams, RB, Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams made it clear that they wanted to get Blake Corum involved last season, and I think we get more of the same this year. Even if that is not the plan from the jump, it could happen sooner than later given the difficult first month of the schedule.
- Week 1 vs. San Francisco 49ers
- Week 2 vs. New York Giants
- Week 3 at Denver Broncos
- Week 4 at Philadelphia Eagles
Kyren Williams had one game with a 25-yard run last season. One. He is an effective back, but not the most explosive, and without those chunk gains, he is very much at risk of disappointing in September.
If that happens, does Corum’s leash get longer? Does head coach Sean McVay put his fate in the hands of Matthew Stafford? D’Andre Swift and Omarion Hampton both made my NFL Schedule Release Winners list and, at cost, I much prefer either of them to a Williams profile that I think has more risk than reward to it in 2026.
Alec Pierce, WR, Indianapolis Colts
Alec Pierce got a monster contract after the first 1,000-yard season of his career. The 26-year-old has NFL skills, but does he have NFL versatility?
In theory, we should find out this season with Michael Pittman Jr. now a Pittsburgh Steeler, though it is hard to know what the Indianapolis Colts are going to get out of the quarterback position. Pierce is averaging 18.7 yards per catch for his career and has scored on 10.8% of his receptions.
Those rates are not going to stick, and that alone puts his 2026 value in question. I was lower than the industry on his stock before the schedule came out, and now I am essentially in full fade mode.
Pierce and the Colts have three games that can be impacted by weather over the final four games of the fantasy season (Eagles, Tennessee Titans, and Cleveland Browns), and it is generally difficult to find consecutive plus-matchups.
We do not know that Pierce is the type of receiver who can produce in tough spots, and if the ceiling games are spotty, how can you justify playing him on a consistent basis?
There were too many moving pieces in this profile to have my interest prior to the schedule release, and Pierce’s outlook only got worse given the order of games for 2026. I will pass in all formats and be very comfortable with that position.
Brock Purdy, QB, San Francisco 49ers
Brock Purdy battled a turf toe situation during his fourth NFL season and missed eight games as a result. When on the field, he was productive, averaging over two touchdown passes per game for the first time in his career and again showing us that he is a threat to add value with his legs (including the playoffs, over 20 rushing yards in five of his past six games).
That success has him as a Tier 3 quarterback, but where you place him within that large group took a hit with the schedule release.
Might get a little tricky to feel great about @Stephania_ESPN‘s 49ers down the #FantasyFootball stretch this season.
Purdy in the mix for a low-end QB1, but the position is deep and this is a worry pic.twitter.com/sgtocJppbk
— Kyle Soppe (@KyleSoppePFN) May 14, 2026
Josh Allen is largely in a tier unto himself at this point due to the tremendous floor/ceiling combination. After that, Lamar Jackson, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, Jalen Hurts, and Joe Burrow occupy Tier 2. We can argue as to the order in which you place them, but most will agree that is the next grouping of quarterbacks who have elite potential and can carry a fantasy team if they get a strong run-out.
After that, it gets crowded. Purdy’s efficiency and athleticism make him interesting, but you could make a similar case for Jaxson Dart, Caleb Williams, Bo Nix, Trevor Lawrence, and Justin Herbert. Dak Prescott benefits from Javonte Williams and George Pickens returning. Patrick Mahomes is still Patrick Mahomes.
Matthew Stafford won the MVP last season, Kyler Murray finds himself in a great system, Jared Goff always seems to be stable, and Tyler Shough could level up in a big way in Year 2. I have not even mentioned C.J. Stroud or Goff, both of whom play on a fast track and have access to an alpha WR1.
Jordan Love has shown signs at times, and his former backup is now calling the shots in Miami, potentially with the type of hybrid role that could make him far more valuable in our game than in terms of real-life wins and losses.
The point is that I am actively looking for reasons to knock quarterbacks down this tier. It is a hair-splitting contest, and while the opponents on the schedule are not a surprise, the late-season run-out for Purdy is certainly less than ideal.
I am not in the business of projecting injuries and I am not a doctor, but the injury potential for Christian McCaffrey only increases with touches and as the season goes on. A healthy version of this Kyle Shanahan offense could stub its toe at the worst time, never mind if they are at all compromised.
Purdy is currently in the middle of that third tier for me (currently: QB15), and that means I am likely to look elsewhere in situations where I wait to address the position in redraft.
If you really want to play chess, I like the chances of Purdy’s production peaking early in the season, something that could open the door for a sell-high trade. If that is your plan of attack, make sure to consult our free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer to make sure you are maximizing your return!
