The 2025 season is almost over, which means it is a perfect time to look ahead to 2026 fantasy drafts. It is never too early to start preparing for the next fantasy season, especially if your team is watching the fantasy championship from the sidelines. Let’s dive in.
Pick 1: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions
Jahmyr Gibbs has finished as a top 8 running back in PPR points per game in his first three seasons in the NFL. Gibbs has never finished with less than 17.0 PPR points per game. If the season ended today, Gibbs would have a career-high 22.7 PPR points per game and his second straight season with 21.0+ points.
Gibbs set a career high in snap share this season (66.6%) and logged career-highs in targets (86), receptions (72), and receiving yards (560) in 2025. There is virtually no chance that his role will shrink in 2026, even with hopeful improvements in offensive line play through the draft or through continuity.
Pick 2: Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons
Bijan Robinson is one of three running backs in 2025 who averaged a 75+% snap share, a 55+% rush share, and a 15+% target share.
Robinson overcame a pesky backfield role from Tyler Allgeier to rack up 250 carries for 1,250 yards and six touchdowns while adding 71 receptions for 776 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games. He is the RB4 in PPR points per game (21.6) while scoring at least 29.0 points four times from Weeks 11 to 16.
Pick 3: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle Seahawks
Jaxon Smith-Njigba took a monster leap in 2025 after the Seahawks moved on from DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Smith-Nijgba is the WR2 in PPR points per game through 16 weeks (22.0 points) due to consistent volume and efficiency.
Smith-Njigba had 11 games with at least nine targets, seven receptions, and 90+ receiving yards in 2025 while adding 10 receiving touchdowns. There should be plenty of continuity along the offense, but there is a chance that offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is a head coach elsewhere in 2026, which would ding his value.
Pick 4: Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams
Puka Nacua remains one of the most efficient wide receivers in the NFL. Nacua is the WR1 in PPR points per game through 16 weeks (23.8) and is the WR1 in total points (333.3) despite missing a game. The veteran receiver has run a route on just 74.6% of the Los Angeles Rams’ drop-backs, but is still a monster in fantasy thanks to an absurd 0.38 target per route run rate and 4.18 yards per route run.
Nacua has issues with injuries (he usually plays through them) and competition in the red zone, which can limit his upside throughout the season. There is also the constant risk that Matthew Stafford may retire at any given time.
Pick 5: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
Things looked bleak for Ja’Marr Chase early in the season when Jake Browning was under center following a Joe Burrow injury. Thankfully, the Cincinnati Bengals were able to salvage his fantasy value by trading for Joe Flacco.
From Weeks 4 to 16, Chase ranked as the WR4 in PPR points per game (19.9), racking up four 20.0+ performances during that time. Burrow and Chase will be together again in 2026, making it nearly impossible to rank him outside of the top five picks.
Pick 6: De’Von Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins
De’Von Achane has been a top 10 fantasy running back in PPR scoring since entering the NFL in 2023, averaging at least 17.0 PPR points per game per season. However, 2025 finally answered the question of what Achane would look like in a true bell cow role.
Achane has amassed 220 carries for 1,267 yards and eight touchdowns while adding 82 targets, 64 receptions, 459 yards, and four touchdowns in 16 games and averaging 20.6 PPR points per game. The team has issues at quarterback, but the offensive line should have a chance to take a positive step next season.
Pick 7: Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions offense has taken a step back without offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, but the passing attack still flows through Amon-Ra St. Brown. St. Brown is averaging 19.0 PPR points, his third straight season with at least 18.0 fantasy points. He has four straight seasons with 140+ targets and 1,100+ receiving yards. St. Brown has three straight double-digit touchdown seasons.
St. Brown offers an elite floor, even if the ceiling has taken a hit with worse play-calling. That remains true in 2026.
Pick 8: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys
CeeDee Lamb was limited to 12 games due to injuries in 2025, but has managed to maintain a solid role when healthy. Lamb is averaging 15.8 PPR points per game, catching 69 of 106 targets for 1,027 yards and three touchdowns. The presence of George Pickens in the passing game has reduced his role in the end zone, but his overall volume has remained strong. He is set to average at least 15.0 fantasy points for the fourth straight season.
The Cowboys offense will continue to be a pass-first group in 2026 with Brian Schottenheimer returning as coach. Even if Pickens returns, Lamb will continue to be the primary target in the passing attack.
Pick 9: Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
2025 was a devastating year for Justin Jefferson. Jefferson is the WR36 in PPR points per game (11.7) thanks to the continuous struggles, both in health and performance, from J.J. McCarthy. The veteran receiver will certainly extend his 1,000-yard receiving streak (917 with two games remaining), but he is still pacing to have his fewest targets, receptions, and touchdowns since his injury-shortened 2023 season (10 games played).
The Minnesota Vikings have a solid offensive environment, but will need to figure out the quarterback position. If the team can get stability from that position, then Jefferson could easily return to his top-five level.
Pick 10: James Cook, RB, Buffalo Bills
2024 finally gave us a version of James Cook that earned a greater role in the end zone, leading to an RB11 finish in PPR points per game (16.7) with 16 touchdowns. Fantasy managers who believed he had an even greater ceiling have been rewarded in 2025.
Cook is averaging 19.5 PPR points per game in his 15 games this season. He has already set career highs in rushing attempts (287) and rushing yards (1,532) with 12 touchdowns. He also had his third straight season with at least 30 receptions, 250 receiving yards, and two touchdowns.
The Buffalo Bills will remain a run-first operation with Joe Brady as the offensive coordinator and Cook under a long-term contract. It is time to take him seriously in fantasy drafts.
Pick 11: Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans
Nico Collins had a slow start in 2025, but a strong finish has elevated him to a WR1. Since Week 9, Collins is the WR8 in fantasy points per game (17.6) with four 20+ point efforts. During that stretch of games, the veteran receiver has averaged 8.8 targets, 5.3 receptions, and 90.1 receiving yards with three touchdowns.
Houston’s offense has found stability down the stretch thanks to the elevated performances by Collins and C.J. Stroud. If that trend can continue (along with some needed upgrades at the offensive line), then Collins will be a worthy first-round pick in 2026.
Pick 12: Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts
Jonathan Taylor reminded fantasy managers (and NFL fans in general) of his unbelievable talent in 2025. In 15 games, Taylor amassed 288 carries for 1,489 yards and 17 touchdowns. Even more impressive was his development as a pass catcher. He has racked up a career-high in receptions (41) while posting second-best marks in targets (47) and receiving yards (351) with two games to go.
Through Week 16, Taylor has posted career-best 22.6 PPR points per game. He is clearly the focal point of the Colts’ offense and will enter the 2026 season at just 27 years old. The Colts will have uncertainty at quarterback next season, but will still boast a top-three offensive line when healthy.
