This piece is formulated around the latest Yahoo average draft position, employing a half-PPR setup with a starting roster consisting of 1QB, 2RBs, 3WRs, 1TE, and 1FLEX. Access my personal rankings through this link, and explore further draft preparation material within the Yahoo Fantasy Ultra Draft Kit.
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1.04 – WR2 Puka Nacua, Rams
Holding the record for the highest career receiving yards per game average in league history (95.3), Nacua stands out as the primary aerial threat on an offense forecasted by Vegas to lead the league in scoring. The sole hurdle preventing him from delivering a historic fantasy campaign is improving his efficiency inside the 20-yard line, where Davante Adams commanded a superior target share (27% compared to Nacua’s 17%). Should Nacua bridge this deficit or overtake Adams in red-zone usage, he could easily post a legendary season.
2.17 – RB10 Kenneth Walker III, Chiefs
Fresh off securing a Super Bowl MVP award, Walker steps into a consistently elite offensive system as the undisputed top running back. The franchise has invested very little in the depth behind him, and his initial showings in summer practices have generated considerable excitement. He is actively participating in the passing game—which aligns perfectly with Andy Reid’s historical affinity for screen plays—and the offense is lining up under center with greater frequency, a logical adjustment following Patrick Mahomes’ recovery from a torn ACL.
While Walker has already established strong baseline production, he now runs behind what is unquestionably the most talented blocking unit of his professional career, paired with negligible competition for touches in the backfield. If Reid chooses to deploy him as a true workhorse, the ceiling is astronomical—reminiscent of the massive fantasy outputs seen in the past from stars like LeSean McCoy, Jamaal Charles, Brian Westbrook, and Duce Staley.
3.36 – WR15 Malik Nabers, Giants
Prior to his ACL tear in Week 4 last season, Nabers performed as the overall WR6 despite seeing volume typical of a WR3. It is worth remembering that New York ranked near the bottom of the league during that span—31st in scoring and 27th in passing production—while shuffling through a subpar rotation of quarterbacks. Jaxson Dart represents a massive upgrade over that group, and the offensive line has gotten a boost with top-tier rookie right guard Francis Mauigoa joining forces with a healthy Andrew Thomas at left tackle. With the remaining receiving corps looking incredibly weak, a 30% target share is well within reach for Nabers if his health is fully restored.
His physical recovery remains the primary question mark, but avoiding the physically unable to perform list at the onset of training camp suggests the 23-year-old physical marvel is on track for a strong season. Capitalize on his discounted draft price.
4.41 – RB19 Travis Etienne Jr., Saints
In three of his four healthy campaigns, Etienne has eclipsed the 1,399-scrimmage-yard mark, and this current New Orleans offensive line is arguably the strongest front he has ever run behind. Furthermore, New Orleans operated at the league’s quickest neutral-situation tempo under coordinator Kellen Moore, matching his career-long playbook signature. While Alvin Kamara will undoubtedly handle a share of the passing-down responsibilities, Kamara’s impact is largely driven by reputation nowadays, and merely 23% of running back receiving fantasy output across the league was generated on third downs last season.
Crucially, 35 out of Etienne’s 36 catches a season ago occurred on first or second down. This level of early-down involvement is more than sufficient to make his sliding ADP a bargain. Despite sharing the backfield and ranking just 27th in receptions per game among running backs, he finished as the RB11 in fantasy points per game. That highlights the immense value of goal-line opportunities and early-down volume.
5.49 – RB20 D’Andre Swift, Bears
His outlook remains largely consistent. Last season, Swift operated in a two-to-one backfield split with Kyle Monangai, translating RB19 usage into an RB15 fantasy finish. Although both runners performed well, Swift possesses superior explosiveness and offers far greater utility as a pass-catcher. Even if Chicago’s offensive unit does not make a significant leap forward and simply maintains their top-10 standing from last season, Swift provides a remarkably secure floor in the fifth round relative to the risky running back alternatives drafted around him.
6.72 – TE8 Kyle Pitts Sr., Falcons
There is a noticeable decline in potential once the elite tier of tight ends is exhausted. Pitts represents the final option with true difference-making potential, having finally proven his health last season after battling chronic knee issues for years. His burst and lateral quickness appeared reminiscent of his historic debut season, setting the stage for a more dependable performance in 2026. Under new head coach Kevin Stefanski, tight ends will remain a focal point of the primary reads—much like David Njoku and Harold Fannin Jr. enjoyed—and with no established second wide receiver in Atlanta, Pitts should command highly predictable volume week in and week out.
Should Drake London miss time, Pitts’ ceiling expands to overall elite TE1 territory. In five contests without London last year, he posted impressive averages of 7.0 catches and 84 yards per game. Sourcing that kind of game-winning potential after the sixth round on Yahoo is almost unheard of.
7.73 – RB28 Jaylen Warren, Steelers
A year ago, Warren quietly put up RB20 numbers with RB22-level volume, even while sharing the workload with an active Kenny Gainwell (who finished as the RB26). While the dynamic will shift under a pass-oriented play-caller like Mike McCarthy and with a physical runner like Rico Dowdle occupying the backup spot, we should remember that Pittsburgh supported two highly viable fantasy backs last year. This is possible because of a stellar offensive line and Aaron Rodgers’ preference for quick releases to avoid pressure, leading to frequent goal-line carries and designed passes to the backfield.
Warren has consistently stood out both in film study and statistical models for several seasons, making this his premier opportunity to secure the primary backfield role. His skill set aligns perfectly with what Rodgers and McCarthy demand from their backfield.
8.88 – WR35 Parker Washington, Jaguars
His draft position is remarkably undervalued. Practice reports have mirrored his late-2025 surge, highlighting Washington as the offense’s primary target. While Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter stretch the defense vertically, Washington dominates the intermediate routes, shallow crossers, slants, and screens. He has consistently operated as the first read in practice, and coach Liam Coen even singled out a play designed for Washington when describing his favorite scheme.
Washington repeatedly bested high-end cornerbacks last season and possesses an elite work ethic that shows in his physical preparation. Once he transitioned into an everyday role starting in Week 7, he ranked as the WR18 in PPR leagues on WR15 usage, securing a 21% share of targets. A repeat of those numbers is highly plausible.
9.102 – QB15 Bo Nix, Broncos
My preferred quarterback approach for the 2026 season is to select two signal-callers in this exact tier. Premium quarterbacks are drafted at a price that limits their value relative to replacement options, whereas the depth at the position is highly favorable once the running back and tight end tiers are picked clean. Nix is an intriguing target, having posted consecutive top-10 fantasy finishes at the position even before Denver secured Jaylen Waddle to boost their yardage after the catch. Coming off a fractured ankle, Nix looks completely mobile in training camp, running a pass-first system under Sean Payton’s expert offensive line management. His baseline floor easily exceeds his current draft cost.
10.118 – WR43 Josh Downs, Colts
Following the low-cost departure of Michael Pittman Jr. and with Alec Pierce’s recovery from ankle surgery running behind schedule, Indianapolis has elevated Downs into an everyday starting role in practice. He historically hasn’t seen much action in two-wide receiver packages—a critical threshold for fantasy relevance—but that dynamic is shifting this season. Assuming the Colts retain their base personnel schemes, this adjustment should grant Downs an additional 8.2 routes, roughly 2 extra targets, and about 15 more yards per game compared to his previous baseline. Those projections could climb even higher if Pierce fails to contribute significantly.
11.128 – QB18 Jordan Love, Packers
His high-level efficiency is undeniable. Last season, Love finished as the runner-up in expected points added (EPA) per dropback despite inconsistent offensive line play. The key question is whether his overall passing volume will increase to elevate both his floor and ceiling. With Green Bay’s defense missing Micah Parsons for the opening month, early-season game scripts should favor more passing, and Love could easily post career-high attempt numbers under Matt LaFleur, who has spent the summer focusing on faster tempo and expedited play-calling.
The team is also primed to feature their highly paid perimeter weapons, including Christian Watson ($92M contract), Jayden Reed ($50M deal), an ascending Tucker Kraft, and 2025 first-round pick Matthew Golden, rather than relying heavily on the ground game with Josh Jacobs facing a possible suspension. Under these circumstances, Love transitions from a developmental QB2 to a highly reliable low-end QB1 at an incredibly cheap cost, making him an excellent option to stack with his talented receiving options.
12.133 – WR48 Xavier Worthy, Chiefs
While I remain skeptical of Worthy’s raw talent, his fantasy ceiling is hard to deny. Kansas City miscast him last season after an early shoulder injury, dramatically reducing his screen and crossing routes, which are essential for his run-after-catch abilities. Instead, he was relegated to running deep clear-outs against physical press coverage while Rashee Rice and Travis Kelce claimed high-percentage targets closer to the line of scrimmage. Expect a major correction in 2026 as Rice recovers from a recent operation and Kelce manages a busy offseason schedule. Worthy’s high-value utilization should double, making him a smart bet over Rice’s unstable baseline.
13.145 – WR50 Matthew Golden, Packers
Sophomore wideouts selected in the first round who are paired with a projected top-10 offense typically carry a draft cost much higher than WR50. However, Golden’s limited rookie usage and mixed evaluation from the dynasty community have kept his price low. Writing him off after one year is premature, and I am happy to buy the discount. Green Bay let Romeo Doubs go and moved Dontayvon Wicks this winter, a clear signal of confidence in Golden’s projection as a dynamic boundary target.
Doubs managed a WR37 weekly finish on WR35 volume in this role last season, and Golden boasts far superior athletic traits and collegiate credentials. He narrowly missed linking up on several deep passes last year, and the team has only scratched the surface of his capabilities. Armed with a year of experience and improved rapport with Love, Golden is primed to develop into a highly productive secondary target alongside Watson.
14.160 – RB47 Chris Rodriguez Jr., Jaguars
A three-way split in the Jacksonville backfield appears highly likely. Coordinator Liam Coen has a history of utilizing multi-back systems to leverage distinct styles, blending the speed of Bhayshul Tuten, the power of Rodriguez, and the third-down blocking of LeQuint Allen Jr. While Tuten has the highest raw upside, his reliability issues last season pave the way for Rodriguez, who excels in that area. Rodriguez has handled goal-line and short-yardage work during training camp, which translates directly to fantasy utility in half-PPR formats. Coen’s stated objective for his backfield is “efficiency,” a term he specifically used to describe Rodriguez, signaling that their shared history at Kentucky will translate into meaningful high-value opportunities this season.
Should Tuten struggle or sustain an injury, Rodriguez could emerge in a major way, mirroring the high-volume role we have seen from Javonte Williams in the past.
15.175 – WR63 Travis Hunter, Jaguars
Hunter’s physical conditioning is outstanding, validating claims that he will sustain a heavy workload on both offense and defense. Early camp observations lead beat writers to project him playing roughly 80% of defensive snaps and half of the offensive plays. He is focusing heavily on the outside receiver spot and executing deep routes—the precise role where his playmaking shone in his college days and early rookie flashes. An injury to any of the team’s primary three wide receivers would immediately push his offensive snap share past 65%, making him an incredibly exciting option for your FLEX spot given his immense talent.
Even these optimistic projections might understate his ultimate potential. His virtually non-existent draft price allows fantasy managers to take a risk-free shot on a truly unique athlete. This is exactly the kind of profile you target late in drafts.
16.176 – RB48 Keaton Mitchell, Chargers
Targeting the backfield depth in Mike McDaniel’s system remains highly lucrative, especially when focusing on explosive, agile backup runners. Mitchell’s underlying metrics are historic; he ranks first in rush yards over expected (+47%), first in EPA per carry (+0.12), and second in yards per carry (6.3) among backs with at least 100 attempts over the past two seasons. He is perfectly suited to handle the outside zone runs that made De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert elite fantasy options. Securing just 8 to 10 touches per game would make him highly rosterable, and though he needs Omarion Hampton to falter, Hampton’s rookie tape showed plenty of hesitation.
Additionally, Mitchell is seeing unprecedented usage in the passing game during summer sessions. His collegiate profile (recording 22 and 27 catches in his final two seasons) suggests this pass-catching ability is legitimate and could easily carry over into game days.
