NFL · 1 hour ago

ESPN Reveals Fantasy Football Winners and Losers From the 2026 NFL Draft

John Canady

Host · Writer

Loser: WR Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland Browns
Jerry Jeudy wasn't bad last year by any means, but the Browns' draft approach to take two wide receivers in the first two rounds suggests Cleveland is setting itself up to move on from the route runner in the near future. Jeudy has an out in his deal in 2027, and, if we're being honest, given the Browns' lack of consistency at the QB position, it would be a shock not to see the Alabama product utilize it. Until then, Jeudy's volume will take a drastic hit.

"Drafting two wide receivers in the first two rounds? That doesn't bode well for Jeudy's volume. Given that the veteran has an out in his deal in 2027, the Todd Monken era appears to be moving in a new (and hopefully more productive) direction." - Liz Loza
ESPN Reveals Fantasy Football Winners and Losers From the 2026 NFL Draft
The 2026 NFL Draft didn’t just reshape rosters; it reshaped fantasy football boards. From immediate-impact rookies landing in perfect situations to veterans whose value just took a hit, ESPN breaks down the biggest winners and losers you need to know before draft season heats up.
Winner: RB Jadarian Price, Seattle Seahawks
Jadarian Price enters his rookie season with a prime opportunity to carve out a starting role for the reigning Super Bowl champs. The Notre Dame product has everything needed to be a premier back, and with Kenneth Walker III departing in free agency and Zach Charbonnet recovering from an ACL injury, it leaves the perfect runway for extended reps right away.

"Price landed in perhaps the best possible opportunity to showcase his speed. I might not have considered Price more than a late-round pick had he ended up almost anywhere else, but in Seattle, he'll be heavily used on early downs, naturally slots into Walker's former role, and is a potential weekly fantasy flex option right away." - Tristan H. Cockcroft
Winner: WR A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles (for now)
The writing has been on the wall for a while now, with an eventual trade for Eagles' star A.J. Brown. Following the team's first-round trade up to secure a top wideout in Makai Lemon, it appears that a post-June 1 trade is almost certainly a lock. For a player of Brown's caliber, finding himself on another offense, where the passing game is more of a priority, is an ideal scenario for not only him, but also any fantasy owners.

"It's unofficially official that Brown will be catching passes from another QB next season. That's OK by me because no matter where he goes, he'll be the WR1 of an offense that should be better than the Eagles, who ranked 23rd in passing yards, had the fifth-fewest completions, and ran the seventh-fewest plays in 2025." - Daniel Dopp
Winner: WR Makai Lemon, Philadelphia Eagles
Makai Lemon landing in Philadelphia via trade-up may be the most no-brainer addition to this list. With Brown expected to be traded, Lemon will be expected to step into a prominent role early on, and with his skill set, there may not be a better offense for him to slot into from the jump.

"Frankly, one could argue Lemon might be Philly's top target ahead of DeVonta Smith, even mostly from the slot. I generally let others covet rookie wide receivers, but Lemon has WR3 production coming, and he should be a solid value in drafts. I'm in." - Eric Karabell
Winner: QB Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints
Tyler Shough was a pleasant surprise for the Saints down the stretch of the season last year, proving that there's reasonable optimism that head coach Kellen Moore has found his QB. New Orleans' aggressive approach in the NFL Draft, landing a top wide receiver in Jordyn Tyson to pair alongside Chris Olave. Factoring in their draft haul and free-agent moves, Shough is positioned to have several offensive weapons at his disposal next season.

"A rhythm thrower (with mobility) in Kellen Moore's offense, I see top-12 upside for Shough in '26." - Matt Bowen
Winner: QB Cam Ward, Tennessee Titans
Cam Ward enters Year 2 set up to take a major leap, given how aggressively the Titans went this offseason to surround the young quarterback with talent. Between their aggressive approach in free agency and then taking a swing by taking the first wideout off the board in Carnell Tate, Ward is in a great spot for a sophomore leap next year.

"Ward worked with one of the worst wide receiver rooms in the league as a rookie. Tennessee made it a priority to upgrade his supporting cast, signing reliable slot receiver Wan'Dale Robinson, retaining veteran Calvin Ridley, and selecting Carnell Tate, one of the top vertical threats in the class, at No. 4. " - Eric Moody
Winner: QB Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert's biggest key to a dominant season next year may be the offseason hiring of offensive guru Mike McDaniel. Beyond that, it's not just McDaniel's offensive philosophy that could open the door for another step forward for the QB. Still, the offensive coordinator's voice in player personnel has already made a difference in the Chargers' free agency and draft approach. Herbert has been given weapons, and now it's up to him to utilize them.

"This offseason has been filled with moves that highlight just how influential offensive coordinator's Mike McDaniel's voice is in personnel decisions, as the Chargers took the fastest wideout in the draft in Mississippi State's Brenen Thompson early in the fourth round. That McDaniel has been so involved (he was a strong advocate for RB Keaton Mitchell as well) means this offense will not be a meeting-in-the-middle of his ideologies and Jim Harbaugh's (a more conservative, run-heavy coach). McDaniel got multiple fantasy-relevant seasons out of Tua Tagovailoa, and I believe Herbert is in for a massive season." - Field Yates
Loser: James Conner, Arizona Cardinals
James Conner was already entering next season with plenty of eyes on him, not only because of his age and injury history, but because of the Cardinals' free agency moves to bolster the backfield. Now, with the top running back in Jeremiyah Love heading to Arizona, Conner finds himself in a position where if he doesn't open the season on the Cards, it won't be a total surprise. At the same time, if he does remain as the veteran presence, his role will certainly take a drastic hit.

"Arizona's selection of Jeremiyah Love with the No. 3 pick derailed any stand-alone value for the other three backs on the roster." - Mike Clay
Loser: Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals
Trey Benson finds himself in the same situation as Conner. Once a backup to Conner, he now finds himself fighting for his life on the depth chart, considering the offseason additions. All that to say, Benson will be considered one of the biggest losers until he finds a fresh start elsewhere.

"That leaves almost nothing for Conner and Benson. Both need a fresh start elsewhere to find their way onto the fantasy radar in 2026." - Mike Clay
Loser: Tyler Allgeier, Arizona Cardinals
Tyler Allgeier was the offseason addition that Arizona thought could round out their running back room and offer a different style of skill set in the backfield. Now, with Love in the picture, the former Falcon will either be the backup to the rookie, or he'll find himself in an offseason competition to prove Arizona should favor him in the offense over the likes of Conner or Benson.

"Recently signed Allgeier will stick around as Love's primary backup (the same as he did for Bijan Robinson in Atlanta)" - Mike Clay
Loser: WR Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland Browns
Jerry Jeudy wasn't bad last year by any means, but the Browns' draft approach to take two wide receivers in the first two rounds suggests Cleveland is setting itself up to move on from the route runner in the near future. Jeudy has an out in his deal in 2027, and, if we're being honest, given the Browns' lack of consistency at the QB position, it would be a shock not to see the Alabama product utilize it. Until then, Jeudy's volume will take a drastic hit.

"Drafting two wide receivers in the first two rounds? That doesn't bode well for Jeudy's volume. Given that the veteran has an out in his deal in 2027, the Todd Monken era appears to be moving in a new (and hopefully more productive) direction." - Liz Loza
ESPN Reveals Fantasy Football Winners and Losers From the 2026 NFL Draft
The 2026 NFL Draft didn’t just reshape rosters; it reshaped fantasy football boards. From immediate-impact rookies landing in perfect situations to veterans whose value just took a hit, ESPN breaks down the biggest winners and losers you need to know before draft season heats up.

ESPN Reveals Fantasy Football Winners and Losers From the 2026 NFL Draft

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