Reality has dramatically impacted fantasy for many players across the NFL.
That was to be expected after the 2026 NFL Draft, an event that represents the largest changing of the guard every offseason. Some veterans see their roles vanish or diminish, while others are marked safe for at least one more season. With a massive influx of talent, it’s only natural that some will be left without a seat at the table.
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While that impact is felt on the field, it’s felt even more in the fantasy football community – a place that has even fewer seats available.
2026 NFL DRAFT: Grades for all 257 picks, from Fernando Mendoza to Red Murdock
Consistency and opportunity are two of the biggest things that fantasy managers search for every year. Those are two factors that move players up and down the draft board, determining a value in each league.
Plenty of rookies are set to make an immediate impact, whether that’s because of draft position or just pure talent. Even more will be thrust into bigger roles based on necessity. At the end of the day, it’s a numbers game and not every player is a winner.
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Here’s a look at some of fantasy football’s biggest winners and losers after the 2026 NFL Draft.
Fantasy football winners
WR Makai Lemon, Philadelphia Eagles
Lemon was expected to come off the board much earlier in the first round, but instead lasted until No. 20 when the Eagles came calling. The USC star almost landed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he would’ve been behind DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. in an offense that still doesn’t have a starting quarterback. Thanks to the trade, Lemon landed with the Eagles, where he should step into a big role immediately.
It’s largely expected that A.J. Brown will be heading out of Philadelphia, opening up a spot for someone to play alongside DeVonta Smith. Lemon feels like a player who could have a Luther Burden III-style impact in his rookie year, but right away. He’s someone who doesn’t drop the ball and has a proven ability to slither through opposing defenses. The arrow is pointing up for the Trojan that just posted 1,156 yards and nine touchdowns to cap off his college career.
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RB Jadarian Price, Seattle Seahawks
Being drafted by the Super Bowl champions isn’t always the best thing for a rookie. Those rosters are often loaded with few holes, for obvious reasons, which limit a rookie’s ability to make an immediate fantasy impact. Yet the 2026 Seahawks had a vacancy sign on the running back room heading into the draft and it turns out that the Price was right at No. 32.
He’ll fill the role vacated by Kenneth Walker III and Price is no stranger to sharing a backfield. Instead of the Notre Dame standout splitting time with Jeremiyah Love, it’ll be Zach Charbonnet in Seattle. Price has the chance to establish himself right away while Charbonnet recovers from a knee injury that might keep him out to begin the regular season. It’s unclear how the Notre Dame product would handle an increased workload given the split in college, but opportunity alone is enough to make him a winner after the draft.
QB Geno Smith, New York Jets
Smith wasn’t exactly playing with a full house in Vegas last season, especially down the stretch. His offensive coordinator, Chip Kelly, was fired midseason and the quarterback stood no chance with the protection in front of him. The Jets might be the subject of jokes, but Smith finds himself in a much better situation this time around.
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New York’s offensive line is anchored by two capable tackles and steady veterans in the interior. The skill position group includes Breece Hall, Garrett Wilson and a pair of solid rookie additions in Omar Cooper Jr. and Kenyon Sadiq. Most of the focus will, rightfully, center on the Jets being a solid landing spot for a rookie in the 2027 NFL Draft. However, don’t discount what it could do for Smith, who is just one season removed from a 4,000 passing yard season.
RB Cam Skattebo, New York Giants
Skattebo hit the jackpot on Day 1. Not only did the Giants not draft Love, but they also added to the offensive line in the first round with Francis Mauigoa. It ensures that the running back will retain his role heading into his second season. Skattebo played sparingly in Week 1, but quickly took off in the seven games after that and established himself as a fan favorite.
A bowling ball in the backfield, the running back scored seven total touchdowns in eight games and is in line for more of the same in 2026.
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Fantasy football losers
QB Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
Stafford is leaving the draft with more questions than answers. The quarterback came within one win of reaching Super Bowl 60 and the Rams could’ve opted to improve an already loaded roster. Instead they drafted for the future, selecting Alabama’s Ty Simpson in a first-round shocker at No. 13. That won’t help the Rams win a Super Bowl next season and it certainly won’t help Stafford either.
Davante Adams is 33 and Puka Nacua has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. With no real insurance behind arguably the league’s best receiver duo, it remains surprising that L.A. made no investment in a player like Lemon, who ended up with the Eagles.
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Cardinals’ RBs not named Jeremiyah Love
Tyler Allgeier signed with the Cardinals as a free agent, joining a room that already included James Conner, Trey Benson and others. It made sense, considering Mike LaFleur’s offense should boost their production and opportunities, but then Arizona invested the No. 3 pick in Love. It’s a fascinating pick for the Cardinals, who have lacked an explosive, attention-grabbing talent on offense in recent years.
It’s a horrible pick for anyone who was looking for Allgeier, Conner or Benson to have a big role in that running back group. Love will take over the top spot and the majority of the work that comes with it, reducing everyone else to a support role.
WR Denzel Boston, Cleveland Browns
The Browns’ offense remains under construction after Todd Monken took over earlier this offseason. They invested a pair of early draft picks in receivers, selecting Boston and KC Concepcion, with the latter taken in the first round. Based on draft positioning alone, Boston is already at a disadvantage and that doesn’t bode well in an offense that isn’t expected to feature a pass-heavy attack next season.
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There are no real winners in this group right now, especially for someone like Jerry Jeudy – who could be on thin ice. With no real standout at this stage, it would be wise to avoid Browns’ receivers entirely and rely on the running backs or emerging star at tight end, Harold Fannin Jr. If you are picking one though, Boston probably has the biggest hill to climb.
WR Calvin Ridley, Tennessee Titans
Another offense that likely won’t be airing it out, the Titans added Wan’Dale Robinson in free agency and then selected Carnell Tate with the No. 4 pick. Neither is likely to help Ridley’s production, given Robinson’s connection with new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll and Tate’s draft pedigree.
Ridley wasn’t brought in by this regime, and the 31-year-old managed just 303 receiving yards in seven games. He also failed to score a touchdown or establish a real connection with Cam Ward, meaning he enters 2026 with no real advantage over the newcomers. Ridley’s fantasy value was slim to begin with and now it might be nonexistent after the draft.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fantasy football winners and losers after 2026 NFL Draft
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