The 5 Fantasy Football Players You Absolutely Have To Draft in 2026

One of the negative aspects of fantasy football is often not being able to draft your favorite player.

Sure, if your man-crush is Shedeur Sanders, then you’re likely to remain in close virtual contact during the fantasy season.

Until, of course, foolishly substituting him for Josh Allen in Week 13 costs you a playoff spot, at which point he becomes Deshaun Watson to you.

But the higher the profile of your got-his-poster-on-my-wall guy, the more likely you’re going to be rooting AGAINST him this season. It’s called growing up, people.

Every year on my draft list, I put an asterisk next to maybe a handful of players. I absolutely, positively have to have these guys on my fantasy team.

It doesn’t always pan out. But when you root for the underdog, there tends to be room on the bandwagon.

The key is: Picking players projected to be drafted so low, you can sneak in and grab them a round or two before they’re likely to get taken ... if they're likely to get taken at all.

I have five such players this season. Feel free to share my pleasure …

Jared Goff, Lions quarterback

My childhood CYO team practiced at his high school and I’m a Cal alum, so rooting for Goff has come naturally. And getting him onto my fantasy team in recent years has been easy, too, being that he’s arguably the most underrated player in the NFL. (Yeah, yeah, call me biased.)

The fact is: Goff finished 9th among quarterbacks in fantasy points last season, yet he was available after every other team in my league (and most others) had picked a quarterback. With an ever greater depth of fantasy-worthy QBs to choose among in this draft, the same thing likely will occur. Call him my underpriced game manager.

Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks running back

The news that Charbonnet will start the season on injured reserve comes at a perfect time. Way too many fantasy participants draft as if Week 1 is a “must-win.” Once I secure a quality starting lineup, I look forward to the second half and the playoffs.

By then, Charbonnet will be the featured running back on the defending Super Bowl champions. I mean, who’s the competition – a guy who couldn’t start for his college team? As a fourth running back on your fantasy team – someone who won’t kill your chances even if he NEVER plays – he’s a nice luxury to have … and a potential difference-maker on top of that.

Brandon Aiyuk, Suspended wide receiver

Like Charbonnet, Aiyuk won’t be playing on Opening Day. Unlike Charbonnet, you won’t even see him on the sidelines, having been banished by the 49ers in a contract dispute.

Aiyuk will have to beg Commissioner Goodell for reinstatement this season, which should be a mere formality, and then likely will have to be traded by the 49ers. At that point, hungry and well rested, he could emerge as a revenge-driven downfield threat on a needy team as you're making your fantasy playoff push. And you get him, possibly, in the last round of the draft? I say: Why not?

Lucky Jackson, Lions wide receiver

We’re all looking for the ultimate sleeper each year. I’ve got one for 2026. Lucky me.

The Lions are a fantasy dream: They score a ton of points and yet focus the production on only a handful of guys. If either of their wideouts – Amon-Ra St. Brown or Jameson Williams – was to get hurt, a tremendous opportunity would be created. Jackson, who begins the season on the Detroit practice squad, is tremendously talented and could be that guy. And you can get him even later than Aiyuk, if that’s even possible.

Brandon Aubrey, Cowboys kicker

I will be the first in my league to draft a kicker this season. Just like last year and the year before. It’s the price you pay when your draft will be a disappointment if you don’t come away with Aubrey.

The guy is like Messi – pretty much on target every time he kicks toward the net. And he plays on a team that gives him a lot of opportunities. Oh, here’s the best part: Because the game of football (of all things) undervalues kickers, nobody is dumb enough to take one until at least the 10th round of a fantasy draft. Except me, that is. I’ll be taking my quarterback (Goff) in Round 10. I’ll snatch Aubrey a round or two earlier.

My rivals used to laugh. Now they know better.