Quarterback: Kyler Murray (Vikings) (Yahoo: 111.8 ESPN: 146.5)
One of the most polarizing issues heading into the 2026 NFL season is whether or not the Vikings are going to be good. Arguably the biggest reason why this has become such a fierce topic of debate amongst football fans and media is Murray. The 29-year-old has arrived in Minneapolis with the hopes of revitalizing his career after a largely underwhelming tenure with the Cardinals that got particularly ugly over the past 4 seasons. Given what this piece is all about, you can figure out where I stand on this issue. Kevin O'Connell's track record at maximizing QB productivity since becoming the Vikings HC in 2022 is impeccable. It was just last season that he brought Carson Wentz off the street and guided him to his best stretch of football in 5 years. Before that, he made journeyman backup Josh Dobbs a topic of national conversation for about a month. Compared to these two guys, Murray is elite and he's never been in a situation as good as this at any point of his career. He has the accuracy to be an efficient passer at all levels of the field, the offensive line to prevent him from getting killed and an arsenal of weapons that can make explosive plays with ease if you can get the ball into their hands. If he can stay healthy and get his rushing numbers back into at least the same vicinity that they were in 2024 (572 YDS/5 TD's), Murray is a threat to be a weekly QB1 play.
Honorable Mentions: Sam Darnold (Seahawks), Jordan Love (Packers), Baker Mayfield (Buccaneers)
Running Back: Bucky Irving (Buccaneers) (Yahoo: 55.2 ESPN: 53.6)
2025 was really the perfect storm of nightmares for Irving. He missed 7 games with shoulder/ankle aliments, the Bucs had a consistently banged up offensive line that saw just 1 of their Week 1 starters play in more than 12 games (center Graham Barton, who started all 17) and a low wattage passing attack that couldn't take any pressure off their struggling run game during the second half of the season. Assuming things don't snowball out of control once again, I like Irving's odds of bouncing back in 2026. New OC Zac Robinson runs a system that mirrors the one he thrived in under Liam Coen in 2024, Baker Mayfield is in full chip-on-the-shoulder mode after the Bucs refused to give him a contract extension in the offseason and most importantly, he has a clean bill of health after never looking quite right upon returning to action last season-which should do wonders for the explosiveness and shiftiness that made him so dangerous during his rookie campaign.
Honorable Mentions: Jaylen Warren (Steelers), R.J. Harvey (Broncos) Jordan Mason (Vikings)
Wide Receiver: Parker Washington (Jaguars) (Yahoo: 82.1 ESPN: 95.0)
Washington was a revelation for the Jaguars down the stretch last year, hauling in 26 receptions for 454 YDS and 3 TD's over the final 4 games of the regular season. As small as this sample size is, I feel very good about Washington's role in the Jaguars offensive moving forward. The connection between him and Trevor Lawrence in training camp has reportedly been excellent and with Brian Thomas Jr. having such an uneven sophomore campaign, there's a WR1 gap here that Washington is well-positioned to fill. A 70+REC/1,000+ YD/6+ TD season is well within reach for the Penn State product and if he hits those marks, he'll be an incredible value pick.
Honorable Mentions: Carnell Tate (Titans), Michael Wilson (Cardinals), Jayden Reed (Packers)
Tight End: Isaiah Likely (Giants) (Yahoo: 109.2 ESPN: 127.7)
With Malik Nabers slowly working his way back from a pair of knee surgeries after sustaining a torn ACL last September and Wan'Dale Robinson departing for the Titans in free agency, there's a lack of healthy, experienced veteran pass-catchers on the Giants roster. Enter Likely. John Harbaugh brought Likely with him to East Rutherford for a reason and without having to compete with Mark Andrews for playing time, he should get the targets that largely alluded him during his time with the Ravens. Likely's athleticism allows him to be deployed in a number of ways across the field, and his vertical leaping ability gives Jaxson Dart the redzone threat he lacked last season. His shaky hands and blocking ability could limit his snap count, but the breakout potential remains very real and that's enough for me to justify using a pretty low pick on an intriguing dice roll option at this comically top-heavy position.
Honorable Mentions: Dalton Schultz (Texans), A.J. Barner (Seahawks), Terrance Ferguson (Rams)
Defense/Special Teams: Vikings (Yahoo: 130.7 ESPN: 168.7)
Frankly, I'm beside myself at how low the Vikings D/ST is rated on all of the major fantasy sites. Their defense ranked 7th in points allowed and put up solid sack (49) and takeaway totals (21) in 2025 despite having one of the worst offenses in the league for most of the season and the great Brian Flores is back as DC. A lot would have to go wrong for them to be worse than the solid option they were a year ago and for those who want to wait until the last few rounds to take a D/ST, this is the type of high floor/high ceiling pick you're looking to make.
Honorable Mentions: Ravens, Jaguars, Chiefs
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