Dave Richard's must-draft Fantasy Football players for the 2026 season

Key Points:

• The author shares a list of preferred fantasy football players to draft ahead of their average draft position (ADP), focusing on those with upside and favorable roles in their offenses.
• Notable first-round pick: Joe Mixon (ADP 15.4) is valued for his elite RB upside in the Bengals offense, benefiting from a strong supporting cast and improved defense.
• Second-round highlights include Austin Hampton (ADP 17.4), praised for his efficiency and workload potential in a strong running scheme, and DeVante Brown (ADP 20.6), expected to be a primary target in New England’s passing game despite injury concerns.
• Third-round and later picks feature promising wide receivers and tight ends like Cade Loveland (ADP 43.6), Jaylen Waddle (ADP 49.4), and Jahan McConkey (ADP 46.0), all seen as key offensive contributors with upside due to their roles and offensive schemes.
• The list also includes mid-to-late round values such as Jahan Washington (ADP 75.6), Jaylen Dowdle (ADP 82.8), and Chris Godwin (ADP 100.8), who offer potential high returns based on opportunity and recent team changes despite some injury risks.