We’re getting into the thick of fantasy football draft season, so it’s a good idea to go round by round to highlight some of my favorite targets for the 2026 NFL season. We’re going to go through 12 rounds of average draft position (ADP), which is good enough for a starting lineup and five bench spots in traditional formats. Without further ado, let’s get right into it.
Fantasy Football Draft Picks to Target by Round
The ADP used for this article is from FantasyPros.
Round 1: Ashton Jeanty (RB – LV) | FantasyPros ADP: 8.5
Ashton Jeanty is entering his sophomore season with an improved situation. First and foremost, the Raiders hired Klint Kubiak as head coach, giving them one of the best play-callers in the NFL. The offensive line has also been improved with the key signing of center Tyler Linderbaum. The quarterback room is a lot better, with Kirk Cousins (familiar with Kubiak’s scheme) and No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza. Expect Jeanty to see heavy volume in an improved offense.
Round 2: Brock Bowers (TE – LV) | FantasyPros ADP: 19.5
Brock Bowers is my favorite target of the entire draft. I think that he belongs in the first round, but you can get him in the second. This is a generational tight end in an improved offense. We saw how Kubiak schemed up Jaxon Smith-Njigba to help him have a career year. Expect something similar for Bowers. It also helps that the Raiders have a severely limited wide receiver room. Bowers is going to be absolutely peppered with targets.
Round 3: Chris Olave (WR – NO) | FantasyPros ADP: 27.5
Chris Olave showed immediate rapport with Tyler Shough, finishing his season on a high note. With Travis Etienne Jr. and Jordyn Tyson, the Saints’ offense should be significantly improved, which will help Olave’s efficiency. Kellen Moore is one of the best play-callers in the NFL, demonstrating how he can put Olave in better spots to succeed and get him more layup targets. Health is the only concern with Olave.
Round 4: Javonte Williams (RB – DAL) | FantasyPros ADP: 37.0
Javonte Williams was highly efficient last season, but the Cowboys were often playing from behind, so he couldn’t get to his ceiling. This season, with a full year of Quinnen Williams, along with stud rookies Caleb Downs and Malachi Lawrence, the Cowboys should be much improved. Expect to see this team in much more positive game scripts, where they’re playing with a lead and pounding the rock with Williams.
Round 5: Rome Odunze (WR – CHI) | FantasyPros ADP: 57.5
Here’s a contrarian pick. With the market all over Luther Burden III, we pivot to Rome Odunze. We’re going with the post-hype Year 3 wideout who looked great at the start of last season before he was sidelined by a foot injury. While I love Burden as a player, I prefer Odunze at cost, since he’s available at least one round later. In Year 2 of the Ben Johnson era, we could see Caleb Williams look even better, so there’s a chance this could be an explosive offense.
Round 6: Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR – ARI) | FantasyPros ADP: 65.5
Marvin Harrison Jr. was once touted as one of the best prospects in recent memory. He’s had a slow start to his career, but he’s still only entering his age-24 season. We’ve been spoiled by immediate producers that we forgot that wideouts sometimes take time to hit their ceiling. I’m betting that’s the case here. With Mike LaFleur calling plays, expect a more innovative offense that puts Harrison in better positions to succeed. Drew Petzing didn’t use Harrison properly.
Round 7: Jalen Hurts (QB – PHI) | FantasyPros ADP: 76.0
Jalen Hurts lost A.J. Brown, but the upgrade at play-caller could be huge. Kevin Patullo was one of the worst offensive coordinators in recent memory. Sean Mannion is a fast riser through the ranks, making me hopeful that he’ll dramatically improve this passing game. The tush push is still around, so Hurts remains a major threat in the red zone. The Eagles also did a good job replacing Brown, bringing in rookies Makai Lemon and Eli Stowers. Hurts is under pressure to show he’s still deserving of remaining as the Eagles’ starter. I think he’ll thrive.
Round 8: Jonathon Brooks (RB – CAR) | FantasyPros ADP: 95.0
Jonathon Brooks was once a touted prospect, but he’s been plagued by injury throughout his career. Now healthy, I’m betting that Brooks takes over the Panthers’ backfield. The Panthers let Rico Dowdle walk in free agency because they have high hopes for Brooks. We already saw Chuba Hubbard lose touches to Dowdle, so we can’t rule out something similar happening with the more explosive Brooks. This is an upside bet on a running back with a path to a lead role.
Round 9: Rachaad White (RB – WSH) | FantasyPros ADP: 100.0
Rachaad White plays a fantasy-friendly game as an elite pass-catcher out of the backfield. Now re-joining former college teammate Jayden Daniels, expect him to have a lead role in the Commanders’ backfield. Washington will emphasize pass protection with its lead runner, putting White ahead of Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Kaytron Allen. This makes White the best bet in this backfield. He’s a great value where he goes right now.
Round 10: Jayden Higgins (WR – HOU) | FantasyPros ADP: 121.5
Jayden Higgins showed flashes as a rookie. He’s a talented wideout who should be entrenched as the No. 2 option behind Nico Collins. This is a good upside bet at the end of your draft because if Nico Collins were forced to miss time, Higgins could really pop. Another path to fantasy relevance can just come from C.J. Stroud showing improvement as a passer. I wouldn’t rule that out, considering how good Stroud was as a rookie. Higgins is a great bench stash.
Round 11: Tyrone Tracy Jr. (RB – NYG) | FantasyPros ADP: 132.5
Tyrone Tracy Jr. is in an offense that should be extremely run-heavy with John Harbaugh taking over the Giants. Plus, Malik Nabers is still recovering from a torn ACL, so you’re not going to see much passing volume. Cam Skattebo is also getting back from a serious knee injury, so Tracy has standalone value. There’s also upside for a lead role if Skattebo misses time. Given his reckless play style, that feels like a potential outcome, making Tracy a nice stash.
Round 12: Keaton Mitchell (RB – LAC) | FantasyPros ADP: 136.5
The Chargers brought in Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator. McDaniel loved De’Von Achane, an electric but undersized running back. So it’s no coincidence that they signed Keaton Mitchell in free agency. Mitchell has shown flashes of explosiveness throughout his time with the Ravens. I wouldn’t be shocked to see McDaniel get Mitchell involved in the Chargers’ offense, forming a thunder-and-lightning tandem with Omarion Hampton. With that in mind, Mitchell has standalone value, with contingent upside if Hampton misses time.
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