NFL Free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft will completely shake up the fantasy football landscape in the coming months.
Before the roster movement begins, Justin Boone is identifying one fantasy-relevant player from every team who’s most likely to break out during the 2026 season.
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Early Breakout Candidates
Early AFC North Breakout Candidates
Baltimore Ravens – Keaton Mitchell, RB
Mitchell was showcasing his game-breaking explosiveness during his rookie season in 2023, before suffering an ACL tear that derailed a promising start to his career.
During that rookie campaign, he averaged 8.43 yards per carry and 10.33 yards per reception as a dangerous change-of-pace back.
After missing most of 2024 recovering from the knee injury, Mitchell struggled to carve out a role in the first half of this season. However, once he began earning touches, we saw a similar version of the player who appeared to be moving at a different speed than everyone else a couple years ago.
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Even as a part-time player behind Derrick Henry, Mitchell posted at least 40 yards or a touchdown in five of his last 10 outings on the fantasy calendar.
While it’s unlikely he’ll ever be a high-volume runner, the Ravens would be wise to expand Mitchell’s involvement in the offense — especially with a 32-year-old Henry entering his 11th season.
If that occurs, Mitchell would be a weekly flex option with the potential to erupt into an exciting fantasy RB2 if Henry gets hurt.
Fantasy breakout potential: ★★★☆☆
Cincinnati Bengals – Erick All, TE
The Bengals are a team with established stars at almost every skill position, which makes it difficult for someone to break out as a meaningful fantasy option.
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With Mike Gesicki turning 31 this year and Noah Fant heading to free agency, tight end is the one spot where a player could ascend on the depth chart.
That brings us to a forgotten man in Erick All.
As a prospect, All was coming off an ACL tear which caused a draft-day slide to the fourth round in 2024. However, he immediately earned a role on offense and had multiple catches in seven of his first nine outings before suffering another torn ACL that’s sidelined him ever since.
In November, he provided the first positive update in a while, suggesting he had started running routes and expected to be cleared by the end of the season.
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Though he still has to prove himself as an in-line blocker, All’s receiving skills make him an intriguing dynasty stash. If all goes well in his recovery, we could be talking about him as a late-round target in redraft or an early-season waiver wire pickup.
Fantasy breakout potential: ★★★☆☆
Cleveland Browns – Quinshon Judkins, RB
Judkins had a strong rookie season for the Browns with 998 scrimmage yards and seven touchdowns in just 14 appearances.
The 22-year-old also finished as the RB22 in fantasy points per game (11.2 FPPG) despite dealing with injuries and playing in a subpar Cleveland offense that lacked quality quarterback play most of the year.
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If we isolate the five games before he suffered his first injury (shoulder), Judkins displayed an even higher level of production as the RB14 over that stretch (14.6 FPPG).
Unfortunately, his season came to an abrupt end due to a fractured fibula and dislocated ankle in Week 16, which carries a 4-5 month recovery timeline. If all goes according to plan, that should allow Judkins to return to full strength ahead of training camp.
The second-rounder has already shown he was worth the high pick used to draft him and has the talent to be a difference-maker at this level. Whether he can become an impact player in fantasy will depend on his health and how the Browns address their openings at head coach and quarterback.
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Fantasy breakout potential: ★★★★★
Pittsburgh Steelers – Pat Freiermuth, TE
The departure of Mike Tomlin and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith means the Steelers offense will look a lot different in 2026.
Aaron Rodgers is unlikely to return at quarterback, so that leaves a massive unknown at the most important position when trying to project the fantasy outlooks for pass-catchers.
Aside from a couple notable performances, Freiermuth was mostly off the fantasy radar in the most recent iteration of this offense – so change is welcome.
After all, Freiermuth has been a fantasy factor in the past, finishing as the TE14 in per game scoring in 2024, TE9 in 2022 and TE16 as a rookie in 2021. He also has a pair of seven-touchdown seasons on his resume, as well as three different campaigns with at least 60 receptions.
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In the right system, we could easily see Freiermuth re-enter the conversation as a potential top-12 fantasy tight end, but there’s a lot that needs to be sorted out in Pittsburgh before we can say that with any confidence.
Fantasy breakout potential: ★★★☆☆