The confetti from the Super Bowl hasn’t even rained down yet, and here we are talking about 2026 fantasy football redraft. Is it sick? Maybe. Is it necessary? Absolutely. Because if there is one thing we’ve learned from this past season, it’s that the NFL landscape changes faster than a defensive coordinator’s job security.
We’ve combed through the early consensus rankings and the latest rumblings from around the league to give you a head start.
Bijan Robinson Is the Undisputed King
If you are lucky enough to snag the 1.01 pick in your redraft league, don’t overthink it. Don’t get cute. Bijan Robinson is the consensus top dog for a reason. After another stellar campaign, the Atlanta Falcons’ bell cow has separated himself from the pack. While Jahmyr Gibbs in Detroit is a tantalizing 1B option (ranked right behind him at No. 2 overall), Robinson offers that rare workhorse volume that seems to be going extinct in the modern NFL.
It’s interesting to see Puka Nacua (WR1) and Ja’Marr Chase (WR2) rounding out the top five. We are officially in the era where wide receivers are safer bets than running backs, but the elite RBs still hold the crown. And yes, Christian McCaffrey is still hovering in Tier 2. He’s not done yet, folks.
The Quarterback Carousel Has Gone Off the Rails
Can we talk about how bizarre the quarterback room looks heading into 2026? If you told me three years ago that we’d be talking about Aaron Rodgers as a steady hand for the Pittsburgh Steelers, I would have asked what you were smoking. But here we are. The 42-year-old is apparently open to running it back after a 10-7 season, and the Steelers are seemingly desperate enough to keep him. He’s not a QB1 anymore, but in Superflex leagues? You could do worse.
And then there’s the Indianapolis Colts. Just when we thought the Anthony Richardson era was safe, injuries derailed the train again. Now, GM Chris Ballard is talking about “chasing the quarterback” and sounds ready to hitch his wagon to Daniel Jones. Yes, that Daniel Dimes. Despite a torn Achilles in Week 14, the Colts seem enamored with him. For fantasy purposes, Jones actually looked decent before the injury, but trusting a QB coming off an Achilles tear is a level of risk tolerance I usually reserve for gas station sushi.
The Running Back “Cliff” Is Real
The running back market is looking treacherous. We have Breece Hall entering a contract dispute with the Jets. He posted 1,000 yards in a dumpster fire of an offense (classic Jets), and now he wants to get paid. For fantasy managers, the best-case scenario might actually be Hall leaving New York for greener pastures. Keep a close eye on that situation.
Down in Tampa Bay, the Rachaad White experiment seems to be over. He’s already talking about his “last ride” on social media. Despite an efficient season, he lost significant touches to Bucky Irving. If White lands in a committee elsewhere, his value tanks. If he lands a starting gig? He’s a steal.
And for those of you digging deep for sleepers: keep tabs on Cam Skattebo in New York. The Giants’ rookie was looking like a waiver wire hero before dislocating his ankle. He’s finally out of the walking boot after two months. If he’s healthy by training camp, he could be the goal-line vulture that ruins everyone’s Sunday.
The Rashee Rice Headache Returns
Here we go again. Just when Rashee Rice was cementing himself as a top-tier fantasy asset in Kansas City, we are back dealing with off-field drama. The latest domestic allegations are serious, and given his history (remember the suspension in 2025?), the league might not be lenient this time.
He’s currently being drafted as a high-end WR2, but the risk of a season-long suspension is looming like a dark cloud. Talent has never been the question with Rice; availability is. If you draft him, you’d better have a backup plan, because the floor here isn’t zero points, it’s zero games played.
Early 2026 Draft Strategy for Redraft
So, what’s the takeaway for your early drafts? Value safety in the first two rounds. The gap between the elite tier (Bijan, Puka, Gibbs) and the next group is widening. There are too many question marks surrounding the veteran QBs and the contract-year RBs to take big swings early.
Stay fluid, watch the injury reports (especially for guys like Skattebo and Jones), and for the love of the game, maybe don’t draft a Jets player unless you really have to.
