Fantasy Soccer season is across the nook, and in case you’re a fantasy head like me, you could have already begun plotting your picks for the 2026 NFL season.
We might be basing all of our rankings on FantasyPro’s newest rankings.
Jan 4, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) celebrates after a landing towards the Atlanta Falcons within the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Brett Davis-Imagn Photos Brett Davis-Imagn Photos
This checklist in all probability can’t exist with out Tyler Shough. And I get it, he’s a second-year quarterback who isn’t totally confirmed. However are we actually going to disregard the truth that Shough averaged 20 factors per sport from Week 10 and past and completed as QB5 from Weeks 13-18?
Sure, these are simply small pattern sizes, however the worth for Shough at QB19 and a hundred and twentieth total is excessive. With the brand new additions to the New Orleans offense, a second-year in Kellen Moore’s system, and an offense molded round his talent units, Shough might be a significant steal in 2026.
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – APRIL 23: Jordyn Tyson of Arizona State poses for a photograph after being chosen eighth total by the New Orleans Saints throughout Spherical One of many 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photograph by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Photos) Getty Photos
Vast receiver Jordyn Tyson is being valued at WR37 and the 89th participant total. The eighth total choose is a dangerous choice in fantasy this yr, as he was for the Saints within the draft. The harm issues are actual, and he has been restricted all through OTAs.
However there’s a purpose New Orleans guess on the Arizona State wideout: his top-end expertise was unmatched by the remainder of the 2026 large receiver class, and he possesses all of the expertise to be one of many league’s premier move catchers. Whereas not the point of interest of the Saints’ offense, with Chris Olave set to have an explosive season in 2026, I’m assured Tyson will end the season higher than WR37, on the premise that he’s wholesome sufficient to play nearly all of the season.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 19: Travis Etienne Jr. #1 of the Jacksonville Jaguars scores a speeding landing in the course of the second quarter as Tyrann Mathieu #32 of the New Orleans Saints is unable to make the deal with at Caesars Superdome on October 19, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photograph by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Photos) Getty Photos
The Saints paid massive cash for working again Travis Etienne in free company, then circled and spent extra massive cash to repair the offensive line. One factor’s clear for New Orleans: they need to run the ball in 2026. Whereas there was discourse on whether or not Alvin Kamara will stay on the roster in the course of the upcoming season, his availability received’t hinder a possible massive season for Etienne.
The previous Jacksonville Jaguars working again is being valued at RB17, the underside half of the league. However when the Saints paid Etienne, they made him a top-10 highest-paid working again within the league, displaying their intention to offer him a heavy workload and provides him the instruments to match the manufacturing.
Analysts have the fitting to concern drafting a Saints working again. New Orleans didn’t have a productive rusher final season, and there could also be concern that Kamara will take snaps away. However Kamara is extra of a complementary again to Etienne, who produced 1,107 yards and seven touchdowns on the bottom final yr, whereas Kamara might proceed his impression as a receiver.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 09: Juwan Johnson #83 of the New Orleans Saints reacts after a reception towards the Carolina Panthers in the course of the first half within the sport at Financial institution of America Stadium on November 09, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photograph by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Photos) Getty Photos
I’ve been considerably of a Juwan Johnson truther over the previous few seasons, however after his 2025 marketing campaign, I get to say “I told you so.” Johnson put collectively 77 receptions final season, including 889 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Whereas he didn’t discover the endzone as a lot as I might’ve appreciated, he was nonetheless a significant contributor and was the workforce’s second main receiver.
When Johnson signed his three-year $30 million cope with the Saints, it got here after an extended dialog with Coach Moore as a free agent. The settlement made it clear New Orleans valued Johnson, and the veteran tight finish can be concerned within the offense.
Whereas the Saints’ offense has remodeled since final season, his end as TE8 in PPR leagues is simply too good to miss, and an improved offense will hopefully imply extra pink zone makes an attempt for the 6-foot-4 move catcher.
