Best Fantasy Football Landing Spots for the Top Prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft

The 2026 NFL draft is less than three weeks away. And while fans of all 32 teams are anxiously awaiting the picks they hope will improve their squad for years to come, fantasy managers are also eager to see who goes where because the event shakes up the fantasy landscape in a major way.

Granted, this year's class is a little light at quarterback. And while the wide receivers are deep, there does not appear to be a Ja'Marr Chase-level prospect in this year's bunch.

However, there is a running back many have labeled a generational prospect and a tight end who appears tailor-made for piling up stats.

While talent is important, situation can be critical in fantasy football as well. For every prospect, there are landing spots that will boost their value—either now or in the not-too-distant future—but there are other destinations that would be less than ideal.

We'll focus on the former here and call it the power of positive thinking.

QB Ty Simpson, Alabama

AP Photo/Vasha Hunt

Best Landing Spots: Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets

There is zero point in discussing the best fantasy landing spots for Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza—he is going first overall to the Las Vegas Raiders. But the future of Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson is less certain.

There are those who believe Simpson is a better NFL prospect than Mendoza. ESPN's Dan Orlovsky told Get Up: "I think Ty Simpson is the best quarterback in this class."

For a time last season, the Alabama product looked the part, but with no run game to lean on, a lot of the shine came off a banged-up Simpson as the season progressed.

The biggest knock on the 23-year-old may well be inexperience. The track record of NFL quarterbacks thrown into action after just 15 collegiate starts is not good. His best fantasy spot is one where he can learn for a while yet still has a clear path to playing time late in 2026 or in 2027.

The Cardinals and Jets are the best-case scenarios in that regard, whether it's with New York's second first-rounder this year or perhaps early on Day 2.

The Cardinals have the better weapons now, but with two firsts in 2026 and three next year, the Jets have the draft capital to overhaul the offense in short order.

RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

AP Photo/Peter Joneleit

Best Landing Spots: Tennessee Titans, Washington Commanders

There is zero question that Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love will be the first rookie drafted in fantasy leagues this year after a 2025 season in which he topped 1,650 yards and scored 21 total touchdowns.

The only question is just how early he'll come off the board after fantasy managers were burned a bit by Ashton Jeanty of the Las Vegas Raiders a year ago.

SI's Ethen Hutton singled out the Tennessee Titans at No. 4 as a spot where Love would have a clear path to a heavy workload as a rookie.

"Tennessee has had a busy offseason, overhauling its coaching staff before a busy free agency period, and could pair last year's No.1 overall pick, Cam Ward, with a dynamic asset in the backfield. Love would join a Titans running back room previously headlined by Tony Pollard, but projects to take over the reins at the position, considering his draft value. Love will carve out a significant role in Brian Daboll's offense, a scheme that's shown elite production in the run game, and could have a greater fantasy impact with such a fit."

It would be a similar situation in the nation's capital. The Washington Commanders added Rachaad White in free agency, but Love's arrival would relegate White to passing-down back duties in short order.

RB Jadarian Price, Notre Dame

AP Photo/Michael Woods

Best Landing Spots: Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks

Jeremiyah Love isn't the only Notre Dame running back who could go relatively early in this year's draft.

Jadarian Price didn't post huge numbers with the Fighting Irish playing behind Love last year—674 rushing yards on just 113 carries. But the 5'11", 203-pounder scored 11 times on the ground, and Chris Pflum of SB Nation (h/t Yahoo! Sports) believes Price has what it takes to thrive in a larger role at the professional level.

"Price is a compact back at 5'11" and 203 pounds, but runs with good power and a natural feel for getting behind his pads going into contact," he said. "He runs bigger than he measures and consistently manages to churn out tough yardage as well as fall forward for positive yardage while being tackled."

Price is a work in progress as a pass-catcher, but just because he wasn't asked to do that a lot at Notre Dame doesn't mean he can't. The key to his early fantasy value is simple: opportunity.

In that regard, the Seattle Seahawks are the dream destination for any running back this year. They have major uncertainty in the backfield with Zach Charbonnet returning from an ACL injury.

The Minnesota Vikings would also be a good spot. Aaron Jones is 31 years old, and Jordan Mason has missed time each of the past two seasons.

RB Mike Washington Jr., Arkansas

AP Photo/Butch Dill

Best Landing Spots: Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks

Mike Washington Jr. bounced around in college from Buffalo to New Mexico State and then finally to Arkansas.

With the Razorbacks in 2025, he surpassed 1,000 rushing yards for the first time in his career, and as Erick Trickel noted for Sports Illustrated, his combine performance highlighted an intriguing blend of size and speed:

"Washington is a big back, over 220 pounds, and he showed his speed and burst at the NFL Combine, posting a 4.33-second 40-yard dash with a 1.51-second 10-yard split. While he spent time at three different schools, he showed steady improvement each year, with good jumps as a player at each stop, before showing signs of it all coming together at Arkansas. Washington's size and power are easy to see, but when he mixes in the explosive burst and speed, he can be really difficult to defend. His size and power make it hard for defenders to tackle him, and he does well to break through poor tackling attempts."

As mentioned, the uncertainty in the backfield with the Seattle Seahawks opens the potential for an every-down workload (and the fantasy value that comes with it) in short order.

There is similar uncertainty in Denver, with JK Dobbins returning from yet another injury and R.J. Harvey managing just 3.7 yards per carry as a rookie.

WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State

AP Photo/Ryan Sun

Best Landing Spots: New York Giants, Cleveland Browns

As you may have heard, wide receivers from Ohio State have had a fair amount of success in the NFL.

There's a real chance Jeremiah Smith will be in the conversation to be the first overall pick in the 2027 draft, but Carnell Tate shouldn't have to wait long to hear his name called on April 23.

The 6'2", 192-pounder didn't run especially fast at the combine, but his tape shows a complete receiver. He has size, wheels, is an excellent route-runner and thrives at making contested catches.

Per Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports, Tate may not make it out of the top five as the New York Giants could use another wideout after watching Wan'Dale Robinson depart in free agency:

"The Giants are stepping into a new era in 2026. After landing Jaxson Dart as their QB of the future last year, the team has since hired John Harbaugh as its head coach, and the future looks bright. That said, the offense could use more weapons around Dart, especially with fellow wideout Malik Nabers recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in Week 4 and running back Cam Skattebo suffering a season-ending ankle injury in Week 8."

If Tate does get past the Giants, it may not be by much. The Cleveland Browns have a less certain situation at quarterback but an even more dire need for passing-game weapons.

Either way, both of these landing spots would mean a robust target share for Tate as a rookie.

WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

AP Photo/Jeffrey D. Allred

Best Landing Spots: Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers

There was a time when Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson was considered by some to be the top wide receiver prospect in this draft class. He was even ranked ahead of Carnell Tate in Bleacher Report's post-combine Big Board.

As ESPN's Matt Miller pointed out, though, a hamstring injury that has dogged Tyson dating back to last season has dinged his stock to such an extent that the 6'2", 203-pounder could slide into the back half of Round 1 or even out of the first round altogether:

"One player trending in the wrong direction leading up to the draft is Arizona State receiver Jordyn Tyson. In reviewing my grades with a handful of scouts, many remarked that Tyson's hamstring injury and lack of predraft workouts could cause him to slide to the back half of the first round. Three scouts told me that Tyson ranks as the No. 4 receiver on their internal boards. He is scheduled to do positional work for NFL teams on April 17."

Granted, that workout could assuage many of the doubts NFL teams have about Tyson, who topped 1,100 receiving yards in 2024.

However, a draft-day slide could be a blessing in disguise for fantasy managers. The farther into the round Tyson drops, the more stable his quarterback situation will likely be.

WR Makai Lemon, USC

AP Photo/Lydia Ely

Best Landing Spots: Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Rams

After catching 79 passes for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns a year ago, USC's Makai Lemon was the Biletnikoff Award winner as the top receiver in college football.

Some believe the 5'11", 182-pounder might be the most complete wideout in this class, and Dave Richard of CBS Sports went so far as to comp Lemon to the highest-paid receiver in the league:

"Based on his film, Lemon is one of the cleanest, most polished prospects in the 2026 draft class. His greatest strengths are his hands, his change of direction, his toughness and his versatility. His weaknesses? There aren't many, but he's one of those guys who you'll say "fast but not the fastest" or "strong but not the strongest." All that said, there were the same kind of mild concerns for Jaxon Smith-Njigba when he came into the league, and he easily overcame them once he got a shot to lead Seattle's receiving group. Lemon is a little bit faster than Smith-Njigba and the same kind of competitor and mature leader otherwise.

Lemon appears best suited to a role in the slot in the NFL, but size limitations won't keep him from falling out of the top half of the first round.

In Miami, he would be easily the best pass-catcher on a depleted offense who could easily lead all rookie receivers in targets. In Los Angeles, he might not see as many looks, but playing in an offense with Puka Nacua and Davante Adams would mean single coverage much of the time.

WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M

AP Photo/Karen Warren

Best Landing Spots: Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots

There's a pretty clear top three at wide receiver this year, but among the Tier 2 prospects the best option available is likely KC Concepcion, a 6'0", 196-pound slot receiver who averaged over 15 yards a catch and scored nine times for the Aggies in 2025.

According to Garrett Burroughs of Vikings Wire, he more than makes up for a lack of elite size or speed with a polished route tree and the ability to get open:

"Concepcion is who you want working out of the slot. He possesses exceptional footwork, especially on short yardage routes, and can break off the top of the route with ease, leaving his defender behind. The route tree is very extensive, and he can run nearly every route concept you can think of. Great ability to stack defenders and find separation over the middle. Quicker than fast, working very well on underneath throws and allowing him to work in the open field. His footwork and acceleration give him an advantage off the line with a great release into his routes."

Concepcion will more likely than not be selected toward the back end of the draft's first day. As it happens, there are a pair of AFC East teams there in need of wide receiver help who have potent offenses and high-end quarterbacks.

Both are good news for fantasy managers.

WR Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee

AP Photo/John Raoux

Best Landing Spots: Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders

Tennessee wide receiver Chris Brazzell II certainly looks the part of an NFL receiver—he's 6'4" with over 32" arms and 4.37-second speed in the 40-yard dash.

Per the Ringer's Todd McShay, Brazzell is the prototypical Z receiver capable of taking the top off opposing defenses in the blink of an eye, but he's more than just a burner.

"While he's known for his vertical route running, Brazzell finished his career with a 78 percent open-target rate, which speaks to his craftiness as a route runner," McShay wrote. "He's highly effective at tempoing his routes, he has natural instincts for locating holes in zone coverage, and he's smooth in and out of his breaks, which allows him to generate separation against man coverage."

Brazzell had just two drops last year with the Volunteers, topping 1,000 receiving yards, scoring nine touchdowns and averaging 16.4 yards per reception.

There are any number of teams at the back of Round 1 or early on Day 2 who would benefit from Brazzell's presence, whether it's a Las Vegas Raiders team that is in clear need of weapons or a Kansas City Chiefs team that has struggled beating teams deep in recent years.

The former would mean more targets and opportunities for production in the short term for Brazzell. The latter means a higher long-term ceiling, especially with Rashee Rice entering the last year of his rookie deal.

TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon

AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson

Best Landing Spots: Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles

Kenyon Sadiq's numbers for Oregon last year weren't especially eye-popping: 51 catches for 560 yards.

However, the 6'3", 241-pounder found the end zone eight times, and as Caden Handwork noted for Sports Illustrated, the tight end completely blew the doors off the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine:

"Sadiq set a record as a tight end in the 40-yard dash with a time of 4.39 seconds, the fastest ever by a player at his position. Sadiq's 43.5" vertical jump also ties for the second-best ever by a tight end. In the broad jump, Sadiq recorded a jump of 11'1", the third-best ever by a tight end. These records that Sadiq set in the combine proved what many fans already knew, that he has the potential to be a star at tight end for whichever team chooses to select him in the NFL Draft. His speed and strength are exactly what NFL teams are looking for in a tight end, and with his talents, Sadiq has the opportunity to make an immediate impact as a rookie."

On paper at least, Sadiq has all the tools and skills to be the kind of field-stretcher and offensive threat that NFL teams covet at his position nowadays.

The Carolina Panthers need to upgrade the weapons at Bryce Young's disposal, while the Philadelphia Eagles are a team that uses the tight end quite a bit and could use an heir apparent for Dallas Goedert.

In either spot, Sadiq could be the next tight end to explode in fantasy as a rookie.

Gary Davenport is a two-time Fantasy Sports Writers Association Football Writer of the Year. Follow Gary on X at @IDPGodfather.