2026 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Latest Projections Entering NFL Preseason

We're more than halfway through the summer. Training camps are about to get rolling across the NFL—hopefully with frequent hydration breaks.

And before you know it, fantasy draft season will be underway in earnest.

That means it's time to get ready for the biggest day on the fantasy calendar, and one way to do so is by examining or participating in mock drafts: practice runs that can help identify values to target and players who are being overvalued and are best left alone.

For what it's worth, the Bleacher Report "Mock That Isn't Charity" Challenge isn't actually a mock draft—the analysts (including our own Kris Knox and Maurice Moton), fantasy veterans and even a mystery novelist who took part will be playing it out.

It's for real now.

With that in mind (and with this analyst picking from the No. 5 spot—because of course you want to know all about my fantasy teams), here's a look at how this draft panned out—the steals, the reaches and the unsolvable mysteries.

Round 1

AP Photo/Seth Wenig

Vikings WR Justin Jefferson

1.01: Bijan Robinson, RB, ATL

1.02: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, DET

1.03: Ja'Marr Chase, WR, CIN

1.04: Puka Nacua, WR, LAR

1.05: Jaxson Smith-Njigba, WR, SEA

1.06: Christian McCaffrey, RB, SF

1.07: Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, DET

1.08: CeeDee Lamb, WR, DAL

1.09: Ashton Jeanty, RB, LV

1.10: Justin Jefferson, WR, MIN

1.11: Drake London, WR, ATL

1.12: James Cook, RB, BUF

Best Pick: Justin Jefferson at 1.10

Fun fact—just 61.7 percent of Jefferson's 141 targets in 2025 were catchable per Fantasy Pros, down from over 70 percent the year before. Assuming that Kyler Murray wins the job under center in Minnesota this year, Jefferson should rebound and could challenge to be the No. 1 wide receiver in fantasy football.

Worst Pick: Christian McCaffrey at 1.06

Yes, McCaffrey eclipsed 2,000 total yards last year and was fantasy's No. 1 running back in PPR points. But whether it's his age (30), his workload a year ago (413 touches), the history of backs who amass 2,000 total yards or McCaffrey's own injury history, there are multiple historic precedents that indicate major regression is coming in 2026.

Biggest Surprise: James Cook at 1.12

The first round of fantasy drafts rarely features much in the way of surprises, and this draft was no exception. But given the players who were still available (including another running back who will be mentioned shortly), it was a little eye-opening to see the 2025 rushing king close out the first round.

Round 2

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Colts RB Jonathan Taylor

2.01: Saquon Barkley, RB, PHI

2.02: Jonathan Taylor, RB, IND

2.03: Jeremiyah Love, RB, ARI

2.04: George Pickens, WR, DAL

2.05: Kenneth Walker III, RB, KC

2.06: Derrick Henry, RB, BAL

2.07: Zay Flowers, WR, BAL

2.08: De'Von Achane, RB, MIA

2.09: Omarion Hampton, RB, LAC

2.10: Chase Brown, RB, CIN

2.11: Travis Etienne, RB, NO

2.12: Brock Bowers, TE, LV

Best Pick: Jonathan Taylor at 2.02

There are legitimate concerns this year with Taylor, whether it's his 2025 workload or the fact his fantasy production tailed off down the stretch last year. But Taylor's Average Draft Position this year is fourth among running backs and eighth overall. Getting last year's No. 3 fantasy running back in the second round is excellent value.

Worst Pick: Zay Flowers at 2.07

Flowers set career highs last year in receptions (86), receiving yards (1,211) and receiving touchdowns while finishing seventh in PPR points among wide receivers. But relative to his ADP this was something of a reach—the fourth-year pro is being drafted over a full round later on average.

Biggest Surprise: The Running Back Run

Only five running backs were taken in the first round of this draft, but the managers here made up for it in a big way in Round 2—75 percent of the picks hailed from that position. Every draft is different, but it's worth bearing in mind for folks who fancy a WR/WR start that running backs could start flying off the board pretty early.

Round 3

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Texans WR Nico Collins

3.01: A.J. Brown, WR, NE

3.02: Trey McBride, TE, ARI

3.03: Breece Hall, RB, NYJ

3.04: Kyren Williams, RB, LAR

3.05: Nico Collins, WR, HOU

3.06: Garrett Wilson, WR, NYJ

3.07: DeVonta Smith, WR, PHI

3.08: Chris Olave, WR, NO

3.09: Terry McLaurin, WR, WAS

3.10: Rome Odunze, WR, CHI

3.11: Rashee Rice, WR, KC

3.12: Emeka Egbuka, WR, TB

Best Pick: Nico Collins at 3.05

Collins had a solid season in 2025—the sixth-year veteran topped 1,000 receiving yards for the third consecutive season and finished eighth among wideouts in PPR points. With an ADP in Round 2, landing Collins halfway through the third round is good value, especially for managers who attack the running back position early.

Worst Pick: Rome Odunze at 3.10

Odunze is a talented young wide receiver and former top-10 pick who should see an uptick in targets this year with D.J. Moore no longer in the Windy City. But Odunze has never had even 750 receiving yards in a season, and the third-year pro's ADP is outside the top-60 picks. This was a reach, plain and simple.

Biggest Surprise: Terry McLaurin ahead of Rashee Rice

Between his injury history and off-field issues, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice is one of the more polarizing wideouts in fantasy football this year. But Terry McLaurin is coming off the worst season of his seven-year professional career and faces questions of his own in 2026.

Round 4

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RB Javonte Williams

4.01: Javonte Williams, RB, DAL

4.02: Josh Jacobs, RB, GB

4.03: Quinshon Judkins, RB, CLE

4.04: Colston Loveland, TE, CHI

4.05: Davante Adams, WR, LAR

4.06: David Montgomery, RB, HOU

4.07: Josh Allen, QB, BUF

4.08: Cam Skattebo, RB, NYG

4.09: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, CAR

4.10: Malik Nabers, WR, NYG

4.11: Ladd McConkey, WR, LAC

4.12: Tee Higgins, WR, CIN

Best Pick: Javonte Williams at 4.01

This is right about where Williams is going on average this year after he topped 1,200 rushing yards, scored 11 times on the ground and finished 12th in PPR points among running backs in 2025. But with questions mounting in the backfield and this manager picking on the turn, it was a wise time to acquire the 26-year-old.

Worst Pick: Davante Adams at 4.05

Adams led the league last year with 14 touchdown catches and finished the season ninth among all wide receivers in PPR points per game. But he also missed three games last season, he will turn 34 in December and his 60 catches for 789 yards represented his lowest numbers in those categories in a decade.

Biggest Surprise: Malik Nabers at 4.10

In terms of average draft position, getting Malik Nabers at Pick No. 46 is excellent value—the third-year pro is being drafted over a round earlier on average. But given the nebulous reports about his early-season availability as he recovers from the ACL tear that ended his 2025 season, Nabers could be all over the place in fantasy drafts this summer.

Round 5

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Broncos WR Jaylen Waddle

5.01: D'Andre Swift, RB, CHI

5.02: Mike Evans, WR, SF

5.03: Bucky Irving, RB, TB

5.04: Jaylen Waddle, WR, DEN

5.05: TreVeyon Henderson, RB, NE

5.06: Bhayshul Tuten, RB, JAX

5.07: Tyler Warren, TE, IND

5.08: Luther Burden III, WR, CHI

5.09: Christian Watson, WR, GB

5.10: Alec Pierce, WR, IND

5.11: Jameson Williams, WR, DET

5.12: Kyle Pitts, TE, ATL

Best Pick: Jaylen Waddle at 5.04

Waddle's 2025 season with the Miami Dolphins was disappointing, but the sixth-year pro has three 1,000-yard seasons on his NFL resume—including leading the league at 18.1 yards per catch in 2022. Waddle is going to be Denver's No. 1 wide receiver, and a top-12 fantasy finish isn't out of the question.

Worst Pick: Bucky Irving at 5.03

Irving at Pick No. 51 isn't bad value—he was drafted almost exactly where he's going on average. But Irving is coming off a down year in which he missed seven games and rushed for less than 600 yards, and with Kenneth Gainwell now in Tampa Bay Irving may not see the touch-share fantasy managers are hoping for.

Biggest Surprise: Bhayshul Tuten at 5.06

Again, this isn't a bad selection in terms of where Tuten is going on average—his ADP at present is a handful of picks after this. The surprise here is that dependable weekly starters in the backfield dry up so quickly that a young back who was once touted as a "sleeper" already isn't making it out of Round 5.

Round 6

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Ravens QB Lamar Jackson

6.01: Carnell Tate, WR, TEN

6.02: D.J. Moore, WR, BUF

6.03: George Kittle, TE, SF

6.04: Lamar Jackson, QB, BAL

6.05: Jadarian Price, RB, SEA

6.06: Parker Washington, WR, JAX

6.07: Zach Charbonnet, RB, SEA

6.08: Tucker Kraft, TE, GB

6.09: Michael Pittman Jr., WR, PIT

6.10: Jaylen Warren, RB, PIT

6.11: Tony Pollard, RB, TEN

6.12: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, ARI

Best Pick: Lamar Jackson at 6.04

Generally speaking, this analyst isn't a fan of drafting elite quarterbacks—the cost on draft day isn't worth the "edge" it offers fantasy squads. But in a draft like this where everyone fades quarterbacks, getting a quarterback with Jackson's immense fantasy upside a round and a half past his ADP isn't a bad idea at all.

Worst Pick: George Kittle at 6.03

When healthy, Kittle is an outstanding fantasy option—he has finished outside the top-five at the position in PPR points per game just once since 2020. But "when healthy" is a massive caveat with Kittle, and after tearing his Achilles in the playoffs last year, his chances of being ready for Week 1 aren't good.

Biggest Surprise: Zach Charbonnet at 6.07

This is far and away the biggest reach of this draft to date. After tearing his ACL in the postseason last year, Charbonnet's early-season availability is in serious doubt. The Seahawks also used a first-round pick on Jadarian Price in April. Charbonnet's ADP this year is 131—over five rounds after he was taken here.

Round 7

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Patriots QB Drake Maye

7.01: JK Dobbins, RB, DEN

7.02: Michael Wilson, WR, ARI

7.03: Chuba Hubbard, RB, CAR

7.04: Harold Fannin Jr., TE, CLE

7.05: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, JAX

7.06: Courtland Sutton, WR, DEN

7.07: Rico Dowdle, RB, PIT

7.08: Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, NE

7.09: Ricky Pearsall, WR, SF

7.10: Jordan Addison, WR, MIN

7.11: Drake Maye, QB, NE

7.12: Jayden Daniels, QB, WAS

Best Pick: Drake Maye at 7.11

Again, quarterbacks were faded in this draft—and that opened the potential for some big-time value for the patient managers who waited to draft a signal-caller. Maye was third in points among quarterbacks last year and averaged less than a fantasy point per game less than Josh Allen. He was drafted over three rounds after Allen came off the board.

Worst Pick: Ricky Pearsall at 7.09

Pearsall's 67/928/3 stat line wouldn't be a terrible pick here if it was for last season. But it's for Pearsall's first two seasons combined. It's hard to justify taking Pearsall ahead of Minnesota's Jordan Addison, and his ADP this year is about a round and a half after Pearsall was selected here.

Biggest Surprise: Michael Wilson at 7.02

Pearsall wasn't the only puzzler in Round 7 at wide receiver. Wilson admittedly had a great season in 2025, coming from nowhere to post top-10 fantasy numbers among wideouts. But backing that big year up won't be an easy feat, and Wilson was drafted ahead of the likes of Courtland Sutton of the Broncos and Brian Thomas Jr. of the Jaguars.

Round 8

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Steelers WR DK Metcalf

8.01: Isaiah Likely, TE, NYG

8.02: Chris Godwin, WR, TB

8.03: Kyle Monangai, RB, CHI

8.04: Jonathon Brooks, RB, CAR

8.05: Sam LaPorta, TE, DET

8.06: Josh Downs, WR, IND

8.07: Kenneth Gainwell, RB, TB

8.08: Joe Burrow, QB, TB

8.09: Quentin Johnston, WR, LAC

8.10: DK Metcalf, WR, PIT

8.11: Travis Kelce, TE, KC

8.12: Wan'Dale Robinson, WR, TEN

Best Pick: DK Metcalf at 8.10

This was an absolute steal. Even if you believe Michael Pittman will eat into Metcalf's targets, we're still talking about a wide receiver with three 1,000-yard seasons who finished as a top-25 PPR wideout in 2025.

Worst Pick: Jonathon Brooks at 8.04

Fantasy managers who draft Brooks may feel like Charlie Brown charging toward a football that keeps getting pulled away. For all his supposed talent, Brooks is entering his third professional season. He has played in all of three games due to multiple injuries. And he has nine career carries—for 22 yards.

Biggest Surprise: Travis Kelce at 8.11

This isn't that far out of whack relative to Kelce's ADP of 111, although it is a round or so earlier than he is going on average. It's just weird to see a tight end who was a legitimate first-round pick not that long ago (and a tight end who was third at the position in PPR points last year) getting drafted this late.

Round 9

AP Photo/Ashley Landis

Broncos RB RJ Harvey

9.01: Xavier Worthy, WR, KC

9.02: Justin Herbert, QB, LAC

9.03: Mark Andrews, TE, BAL

9.04: Rachaad White, RB, WAS

9.05: RJ Harvey, RB, DEN

9.06: Dallas Goedert, TE, PHI

9.07: Jordan Mason, RB, MIN

9.08: Blake Corum, RB, LAR

9.09: Woody Marks, RB, HOU

9.10: Aaron Jones, RB, MIN

9.11: Tyjae Spears, RB, TEN

9.12: Jalen Hurts, QB, PHI

Best Pick: RJ Harvey at 9.05

Harvey isn't the biggest steal of the round relative to ADP, but with running back depth thinning quickly in Round 9, Harvey at Pick No. 101 is a nice little bargain. Even if JK Dobbins stays healthy, Harvey has PPR value as Denver's passing-down back. If Dobbins misses time again, Harvey could be the cheapest RB2 in this draft.

Worst Pick: Mark Andrews at 9.03

As things stand now, Andrews ADP is 124—over two full rounds later than he was drafted here. That's not the only issue. This analyst wouldn't draft Andrews in Round 11, either—he's an aging tight end whose dependence on touchdowns for fantasy production makes him a feast-or-famine play from week to week.

Biggest Surprise: Jordan Mason ahead of Aaron Jones

Mason was admittedly Minnesota's leading rusher in 2025, and Jones is a 31-year-old running back who missed five games a year ago. But in terms of PPR points per game last season Jones had a two-point edge, and the general belief is that when healthy he remains the nominal lead back in what should be a full-fledged backfield committee.

Round 10

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Saints WR Jordyn Tyson

10.01: Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, WAS

10.02: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, NYJ

10.03: Jake Ferguson, TE, DAL

10.04: T.J. Hockenson, TE, MIN

10.05: Jordyn Tyson, WR, NO

10.06: Jared Goff, QB, DET

10.07: Jakobi Meyers, WR, JAX

10.08: Makai Lemon, WR, PHI

10.09: Tyrone Tracy, RB, NYG

10.10: Matthew Golden, WR, GB

10.11: Jayden Higgins, WR, HOU

10.12: Dak Prescott, QB, DAL

Best Pick: Jordyn Tyson at 10.05

Tyson is admittedly an unproven rookie playing with a young quarterback in Tyler Shough and clearly the No. 2 option (at best) in the Saints passing attack. In Round 10, Tyson is a steal—the former Arizona State star is talented and has an ADP more than three rounds higher than where he was drafted here.

Worst Pick: Kenyon Sadiq at 10.02

Sadiq is a talented youngster, and we have seen first-year tight ends do some real statistical damage in the past. But Sadiq has the look of something of a project, and he landed on a Jets offense that was offensive in 2025. Ahead of Jake Ferguson and T.J. Hockenson? Pass.

Biggest Surprise: More Values Under Center

This isn't really a surprise. It's more of a helpful hint to fantasy managers. Granted, the drafters here faded quarterbacks early, which takes a bit of the shine off of landing the likes of Jared Goff and Dak Prescott in Round 10. But Prescott is usually off the board far earlier, and Goff (ADP: 112) was quietly sixth among quarterbacks in fantasy points in 2025. You can wait at quarterback and be fine.

Rounds 11-13

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Packers WR Jayden Reed

11.01: Romeo Doubs, WR, NE

11.02: Matthew Stafford, QB, LAR

11.03: Trevor Lawrence, QB, JAX

11.04: Caleb Williams, QB, CHI

11.05: Malik Washington, WR, MIA

11.06: Brock Purdy, QB, SF

11.07: Jalen Coker, WR, CAR

11.08: Jaxson Dart, QB, NYG

11.09: Patrick Mahomes, QB, KC

11.10: Kyler Murray, QB, MIN

11.11: KC Concepcion, WR, CLE

11.12: Chigoziem Okonkwo, TE, WAS

12.01: Jalen Tolbert, WR, MIA

12.02: Brandon Aubrey, PK, DAL

12.03: Tyler Shough, QB, NO

12.04: Rashid Shaheed, WR, SEA

12.05: Bo Nix, QB, DEN

12.06: Jayden Reed, WR, GB

12.07: Alvin Kamara, RB, NO

12.08: Hunter Henry, TE, NE

12.09: Brenton Strange, TE, JAX

12.10: Isaiah Pacheco, RB, DET

12.11: Baker Mayfield, QB, TB

12.12: Chris Rodriguez, RB, JAX

13.01: Adonai Mitchell, WR, NYJ

13.02: Tyler Allgeier, RB, ARI

13.03: Braelon Allen, RB, NYJ

13.04: Jordan Love, QB, GB

13.05: C.J. Stroud, QB, HOU

13.06: Khalil Shakir, WR, BUF

13.07: Sam Darnold, QB, SEA

13.08: Seattle Seahawks Defense

13.09: Nicholas Singleton, RB, TEN

13.10: Dylan Sampson, RB, CLE

13.11: Houston Texans Defense

13.12: Jalen Nailor, WR, LV

Best Value of Round 11: Caleb Williams at 11.04

Outside of the trade that sent D.J. Moore to Chicago, the Bears offense returns intact from last year's unit. More than a few fantasy managers expect Williams to take advantage of that in Ben Johnson's offense; the young signal-caller has an Average Draft Position early in Round 8.

Best Value of Round 12: Jayden Reed at 12.06

After the Packers thinned the herd a bit at wide receiver, the hope is that one of the team's remaining wideouts will emerge as the team's clear-cut No. 1. Who that will be, however, is the subject of more than a little debate, and in cases like that in fantasy the smartest play is often just taking the cheapest candidate.

Best Value of Round 13: Jalen Nailor at 13.12

This legitimately might be my favorite pick of the entire draft—so of course I wasn't the one to make it. The Raiders gave Jalen Nailor a significant amount of money in free agency, and while tight end Brock Bowers may be the top dog in the Raiders passing attack, Nailor is a good bet to lead all Vegas wideouts in targets in 2026.

Rounds 14-16

AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann

Texans WR Tank Dell

14.01: Jerry Jeudy, WR, CLE

14.02: Cam Ward, QB, TEN

14.03: Denver Broncos Defense

14.04: Los Angeles Rams Defense

14.05: Max Klare, TE, LAR

14.06: Pittsburgh Steelers Defense

14.07: David Njoku, TE, LAC

14.08: Jonah Coleman, RB, DEN

14.09: Ka'imi Fairbairn, PK, HOU

14.10: Brian Robinson, RB, ATL

14.11: Philadelphia Eagles Defense

14.12: Jacksonville Jaguars Defense

15.01: Greg Dulcich, TE, MIA

15.02: New England Patriots Defense

15.03: Buffalo Bills Defense

15.04: Los Angeles Chargers Defense

15.05: Baltimore Ravens Defense

15.06: Minnesota Vikings Defense

15.07: Jake Bates, PK, DET

15.08: Emmett Johnson, RB, KC

15.09: Cameron Dicker, PK, LAC

15.10: Denzel Boston, WR, CLE

15.11: Dalton Kincaid, TE, BUF

15.12: San Francisco 49ers Defense

16.01: Will Lutz, PK, DEN

16.02: Tank Dell, WR, HOU

16.03: Tyler Loop, PK, BAL

16.04: Keaton Mitchell, RB, LAC

16.05: Cam Little, PK, JAX

16.06: Evan Engram, TE, DEN

16.07: Harrison Mevis, PK, LAR

16.08: Jason Myers, PK, SEA

16.09: Tank Bigsby, RB, PHI

16.10: Chris Boswell, PK, PIT

16.11: Chase McLaughlin, PK, TB

16.12: Harrison Butker, PK, KC

Best Value of Round 14: Los Angeles Rams Defense

The Rams admittedly play in a brutal division, but after adding elite talents such as cornerback Trent McDuffie and edge-rusher Myles Garrett this offseason, their defense looks dominant on paper. If it comes together on the field, this unit could be one of the league's top fantasy defenses.

Best Value of Round 15: Denzel Boston at 15.10

Boston was the third Browns receiver drafted here, and having the No. 3 wideout in Cleveland doesn't sound all that appealing. But Boston isn't going to stay buried in the pecking order—he's going to lead the Browns in receiving as a rookie.

Best Value of Round 16: Tank Dell at 16.02

Dell is a dart-throw after missing the entire 2025 season recovering from a gruesome injury suffered late in the 2024 season. But in that last game he played, he had six catches for 98 yards and a score. That's the kind of per-game upside he has if he can stay on the field.

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