Fantasy Football 2026 PPR Rankings Cheat Sheet and Expert Reaction

The NFL is back.

The Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals officially kicked off the preseason in Thursday's Hall of Fame Game, combining for 63 points and yet providing very little fantasy football intel based on who played and who didn't.

There are other things happening in the fantasy football world, though, and some of those developments could have season-long reference.

So, after running through our top 40 PPR rankings for the 2026 season, let's spotlight a couple of notable training camp nuggets.

PPR Fantasy Rankings

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Top 40

1. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, CIN
2. Bijan Robinson, RB, ATL
3. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, DET
4. Puka Nacua, WR, LAR
5. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, SEA
6. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, DET
7. Christian McCaffrey, RB, SF
8. CeeDee Lamb, WR, DAL
9. Justin Jefferson, WR, MIN
10. Jonathan Taylor, RB, IND
11. Ashton Jeanty, RB, LV
12. James Cook III, RB, BUF
13. Drake London, WR, ATL
14. Nico Collins, WR, HOU
15. Saquon Barkley, RB, PHI
16. Derrick Henry, RB, BAL
17. Trey McBride, TE, ARI
18. Brock Bowers, TE, LV
19. De'Von Achane, RB, MIA
20. Jeremiyah Love, RB, ARI
21. Chris Olave, WR, NO
22. George Pickens, WR, DAL
23. Omarion Hampton, RB, LAC
24. Kenneth Walker III, RB, KC
25. Josh Allen, QB, BUF
26. A.J. Brown, WR, NE
27. Tee Higgins, WR, CIN
28. Lamar Jackson, QB, BAL
29. Josh Jacobs, RB, GB
30. Zay Flowers, WR, BAL
31. Breece Hall, RB, NYJ
32. Emeka Egbuka, WR, TB
33. Malik Nabers, WR, NYG
34. Chase Brown, RB, CIN
35. Drake Maye, QB, NE
36. Garrett Wilson, WR, NYJ
37. DeVonta Smith, WR, PHI
38. Kyren Williams, RB, LAR
39. Tetairoa McMillan, WR, CAR
40. Rashee Rice, WR, KC

Justin Herbert Primed for a Bounce-Back Season

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Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert made the Pro Bowl this past season. So, it's not as if his production has been particularly lacking of late.

That said, his numbers haven't quite been where they were during the electric opening of his career. His 5,014 passing yards and 38 touchdowns from his sophomore season still stand as personal-bests. For context, his 2025 effort—his sixth season in the league—featured 3,727 passing yards and 26 touchdowns.

Things are trending up ahead of his seventh NFL go-round, though. The offensive line is healthier and improved, there are more playmakers in this attack (like tight end David Njoku and running back Keaton Mitchell) and the playcalling duties are now in the hands of former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel.

The McDaniel-Herbert relationship sounds like it's off to a great start.

"It's exceeded my expectations for sure," McDaniel told reporters. "He came in very motivated and he's been very focused the whole time, willing to try new things, which speaks to who he is as a seven-going-on-17-year vet."

Herbert should have a chance to zip the ball around in this offense, which stresses a lot of quick connections putting speedy players in open space. His fantasy stock could skyrocket, but it hasn't yet, as his average draft position sits just 10th among quarterbacks, per FantasyPros.

Stock Way Up for Josh Downs

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Things have trended the wrong way recently for Indianapolis Colts receiver Josh Downs. The 2025 season, his third in the NFL, saw him post personal-worsts in receptions (58), yards (566) and yards per catch (9.8).

Yet, the 2026 campaign looks capable of not only reversing this trend, but perhaps positioning Downs for a true breakout.

Michael Pittman Jr. was traded away in March, and Alec Pierce is still recovering from offseason ankle surgery. That alone primes Downs to up his activity, but it's especially encouraging to hear how the Colts plan on expanding his role.

"The Colts are now more convinced he can play a bigger role on the outside, allowing them to utilize more two-receiver, two-tight end formations," ESPN's Stephen Holder wrote. "... Further, the Colts believe Downs can add more explosiveness to his game. He showed an ability to stretch the field on deeper routes in his first two seasons."

Downs has become a regular on the fantasy-sleeper circuit, but his draft cost remains more than reasonable. So far, he's been just the 46th receiver off the board in both standard and PPR leagues.