New Fantasy Football 2026 First-Round Mock Draft, Projections and Top Team Names

As the 2026 NFL season draws near, so too does the fantasy football year for managers looking to earn bragging rights and a league championship.

Who are the top 20 players to take in a PPR league, what are some of the best team names available, and who is a potential hidden gem option in this year's crop of talent?

Find out in this preview of the upcoming fantasy year.

First Round Mock Draft

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1. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions

2. Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons

3. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

4. Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams

5. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle Seahawks

6. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Detroit Lions

7. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys

8. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts

9. Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers

10. AJ Brown, WR, New England Patriots

11. Ashton Jeanty, RB, Las Vegas Raiders

12. Chase Brown, RB, Cincinnati Bengals

13. James Cook II, RB, Buffalo Bills

14. George Pickens, WR, Dallas Cowboys

15. Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons

16. Trey McBride, TE, Arizona Cardinals

17. Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans

18. Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

19. De'Von Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins

20. Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas Raiders

Best Team Names

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It's Gonna Be Maye (Drake Maye)

Love Hurts (Jeremiyah Love)

The Penix Mightier (Michael Penix Jr.)

To Infinity and Bijan (Bijan Robinson)

King Henry's Court (Derrick Henry)

Bryce Bryce Baby (Bryce Young)

Beg, Burrow, and Steal (Joe Burrow)

Dakstreet Boys (Dak Prescott)

Big Nix Energy (Bo Nix)

Inglorious Staffords (Matthew Stafford)

Natural Born Kylers (Kyler Murray)

Aww Shoughs (Tyler Shough)

Breece Lightning (Breece Hall)

Zero Dark Purdy (Brock Purdy)

Hidden Gem: Jonathon Brooks, RB, Carolina Panthers

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There is plenty of reason to be hesitant about selecting Jonathon Brooks in your fantasy draft. The former Texas Longhorn suffered two major ACL tears in his right knee in the span of 13 months.

They were devastating injuries that, understandably, have led some to question whether he will ever be the star running back the Carolina Panthers thought he would be when they drafted him with the 46th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Moves taken by the front office, though, suggest they believe Brooks will be ready to make an impact on the offense this year. Rico Dowdle rushed for over 1,000 yards and an average of 4.6 yards per carry in his lone season with Carolina, which let him walk away this offseason.

That leaves just Chuba Hubbard, perhaps the most underrated player in the league at the position, but someone the team has never felt fully comfortable making the lone starting back.

Enter Brooks, who flashed excellent three-down skills during his time in college and should be able to translate those abilities to the pro game. Hubbard may get the start early on as Brooks integrates himself back into every-down play, but do not be surprised if he is the workhorse of the Carolina offense by the time the midway point of the season comes around.

That should make fantasy managers excited for and intrigued by his output this season.

Do not sit back and allow an opposing manager to take a risk on Brooks, then watch him be the difference between a championship and second place. Grab him while you can and watch him become the workhorse back that can help the Panthers take the next step toward a deep playoff run.