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New Fantasy Football 2026 Flex Rankings, Team Names and More Draft Cheat Sheets

Michelle Bruton

Aug 26, 2026

We're two weeks into the NFL preseason, which means that the 2026–27 season is gloriously close. And for fantasy football managers, that means time to prep for the draft is quickly running out.

While any number of outcomes could happen by the roster-cut deadline on Sunday, August 30, two preseason games in, we have a better understanding of which players are edging out others in position battles and who are early round redraft candidates versus sleepers.

To prepare you for your draft, we'll take a look at flex player rankings in particular, which will help you sort out not only your flex spot but, of course, your bench as well. As a bonus, you'll also find some name inspiration as well as other fantasy draft tips.

2026 Flex Rankings

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Rankings are courtesy of FantasyPros, current as of midnight on August 25, and assume PPR scoring.

1. Ja'Marr Chase, CIN, WR1

2. Jahmyr Gibbs, DET, RB1

3. Puka Nacua, LAR, WR2

4. Bijan Robinson, ATL, RB2

5. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, SEA, WR3

6. Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET, WR4

7. CeeDee Lamb, DAL, WR5

8. Justin Jefferson, MIN, WR6

9. Christian McCaffrey, SF, RB3

10. Jonathan Taylor, IND, RB4

11. Drake London, ATL, WR7

12. A.J. Brown, NE, WR8

13. Nico Collins, HOU, WR9

14. James Cook III, BUF, RB5

15. Brock Bowers, LV, TE1

16. Chase Brown, CIN, RB6

17. Chris Olave, NO, WR10

18. George Pickens, DAL, WR11

19. De'Von Achane, MIA, RB7

20. Trey McBride, ARI, TE2

21. Rashee Rice, KC, WR12

22. DeVonta Smith, PHI, WR13

23. Saquon Barkley, PHI, RB8

24. Malik Nabers, NYG, WR14

25. Omarion Hampton, LAC, RB9

26. Kenneth Walker III, KC, RB10

27. Ashton Jeanty, LV, RB11

28. Garrett Wilson, NYJ, WR15

29. Zay Flowers, BAL, WR16

30. Tetairoa McMillan, CAR, WR17

31. Ladd McConkey, LAC, WR18

32. Jaylen Waddle, DEN, WR19

33. Tee Higgins, CIN, WR20

34. Derrick Henry, BAL, RB12

35. Colston Loveland, CHI, TE3

36. Breece Hall, NYJ, RB13

37. Emeka Egbuka, TB, WR21

38. Jeremiyah Love, ARI, RB14

39. Kyren Williams, LAR, RB15

40. Javonte Williams, DAL, RB16

41. Josh Jacobs, GB, RB17

42. Terry McLaurin, WAS, WR22

43. Luther Burden III, CHI, WR23

44. Travis Etienne Jr., NO, RB18

45. Davante Adams, LAR, WR24

46. DJ Moore, BUF, WR25

47. Tyler Warren, IND, TE4

48. Mike Evans, SF, WR26

49. Jameson Williams, DET, WR27

50. D'Andre Swift, CHI, RB19

Flex Insights

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It's worth noting that of the 50 top-ranked flex players, 27 are wide receivers, compared to 19 running backs and four tight ends.

Five teams have the highest representation among the top 50 flex players, with three players each landing in the rankings. Put another way, 30% of the top flex players come from just five teams: the Bengals (Ja'Marr Chase, Chase Brown, Tee Higgins), Lions (Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams), Rams (Puka Nacua, Kyren Williams, Davante Adams), Cowboys (CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Javonte Williams) and Bears (Colston Loveland, Luther Burden III, D'Andre Swift).

Bye weeks, accordingly, could get tricky. Of the top 10 players, four have a Week 6 bye, while three have a Week 11 bye. If you can plan ahead with some starter-quality backups waiting on your bench, you'll have an advantage in those weeks when your competitors may be wiped out.

Unless you're in a dynasty league, the only rookie you're likely contemplating in the top 50 is Arizona's Jeremiyah Love. If you are in a dynasty or keeper league, you may also be thinking about Tennessee wideout Carnell Tate, New Orleans receiver Jordyn Tyson or Philadelphia pass-catcher Makai Lemon.