Tell your friends (just not your leaguemates until next week)
2026 NFL Free Agency: Fantasy Football Draft Outlook for Every Key Move
by Nate Polvogt
The assault on the senses that is NFL free agency yet again did not disappoint. The implementation of” legal tampering,” aka the Free Agent Negotiating Period, has only moved the madness up by a week (and made it even more mad). That’s why, as the wonderful Lou Brunson likes to say, “We stay ready, so you don’t have to get ready.” As always, we’re here to break down
2026 NFL Free Agency: Fantasy Football Draft Outlook for Every Key Move
Want more from Optimus Fantasy? Join our Discord!
The most notable madness occurred last week, when Raiders defensive beast Maxx Crosby was traded to Baltimore, then, in a bizarre turn of events, he wasn’t.
🚨🚨🚨 HOLY BREAKING NEWS 🚨🚨🚨
— 🏈Optimus FF News (@news.optimusfantasy.com) March 10, 2026 at 5:59 PM
While the Crosby fiasco has been the loudest, it certainly isn’t the most notable, at least not when it comes to the fantasy football landscape. We have D.J. Moore now in a Bills uniform, Tua Tagovailoa is a Falcon, and Malik Willis is the heir apparent in Miami. Kyler Murray has a chance at redemption as a Viking, Tyler Allgeier is out from under Bijan Robinson‘s shadow in Arizona, and Mike Evans is no longer a Buccaneer.
Get a full view of every free agency move with our NFL Transaction Tracker
Now, as things start to slow down and we head towards the NFL Draft, we can start to piece together who landed where and what it might mean for your fantasy football teams come August.
Most Impactful Free Agency Signings & Trades
Kyler Murray Fantasy Outlook 2026: Vikings Offense a Fit?
Murray and the Vikings agreed on a 1-year contract for the veteran minimum.
It became clear in 2025 that former number one overall pick Kyler Murray needed a change of scenery: his time in Arizona had clearly run its course after essentially being benched in favor of journeyman QB Jacoby Brissett. He got it with a move to Minnesota, signing a one-year, league minimum contract with a “no tag” clause, guaranteeing he will be a free agent at the end of the 2026 season.
Murray now gets what amounts to a one-year audition with the Vikings. Head coach Kevin O’Connell has shown previous success with veteran QBs – think Sam Darnold‘s revival – which I cannot imagine didn’t play into Murray’s decision to sign in Minnesota.
It’s not like Murray has been outright awful; he was the overall QB3 in 2020 (23.7 fantasy points per game) and rounded out the 2024 season as the overall QB10. The question isn’t if the ability is there. We know it is. The real question is, can he get back to elite QB status in the right situation? To play on Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York”, if he can’t make it here, he can’t make it anywhere. Don’t be shocked if we get a Murray resurgence and a top 10 fantasy QB finish from the veteran in 2026.
Kenneth Walker Fantasy Value 2026: Chiefs RB1 Upside
Walker and the Chiefs agreed on a 3-year, $45M contract with $28.7M in guaranteed money.
Ken Walker got PAID, friends. The Super Bowl MVP has moved on from the Pacific Northwest to the Midwest, setting up shop in Kansas City for the foreseeable future. Now, instead of being stuck in a committee with Zach Charbonnet, it appears we’ll be getting the full Ken Walker experience.
‼️‼️‼️ BREAKING NEWS ‼️‼️‼️
The Chiefs are signing Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker.
Per @rapsheet.bsky.social
— 🏈Optimus FF News (@news.optimusfantasy.com) March 9, 2026 at 10:24 AM
While Walker was effective in 2025, he wasn’t exactly a boon for fantasy managers, finishing as the overall RB23 in PPR points per game (11.3). He logged more than 15 carries just five times, never saw more than 19 in any game and finished with 100 or more rushing yards only two times. However, despite the somewhat limited workload, Walker still averaged 4.6 yards per attempt and notched five TDs on the ground.
There will be much less competition for touches in Kansas City, with Emari Demercado and Brashard Smith being the only two viable RBs also on the Chiefs roster. Furthermore, there’s a chance QB Patrick Mahomes (knee) won’t be ready to start Week 1, leaving veteran QB Justin Fields behind center, making it all the more likely the team leans into the run game with Walker. Early on, Walker looks like he could be on the path to a top 10 fantasy finish this coming season.
David Montgomery Fantasy 2026: Texans RB1 or Committee Back?
The Detroit Lions have agreed to trade Montgomery to Houston for a 2026 4th-round pick, a 2027 7th-round pick, and OL Juice Scruggs.
It seemed like David Montgomery was sort of forgotten about in 2025. RB Jahmyr Gibbs took over the Detroit backfield last season, rushing for 1223 yards, logging 616 receiving yards and notching 18 total TDs. Not much was left for Montgomery, who saw career lows in carries (158), as well as PPR fantasy points per game (9.7) and total PPR fantasy points (164.9). He also logged his lowest total TD count (8) since landing in Detroit in 2023.
Now, Montgomery finds himself on a Texans squad lacking experience and depth at RB, with Woody Marks, Jawhar Jordan and British Brooks being the only other RBs on the Houston depth chart. Barring Houston making a move for another RB, which would likely be through the NFL Draft or a trade, the veteran RB is the de facto RB1 in the Texans’ offense.
I can’t say I believe that Montgomery will become a bell cow. Woody Marks rushed 196 times last season, logging 703 yards on the ground and five total TDs. While Marks is more than capable, the trade for Montgomery signals that head coach Demeco Ryans doesn’t want one back to shoulder the load, especially in red zone and short yardage situations, as well as in the passing game. While we’re not looking at an RB1 tier season for the veteran in 2026, he’ll slot in as a solid mid-range RB2, likely at a fair price in your fantasy drafts.
D.J. Moore Fantasy Outlook 2026: Bills WR1 or Overhyped?
The Chicago Bears have agreed to trade Moore and a 2026 5th-round pick to the Bills for a 2026 2nd-round pick.
It’s no secret that the Buffalo Bills have desperately needed a true WR1 for QB Josh Allen. They had it in flashes when Stefon Diggs graced the field in upstate New York, but they have otherwise failed. The acquisition of D.J. Moore, however, could solve that problem in Buffalo, at least for the 2026 season.
Moore, who spent his last three seasons in Chicago, was a casualty of a team getting younger and looking to the future. In 2023, before the team loaded up with Rome Odunze and Luther Burden in the 2024 and 2025 NFL Drafts, the veteran receiver logged career highs at the time in targets (136), receptions (96), receiving yards (1,365) and receiving TDs (8). 2024 wasn’t bad either, with him breaking his records in targets (140) and receptions (98) despite failing to reach 1,000 yards receiving (966).
It appears Buffalo thinks they can get that production back from Moore, who will likely be the top target for Allen, almost certainly ahead of WRs Keon Coleman, Khalil Shakir and Josh Palmer. Can Moore turn this into a top 10 fantasy finish at WR this season? Probably not. With Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox still on the team, and RB James Cook establishing himself as elite, the volume likely won’t be there. However, Moore should easily lock in as a back-end WR2 asset in 2026.
Jaylen Waddle Fantasy Value 2026: Broncos Trade Impact
The Miami Dolphins have agreed to trade Waddle and a 2026 4th-round pick to the Broncos for a 2026 1st-round pick, a late 2026 3rd-round pick and a 2026 4th-round pick.
All had been quiet on the Denver Broncos front through the opening week of the new league year. Outside of resigning a handful of players, head coach Sean Payton had stayed put. That changed when news dropped on Wednesday morning that Denver had acquired Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle in a trade. The nearly-AFC Champs gave up a haul, but they look like they have their new WR1 for 2026.
Despite speculation, I’m told the Denver Broncos never showed interest in trading for A.J. Brown. They always had their eye on Jaylen Waddle.
Sean Payton and Bo Nix have a new receiving threat.
— Dianna Russini (@diannarussini.bsky.social) March 17, 2026 at 9:14 AM
While this is exciting for Waddle and his future, I will caution you to take this news with a grain of salt. This is still a Sean Payton offense, and WRs Courtland Sutton, Troy Franklin, Marvin Mims, Pat Bryant, and yes, even Lil’Jordan Humphrey still exist. Franklin and Sutton combined for 144 targets and 14 receiving TDs, and both Mims and Bryant saw north of 50 targets last season. They won’t just disappear in this Denver offense.
Best-case scenario for Waddle is if Denver moves Sutton or one of the younger receivers, Mims or Franklin. That seems unlikely, which puts Waddle in a weird position for fantasy. He’ll certainly have boom games, but it’ll be hard to figure out when those contests will come. Otherwise, in this offense, it’s hard to see Waddle having more value than a back-end WR3/Flex option with a WR2 ceiling if things break his way.
Malik Willis Fantasy Football 2026: Dolphins QB Upside
Willis and the Dolphins agreed to a 3-year, $67.5M contract with $45M guaranteed.
Out of all the “worth mentioning” free agency moves, the Malik Willis signing is by far the most intriguing. Flash back to 2022, when Willis, coming off a season in which he logged 2,800 passing yards, 878 rushing yards, and 40 total TDs at Liberty University, was regarded by some analysts as a top-five pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Ultimately, Willis slipped to the third round, landing with the Tennessee Titans.
Now, fast-forward to today, and Willis is again a hot topic ahead of the NFL Draft, albeit for different reasons. After seeing little work in his first two seasons with the Titans, he was traded to Green Bay ahead of the 2024 season.
As the backup to QB Jordan Love the past two seasons, Willis has had a handful of opportunities to show his growth, both as a passer and an overall player. In his two seasons as a Packer, Willis has played in a total of 10 games, completing 70 of his 89 attempts for 962 yards and six touchdowns. In addition, he has logged 42 rushing attempts for 261 yards and three TDs.
Now in Miami, Willis isn’t exactly flush with weapons. The above-referenced Jaylen Waddle is now a Denver Bronco, leaving Willis with RB De’Von Achane, WR Malik Washington and TE Greg Dulcich as his top three receiving options. Unless Miami makes a splash elsewhere, this offense is likely to live on the ground. If that comes to fruition, there will be designed runs aplenty for Willis, who averaged 5.6 yards per rushing attempt in 2025. While intriguing, Willis’ ceiling is a mid-tier QB2 with a weak Miami offense. While I’m not ruling out a boom season from the fifth-year QB, that looks more like a higher-end QB2 finish than anything near a QB1-level campaign in 2026.
Free Agency Signings & Trades Worth Monitoring
Hollywood Brown Fantasy 2026: AJ Brown Trade Dependent
Marquis “Hollywood” Brown and the Philadelphia Eagles have agreed to a 1-year, $10M contract.
The Marquise “Hollywood” Brown signing in Philadelphia is an interesting one, leaving many to wonder if the team is prepared to move on from veteran WR A.J. Brown. If the team does decide to move on from their veteran wideout, it will be WR DeVonta Smith who likely steps into the WR1 role. That will leave plenty of volume for the other Brown to lock in as a WR3/Flex option in fantasy most weeks.
However, if a trade doesn’t happen and A.J. Brown remains an Eagle, Hollywood becomes a fringe fantasy asset with little value outside of deeper leagues.
Isaiah Likely Fantasy Outlook 2026: Finally a TE1?
Likely and the New York Giants have agreed to a 3-year, $40M contract.
The New York Giants and new coach John Harbaugh are making moves, the most recent of which was bringing in Harbaugh’s former TE2 in Baltimore, Isaiah Likely. Could this finally signal the unlocking of the “big slot receiver”? I wouldn’t hold my breath (this season, anyway). We’ve all seen flashes of Likely’s talent as a receiver, but this offense is now in transition.
The team currently rosters 12 WRs, including Malik Nabers, and second-year TE Theo Johnson proved a favorite target for QB Jaxson Dart last season. He’ll be flex worthy in 2026 in most formats, but expecting a TE1 tier from Likely is risky, especially given this is the same head coach who limited Likely to 36 targets in 12 games last season.
Michael Pittman Fantasy 2026: Steelers WR Value
The Indianapolis Colts have agreed to trade Pittman and a 2026 7th-round pick to the Steelers for a 2026 6th-round pick.
I want to believe that Michael Pittman will be a centerpiece of the new Mike McCarthy offense in Pittsburgh. However, it looks increasingly likely that the Steelers will stick with Aaron Rodgers behind center in 2026, and that isn’t good news for Pittman. In 2025, Rodgers targeted 17 different receivers, with D.K. Metcalf leading the way with 104. Four other players (Kenneth Gainwell, Calvin Austin, Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith) all saw north of 50 targets.
While Gainwell and Smith are likely out, Metcalf and Freiermuth are both under contract. Furthermore, Rodgers had his worst year of production as a QB in 2025, throwing for a career-low 3,468 yards and just 531 times, tied for the second-lowest full-season total of his career. It’s unlikely there will be enough volume to go around for Pittman to be more than a Flex option in fantasy in 2026. However, should the team go in another direction at QB, I might change my tune.
Travis Etienne Fantasy 2026: Saints RB1 Outlook
Etienne and the New Orleans Saints have agreed to a 4-year, $52M contract.
“Growing up, it’s Travis Etienne, a-c-h-a-n-e.”
awfulannouncing.com/nfl/saints-t…
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing.bsky.social) March 14, 2026 at 11:30 AM
Before you ask, yes, Kendre Miller‘s fantasy value is officially dead. With the signing of veteran RB Travis Etienne (Ay-Chan, for those of you who haven’t heard), head coach Kellen Moore signaled the team is looking to run the ball more behind QB Tyler Shough. Yes, Alvin Kamara still exists, but at 31 years old, the Saints would be wise to limit his touches, and he likely becomes a receiving back primarily. Etienne figures to be the primary rushing back in the Shough-led Saints offense, with Devin Neal and Audric Estime providing change-of-pace carries. I’m not ready to say Etienne will be a top 12 RB in 2026; we don’t know how good (or bad) this New Orleans offense will be. However, if the volume materializes as expected, Etienne will fall into an RB2 tier finish this coming season.
Mike Evans Fantasy Outlook 2026: 49ers Landing Spot
Evans and the San Francisco 49ers have agreed to a 3-year, $60.4M contract.
It was shocking when we learned that veteran WR and Tampa Bay Buccaneers staple Mike Evans would test free agency for the first time in his 12-year career. It was even more shocking to learn that Evans had signed with the San Francisco 49ers. His contract, keeping him north of $20M a season for the next three years, would indicate head coach Kyle Shanahan has every intention of making Evans the WR1 in San Francisco. However, with a cast including Christian McCaffrey, Ricky Pearsall, George Kittle and newly-signed WR Christian Kirk, how much volume will there really be for Evans?
I wouldn’t bet against Evans to revive his career in the bay, ala Davante Adams with the Rams. I also won’t be surprised to see him with a reduced volume load, much like Adams has seen. I expect Evans’ focus to be on 3rd-down and red-zone work, with TD upside being his savior. He’ll still be a valuable fantasy asset, just in the back-end of the WR2 realm.
Tyler Allgeier Fantasy 2026: Cardinals Backfield Role
Allgeier and the Arizona Cardinals have agreed to a 2-year, $12.25M contract.
I’ll keep this one short. The Arizona Cardinals are in tank mode. Veteran journeyman Jacoby Brissett is likely the Week 1 starter behind center, and we’ve seen what that looks like – Brissett threw the ball 485 times in 14 games last season. While former Falcons RB Tyler Allgeier stans might see a glimmer of hope, the team also re-signed RB James Conner and has both Trey Benson and Bam Knight on the depth chart. In an ideal world, Allgeier becomes the bell cow in Arizona and logs 200-plus carries and has another 1,000-yard season. In the real world, this offense is more likely to employ a committee, with Allgeier getting the bulk of the red zone work. The TD dependency will make it hard to trust the veteran RB to be much more than an occasional Flex option to watch in 2026.
Tua Tagovailoa Fantasy 2026: Can He Win the Starting Job?
Tagovialoa and the Atlanta Falcons have agreed to a 1-year, $1.3M contract.
When you get benched for the likes of Quinn Ewers, that’s a sign that things likely are not going well. Now, veteran south paw QB Tua Tagovialoa has a chance to turn it around in Atlanta, should he win the starting job. That’s not a given, however, with incumbent QB Michael Penix (knee) appearing on track to be ready in time for training camp.
Tua Tagovailoa on passes of 20-plus air yards in 2025: 12-of-32 for 379 yards, 2 touchdowns, 6 INTs.
Only 13 of those 32 passes were labeled “on target” by Sports Info Solutions.
— Mike Tanier (@miketanier.bsky.social) March 9, 2026 at 7:14 AM
If Tagovialoa does win the starting job, he’ll be under the tutelage of new Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski, who has been labeled a “QB whisperer.” While that sounds nice, I have little hope that Tua can even win the starting job. If he does, that’s more of an indictment of Penix than an endorsement of Tagovailoa. Regardless, if he does line up behind center, he remains a fringe QB2-tier fantasy asset at best.
Wan’Dale Robinson Fantasy Outlook 2026: Titans WR1
Robinson and the Tennessee Titans have agreed to a 4-year, $78M contract with $38M guaranteed.
The Tennessee Titans knew they needed to get a reliable volume hog for second-year QB Cam Ward, and that’s exactly what they’re getting with the acquisition of WR Wan’Dale Robinson, in his last two seasons with the Giants. Robinson saw a total of 280 targets – 140 in each season – catching 185 of those passes for 1,713 yards and seven total TDs. In contrast, the Titans’ leading target-getter in 2025 was rookie WR Elic Ayomanor, who saw 89 targets, followed by TE Chig Okonkwo with 79. Whether Cam Ward makes progress this season is somewhat irrelevant for Robinson’s fantasy value. He’ll be competing for targets with Okonkwo, Ayomanor, WR Chimere Dike, TE Gunnar Helm and the ghost of Calvin Ridley‘s ghost. On predicted volume alone, Robinson is a back-end WR2 that could climb up the fantasy ladder if he takes over the Titans’ receiving corps.
Justin Fields Fantasy 2026: Chiefs Backup or Streaming Option?
The New York Jets have agreed to trade Fields to the Chiefs for a 2027 6th-round pick.
Let’s be real; this only matters in the context of QB Patrick Mahomes possibly not being ready to start Week 1. The Chiefs’ acquisition of veteran QB Justin Fields is buying an insurance policy in the event Mahomes can’t go off the bat, or if he re-injures his knee. That’s it. Given that some are prone to overreacting to these types of trades, I felt like something needed to be said.
Nate Polvogt is a Co-Founder and the Lead Senior Analyst for Optimus Fantasy Football. Find more from Nate on Bluesky and on Optimus Fantasy.
The assault on the senses that is NFL free agency yet again did not disappoint. The implementation of” legal tampering,” aka the Free Agent Negotiating Period, has only moved the madness up by a week (and made it even more mad). That’s why, as the wonderful Lou Brunson likes to say, “We stay ready, so you don’t have to get ready.” As always, we’re here to break down
2026 NFL Free Agency: Fantasy Football Draft Outlook for Every Key Move
Want more from Optimus Fantasy? Join our Discord!
The most notable madness occurred last week, when Raiders defensive beast Maxx Crosby was traded to Baltimore, then, in a bizarre turn of events, he wasn’t.
🚨🚨🚨 HOLY BREAKING NEWS 🚨🚨🚨
— 🏈Optimus FF News (@news.optimusfantasy.com) March 10, 2026 at 5:59 PM
While the Crosby fiasco has been the loudest, it certainly isn’t the most notable, at least not when it comes to the fantasy football landscape. We have D.J. Moore now in a Bills uniform, Tua Tagovailoa is a Falcon, and Malik Willis is the heir apparent in Miami. Kyler Murray has a chance at redemption as a Viking, Tyler Allgeier is out from under Bijan Robinson‘s shadow in Arizona, and Mike Evans is no longer a Buccaneer.
Get a full view of every free agency move with our NFL Transaction Tracker
Now, as things start to slow down and we head towards the NFL Draft, we can start to piece together who landed where and what it might mean for your fantasy football teams come August.
Most Impactful Free Agency Signings & Trades
Kyler Murray Fantasy Outlook 2026: Vikings Offense a Fit?
Murray and the Vikings agreed on a 1-year contract for the veteran minimum.
It became clear in 2025 that former number one overall pick Kyler Murray needed a change of scenery: his time in Arizona had clearly run its course after essentially being benched in favor of journeyman QB Jacoby Brissett. He got it with a move to Minnesota, signing a one-year, league minimum contract with a “no tag” clause, guaranteeing he will be a free agent at the end of the 2026 season.
Murray now gets what amounts to a one-year audition with the Vikings. Head coach Kevin O’Connell has shown previous success with veteran QBs – think Sam Darnold‘s revival – which I cannot imagine didn’t play into Murray’s decision to sign in Minnesota.
It’s not like Murray has been outright awful; he was the overall QB3 in 2020 (23.7 fantasy points per game) and rounded out the 2024 season as the overall QB10. The question isn’t if the ability is there. We know it is. The real question is, can he get back to elite QB status in the right situation? To play on Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York”, if he can’t make it here, he can’t make it anywhere. Don’t be shocked if we get a Murray resurgence and a top 10 fantasy QB finish from the veteran in 2026.
Kenneth Walker Fantasy Value 2026: Chiefs RB1 Upside
Walker and the Chiefs agreed on a 3-year, $45M contract with $28.7M in guaranteed money.
Ken Walker got PAID, friends. The Super Bowl MVP has moved on from the Pacific Northwest to the Midwest, setting up shop in Kansas City for the foreseeable future. Now, instead of being stuck in a committee with Zach Charbonnet, it appears we’ll be getting the full Ken Walker experience.
‼️‼️‼️ BREAKING NEWS ‼️‼️‼️
The Chiefs are signing Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker.
Per @rapsheet.bsky.social
— 🏈Optimus FF News (@news.optimusfantasy.com) March 9, 2026 at 10:24 AM
While Walker was effective in 2025, he wasn’t exactly a boon for fantasy managers, finishing as the overall RB23 in PPR points per game (11.3). He logged more than 15 carries just five times, never saw more than 19 in any game and finished with 100 or more rushing yards only two times. However, despite the somewhat limited workload, Walker still averaged 4.6 yards per attempt and notched five TDs on the ground.
There will be much less competition for touches in Kansas City, with Emari Demercado and Brashard Smith being the only two viable RBs also on the Chiefs roster. Furthermore, there’s a chance QB Patrick Mahomes (knee) won’t be ready to start Week 1, leaving veteran QB Justin Fields behind center, making it all the more likely the team leans into the run game with Walker. Early on, Walker looks like he could be on the path to a top 10 fantasy finish this coming season.
David Montgomery Fantasy 2026: Texans RB1 or Committee Back?
The Detroit Lions have agreed to trade Montgomery to Houston for a 2026 4th-round pick, a 2027 7th-round pick, and OL Juice Scruggs.
It seemed like David Montgomery was sort of forgotten about in 2025. RB Jahmyr Gibbs took over the Detroit backfield last season, rushing for 1223 yards, logging 616 receiving yards and notching 18 total TDs. Not much was left for Montgomery, who saw career lows in carries (158), as well as PPR fantasy points per game (9.7) and total PPR fantasy points (164.9). He also logged his lowest total TD count (8) since landing in Detroit in 2023.
Now, Montgomery finds himself on a Texans squad lacking experience and depth at RB, with Woody Marks, Jawhar Jordan and British Brooks being the only other RBs on the Houston depth chart. Barring Houston making a move for another RB, which would likely be through the NFL Draft or a trade, the veteran RB is the de facto RB1 in the Texans’ offense.
I can’t say I believe that Montgomery will become a bell cow. Woody Marks rushed 196 times last season, logging 703 yards on the ground and five total TDs. While Marks is more than capable, the trade for Montgomery signals that head coach Demeco Ryans doesn’t want one back to shoulder the load, especially in red zone and short yardage situations, as well as in the passing game. While we’re not looking at an RB1 tier season for the veteran in 2026, he’ll slot in as a solid mid-range RB2, likely at a fair price in your fantasy drafts.
D.J. Moore Fantasy Outlook 2026: Bills WR1 or Overhyped?
The Chicago Bears have agreed to trade Moore and a 2026 5th-round pick to the Bills for a 2026 2nd-round pick.
It’s no secret that the Buffalo Bills have desperately needed a true WR1 for QB Josh Allen. They had it in flashes when Stefon Diggs graced the field in upstate New York, but they have otherwise failed. The acquisition of D.J. Moore, however, could solve that problem in Buffalo, at least for the 2026 season.
Moore, who spent his last three seasons in Chicago, was a casualty of a team getting younger and looking to the future. In 2023, before the team loaded up with Rome Odunze and Luther Burden in the 2024 and 2025 NFL Drafts, the veteran receiver logged career highs at the time in targets (136), receptions (96), receiving yards (1,365) and receiving TDs (8). 2024 wasn’t bad either, with him breaking his records in targets (140) and receptions (98) despite failing to reach 1,000 yards receiving (966).
It appears Buffalo thinks they can get that production back from Moore, who will likely be the top target for Allen, almost certainly ahead of WRs Keon Coleman, Khalil Shakir and Josh Palmer. Can Moore turn this into a top 10 fantasy finish at WR this season? Probably not. With Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox still on the team, and RB James Cook establishing himself as elite, the volume likely won’t be there. However, Moore should easily lock in as a back-end WR2 asset in 2026.
Jaylen Waddle Fantasy Value 2026: Broncos Trade Impact
The Miami Dolphins have agreed to trade Waddle and a 2026 4th-round pick to the Broncos for a 2026 1st-round pick, a late 2026 3rd-round pick and a 2026 4th-round pick.
All had been quiet on the Denver Broncos front through the opening week of the new league year. Outside of resigning a handful of players, head coach Sean Payton had stayed put. That changed when news dropped on Wednesday morning that Denver had acquired Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle in a trade. The nearly-AFC Champs gave up a haul, but they look like they have their new WR1 for 2026.
Despite speculation, I’m told the Denver Broncos never showed interest in trading for A.J. Brown. They always had their eye on Jaylen Waddle.
Sean Payton and Bo Nix have a new receiving threat.
— Dianna Russini (@diannarussini.bsky.social) March 17, 2026 at 9:14 AM
While this is exciting for Waddle and his future, I will caution you to take this news with a grain of salt. This is still a Sean Payton offense, and WRs Courtland Sutton, Troy Franklin, Marvin Mims, Pat Bryant, and yes, even Lil’Jordan Humphrey still exist. Franklin and Sutton combined for 144 targets and 14 receiving TDs, and both Mims and Bryant saw north of 50 targets last season. They won’t just disappear in this Denver offense.
Best-case scenario for Waddle is if Denver moves Sutton or one of the younger receivers, Mims or Franklin. That seems unlikely, which puts Waddle in a weird position for fantasy. He’ll certainly have boom games, but it’ll be hard to figure out when those contests will come. Otherwise, in this offense, it’s hard to see Waddle having more value than a back-end WR3/Flex option with a WR2 ceiling if things break his way.
Malik Willis Fantasy Football 2026: Dolphins QB Upside
Willis and the Dolphins agreed to a 3-year, $67.5M contract with $45M guaranteed.
Out of all the “worth mentioning” free agency moves, the Malik Willis signing is by far the most intriguing. Flash back to 2022, when Willis, coming off a season in which he logged 2,800 passing yards, 878 rushing yards, and 40 total TDs at Liberty University, was regarded by some analysts as a top-five pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Ultimately, Willis slipped to the third round, landing with the Tennessee Titans.
Now, fast-forward to today, and Willis is again a hot topic ahead of the NFL Draft, albeit for different reasons. After seeing little work in his first two seasons with the Titans, he was traded to Green Bay ahead of the 2024 season.
As the backup to QB Jordan Love the past two seasons, Willis has had a handful of opportunities to show his growth, both as a passer and an overall player. In his two seasons as a Packer, Willis has played in a total of 10 games, completing 70 of his 89 attempts for 962 yards and six touchdowns. In addition, he has logged 42 rushing attempts for 261 yards and three TDs.
Now in Miami, Willis isn’t exactly flush with weapons. The above-referenced Jaylen Waddle is now a Denver Bronco, leaving Willis with RB De’Von Achane, WR Malik Washington and TE Greg Dulcich as his top three receiving options. Unless Miami makes a splash elsewhere, this offense is likely to live on the ground. If that comes to fruition, there will be designed runs aplenty for Willis, who averaged 5.6 yards per rushing attempt in 2025. While intriguing, Willis’ ceiling is a mid-tier QB2 with a weak Miami offense. While I’m not ruling out a boom season from the fifth-year QB, that looks more like a higher-end QB2 finish than anything near a QB1-level campaign in 2026.
Free Agency Signings & Trades Worth Monitoring
Hollywood Brown Fantasy 2026: AJ Brown Trade Dependent
Marquis “Hollywood” Brown and the Philadelphia Eagles have agreed to a 1-year, $10M contract.
The Marquise “Hollywood” Brown signing in Philadelphia is an interesting one, leaving many to wonder if the team is prepared to move on from veteran WR A.J. Brown. If the team does decide to move on from their veteran wideout, it will be WR DeVonta Smith who likely steps into the WR1 role. That will leave plenty of volume for the other Brown to lock in as a WR3/Flex option in fantasy most weeks.
However, if a trade doesn’t happen and A.J. Brown remains an Eagle, Hollywood becomes a fringe fantasy asset with little value outside of deeper leagues.
Isaiah Likely Fantasy Outlook 2026: Finally a TE1?
Likely and the New York Giants have agreed to a 3-year, $40M contract.
The New York Giants and new coach John Harbaugh are making moves, the most recent of which was bringing in Harbaugh’s former TE2 in Baltimore, Isaiah Likely. Could this finally signal the unlocking of the “big slot receiver”? I wouldn’t hold my breath (this season, anyway). We’ve all seen flashes of Likely’s talent as a receiver, but this offense is now in transition.
The team currently rosters 12 WRs, including Malik Nabers, and second-year TE Theo Johnson proved a favorite target for QB Jaxson Dart last season. He’ll be flex worthy in 2026 in most formats, but expecting a TE1 tier from Likely is risky, especially given this is the same head coach who limited Likely to 36 targets in 12 games last season.
Michael Pittman Fantasy 2026: Steelers WR Value
The Indianapolis Colts have agreed to trade Pittman and a 2026 7th-round pick to the Steelers for a 2026 6th-round pick.
I want to believe that Michael Pittman will be a centerpiece of the new Mike McCarthy offense in Pittsburgh. However, it looks increasingly likely that the Steelers will stick with Aaron Rodgers behind center in 2026, and that isn’t good news for Pittman. In 2025, Rodgers targeted 17 different receivers, with D.K. Metcalf leading the way with 104. Four other players (Kenneth Gainwell, Calvin Austin, Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith) all saw north of 50 targets.
While Gainwell and Smith are likely out, Metcalf and Freiermuth are both under contract. Furthermore, Rodgers had his worst year of production as a QB in 2025, throwing for a career-low 3,468 yards and just 531 times, tied for the second-lowest full-season total of his career. It’s unlikely there will be enough volume to go around for Pittman to be more than a Flex option in fantasy in 2026. However, should the team go in another direction at QB, I might change my tune.
Travis Etienne Fantasy 2026: Saints RB1 Outlook
Etienne and the New Orleans Saints have agreed to a 4-year, $52M contract.
“Growing up, it’s Travis Etienne, a-c-h-a-n-e.”
awfulannouncing.com/nfl/saints-t…
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing.bsky.social) March 14, 2026 at 11:30 AM
Before you ask, yes, Kendre Miller‘s fantasy value is officially dead. With the signing of veteran RB Travis Etienne (Ay-Chan, for those of you who haven’t heard), head coach Kellen Moore signaled the team is looking to run the ball more behind QB Tyler Shough. Yes, Alvin Kamara still exists, but at 31 years old, the Saints would be wise to limit his touches, and he likely becomes a receiving back primarily. Etienne figures to be the primary rushing back in the Shough-led Saints offense, with Devin Neal and Audric Estime providing change-of-pace carries. I’m not ready to say Etienne will be a top 12 RB in 2026; we don’t know how good (or bad) this New Orleans offense will be. However, if the volume materializes as expected, Etienne will fall into an RB2 tier finish this coming season.
Mike Evans Fantasy Outlook 2026: 49ers Landing Spot
Evans and the San Francisco 49ers have agreed to a 3-year, $60.4M contract.
It was shocking when we learned that veteran WR and Tampa Bay Buccaneers staple Mike Evans would test free agency for the first time in his 12-year career. It was even more shocking to learn that Evans had signed with the San Francisco 49ers. His contract, keeping him north of $20M a season for the next three years, would indicate head coach Kyle Shanahan has every intention of making Evans the WR1 in San Francisco. However, with a cast including Christian McCaffrey, Ricky Pearsall, George Kittle and newly-signed WR Christian Kirk, how much volume will there really be for Evans?
I wouldn’t bet against Evans to revive his career in the bay, ala Davante Adams with the Rams. I also won’t be surprised to see him with a reduced volume load, much like Adams has seen. I expect Evans’ focus to be on 3rd-down and red-zone work, with TD upside being his savior. He’ll still be a valuable fantasy asset, just in the back-end of the WR2 realm.
Tyler Allgeier Fantasy 2026: Cardinals Backfield Role
Allgeier and the Arizona Cardinals have agreed to a 2-year, $12.25M contract.
I’ll keep this one short. The Arizona Cardinals are in tank mode. Veteran journeyman Jacoby Brissett is likely the Week 1 starter behind center, and we’ve seen what that looks like – Brissett threw the ball 485 times in 14 games last season. While former Falcons RB Tyler Allgeier stans might see a glimmer of hope, the team also re-signed RB James Conner and has both Trey Benson and Bam Knight on the depth chart. In an ideal world, Allgeier becomes the bell cow in Arizona and logs 200-plus carries and has another 1,000-yard season. In the real world, this offense is more likely to employ a committee, with Allgeier getting the bulk of the red zone work. The TD dependency will make it hard to trust the veteran RB to be much more than an occasional Flex option to watch in 2026.
Tua Tagovailoa Fantasy 2026: Can He Win the Starting Job?
Tagovialoa and the Atlanta Falcons have agreed to a 1-year, $1.3M contract.
When you get benched for the likes of Quinn Ewers, that’s a sign that things likely are not going well. Now, veteran south paw QB Tua Tagovialoa has a chance to turn it around in Atlanta, should he win the starting job. That’s not a given, however, with incumbent QB Michael Penix (knee) appearing on track to be ready in time for training camp.
Tua Tagovailoa on passes of 20-plus air yards in 2025: 12-of-32 for 379 yards, 2 touchdowns, 6 INTs.
Only 13 of those 32 passes were labeled “on target” by Sports Info Solutions.
— Mike Tanier (@miketanier.bsky.social) March 9, 2026 at 7:14 AM
If Tagovialoa does win the starting job, he’ll be under the tutelage of new Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski, who has been labeled a “QB whisperer.” While that sounds nice, I have little hope that Tua can even win the starting job. If he does, that’s more of an indictment of Penix than an endorsement of Tagovailoa. Regardless, if he does line up behind center, he remains a fringe QB2-tier fantasy asset at best.
Wan’Dale Robinson Fantasy Outlook 2026: Titans WR1
Robinson and the Tennessee Titans have agreed to a 4-year, $78M contract with $38M guaranteed.
The Tennessee Titans knew they needed to get a reliable volume hog for second-year QB Cam Ward, and that’s exactly what they’re getting with the acquisition of WR Wan’Dale Robinson, in his last two seasons with the Giants. Robinson saw a total of 280 targets – 140 in each season – catching 185 of those passes for 1,713 yards and seven total TDs. In contrast, the Titans’ leading target-getter in 2025 was rookie WR Elic Ayomanor, who saw 89 targets, followed by TE Chig Okonkwo with 79. Whether Cam Ward makes progress this season is somewhat irrelevant for Robinson’s fantasy value. He’ll be competing for targets with Okonkwo, Ayomanor, WR Chimere Dike, TE Gunnar Helm and the ghost of Calvin Ridley‘s ghost. On predicted volume alone, Robinson is a back-end WR2 that could climb up the fantasy ladder if he takes over the Titans’ receiving corps.
Justin Fields Fantasy 2026: Chiefs Backup or Streaming Option?
The New York Jets have agreed to trade Fields to the Chiefs for a 2027 6th-round pick.
Let’s be real; this only matters in the context of QB Patrick Mahomes possibly not being ready to start Week 1. The Chiefs’ acquisition of veteran QB Justin Fields is buying an insurance policy in the event Mahomes can’t go off the bat, or if he re-injures his knee. That’s it. Given that some are prone to overreacting to these types of trades, I felt like something needed to be said.
Nate Polvogt is a Co-Founder and the Lead Senior Analyst for Optimus Fantasy Football. Find more from Nate on Bluesky and on Optimus Fantasy.
The assault on the senses that is NFL free agency yet again did not disappoint. The implementation of” legal tampering,” aka the Free Agent Negotiating Period, has only moved the madness up by a week (and made it even more mad). That’s why, as the wonderful Lou Brunson likes to say, “We stay ready, so you don’t have to get ready.” As always, we’re here to break down
2026 NFL Free Agency: Fantasy Football Draft Outlook for Every Key Move
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The most notable madness occurred last week, when Raiders defensive beast Maxx Crosby was traded to Baltimore, then, in a bizarre turn of events, he wasn’t.
🚨🚨🚨 HOLY BREAKING NEWS 🚨🚨🚨
— 🏈Optimus FF News (@news.optimusfantasy.com) March 10, 2026 at 5:59 PM
While the Crosby fiasco has been the loudest, it certainly isn’t the most notable, at least not when it comes to the fantasy football landscape. We have D.J. Moore now in a Bills uniform, Tua Tagovailoa is a Falcon, and Malik Willis is the heir apparent in Miami. Kyler Murray has a chance at redemption as a Viking, Tyler Allgeier is out from under Bijan Robinson‘s shadow in Arizona, and Mike Evans is no longer a Buccaneer.
Get a full view of every free agency move with our NFL Transaction Tracker
Now, as things start to slow down and we head towards the NFL Draft, we can start to piece together who landed where and what it might mean for your fantasy football teams come August.
Most Impactful Free Agency Signings & Trades
Kyler Murray Fantasy Outlook 2026: Vikings Offense a Fit?
Murray and the Vikings agreed on a 1-year contract for the veteran minimum.
It became clear in 2025 that former number one overall pick Kyler Murray needed a change of scenery: his time in Arizona had clearly run its course after essentially being benched in favor of journeyman QB Jacoby Brissett. He got it with a move to Minnesota, signing a one-year, league minimum contract with a “no tag” clause, guaranteeing he will be a free agent at the end of the 2026 season.
Murray now gets what amounts to a one-year audition with the Vikings. Head coach Kevin O’Connell has shown previous success with veteran QBs – think Sam Darnold‘s revival – which I cannot imagine didn’t play into Murray’s decision to sign in Minnesota.
It’s not like Murray has been outright awful; he was the overall QB3 in 2020 (23.7 fantasy points per game) and rounded out the 2024 season as the overall QB10. The question isn’t if the ability is there. We know it is. The real question is, can he get back to elite QB status in the right situation? To play on Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York”, if he can’t make it here, he can’t make it anywhere. Don’t be shocked if we get a Murray resurgence and a top 10 fantasy QB finish from the veteran in 2026.
Kenneth Walker Fantasy Value 2026: Chiefs RB1 Upside
Walker and the Chiefs agreed on a 3-year, $45M contract with $28.7M in guaranteed money.
Ken Walker got PAID, friends. The Super Bowl MVP has moved on from the Pacific Northwest to the Midwest, setting up shop in Kansas City for the foreseeable future. Now, instead of being stuck in a committee with Zach Charbonnet, it appears we’ll be getting the full Ken Walker experience.
‼️‼️‼️ BREAKING NEWS ‼️‼️‼️
The Chiefs are signing Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker.
Per @rapsheet.bsky.social
— 🏈Optimus FF News (@news.optimusfantasy.com) March 9, 2026 at 10:24 AM
While Walker was effective in 2025, he wasn’t exactly a boon for fantasy managers, finishing as the overall RB23 in PPR points per game (11.3). He logged more than 15 carries just five times, never saw more than 19 in any game and finished with 100 or more rushing yards only two times. However, despite the somewhat limited workload, Walker still averaged 4.6 yards per attempt and notched five TDs on the ground.
There will be much less competition for touches in Kansas City, with Emari Demercado and Brashard Smith being the only two viable RBs also on the Chiefs roster. Furthermore, there’s a chance QB Patrick Mahomes (knee) won’t be ready to start Week 1, leaving veteran QB Justin Fields behind center, making it all the more likely the team leans into the run game with Walker. Early on, Walker looks like he could be on the path to a top 10 fantasy finish this coming season.
David Montgomery Fantasy 2026: Texans RB1 or Committee Back?
The Detroit Lions have agreed to trade Montgomery to Houston for a 2026 4th-round pick, a 2027 7th-round pick, and OL Juice Scruggs.
It seemed like David Montgomery was sort of forgotten about in 2025. RB Jahmyr Gibbs took over the Detroit backfield last season, rushing for 1223 yards, logging 616 receiving yards and notching 18 total TDs. Not much was left for Montgomery, who saw career lows in carries (158), as well as PPR fantasy points per game (9.7) and total PPR fantasy points (164.9). He also logged his lowest total TD count (8) since landing in Detroit in 2023.
Now, Montgomery finds himself on a Texans squad lacking experience and depth at RB, with Woody Marks, Jawhar Jordan and British Brooks being the only other RBs on the Houston depth chart. Barring Houston making a move for another RB, which would likely be through the NFL Draft or a trade, the veteran RB is the de facto RB1 in the Texans’ offense.
I can’t say I believe that Montgomery will become a bell cow. Woody Marks rushed 196 times last season, logging 703 yards on the ground and five total TDs. While Marks is more than capable, the trade for Montgomery signals that head coach Demeco Ryans doesn’t want one back to shoulder the load, especially in red zone and short yardage situations, as well as in the passing game. While we’re not looking at an RB1 tier season for the veteran in 2026, he’ll slot in as a solid mid-range RB2, likely at a fair price in your fantasy drafts.
D.J. Moore Fantasy Outlook 2026: Bills WR1 or Overhyped?
The Chicago Bears have agreed to trade Moore and a 2026 5th-round pick to the Bills for a 2026 2nd-round pick.
It’s no secret that the Buffalo Bills have desperately needed a true WR1 for QB Josh Allen. They had it in flashes when Stefon Diggs graced the field in upstate New York, but they have otherwise failed. The acquisition of D.J. Moore, however, could solve that problem in Buffalo, at least for the 2026 season.
Moore, who spent his last three seasons in Chicago, was a casualty of a team getting younger and looking to the future. In 2023, before the team loaded up with Rome Odunze and Luther Burden in the 2024 and 2025 NFL Drafts, the veteran receiver logged career highs at the time in targets (136), receptions (96), receiving yards (1,365) and receiving TDs (8). 2024 wasn’t bad either, with him breaking his records in targets (140) and receptions (98) despite failing to reach 1,000 yards receiving (966).
It appears Buffalo thinks they can get that production back from Moore, who will likely be the top target for Allen, almost certainly ahead of WRs Keon Coleman, Khalil Shakir and Josh Palmer. Can Moore turn this into a top 10 fantasy finish at WR this season? Probably not. With Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox still on the team, and RB James Cook establishing himself as elite, the volume likely won’t be there. However, Moore should easily lock in as a back-end WR2 asset in 2026.
Jaylen Waddle Fantasy Value 2026: Broncos Trade Impact
The Miami Dolphins have agreed to trade Waddle and a 2026 4th-round pick to the Broncos for a 2026 1st-round pick, a late 2026 3rd-round pick and a 2026 4th-round pick.
All had been quiet on the Denver Broncos front through the opening week of the new league year. Outside of resigning a handful of players, head coach Sean Payton had stayed put. That changed when news dropped on Wednesday morning that Denver had acquired Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle in a trade. The nearly-AFC Champs gave up a haul, but they look like they have their new WR1 for 2026.
Despite speculation, I’m told the Denver Broncos never showed interest in trading for A.J. Brown. They always had their eye on Jaylen Waddle.
Sean Payton and Bo Nix have a new receiving threat.
— Dianna Russini (@diannarussini.bsky.social) March 17, 2026 at 9:14 AM
While this is exciting for Waddle and his future, I will caution you to take this news with a grain of salt. This is still a Sean Payton offense, and WRs Courtland Sutton, Troy Franklin, Marvin Mims, Pat Bryant, and yes, even Lil’Jordan Humphrey still exist. Franklin and Sutton combined for 144 targets and 14 receiving TDs, and both Mims and Bryant saw north of 50 targets last season. They won’t just disappear in this Denver offense.
Best-case scenario for Waddle is if Denver moves Sutton or one of the younger receivers, Mims or Franklin. That seems unlikely, which puts Waddle in a weird position for fantasy. He’ll certainly have boom games, but it’ll be hard to figure out when those contests will come. Otherwise, in this offense, it’s hard to see Waddle having more value than a back-end WR3/Flex option with a WR2 ceiling if things break his way.
Malik Willis Fantasy Football 2026: Dolphins QB Upside
Willis and the Dolphins agreed to a 3-year, $67.5M contract with $45M guaranteed.
Out of all the “worth mentioning” free agency moves, the Malik Willis signing is by far the most intriguing. Flash back to 2022, when Willis, coming off a season in which he logged 2,800 passing yards, 878 rushing yards, and 40 total TDs at Liberty University, was regarded by some analysts as a top-five pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Ultimately, Willis slipped to the third round, landing with the Tennessee Titans.
Now, fast-forward to today, and Willis is again a hot topic ahead of the NFL Draft, albeit for different reasons. After seeing little work in his first two seasons with the Titans, he was traded to Green Bay ahead of the 2024 season.
As the backup to QB Jordan Love the past two seasons, Willis has had a handful of opportunities to show his growth, both as a passer and an overall player. In his two seasons as a Packer, Willis has played in a total of 10 games, completing 70 of his 89 attempts for 962 yards and six touchdowns. In addition, he has logged 42 rushing attempts for 261 yards and three TDs.
Now in Miami, Willis isn’t exactly flush with weapons. The above-referenced Jaylen Waddle is now a Denver Bronco, leaving Willis with RB De’Von Achane, WR Malik Washington and TE Greg Dulcich as his top three receiving options. Unless Miami makes a splash elsewhere, this offense is likely to live on the ground. If that comes to fruition, there will be designed runs aplenty for Willis, who averaged 5.6 yards per rushing attempt in 2025. While intriguing, Willis’ ceiling is a mid-tier QB2 with a weak Miami offense. While I’m not ruling out a boom season from the fifth-year QB, that looks more like a higher-end QB2 finish than anything near a QB1-level campaign in 2026.
Free Agency Signings & Trades Worth Monitoring
Hollywood Brown Fantasy 2026: AJ Brown Trade Dependent
Marquis “Hollywood” Brown and the Philadelphia Eagles have agreed to a 1-year, $10M contract.
The Marquise “Hollywood” Brown signing in Philadelphia is an interesting one, leaving many to wonder if the team is prepared to move on from veteran WR A.J. Brown. If the team does decide to move on from their veteran wideout, it will be WR DeVonta Smith who likely steps into the WR1 role. That will leave plenty of volume for the other Brown to lock in as a WR3/Flex option in fantasy most weeks.
However, if a trade doesn’t happen and A.J. Brown remains an Eagle, Hollywood becomes a fringe fantasy asset with little value outside of deeper leagues.
Isaiah Likely Fantasy Outlook 2026: Finally a TE1?
Likely and the New York Giants have agreed to a 3-year, $40M contract.
The New York Giants and new coach John Harbaugh are making moves, the most recent of which was bringing in Harbaugh’s former TE2 in Baltimore, Isaiah Likely. Could this finally signal the unlocking of the “big slot receiver”? I wouldn’t hold my breath (this season, anyway). We’ve all seen flashes of Likely’s talent as a receiver, but this offense is now in transition.
The team currently rosters 12 WRs, including Malik Nabers, and second-year TE Theo Johnson proved a favorite target for QB Jaxson Dart last season. He’ll be flex worthy in 2026 in most formats, but expecting a TE1 tier from Likely is risky, especially given this is the same head coach who limited Likely to 36 targets in 12 games last season.
Michael Pittman Fantasy 2026: Steelers WR Value
The Indianapolis Colts have agreed to trade Pittman and a 2026 7th-round pick to the Steelers for a 2026 6th-round pick.
I want to believe that Michael Pittman will be a centerpiece of the new Mike McCarthy offense in Pittsburgh. However, it looks increasingly likely that the Steelers will stick with Aaron Rodgers behind center in 2026, and that isn’t good news for Pittman. In 2025, Rodgers targeted 17 different receivers, with D.K. Metcalf leading the way with 104. Four other players (Kenneth Gainwell, Calvin Austin, Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith) all saw north of 50 targets.
While Gainwell and Smith are likely out, Metcalf and Freiermuth are both under contract. Furthermore, Rodgers had his worst year of production as a QB in 2025, throwing for a career-low 3,468 yards and just 531 times, tied for the second-lowest full-season total of his career. It’s unlikely there will be enough volume to go around for Pittman to be more than a Flex option in fantasy in 2026. However, should the team go in another direction at QB, I might change my tune.
Travis Etienne Fantasy 2026: Saints RB1 Outlook
Etienne and the New Orleans Saints have agreed to a 4-year, $52M contract.
“Growing up, it’s Travis Etienne, a-c-h-a-n-e.”
awfulannouncing.com/nfl/saints-t…
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing.bsky.social) March 14, 2026 at 11:30 AM
Before you ask, yes, Kendre Miller‘s fantasy value is officially dead. With the signing of veteran RB Travis Etienne (Ay-Chan, for those of you who haven’t heard), head coach Kellen Moore signaled the team is looking to run the ball more behind QB Tyler Shough. Yes, Alvin Kamara still exists, but at 31 years old, the Saints would be wise to limit his touches, and he likely becomes a receiving back primarily. Etienne figures to be the primary rushing back in the Shough-led Saints offense, with Devin Neal and Audric Estime providing change-of-pace carries. I’m not ready to say Etienne will be a top 12 RB in 2026; we don’t know how good (or bad) this New Orleans offense will be. However, if the volume materializes as expected, Etienne will fall into an RB2 tier finish this coming season.
Mike Evans Fantasy Outlook 2026: 49ers Landing Spot
Evans and the San Francisco 49ers have agreed to a 3-year, $60.4M contract.
It was shocking when we learned that veteran WR and Tampa Bay Buccaneers staple Mike Evans would test free agency for the first time in his 12-year career. It was even more shocking to learn that Evans had signed with the San Francisco 49ers. His contract, keeping him north of $20M a season for the next three years, would indicate head coach Kyle Shanahan has every intention of making Evans the WR1 in San Francisco. However, with a cast including Christian McCaffrey, Ricky Pearsall, George Kittle and newly-signed WR Christian Kirk, how much volume will there really be for Evans?
I wouldn’t bet against Evans to revive his career in the bay, ala Davante Adams with the Rams. I also won’t be surprised to see him with a reduced volume load, much like Adams has seen. I expect Evans’ focus to be on 3rd-down and red-zone work, with TD upside being his savior. He’ll still be a valuable fantasy asset, just in the back-end of the WR2 realm.
Tyler Allgeier Fantasy 2026: Cardinals Backfield Role
Allgeier and the Arizona Cardinals have agreed to a 2-year, $12.25M contract.
I’ll keep this one short. The Arizona Cardinals are in tank mode. Veteran journeyman Jacoby Brissett is likely the Week 1 starter behind center, and we’ve seen what that looks like – Brissett threw the ball 485 times in 14 games last season. While former Falcons RB Tyler Allgeier stans might see a glimmer of hope, the team also re-signed RB James Conner and has both Trey Benson and Bam Knight on the depth chart. In an ideal world, Allgeier becomes the bell cow in Arizona and logs 200-plus carries and has another 1,000-yard season. In the real world, this offense is more likely to employ a committee, with Allgeier getting the bulk of the red zone work. The TD dependency will make it hard to trust the veteran RB to be much more than an occasional Flex option to watch in 2026.
Tua Tagovailoa Fantasy 2026: Can He Win the Starting Job?
Tagovialoa and the Atlanta Falcons have agreed to a 1-year, $1.3M contract.
When you get benched for the likes of Quinn Ewers, that’s a sign that things likely are not going well. Now, veteran south paw QB Tua Tagovialoa has a chance to turn it around in Atlanta, should he win the starting job. That’s not a given, however, with incumbent QB Michael Penix (knee) appearing on track to be ready in time for training camp.
Tua Tagovailoa on passes of 20-plus air yards in 2025: 12-of-32 for 379 yards, 2 touchdowns, 6 INTs.
Only 13 of those 32 passes were labeled “on target” by Sports Info Solutions.
— Mike Tanier (@miketanier.bsky.social) March 9, 2026 at 7:14 AM
If Tagovialoa does win the starting job, he’ll be under the tutelage of new Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski, who has been labeled a “QB whisperer.” While that sounds nice, I have little hope that Tua can even win the starting job. If he does, that’s more of an indictment of Penix than an endorsement of Tagovailoa. Regardless, if he does line up behind center, he remains a fringe QB2-tier fantasy asset at best.
Wan’Dale Robinson Fantasy Outlook 2026: Titans WR1
Robinson and the Tennessee Titans have agreed to a 4-year, $78M contract with $38M guaranteed.
The Tennessee Titans knew they needed to get a reliable volume hog for second-year QB Cam Ward, and that’s exactly what they’re getting with the acquisition of WR Wan’Dale Robinson, in his last two seasons with the Giants. Robinson saw a total of 280 targets – 140 in each season – catching 185 of those passes for 1,713 yards and seven total TDs. In contrast, the Titans’ leading target-getter in 2025 was rookie WR Elic Ayomanor, who saw 89 targets, followed by TE Chig Okonkwo with 79. Whether Cam Ward makes progress this season is somewhat irrelevant for Robinson’s fantasy value. He’ll be competing for targets with Okonkwo, Ayomanor, WR Chimere Dike, TE Gunnar Helm and the ghost of Calvin Ridley‘s ghost. On predicted volume alone, Robinson is a back-end WR2 that could climb up the fantasy ladder if he takes over the Titans’ receiving corps.
Justin Fields Fantasy 2026: Chiefs Backup or Streaming Option?
The New York Jets have agreed to trade Fields to the Chiefs for a 2027 6th-round pick.
Let’s be real; this only matters in the context of QB Patrick Mahomes possibly not being ready to start Week 1. The Chiefs’ acquisition of veteran QB Justin Fields is buying an insurance policy in the event Mahomes can’t go off the bat, or if he re-injures his knee. That’s it. Given that some are prone to overreacting to these types of trades, I felt like something needed to be said.
Nate Polvogt is a Co-Founder and the Lead Senior Analyst for Optimus Fantasy Football. Find more from Nate on Bluesky and on Optimus Fantasy.
