FantasyPros - Fantasy Gold: The Top 10 Must-Have Players for 2026 (Ep. 1981)

This is Daniel Cormier from the Daniel Cormier Show. Welcome.

Welcome to Fantasy Pros, the Fantasy Football Podcast; I’m Joey P with Derek Brown and the newly extended, accuracy champ himself, Justin Boone.

Thrilled to be back at Yahoo after a dream first year, winning accuracy again felt even sweeter, and it’s wild thinking the Canadian kid who once hid his accent now leans into it.

We’re rolling through our post–free agency favorites; Debro, kick us off with Isaiah Likely in New York.

I’m drafting Likely everywhere as a top-seven tight end with a clean path to targets and strong efficiency that screams top-five upside.

Boone, would you take Likely over the back-end TE1 crowd right now?

I’ve got him around TE12; early volume looks strong if their young star wideout ramps slowly, though Baltimore choosing Andrews over him is the lone caution.

Next up, Chig Okonkwo to Washington; value or pass?

Value, because that role already fed usable weeks and he can be their second option behind McLaurin at a bargain draft cost.

He’s a mid TE2 for me until we see full-time routes, but the room and limited draft ammo say he’ll get a real shot.

Breaking news as we record: reports say Jalen Waddle is headed to Denver; Debro, instant take?

Waddle becomes their top target and knocks Sutton into a tougher share, while any deep-sleeper buzz flatlines.

I bump Waddle to a low-end WR2, Sutton to a volatile WR3, and Bo Nix gets a nice nudge up.

Storm knocked me out, I’m back; so what’s the Miami read with Malik Willis at QB?

Expect a run-heavy tilt with Willis and a fast pivot to draft help at receiver, since the current depth won’t cut it.

Back to the list—Debro, make the case for Mike Evans in his new home.

He still separates at an elite rate and could lead the league in red-zone chances on a sharp offense, so I’m happily buying through the age noise.

I rank him as a WR3 who delivers WR2 weeks when active, with hamstrings and the big-body cliff as the risks.

Boone, Wondale Robinson reunites with Brian Daboll; how does that play with a young quarterback?

He’s a high-volume slot who added more downfield work last year, which makes him a steady PPR flex.

I’m even higher—WR3 prices for potential league-winner returns after a big aDOT jump and soft competition.

Kenneth Walker lands in Kansas City; early in the year, could he be their engine if Mahomes is limited or Fields starts?

Yes, because he brings the explosive run game they lacked and has a three-down path that screams RB1.

He’s racing into round two; durability is the lone worry as he likely carries them early.

Chuba Hubbard’s turn—what changes with the backfield thinned out?

Two years ago he was an RB1 on a per-game basis, rushed back from injury last season, and now has a clear road to top-15 outcomes.

Name debates aside, Debro, sell us on the second-year upside back sharing a room with Chris Rodriguez.

Basial Tuten is the swing-for-upside RB2 with standout per-touch metrics, and Rodriguez’s presence should keep his ADP friendly.

Omari an Hampton is getting real buzz; why is he a big post–free agency winner?

He already produced through chaos and now gets a fortified line and creative coordinator, with Keaton Mitchell as a change-up, so he’s got league-winning juice.

Debro, your number one is Malik Willis; plant the flag.

He’s a QB2-priced runner with top-12 weekly upside, a workable line, and a deep receiver draft to stock the cupboard.

For 2026 fantasy I’m in, though I’m cautious long term; rushing alone can push him into QB1 weeks.

Boone, close us out with your top winner.

Ashton Jeanty quietly piled up yards and scores as a rookie, and with a better scheme and line he has true top-three RB potential.

Drop your favorite post–free agency risers in the comments, sub to the channel and our Tailgate feed, and congrats again to Boone; for Justin Boone, I’m Joey P—see you next time.

This is Daniel Cormier from the Daniel Cormier Show.