No Format Necessary: 2026 | These Players are Fantasy Buys EVERYWHERE

by Kyle Lesti · Featured
2026 fantasy buys

We are inching closer to August and Hall of Fame weekend, which kicks off the preseason. As we approach what is sure to be another wild NFL season in 2026, here are seven fantasy football studs who have been catching my eye as buys in every format.

Whether you’re in the dynasty streets, the throes of a redraft, or other early preseason drafts like best ball, the players I’ve identified here are “must-haves,” regardless of what style you subscribe to.

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In 2026, Circle These Fantasy Buys

DeVonta Smith | WR, Philadelphia Eagles

Last season, DeVonta Smith (like the rest of the Eagles’ offense) failed to live up to expectations. It was the former Heisman Trophy winner’s worst statistical season since his rookie year, way back in 2021.

This year, the Eagles have made some changes. A.J. Brown is now in New England, and there’s potential for Smith to reach his ceiling as a true No. 1. The team did, of course, add two new pass catchers in April’s draft. Wide receiver Makai Lemon (USC) and tight end Eli Stowers (Vanderbilt) will fill in behind Smith in the passing game. Philadelphia also hired new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion. Mannion is widely expected to bring some much-needed versatility and imagination to the Eagles’ offense, specifically the passing game.

2025 notwithstanding, Smith has been extremely efficient and relatively consistent since coming into the NFL. In 2024, for instance, he boasted a 36% Dominator Rating and 2.23 Yards per Route Run (YPRR). His current consensus ADP (courtesy of Draft Sharks) is WR17. While this may not sound exactly cheap, he is going after some guys he shouldn’t. Garrett Wilson, I’m looking at you.

Finishing as a back-end WR1 is well within Smith’s range of outcomes. For example, I would not be surprised if, at the end of the year, we find that Smith outperformed Nico Collins.  His ADP will continue to climb as we move through the preseason. Take advantage of his early third-round price tag while you can.

Jonathon Brooks | RB, Carolina Panthers

Much later in drafts, around the 9/10 turn, managers can scoop up Jonathon Brooks. He sits a full 20 spots behind the incumbent Chuba Hubbard. Hubbard, for his part, fell short after a promising 2024 season. After missing two games early in the season, he was unable to regain lead-back duties from the recently departed Rico Dowdle (PIT).

Brooks was a second-round pick in 2024, when the Panthers took him despite his injury concerns. His injury history has been well documented. It has also been baked into his cost this season, very baked in. After missing the 2025 season to ensure a complete recovery, Brooks was cleared for all football activities in late April.

The former Texas Longhorns back will look to get his NFL career off the ground in his third official NFL season. Keep in mind, however, that he is still just 23 years old. Carolina made no real additions to the running back room this offseason.  Brooks could easily be the lead back of this team by midway through the campaign.

Quentin Johnston | WR, Los Angeles Chargers

Last year’s WR34 (WR22 in points per game) is currently going as the WR46 (103 overall) in early drafts, according to this Draft Sharks consensus. Quentin Johnston all but solidified his role as a downfield threat last year. He amassed 1,008 Air Yards, 20 Deep Targets, and a healthy aDOT of 12.0. However, the former Horned Frogs’ production was inconsistent, coinciding with the team’s struggles. Key injuries along the offensive line forced the offense to adjust, ultimately leading to an early exit in the Wild Card Round.

This offseason saw the exit of veteran wideout Keenan Allen. In his wake, he leaves behind a whopping 122 targets. Of course, Johnston, who had 84 of his own last year, won’t get them all. But he certainly stands to gain a significant bump, especially with a healthy offensive line allowing Justin Herbert the time to target his third-year wideout downfield.

Jared Goff | QB, Detroit Lions

I know, Jared Goff is boring; he doesn’t run; he’s been around forever. Year after year, fantasy gamers forget about him, or deliberately leave him for dead. Yet year after year, Goff delivers.

Jared Goff‘s Explosive Rating

His current ADP of QB16 makes him essentially free in drafts. A perfect choice if you decide to punt the position altogether, or if you’re inclined to take a chance on a player with some risk, like Jaxson Dart or Jayden Daniels. Goff is a great best-ball selection as well, given his penchant for boom weeks. He has thrown for three or more touchdowns 12 times over the last two seasons, trailing only Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow (13).

Jaylen Warren | RB, Pittsburgh Steelers

There isn’t too much to be excited about when looking at the Steelers through a fantasy lens. That isn’t meant to imply that Jaylen Warren IS exciting, but rather, he’s a value. Likely the only one on his team. Warren has been the one constant in Pittsburgh’s backfield over the last several years. He’s answered the bell when called on to do whatever has been needed of him. Through the years, he’s become a solid, well-rounded back who can really do it all.

Jaylen Warren‘s Advanced Receiving and Efficiency Metrics

Furthermore, he’s earned the trust of his latest signal-caller, Aaron Rodgers. Warren led the league in pass-blocking according to Pro Football Focus with a grade of 72.0. His current counterpart, Rico Dowdle, finished last season with a pass-blocking grade of 24.6, placing him among the worst in the league.

The Steelers brought in new head coach Mike McCarthy, who will be looking to revamp the offense. Even so, Rodgers will no doubt have some say as to who is on the field with him. It’s clear to me who that preference will be.

KC Concepcion | WR, Cleveland Browns

Maybe I’m just still thinking with “dynasty brain,” but KC Concepcion seems to me like a screaming value right now. Of course, if you’re trying to buy him in dynasty, you’re going to have to pony up. But this could also be the cheapest he will be for some time. Anything close to a decent season, even some flashes, and his value will only increase.

Currently being drafted as the 52nd wideout off the board, the former Aggie could see a slew of targets in his rookie season. The wide receiver room isn’t exactly empty, however. Concepcion will have healthy competition through the rest of the summer with Jerry Jeudy, Harold Fannin Jr., and fellow rookie Denzel Boston. It remains to be seen exactly how the depth chart will shake out. Concepcion, however, has the production profile, athletic profile, and draft capital to see the field early on.

Chigoziem Okonkwo | TE, Washington Commanders

No list of mine is complete without a representative from the tight end position. Coming over from Tennessee, Chigoziem Okonkwo will have a clear path to meaningful volume for the first time in his career.

After spending the first four years of his career with the likes of Ryan Tannehill, Will Levis, and a rookie Cameron Ward, Okonkwo lands in an offense led by Jayden Daniels. He’s flashed at times and, in fact, was the Titans’ leading receiver last season, earning 56 receptions for 560 yards on 79 targets. The former Maryland Terrapin ranked No. 9 in Yards After Catch (342) and eighth in Target Separation (2.2). The fact that 560 yards was the most on his team tells us all we need to know about the environment he was in.

Okonkwo is a fine tight end target if you are inclined to wait on the position. He is currently the TE16 and No. 143.5 overall, according to FantasyPros consensus ADP. Going ahead of him are Jake Ferguson and Dalton Kincaid. Both are fine tight ends, but one is a JAG on a high-volume offense, and the other is a part-time player on a team that just acquired D.J. Moore. In Washington, Okonkwo has a real chance of being the number two option on his team, behind veteran wideout Terry McLaurin. He’s in my queue by round 12 of standard 12-team drafts.

Now paired with young superstar Daniels, the athletic tight end is worth a closer look in dynasty as well. Still just shy of 27 years of age, he can be had for a late-second/early-third 2027 pick.


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Many Successes,

Kyle

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