Coach: Sean Payton 6 PPG
QB: Drake Maye 31 PPG
There were some skeptics out there that Drake Maye would ever put it together (especially after his dreadful rookie season), but even the most optimistic Maye fan probably wouldn’t have projected he’d finish 2nd in the MVP race. He took the league by storm with 258 passing yards per game (4th in the NFL), 1.82 passing TDs per game (5th), and finished with a quality 26 rushing yards per game (11th). This resulted in a QB3 fantasy finish, showcasing that he has what it takes to be an elite fantasy QB. About to turn 24, Drake needs to showcase the consistency many QBs struggle to maintain after a breakout. We saw him struggle mightily against tough defenses in the playoffs, and let’s hope that doesn’t continue into the regular season. With his dual-threat profile in mind, he’s now in the top 5 conversation moving forward.
RB/WR/TE: Josh Jacobs 23 PPG, Javonte Williams 23 PPG, Brock Bowers 22 PPG, Amon-Ra St. Brown 21 PPG, AJ Brown 18 PPG 6th men: Mike Evans 16 PPG, Isiah Pacheco 14 PPG
He’s consistently boring, but Josh Jacobs is a stud muffin delux who has delivered from the moment he entered the NFL. 2025 was no different, finishing 13th in the NFL in rushing attempts per game (16), 19th in rushing yards per game (62), 19th in receiving yards per game among RBs (19), and most importantly 5th in TDs per game (.94). Jacobs is a dual threat back, who is still kicking as an above average runner despite the 1,840 attempts over his entire career. So long as he doesn’t face a suspension for his domestic violence incident, he’s clear for takeoff for another elite fantasy season.
It was extremely encouraging to see Javonte Williams turn his career around after he suffered a devastating knee injury early on in his rookie contract in Denver. He signed a prove-it deal in Dallas, and boy did he prove he was capable of handling a rushing attack. While the numbers won’t wow you, Williams provided 15.75 attempts per game (10th in the NFL), 75 rushing yards per game (7th), and .81 TDs per game (8th). He also ranked 20th among RBs in evaded tackles per game at 3.94. While he was a minimal producer in the passing game, he still wrangled 35 receptions on 51 targets and has shown more in that department during his time in Denver. Javonte is still one of the most underappreciated IFL assets and at only 26, one of the most valuable.
We’re hearing some wild projections out of Vegas for Brock Bowers, who some expect to have a record-breaking season under new HC Klint Kubiak. For good reason, too, as Bowers has been a top-two TE since he graced the professional football field. Last year, despite an injury-plagued year, he finished with an 85% snap share (8th among TEs), 5.33 receptions per game (2nd), 56.67 yards (4th), and .58 TDs per game (5th). If offensive playcalling AND the QB situation have improved, Bowers could flirt with the high 20s in PPG, but expecting the Raiders to be a dramatically more functional offense is asking too much. For now, expect Bowers to be a top 16 RB/WR/TE with the upside for a top 10 campaign.
Amon-Ra St. Brown combines an elite name with elite fantasy production. The Sun God continued to be a top-tier fantasy asset in a post-Ben Johnson era and has yet to turn 27. St. Brown finished 4th in the NFL with 6.88 receptions per game, 5th in the NFL with 82 receiving yards per game, and 3rd in the NFL with .65 TDs per game. That was good for the #17 RB/WR/TE in our scoring, and he’s been around that mark for the past three years. Year 4 is incoming, pending anything unforeseen.
It’s been a bit of a slog from a fantasy perspective for AJ Brown, who was one of the worst values in fantasy football over the past two years. While he’s been paid a healthy amount in both the AFC and NFC, he’s posted barely startable numbers in run-heavy offenses in Philly. Frustrated with his opportunity, he forced his way out, going to a best case scenario landing spot in New England as Drake Maye’s number one receiver. A new situation provides uncertainty, but I don’t think it will be worse (16 PPG or under). Will AJ return to the 150 target days and double-digit TDs? It’s in the range of outcomes. However, I think we should see a 1,200-yard season, along with 7-8 scores, and that’ll put him in as a quality 3-4 RB/WR/TE for IFL purposes. It wouldn’t surprise me, however, if he exceeds the 20 PPG threshold.
PK: Harrison Mevis 8 PPG
PN: Jack Fox 9 PPG
DT: Da’Ron Payne 13 PPG (A’Shawn Robinson 12 PPG, Devonte Wyatt 12 PPG)
We know what Da’Ron Payne provides 8 years in, and it’s borderline startable DT numbers. 7 of the last 8 years have been the same, around 50 tackles and 3-4 sacks. (There was an 11-sack season thrown in 2022, but that was a fluke) Now 29 and in the same ol’ defensive scheme, it’s hard to expect anything different. Get your 13 PPG and move on.
DE: Micah Parsons 17 PPG, Bradley Chubb 13 PPG (Josh Sweat 13 PPG, Travon Walker 12 PPG)
We are a year into the Micah Parsons trade to Green Bay, and the injuries are starting to pile up for the 27-year-old. After enduring a pretty serious back injury that made him questionable for Week 1 in 2025, he still balled out, totaling 48 pressures (4th in the NFL) before tearing up his knee in Week 15 versus the Broncos. It’s expected he’ll be eased into the season, likely missing the first 4 games of the year. If Parsons can return to form, he’ll post his usual double-digit sacks, but keep an eye on the tackle totals. They were down last year compared to his seasons in Dallas. That can cap his upside (on top of the knee), keeping him well out of the overall EDGE1 conversation.
It was encouraging to see Bradley Chubb return as a serviceable piece of a defensive line after he tore his ACL, patellar tendon, and meniscus back in 2023. It was the 3rd ACL tear of his career, and the fact he’s still playing is a medical marvel. Chubb signed a 3-year $43.5 million deal with the Bills, slated to be a role player for a team with championship aspirations. His pressure numbers were 22, indicating he’s more of a rotational piece at this stage of his career. (think Carl Granderson) He’s a borderline starter, with an outside shot of double-digit sacks again. (done so only twice in 7 healthy seasons)
LB: Kaden Elliss 17 PPG, Anthony Hill Jr. 15 PPG, Drue Tranquill 15 PPG, Derrick Barnes 15 PPG
Kaden Elliss is returning home, back to the team that drafted him. He made a name for himself in Atlanta, posting 3 seasons of quality tackle numbers and at least 5 big plays each year. Last year, Elliss took a step back, playing more of a hybrid role along the defensive line. His tackle numbers regressed, and he barely exceeded 100 tackles for the first time since 2022. Now 31, we’ll see how long the 7th-rounder from Idaho can keep it up, but New Orleans will certainly be starting him through 2027 if all goes to plan.
Anthony Hill Jr. is one of the litany of quality linebacker prospects from the 2026 class. Selected toward the end of the 2nd round, he landed in a quality landing spot in Tennessee. With Cedric Gray occupying one spot, all Hill has to do is usurp the tragic Cody Barton, which hopefully happens in short order. Hill was a big play machine at Texas, posting 17 sacks,, 3 INTs and 8 FFs through 3 years. I have some playing time and snap count concerns out of the gate, but I expect him to be relevant, especially toward the back half of 2026.
We just haven’t been able to get enough of Drue Tranquill to seriously consider him for an IDP startability, but perhaps we’ll see a bit more of him with Leo Chenal in Washington. Tranquill has been mostly a part-time player, but when Chenal missed time to end last year, he played over 90% of the snaps. Will the Chiefs elect to give one of their younger guys the Chenal role or will they give Tranquill a bit more responsibility? Time will tell, but I’m bumping up his PPG to reflect a low-end starter.
It’s been the Anzalone/Campbell show in Detroit for several seasons, but Derrick Barnes did well to carve himself a role in this day and age of nickel defense. He played 940 snaps in 2025, many of which came on the EDGE with light depth at the position. He didn’t post startable stats, but that could change if he’s primed to start in the middle next to Jack Campbell. He’ll have to overcome Malcolm Rodriguez and rookie Jimmy Rolder for full-time opportunity AND not be a hybrid player on the EDGE. With many things working against potential value, I have concerns he’ll get there, but he’s a worthy flyer on upside alone.
CB: Zero CBs on the roster – 10 PPG, 10 PPG
S: AJ Haulcy 15 PPG, Bryan Cook 12 PPG (Kerby Joseph 12 PPG, Ji’Ayir Brown 11 PPG)
AJ Haulcy is in the fortunate position to take on a position that’s been historically good for IDP goodness. Nick Cross left in free agency after back-to-back top 2 safety seasons, opening the door for the rookie to take over. He’ll have to earn it, however, as Hunter Wohler (a 2025 camp darling before a season-ending injury) won’t go quietly into the night. Haulcy was a stat-tracking machine in college, posting over 74 tackles across all 4 years. (12 games per season btw) He also accumulated 10 INTs and 4 forced fumbles, paving the way for a potential future stud. I’m very high on Haulcy’s prospects, and he’s right there with Downs and Thieneman for the best IDP. (if he beats out Wohler)
Bryan Cook has been on the fringes of IDP relevancy the past couple of seasons as a starter in Kansas City, but he hasn’t delivered enough splash plays to warrant serious consideration. Now slated to be the deep man for the Bengals, I’m not confident he’ll become more than a low-end S2. Through 4 years, he’s posted 3 INTs and a sack and never exceeded 90 tackles. What may work in his favor is that the linebackers in Cincy are questionable, and he may be tasked with mop-up duty if the struggles continue. Geno Stone, who he’s replacing, finished as last year’s S10 for this very reason.
Kerby Joseph appears to be nearing a return and if he’s 100% he’ll be more than a 11 PPG player. (around the 12-13 PPG range)
Off: Philadelphia Eagles 12 PPG (Pittsburgh Steelers 12 PPG)
PPG: 325
W-L: 8-9
X-Factor: Defensive depth stepping up into starting roles.
It was a fascinating offseason for Mark, who had a metric fuckton of cap space and made blockbuster after blockbuster in March through May. He traded away names like Ja’Marr Chase, Puka Nacua, Luther Burden, Rashee Rice, Jaxson Dart, and George Pickens (traded for Pickens, then shipped him off in a span of two months). At the end of the day, the offense is ready to cook, with elite assets from top to bottom. It’s the defense that has significant questions at every position. For this reason, the upside isn’t there to make a serious run unless numerous moves or breakouts occur.
