2026 Fantasy Football Offseason Guide: Late-Round Value Picks and Draft Steals to Target

The NFL offseason has been buzzing with activity that's reshaping fantasy football landscapes heading into 2026. According to NBC Sports, quarterback Malik Willis is poised to capitalize on his successful stint with the Packers, where he completed 78.7 percent of his passes while adding rushing ability that rivals the best running QBs in the league. Willis is expected to land a significant contract with a QB-needy team, and at his current ADP of QB25, he's being targeted as a potential late-round value who could return massive fantasy points simply by getting on the field. The quarterback carousel has been particularly active. According to ESPN's fantasy football coverage, the Falcons confirmed that Michael Penix will face competition from Tua Tagovailoa for the starting role, while Penix continues recovering from an ACL tear. Meanwhile, according to Fantasy Life, free agency has dramatically shifted Kenneth Walker's value after he joined Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, completely changing analyst rankings across the board. Running back movement has also impacted draft considerations. According to NBC Sports, Trey Benson of the Cardinals is being viewed as a potential draft steal at RB43, especially with James Conner dealing with a foot and ankle injury that could make him a cap casualty. Benson rushed for 160 yards last season while catching 13 passes, and analysts believe his ADP could shift significantly if Conner is released. Wide receiver news includes significant roster changes. According to ESPN, Tyreek Hill was cut by the Miami Dolphins after suffering a major knee injury with dislocation and ligament tears in week four of last season. Hill, who averaged 119 receptions and 1,754 receiving yards during his peak seasons, remains focused on continuing his career elsewhere. At tight end, there's optimism surrounding veteran Travis Kelce. According to NBC Sports, Kelce managed 76 receptions for 851 yards and five touchdowns last season while finishing as TE9 in fantasy points per game, despite being 36 years old. While his retirement status remains unclear, sources suggest he could outplay his current ADP if he decides to return for another season with Kansas City. According to RotoWire, Calvin Ridley has restructured his contract with the Tennessee Titans and will remain on the roster for 2026, while Elgton Jenkins continues progressing in his recovery from a fractured lower leg and ligament damage suffered while playing for the Packers before joining the Cleveland Browns. The draft landscape is also shifting with rookie prospects entering the equation. According to NBC Sports, USC's Makai Lemon is projected to go in the first round of the NFL Draft and could be an immediate difference maker in PPR leagues, commanding targets on 29.3 percent of his routes last season as a third-year breakout player. Thank you for tuning in to Fantasy Football updates. Be sure to subscribe for more coverage as the offseason continues to deve This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.