This is my third straight season posting my draft plan on this website. If you look back at my 2024 draft plan and 2025 draft plan, you’ll see that I hit on a lot of players. But 2024 and 2025 were not anomalies for me. I’ve been pretty dang good at fantasy football for a long time.

Over the years, I’ve been asked, “Kenny, what’s your secret?” My secret? Well, there’s several things that I’ve done over the years that’ve propelled me toward success. But, honestly, the main thing has been simple. I go into every draft with a very clear draft plan! That’s my super power.

 

The Plan: It’s All About Value

Before each draft, I try to pinpoint where the value will be in that particular type of league, then I simply plan out where in the draft I intend to take certain types of players and positions. I try to guesstimate which players are likely to be on the board when it’s my turn to select—based on the style and structure of that particular league—and I seek to enter the draft with a good handle on which players are likely to be the best values at each section of the draft.

Overall, my mantra in fantasy football has always been: Fantasy is all about value. Each draft selection ought to maximize value. So, this article is my attempt to map out for you (round by round) what my 2026 draft plan will be, informed by my fierce commitment to maximizing value.

SIDE NOTE: This fantasy draft plan assumes a 12-team league with typical fantasy scoring/settings. This plan should work well for both PPR and non-PPR leagues.

 

Round 1

In round one, take the best player available. Regardless of position. Here’s my overall top 16 players for 2026:

• RB- Bijan Robinson
• RB- Jahmyr Gibbs
• RB- Jonathan Taylor
• RB- Christian McCaffrey
• WR- Ja’Marr Chase
• WR- Jaxon Smith-Njigba
• WR- Puka Nacua
• RB- Saquon Barkley
• RB- James Cook
• RB- De’Von Achane
• RB- Derrick Henry
• RB- Ashton Jeanty
• WR- Justin Jefferson
• WR- Amon-Ra St. Brown
• WR- CeeDee Lamb
• RB- Chase Brown

In my estimation, there’s a noticeable drop-off after these players. Keep drafting players from this pool until they’re all gone, regardless of position or roster construction goals.

 

Caveat: Play the “Value Game”

As previously stated, fantasy football is all about value. So there’s a little bit of a game that needs to be played. This is an art, not an exact science.

There are certain players that I have ranked higher than the market. So there will be moments where it makes sense to draft a lower ranked player because you think the higher ranked player will still be on the board at a later spot in the draft.

For example, I currently have Derrick Henry ranked as my 11th overall best player as we head into 2026 and I have Justin Jefferson ranked as my 12th best player. I believe Henry is still worthy of a 1st round pick. However, based on average draft position (ADP), it seems that Henry will still be available to me in the middle part of round two (he’s consistently apx. the 20th player off the board), while Jefferson is consistently being drafted late in the first round (or early in the second round).

So, let’s say I have the 9th pick of the first round, and both Henry and Jefferson are on the board. Well, since it seems likely that Henry will make it back to me when I draft at the fourth spot of the second round (16th overall), I would likely take Jefferson in round one and seek to draft Henry in round two.

When you’re drafting, you’ll have to consider which higher-ranked players might drop, and occasionally roll the dice. But be sure you have a good reason to believe that the player will indeed drop. If you roll the dice too many times, or without good rationale, this could burn you.

SIDE NOTE: Playing the “value game” can sometimes be informed by the tendencies and inclinations of your league mates. For instance, I play in some leagues with guys that I’ve known for 20+ years, so I have a strong handle of their tendencies. This often helps me know which players will be available later in the draft. But they also know my tendencies too, so it cuts both ways. You can try to use this to your advantage, but don’t get too cute.

 

Round 2

If any of my top 16 players are still available when you draft in round two, pounce without hesitation, regardless of position.

However, if all of those top players are gone when you’re drafting in round two (for example, if you’re at the bottom of round two), then your round two pick should depend on your round one selection and your league format.

First, if you drafted a WR in round one, then you do not have flexibility here; you definitely need to draft a RB here in round two (the only exception, of course, is if there are still players from the top 16 list available because those ought to be the initial players to be selected, regardless of position).

Secondly, however, if you drafted a RB in round one, then you have flexibility here in round two; you can go with a RB or a WR. In most leagues, it’s still ideal to lean toward the RB positions. But if you’re in a PPR league that also starts more WRs than RBs (e.g., three WRs but only two RBs), then it’s understandable to learn toward WR with this pick.

But if you’re in a non-PPR league (regardless of starting lineup) or if you’re in a league that starts the same amount of WRs as RBs (e.g., two WRs and two RBs), then the RB position is still the best option.

Here’s the next best 17 players (according to my ranks):

• RB- Kyren Williams
• RB- Kenneth Walker
• RB- Breece Hall
• WR- A.J. Brown
• WR- Nico Collins
• RB- Josh Jacobs*
• RB- Omarion Hampton
• WR- Drake London
• WR- DeVonta Smith
• RB- Javonte Williams
• RB- Jeremiyah Love
• WR- Tee Higgins
• RB- Travis Etienne Jr.
• WR- Chris Olave
• WR- Zay Flowers
• WR- George Pickens
• WR- Tetairoa McMillan

*In May 2026, Josh Jacobs was arrested for domestic violence. As of the writing of this article, Jacobs’ case is pending but he is still practicing with his team and is slated to play in 2026. However, he could face a suspension from the NFL in 2026 for violating the league’s conduct policy. We’ll obviously want to monitor this as we approach the 2026 season.

 

Round 3

In the unlikely event that any of my top 16 players are still available when you draft in round three, pounce without hesitation, regardless of position (and start counting your prize money).

Assuming the top 16 are all gone, this third round pick should be informed by your first two selections. If you drafted one RB and one WR (or two WRs), then you’ll definitely want to draft a RB with your third selection here. By the end of round three you definitely need at least one RB; but, ideally, you’ll want to actually have at least two RBs by the end of the third round, if possible.

In the “Round 2” section, I mentioned several RBs. If any of those guys are available, then that’s who you ought to target. However, if all of the previously mentioned RBs are gone, then consider one of these RBs:

• Bucky Irving**
• Quinshon Judkins
• TreVeyon Henderson

However, if you drafted two RBs with your first two picks, then you’ll ideally want to draft a WR. You can either take one of the WRs previously mentioned in this article (if any are still available) or consider one of these WRs:

• Jameson Williams
• Ladd McConkey
• Davante Adams
• Rome Odunze
• D.J. Moore

If you get to round three and all of these above-listed WRs are gone, then go ahead and take a third RB, especially if you have a flex spot in your lineup, like most leagues do today (I much prefer RBs over WRs in my flex spots).

Roster Construction Goals: After the first three rounds, you’ll have one of these roster constructions (listed in order of my preference):

• 2 RBs + 1 WR
• 3 RBs
• 1 RB + 2 WRs
• 3 WRs

QB–TE Note: Under no circumstances should you be drafting a QB or TE in the first three rounds. Let your league mates make that mistake.

**As of June 2026, Bucky Irving is dealing with a significant shoulder injury which could impact his availability for the start of the 2026 season. We’ll obviously want to monitor his status as we approach our 2026 drafts and we could potentially move him downward if we don’t get good news soon.

 

Round 4

Okay, thus far in this article, I’ve mentioned 41 names. Several of those players are likely to still be available when you’re drafting in round four. Target one of those players. Again, we’re trying to maximize value.

In the unlikely event that all of the aforementioned players are gone already when you are drafting in round four, then this could be a moment to consider a QB or a TE. But my rule is that I only draft a QB or TE early if extreme value has presented itself. So, if one of these players is available, then pull the trigger:

• QB- Josh Allen
• TE- Brock Bowers
• TE- Trey McBride

However, if for some crazy reason, you did not select a RB in the first three rounds, then you must take one here. Or if each and every previously mentioned name is already off the board, then consider one of these RBs:

• Cam Skattebo
• D’Andre Swift
• David Montgomery
• Chuba Hubbard

Roster Construction Goals: As you’re drafting here, you’ll want to be thinking about roster construction. After four rounds, you’ll ideally want to have one of these roster constructions (listed in order of my preference):

• 3 RBs + 1 WR
• 2 RBs + 2 WRs
• 2 RBs + 1 WR + J. Allen
• 2 RBs + 1 WR + 1 TE
• 3 RBs + J. Allen
• 3 RBs + 1 TE
• 3 WRs + 1 RB

QB–TE Alert: Ideally, I do not ever want to draft both a QB or a TE early in the draft. You absolutely cannot take both a QB and a TE in the first eight rounds. If you draft a QB in the first few rounds, then you must wait until later in the draft until considering a TE (and vice versa). If you were to take both a QB and a TE early in the draft, you would likely devastate your roster’s depth at RB and WR (which would be extremely hard to recover from). Don’t do it!

 

Round 5

First, thus far in this article, I’ve mentioned 48 names (25 of them RBs). If any of those players are still available when you’re drafting in round five, that’s the guy(s) you ought to target here.

Secondly, if you’re behind on one particular position (e.g., too few RBs or too few WRs), you’ll need to prioritize that position (although, if you’ve followed my advice, you should not be behind on RBs).

Thirdly, if all of the aforementioned players are already gone when you are drafting here in round five, then here is the next set of names to consider:

• WR- Terry McLaurin
• WR- Emeka Egbuka
• WR- Jaylen Waddle
• WR- Garrett Wilson
• RB- Tony Pollard
• RB- Jaylen Warren
• RB- Rhamondre Stevenson
• RB- Jadarian Price
• WR- Luther Burden
• WR- Malik Nabers
• WR- Courtland Sutton
• WR- D.K. Metcalf
• WR- Alec Pierce
• WR- Rashee Rice

I’ve now given you a total of 62 names (29 of them being RBs). After this spot in the draft the quality of the RB position drops-off big time. That’s why I’m recommending that you draft at least three RBs through the first five rounds (and I’d even be okay with four RBs in the first five rounds if the board breaks right, but don’t reach unnecessarily).

 

Round 6

If any of the aforementioned players are still available when it’s your time to draft in round six, then that’s who you ought to target (with the exception of avoiding both a QB and TE in the first eight rounds). Based on the consensus rankings across the fantasy industry, I think it’s very likely that several of the aforementioned players will fall into your lap.

QB Pivot: In the unlikely event that all of the previously mentioned players are all gone AND you’re feeling good about your RBs, then it might be time to consider a QB. I would consider drafting one of these QBs:

• Lamar Jackson
• Joe Burrow

Value at WR: In the unlikely event that all previously mentioned players are gone, but you’re feeling good about your RBs, and both Burrow and Jackson are gone, then look for value at WR. Here’s the next potential group of guys to consider:

• Christian Watson
• Marvin Harrison, Jr.
• Mike Evans
• Michael Pittman
• Michael Wilson
• Jakobi Meyers
• Jayden Reed
• Parker Washington
• Ricky Pearsall

Desperate at RB: If you do indeed need a RB, and all of the previously mentioned guys are gone, then you’ll need to reach for one of these two guys at the RB position:

• R.J. Harvey
• Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Frankly, I would much prefer to not have to draft either of one of these RBs here in the 6th round; they’re much more like 7th round type of guys. However, if you’re desperate, you’re going to need to reach to ensure you have some decent options. And after those guys, it’s very slim pickings.

 

Round 7

At this point, I’ve given you a total of 75 names. This list will take you into round seven. By the end of round seven, it’s ideal to try to have four RBs. If you only have three RBs going into round six and any of the previously mentioned RBs happen to still be available, then you should seriously consider taking one of those RBs.

But if you already have four RBs and 2 WRs, then you have great flexibility here. There is a lot of good WR value in this part of the draft (and I suspect that several of the previously mentioned WRs will fall to you at this stage of the draft).

Again, if any of the aforementioned players are still available when you select here in round seven, that’s your target—and that means you’ve got some really good value here.

But, if all 75 of those players are gone AND if you already have four RBs AND you do not love any of the WRs available, then I’d consider one of these two QBs:

• Drake Maye
• Jayden Daniels

If those players are no longer options, then I’d look at one of these TEs (but if you’ve already drafted a QB, wait until round nine before considering a TE):

• Colston Loveland
• Tyler Warren
• Tucker Kraft

If all those players are gone off the board, then look at one of these WRs:

• Carnell Tate
• Quentin Johnston
• Chris Godwin
• Brian Thomas

 

Round 8

Thus far, I’ve given you a total of 84 names. If any of the aforementioned players are still available when you select in round eight, then you’ll want to consider those players; however, you’ll want to make sure you’re working to balance your roster too.

If you get to round eight and all 84 previously mentioned players are gone, then consider one of these upside RBs:

• Blake Corum
• Kyle Monangai
• Chris Rodriguez

Or if you prefer a QB, then consider one of these two QBs:

• Jalen Hurts
• Justin Herbert

But if all those guys are taken (or if you’re not a fan of those guys), then consider one of these guys:

• WR- Romeo Doubs
• WR- Makai Lemon
• WR- Jordan Addison
• RB- Bhayshul Tuten
• RB- J.K. Dobbins
• RB- Rachaad White
• RB- Aaron Jones

Roster Construction Goals: After round eight, you’ll ideally want to have one of these roster constructions (listed in order of my preference):

• 4 RB + 4 WR
• 5 RB + 3 WR
• 4 RB + 3 WR + 1 QB
• 4 RB + 3 WR + 1 TE

Be sure you’re considering these roster construction options when drafting in round eight (and beyond). At this stage of the draft, it’s perfectly okay to “reach” to ensure that you have your roster filled out properly.

 

Round 9

As you head into round nine, hopefully you’re feeling good about the selections you’ve made at RB and WR thus far, which will now allow you to consider the QB position (assuming you don’t already have one). My favorite QBs at this stage of the draft (in this order):

• Matthew Stafford
• Dak Prescott
• Caleb Williams
• Trevor Lawrence
• Brock Purdy
• Patrick Mahomes***
  

If you’re not going to draft a QB here, then consider one of these TEs (assuming you have not selected a TE yet):

• Sam LaPorta
• Harold Fannin

If all of these guys have already been selected, then it’s likely that one (or more) of the players mentioned in this article’s earlier sections have fallen to this stage of the draft, in which case you ought to draft one of those guys. That’s value!

If all of these players are off the board, then here is the next list of other players to consider:

• RB- Rico Dowdle
• RB- Woody Marks
• WR- Matthew Golden
• WR- Khalil Shakir
• WR- Jalen Coker
• WR- Jayden Higgins

***Throughout the off-season, Patrick Mahomes has been rehabbing from a serious knew injury suffered in 2025. The reports thus far have been mixed. We’ll want to monitor his status as we approach our 2026 drafts and we could potentially move him downward if we don’t get good news.

 

Round 10

If you still don’t have a QB, and if one of the previously mentioned QBs is still available, then consider drafting that player. If all those QBs are gone and you still have not drafted a QB, then consider one of these guys:

• Jared Goff
• Jordan Love
• Baker Mayfield
• Jaxson Dart
• Bo Nix
• C.J. Stroud
• Bryce Young

If you have a QB already, or if there isn’t a QB here that you really want, then you may want to look at TE (assuming you don’t already have one). My favorite TEs at this stage of the draft:

• Dallas Goedert
• Jake Ferguson
• Juwan Johnson
• Brenton Strange

If you’re not going to draft a QB or TE here (which is perfectly viable), then here’s the other guys at RB and WR that I’d consider here:

• WR- Jordyn Tyson
• WR- Stefon Diggs
• RB- Kenneth Gainwell
• RB- Tyler Allgeier
• RB- Jordan Mason
• RB- Zach Charbonnet
• WR- Xavier Worthy

 

Rounds 11 thru 14

As we approach these later four rounds, it’s all about filling out our rosters with the best players available and then taking some shots on late-round sleepers.

As stated multiple times in this article, if any of the aforementioned players are still available when you select in the later rounds, then that’s who you ought to target. Except, of course, if you’ve already taken a QB or TE, do not take a second QB or second TE (unless your league requires it or has some weird rules that make it advantageous to draft a back-up guy at those positions).

QB TARGETS: If you’ve not yet taken a quarterback, that’s fine. There are several decent guys on the board I’d be willing to roll with:

• Tyler Shough
• Sam Darnold
• Cam Ward
• Malik Willis
• Kyler Murray
• Daniel Jones
• Jacoby Brissett
• Aaron Rodgers

TE TARGETS: If you still don’t have a TE when you select in the 11th, then seriously consider one of these guys:

• Mark Andrews
• Kyle Pitts
• Dalton Kincaid
• Travis Kelce
• Hunter Henry

If you miss out on all those guys, then just wait until the 13th round and take one of these guys:

• Dalton Schultz
• Oronde Gadsden
• Isaiah Likely
• T.J. Hockenson

Late Round Targets: Here’s the final 40+ players that I’d consider in rounds 11 thru 14:

• RB- Alvin Kamara
• RB- Tank Bigsby
• RB- Jonah Coleman
• RB- Tyrone Tracy
• WR- Jauan Jennings
• RB- Brian Robinson
• WR- Rashid Shaheed
• WR- Tory Horton
• WR- De’Zhuan Stribling
• WR- Dontayvion Wicks
• WR- Isaac TeSlaa
• WR- Darnell Mooney
• WR- Brandon Aiyuk
• WR- Kayshon Boutte
• WR- Jalen McMillan
• RB- Tyjae Spears
• RB- Jonathon Brooks
• RB- Isiah Pacheco
• RB- Keaton Mitchell
• WR- Wan’Dale Robinson
• WR- Josh Downs
• WR- K.C. Concepcion
• WR- Denzel Boston
• RB- James Conner
• RB- Braelon Allen
• WR- Tre Tucker
• WR- Rashod Bateman
• RB- Kimani Vidal
• RB- Emmett Johnson
• WR- Troy Franklin
• WR- Tre Harris
• WR- Jaylin Noel
• WR- Travis Hunter
• WR- Jalen Nailor
• WR- Ryan Flournoy
• RB- Nick Singleton
• WR- Tyquan Thornton
  RB- Emanuel Wilson
• RB- Kaelon Black
• RB- Jordan James
• RB- Dylan Sampson
• TE- Kenyon Sadiq
• RB- Jaydon Blue
• WR- Chris Bell
• WR- Jerry Jeudy
• WR- Calvin Ridley
• RB- Mike Washington
• RB- Malik Davis
• WR- Hollywood Brown
• RB- Ray Davis
• WR- Elic Ayomanor
• WR- Jahan Dotson
• WR- Chimere Dike

 

Round 15 and 16: Kickers and Defenses

Don’t get cute. These two positions should be your last two picks. The rest of your roster should be fully done before taking a Defense or Kicker.

However, if you insist that you want better value and want to jump ahead of the runs on the positions, fine, then take Defense with your third-to-last pick and then Kicker with your second-to-last pick, and then use your actual last pick on a sleeper/flier pick. I don’t love that approach, but I understand why some people like it.