Fantasy Football 2026: 8 Players Rocketing Up and Crashing Down Draft Boards as NFL Preseason Heats Up

The NFL preseason is officially here, and fantasy football managers are already seeing red — and green — on their draft boards. Training camp battles, surprise injuries, and depth-chart declarations have sent shockwaves through the 2026 fantasy landscape, and the latest intel from Screenshot (550).png reveals eight players whose fantasy stock is moving fast in both directions.

From superstar quarterbacks in new uniforms to breakout wide receivers fighting for targets, this is the fantasy news you need before your draft. Here's who's rising, who's falling, and why you should care.

The Biggest Draft Board Movers at a Glance

• Kyler Murray — Quarterback stock up after being named Vikings starter.
• Jayden Daniels — Draft value down after Laremy Tunsil's injury.
• Jonathon Brooks — Running back renaissance after finally getting healthy.
• Omarion Hampton — Role questioned after Chargers' rotation comments.
• Parker Washington — Camp standout climbing WR rankings.
• Mike Evans — Injury concerns remain in San Francisco.
• Tyler Warren — Tight end value rising as Colts WRs get hurt.
• Harold Fannin Jr. — Fantasy value slipping in Cleveland.

Kyler Murray Is Flying Up Fantasy Draft Boards

The Minnesota Vikings have finally answered their biggest offseason question. Kyler Murray is the starting quarterback for Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers, with head coach Kevin O'Connell making the announcement after weeks of internal deliberation.

For fantasy managers, this is a major signal. Murray has been hovering around QB17 in ADP, but that's about to change. While his last few seasons have been inconsistent, Murray finished as a top-10 fantasy quarterback just two years ago — and his rushing ability gives him a weekly ceiling that few passers can match.

Better yet, he's walking into an offense loaded with playmakers. O'Connell's system turned Sam Darnold into a top-six fantasy quarterback in 2024. If Murray gets even a fraction of that production, he's a steal for anyone willing to wait on the position.

Jayden Daniels' Fantasy Stock Takes a Painful Hit

It was supposed to be a great week for Washington Commanders fans. The team signed Stefon Diggs to give Jayden Daniels a true No. 2 receiver. Then came the crushing news: left tackle Laremy Tunsil tore his triceps and is expected to miss most of the season.

The injury is a nightmare for Daniels' fantasy value. He was already being drafted as a top-five quarterback, and this analyst had concerns about his sixth-round price tag after a disappointing 2025 campaign. Now, with a massive hole on the offensive line, Daniels will likely have to play "Superman mode" just to keep plays alive.

Fantasy managers should be wary. The talent is undeniable, but the risk of disappointment just skyrocketed.

Jonathon Brooks Is Finally Ready to Cash In

Jonathon Brooks' NFL career couldn't have started much worse. The first running back taken in the 2024 draft, he tore his ACL in college, then tore the same ACL again as a rookie — wiping out his entire 2025 season. It's been a brutal introduction to the league.

But the Carolina Panthers running back is reportedly fully healthy, and the buzz out of camp is real. Coach Dave Canales told reporters that Brooks will get first-team reps against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday, and with Chuba Hubbard sidelined by a hamstring injury, Brooks has a golden chance to take control of the backfield.

His career numbers are almost funny: nine carries for 22 yards. But if he looks like the back who dominated at Texas, his ADP could explode overnight.

Omarion Hampton's Fantasy Value Just Got Complicated

Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton has been a fantasy darling all summer, with managers drafting him in Round 2 as a top-10 back. Then offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel poured cold water on the hype.

McDaniel said he plans to use Keaton Mitchell, Kimani Vidal, and Hampton "probably every game," playing the hot hand and keeping backs fresh. For fantasy managers, those are dangerous words. Hampton was supposed to be a three-down workhorse, not part of a rotation.

This could all be coach-speak, but it's already causing his ADP to wobble. If the snap share is split, Hampton's return on investment gets very shaky.

Parker Washington Is Making the Most of Camp

Jacksonville's wide receiver room was supposed to be a fantasy headache. Brian Thomas Jr., Parker Washington, and Jakobi Meyers all entered camp with draftable ADPs. But now it's becoming clear: Washington is the guy.

He's been consistently singled out as the best receiver on the field for the Jaguars, and the advanced stats back it up. In Weeks 16-19 last season, Washington averaged 22.3 PPR points per game, with a 28.9% target share and 113.5 receiving yards per game.

If Trevor Lawrence is already looking his way as the go-to target, Washington's Round 6 ADP is one of the biggest bargains in fantasy football.

Mike Evans Can't Catch a Break in San Francisco

Mike Evans' streak of 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons crashed and burned last year, when injuries limited him to just 30 catches in his final season with the Buccaneers. Now in San Francisco, the bad luck is following him.

Evans has missed most of camp with a quad injury, though coach Kyle Shanahan was quick to downplay the concern, saying the veteran will be "good to go." He's back at practice, and with the 49ers' wide receiver depth chart looking thin, a healthy Evans would command a massive target share.

But at 33 years old and with a dozen games missed over the past two years, his WR27 ADP feels more like a ceiling than a floor.

Tyler Warren's Value Is Surging as Colts Receivers Drop

Indianapolis Colts tight end Tyler Warren was already being drafted as the TE4, going around the middle of Round 5. And now, through no fault of his own, his stock is rising even further.

The Colts' wide receiver room is banged up. New No. 1 receiver Alec Pierce is still recovering from ankle surgery, and Josh Downs has been dealing with a groin injury. Both are expected to be ready for Week 1, but their limited practice time is a concern.

Warren saw 112 targets last year, trailing only Trey McBride and Kyle Pitts at the position. With the passing game suddenly lacking healthy weapons, those targets could increase dramatically.

Harold Fannin Jr. Is Sliding Down Fantasy Boards

Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. was one of the most exciting rookies of 2025, finishing sixth in PPR points at his position. But his fantasy stock is already dropping — from TE6 to TE8 — and there's a real chance it falls further.

New head coach Todd Monken has praised Fannin's toughness and yards after contact, calling him "hard to bring down." That's nice for the field, but fantasy managers care about targets. The Browns spent two early draft picks on wide receivers, KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston, and both are impressing in camp.

With Deshaun Watson reportedly inconsistent and Sanders still developing, Cleveland's passing game is a mess. Fannin could easily fall outside the top 10 at the position, making him a risky pick at his current price.

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