Get Ready for the 2026 NFL Season: Expert Fantasy Football Rankings and Busts
As the 2026 NFL season approaches, fantasy football owners are gearing up for draft day. With veterans like Josh Allen, Jahmyr Gibbs, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Bijan Robinson leading the pack, it’s essential to find sleepers and rookies who can outperform their average draft position (ADP) and avoid drafting players who may end up as fantasy football busts.
Veterans and rookies alike will be on the radar for fantasy football owners, but the key to success remains finding those hidden gems. According to SportsLine’s expert model, which accurately predicted Terry McLaurin’s down season in 2025, there are several players who could end up as fantasy football busts in 2026.
Top 2026 Fantasy Football Busts
One of the top fantasy football busts predicted by the model is New York Giants receiver Malik Nabers. Despite being taken off the board around pick No. 35, SportsLine’s model doesn’t even have him as a top-15 receiver. In fact, players like DeVonta Smith, Nico Collins, and Zay Flowers are ranked above him. Nabers is a riskier pick in the second or early third round due to his ACL injury last season and the Giants’ expected emphasis on the run game under offensive coordinator Matt Nagy.
Another bust identified by SportsLine’s model is Bills running back James Cook. Cook is going off the board with an ADP around No. 13 overall and is the fifth running back being taken on average. However, the model ranks him as RB No. 10, behind players like Derrick Henry and Chase Brown, suggesting that he should be more of a late-second or even third-round pick. Cook has stacked two impressive seasons, but his higher fumble rate last season and Josh Allen’s tendency to be a touchdown vulture for Buffalo are concerns that make the model lean towards other high-end backs early.
The same model has a proven track record of providing fantasy football tips and identifying sleepers. In 2020, it correctly predicted A.J. Brown as a sleeper, and in 2021, it nailed Jonathan Taylor’s monstrous season. The model also correctly predicted C.J. Stroud would take a step back in 2024. Additionally, it has called past fantasy football sleepers like Derrick Henry in 2019, Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara in 2018, and Davante Adams in 2017.
According to the model’s latest fantasy football rankings 2026, which were simulated 10,000 times, there are several other players who could end up as fantasy football busts. To see the full list of busts and get expert fantasy football rankings for every position, visit SportsLine now.
Here are the top 10 fantasy football ADP rankings for the 2026 season, according to CBS:
- Jahmyr Gibbs (1.62)
- Bijan Robinson (1.94)
- Ja’Marr Chase (3.38)
- Puka Nacua (4.44)
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba (5.44)
- Jonathan Taylor (6.50)
- Christian McCaffrey (7.75)
- Amon-Ra St. Brown (7.94)
- De’Von Achane (12.19)
- James Cook (12.56)
It’s essential to remember that ADP can vary depending on the platform and the time of the draft. However, these rankings give fantasy football owners a general idea of where players are being taken and can help inform their draft strategy.
Expert Fantasy Football Rankings and Cheat Sheets
For a more in-depth look at the model’s fantasy football rankings and cheat sheets, visit SportsLine now. The site provides expert advice and rankings for every position, including sleepers, breakouts, and busts. With the help of the model, fantasy football owners can make informed decisions and avoid drafting players who may end up as fantasy football busts.
Don’t let a disappointing season like Terry McLaurin’s in 2025 happen to you. Get expert fantasy football rankings and cheat sheets at SportsLine now.
