Fantasy football start-up season is upon us, and that means players are going to start mapping out different routes they may find themselves on in their draft. In this new series, we will be going through mock drafts from each of the draft spots.
First up is picking a team from the top spot.
We will be drafting with the following lineup requirements:
The league format will be PPR as we draft a lineup in the hopes of allowing you to have a solid base if you find yourself in that spot. Kicking things off will be deciding between the two expected titans of fantasy football in 2026: Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson.
Round 1, Pick 1: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions
With the team trading away David Montgomery, everyone expected Jahmyr Gibbs to step up and become a bona fide bellcow in the backfield. Then the team signed Isiah Pacheco, and those thoughts remained the same. Gibbs has a chance to be a home run for fantasy players in 2026.
Round 2, Pick 24: Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans
Nico Collins is coming off three straight 1,000-yard seasons while averaging 73 catches and seven touchdowns during that stretch. He is a picture of consistency at the wide receiver position at the moment, and if you can get him at the end of round two, that would be a sneaky efficient WR1 in your lineup.
Round 3, Pick 25: Kenneth Walker III, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
Kenneth Walker III is poised to be one of the rare free agent signings who make an immediate impact on their new team. So often, players who get a significant payday in free agency struggle, but he is poised to become a the main piece in the Chiefs offense. With the injuries to Pat Mahomes and Rashee Rice, as well as the legal issues for the latter, he could see 300 touches in 2026.
Round 4, Pick 48: Luther Burden III, WR, Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson told the media last week that folks should invest in Luther Burden III stock, so we are. With the departure of DJ Moore from the offense, there are 85 targets up for grabs, and Burden could be the one to benefit the most as he steps into the WR2 role for them and you in 2026.
Round 5, Pick 49: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Emeka Egbuka is poised to step into the WR1 role with the Bucs after the departure of Mike Evans in free agency. The former Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver had a strong start to his rookie season before things tapered off. Heading into 2026, however, he is given a lot of opportunity to get nearly 100 targets in the Bucs offense, so taking him as our WR3 in the lineup is a no-brainer.
Round 6, Pick 72: Sam LaPorta, TE, Detroit Lions
I try really hard to skip over double-dipping on offenses, but Sam LaPorta is low-hanging fruit on the value tree in 2026. He had an insane rookie season and has not matched that production, but I am not giving up on him. The Lions’ offense remains efficient, and when healthy, LaPorta factors into that. In Round 6, take a flier on the Lions’ tight end and see if a single turns into a homerun.
Round 7, Pick 73: Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, New England Patriots
Admittedly, I do not love this pick, but it seems like one that we need at this point in the draft. Stevenson could easily end up being overtaken by TreVeyon Henderson in 2026 as the lead back, which would make this a huge miss. However, the contract they gave Stevenson tells me he should be safe at least for 2026 to be one of the primary pieces in the Patriots’ offense.
Round 8, Pick 96: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Brian Thomas Jr. is another wildcard in this draft, as we do not even know if he will be with the Jaguars in 2026. At this point, we are acting as if he will be, and that is why taking him as a bench player is a worthwhile venture at this point. A second year in Liam Coen’s system could be enough for him to finally find his footing and reemerge as a popular target for Trevor Lawrence.
Round 9, Pick 97: Josh Downs, WR, Indianapolis Colts
While the team paid Alec Pierce, and is expected to be the WR1 in the offense, Josh Downs remains an interesting piece in the offense. With Daniel Jones already making strides in his recovery by being on the field at OTAs and in Week 1, the team’s passing attack can remain dynamic. Downs never broke through as a top fantasy option, but as a bench piece in this mock draft, he could provide some upside.
Round 10, Pick 120: Kyler Murray, QB, Minnesota Vikings
There may not be more of a fantasy value in drafts this year than Kyler Murray. For those who like to wait on quarterbacks, Murray is going to be someone who could emerge as a bona fide QB1 that you get in the double-digit rounds down the stretch. He is going to be in an offense that is the most talented he has ever played in, and with a playcaller who will put him in positions to succeed. All that goes into what could make him a top fantasy quarterback in 2026.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: 2026 NFL Fantasy Football mock draft: 12-team PPR from the first pick
Reporting by Andrew Harbaugh, Buccaneers Wire / Bucs Wire
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