On our newest Fantasy Soccer Right now podcast, we talked about gamers we’re hoping to see rebound in 2026 after they struggled in 2025. Whether or not as a consequence of harm, poor play or simply hoping for a change of surroundings, these are guys we count on to get higher subsequent 12 months.
Three wonderful choices from Heath Cummings had been Lamar Jackson, Justin Jefferson and Terry McLaurin. And, as you will hear within the present, Adam Aizer expects three offenses that struggled in 2025 to get higher in 2026 with Philadelphia, Tampa Bay and the Chargers.
I am going to cowl my guys right here with a bonus in Brock Bowers. As of now, these are all gamers I plan to focus on in 2026.
BOUNCEBACK CANDIDATES
In 2024, Daniels was the No. 5 Fantasy quarterback as a rookie at 23.9 factors per recreation. His Common Draft Place in 2025 was the No. 4 quarterback, however he struggled with accidents and was restricted to only seven video games. He additionally averaged solely 18.6 Fantasy factors per recreation. However he averaged 22.4 Fantasy factors in his first 5 outings, and it is easy to see him getting again to a excessive degree in 2026 if he can keep wholesome. He handed for 3,568 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions in 2024, together with 891 dashing yards and 6 touchdowns. His dashing potential is elite, and the Commanders will hopefully add some expertise within the passing recreation, particularly since Deebo Samuel and Zach Ertz are pending free brokers. I like Daniels as a top-five Fantasy quarterback in 2026.
Herbert had a stable season in 2025 at 21.8 Fantasy factors per recreation, however I am hoping he’ll get again to the extent of manufacturing he had within the first two years of his profession when he averaged not less than 26.3 Fantasy factors per recreation over that span. For starters, getting tackles Rashawn Slater (knee), who missed the complete season, and Joe Alt (ankle), who was restricted to 6 video games, again wholesome for a full 12 months shall be big. With Alt wholesome, Herbert averaged 25.1 Fantasy factors per recreation in 2025. Together with a wholesome offensive line, Herbert ought to profit with the addition of latest offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, who helped Tua Tagovailoa lead the NFL in passing yards in 2023. This may very well be an enormous season for Herbert in 2026, and he has top-five upside if issues go proper.
We’ll see how Walker finishes the 2025 marketing campaign since he is enjoying towards New England in Tremendous Bowl LX. However issues are trying up for Walker in 2026 if he decides to return to Seattle. Zach Charbonnet (ACL) was injured within the Divisional Spherical of the NFL playoffs towards San Francisco, and it is uncertain he’ll be prepared for the beginning of subsequent season. Together with the sport towards the 49ers, Walker performed almost three full video games with out Charbonnet in 2025 and averaged 24.9 Fantasy factors over that span. Walker is a free agent this offseason, so we’ll see the place he performs in 2026, however I am hopeful he returns to the Seahawks. He may very well be price drafting as early as Spherical 2 within the majority of leagues, relying on how a lot time Charbonnet would possibly miss subsequent 12 months.
Within the first 4 video games of the 2025 season, when Irving was wholesome, he appeared like a star when he averaged 18 PPR factors per recreation. He then missed seven video games as a consequence of harm, and he struggled down the stretch by scoring 10.8 PPR factors or much less in every of his last 4 outings. Tampa Bay modified offensive coordinators this offseason, with Zac Robinson taking on, and he was simply the play-caller in Atlanta with Bijan Robinson, which is a plus for Irving. Rachaad White can also be an unrestricted free agent and is not anticipated to return, and Sean Tucker is a restricted free agent. More than likely, Irving will share touches with Tucker, however I nonetheless have excessive hopes for Irving in 2026. Together with what he did to start out 2025, he additionally closed the 2024 marketing campaign by scoring not less than 16.3 PPR factors in seven of his last 9 video games. Relying on what occurs this offseason, I plan to draft Irving no later than Spherical 3 within the majority of leagues.
I believed Corridor would wrestle in 2025, and he averaged a career-low 13.1 PPR factors per recreation. He had respectable stats with 243 carries for 1,065 yards and 4 touchdowns and 36 catches for 350 yards and a landing on 48 targets, however we all know he is able to extra. He averaged not less than 15.1 PPR factors per recreation within the first three seasons of his profession, and I can see him getting again to that degree of manufacturing — or higher — in 2026. He is a free agent this offseason, however Jets basic supervisor Darren Mougey has already mentioned the staff wish to retain Corridor, whether or not that is on a brand new deal or the franchise tag. Ideally, he would depart the Jets and be a part of a greater offense, particularly with a longtime quarterback, after which we will see simply how good Corridor actually is in a greater atmosphere. But when he stays with the Jets, he can nonetheless be a standout Fantasy choice, and hopefully the staff retains constructing on offense for 2026. I am keen to draft Corridor as early as Spherical 3 within the majority of leagues.
Lamb had the worst Fantasy season of his profession since his rookie marketing campaign when he averaged simply 14.4 PPR factors per recreation in 2025. In 14 video games, he had 75 catches for 1,077 yards and three touchdowns on 117 targets. Lamb was overshadowed by George Pickens, who led Dallas with 93 catches for 1,429 yards and 9 touchdowns on 137 targets, and he averaged 17.2 PPR factors per recreation. The simplest path for Lamb to rebound is that if Pickens leaves the Cowboys since he is a free agent, after which Lamb could be a top-three Fantasy receiver within the majority of leagues. However I nonetheless worth Lamb as a top-five Fantasy receiver even when Pickens returns. Dak Prescott nonetheless favors Lamb, who averaged not less than 17.7 PPR factors per recreation in every of the 2 earlier seasons previous to 2025. That is the extent of manufacturing I am anticipating for Lamb, and he must be a first-round decide in all codecs in 2026.
Brown had a down season in 2025 when he averaged simply 15.1 PPR factors per recreation, which was his lowest complete since becoming a member of the Eagles in 2022. However it wasn’t as unhealthy as you would possibly assume. From Weeks 12-17, which incorporates the Fantasy playoffs, Brown averaged 19.8 PPR factors per recreation, which is standout manufacturing. He had 4 video games with not less than 10 targets over that span, and he was again to being the alpha of the passing recreation. The Eagles simply employed Sean Mannion to be their new offensive coordinator, and hopefully that may make Brown pleased. We do not know if Philadelphia plans to commerce Brown, though that appears unlikely given his contract. I am nonetheless planning to draft Brown as a borderline No. 1 Fantasy receiver within the majority of leagues if he stays with the Eagles, and I am going to goal him as early as Spherical 3.
McConkey, together with Herbert, ought to profit with the addition of McDaniel because the offensive coordinator, particularly if Keenan Allen leaves as a free agent. McConkey simply had a horrible season in 2025 at 11.7 PPR factors per recreation, which was an enormous drop-off from his 2024 manufacturing when he averaged 15.1 PPR factors. However in 2025, McConkey had 11 video games with not less than six targets, and he averaged 14.2 PPR factors per recreation over that span. McConkey must be the No. 1 receiver for McDaniel, who helped Tyreek Hill have consecutive seasons with not less than 119 catches, 1,710 yards, seven touchdowns and 170 targets in Miami in 2022-23. McConkey will not do this, and he’ll compete for targets with Quentin Johnston, Tre Harris and Oronde Gadsden II even when Allen is gone. However I am excited for McConkey getting into his third season within the NFL, and I might draft him as early as Spherical 3.
Brock Bowers
Bowers was the No. 2 PPR tight finish final season at 14.7 factors per recreation, however he was far behind Trey McBride, who averaged 18.6. Bowers missed 5 video games as a consequence of a knee harm, however he performed damage for 3 video games after initially getting injured in Week 1. He missed three video games after that and returned in Week 9 towards Jacksonville and scored 43.3 PPR factors. He has the potential to provide like McBride, if not higher, however we nonetheless have questions for Bowers in 2026. We all know he’ll have a brand new quarterback (probably Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 general decide) and a brand new head coach, and each of these guys ought to characteristic Bowers in 2026. I am excited to see what occurs in Las Vegas this offseason, and Bowers is price drafting towards the top of Spherical 2 or starting of Spherical 3 in all leagues.
LaPorta missed the ultimate eight video games of the season in 2025 with a again harm, however he is anticipated to be wonderful for the beginning of 2026. And I just like the addition of latest offensive coordinator Drew Petzing for LaPorta. Petzing was on Cleveland’s offensive workers from 2020-22 (tight ends coach and quarterbacks coach), and the Browns tight ends had a goal share of not less than 26.2 p.c over that span, with Austin Hooper twice being second on the staff in targets. Then, Petzing went to Arizona because the offensive coordinator from 2023-25, and McBride led the Cardinals in targets for 3 years in a row. Arizona tight ends additionally had a goal share of not less than 32.4 p.c in all three seasons. LaPorta averaged 14.1 PPR factors per recreation as a rookie in 2023 and scored not less than 13.3 PPR factors in six of his last seven outings in 2024. He solely averaged 11.9 PPR factors per recreation in 2025 earlier than getting damage, however I plan to draft him as a top-seven Fantasy tight finish with a mid-round decide in all leagues in 2026.
