Projecting players for dynasty is equal parts talent evaluation, projection, team environment and a little luck never hurts. Yet there are players who rise up in their situations to become players to target in startup drafts and trades. They are the dynasty darlings, and Jake Trowbridge and Sam Wallace have identified one player at each of the skill positions who could become very valuable players for the coming season and those beyond.

2026 Fantasy Football Players to Target in Dynasty

Tyler Shough | QB | New Orleans Saints

Age is a factor to consider in dynasty fantasy football formats, but it doesn't matter as much when it comes to QBs. That's what makes Tyler Shough such an enticing dynasty darling heading into the 2026 season.

Over his final eight games last season, he averaged nearly 23 points per game. His underlying metrics are strong as well. Shough averaged 2.0 designed rush attempts, 1.9 scrambles and nearly 20 rushing yards per game. Those are more than serviceable numbers for a first-year QB whose only legit weapon was Chris Olave.

New Orleans also offers a fantasy-friendly environment that Shough should thrive in. In 2025, led by first-year HC and rising offensive mind Kellen Moore, the Saints ran no-huddle 22.7% of the time, trailing only the Washington Commanders. They also averaged a league-leading 2.2 plays per minute.

The Saints also project to be much better on offense next season. They added Travis Etienne to bolster their backfield and they should add more firepower to the passing game to pair with Olave. The stars are aligning for Shough to have a highly productive season which, at his current price point, makes him the ideal dynasty darling at QB. —Sam Wallace

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  Kenneth Walker | Kansas City Chiefs

Running back is by the far the toughest position in dynasty to plant a flag on. With wide receivers it’s easy enough to be on the talent and hope everything else works out, but a running back’s environment is much more important. Luckily, Kenneth Walker has the talent and the situation to thrive for at least a few years in Kansas City.

The Chiefs haven’t had a 1,000-yard rusher while Patrick Mahomes has been their starting quarterback. They’ve been trying to piece together a usable backfield with duct tape and recycled limbs since 2017, so signing Walker to a three-year contract worth $43 million is a real declaration for the franchise. “We don’t want our running game to suck anymore!” they’re shouting. And I’m going to hear them out.

Walker’s career fantasy stats haven’t been eye-popping, but that’s mostly because Seattle refused to use him as the unquestioned lead back for most of his career. But surprise, when Zach Charbonnet went down with an injury in the playoffs, Walker racked up 400+ scrimmage yards and 4 touchdowns across three games and earned himself a Super Bowl MVP.

With Eric Bieniemy back in Kansas City as the offensive coordinator, I expect a nostalgia-inducing return to a top-5 scoring offense. And that sets Walker up for a career-defining stretch of fantasy goodness. —Jake Trowbridge

Jayden Higgins | WR | Houston Texans

Jayden Higgins finished with a solid first season in which he caught 41 passes (68 targets) for 525 yards and 6 TDs.

Despite playing alongside one of the top-end talents at the position in Nico Collins, Higgins functioned well as the No. 2 wideout. However, veteran TE Dalton Schultz outpaced Higgins in targets (106), receptions (82) and receiving yards (777). It is worth noting that Houston did sign Schultz to a one-year, $12.6 million extension this offseason.

I fully expect Higgins, the 34th overall pick back last year, to have a much stronger sophomore season. The Texans have already let Christian Kirk leave in free agency, which really just opens things up for Jaylin Noel, but Higgins has all the attributes to be a solid secondary option.

He's currently valued as a low-end WR4. That should be his floor both in 2026 and in the seasons to come. Despite a tough third-season that saw C.J. Stroud post career-low marks in passing attempts, passing completions, passing yards, and passing TDs, I'm viewing Stroud as a bounceback candidate—and a sneaky dynasty trade target in SF formats—who can elevate this offense.

The Texans will be better in 2026 and beyond, and Higgins will be a big reason why. —Sam Wallace

Harold Fannin | TE | Cleveland Browns

Last year, I hyped up Tucker Kraft in this space. And as much as I’d love to just run it back and talk more about the Green Bay tight end, the tight end position is far too sparse for me to simply rest on my laurels. So instead, let's look at another rising star who could be a linchpin of your dynasty teams for years to come.

Harold Fannin, the 22-year-old with the name of a septuagenarian, came out swinging in his rookie season. Not only did he leapfrog David Njoku to become the top tight end for the Browns, but Fannin also led all pass catchers in Cleveland in receptions, yards and receiving touchdowns. Sure, he’s bound to have more competition for targets going forward, but the Bowling Green product showcased enough to ensure his place near the top of the pecking order.

Fannin finished inside the Top 10 at the position in points per game while also notching the highest Targets Per Routes Run rate of any tight end. On top of that, he set the franchise rookie record for most catches in a season. I know what you’re thinking … it’s the Browns. But hey, that’s an impressive feat no matter the team!

Colston Loveland and Tyler Warren are flashier names, but don’t sleep on Fannin going into his second season. —Jake Trowbridge

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