As we approach Super Bowl LX between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks its time to move on from the 2025 fantasy football season and start thinking about 2026. If you are ready to start over, here is a way-too-early 2026 fantasy football first-round mock draft for a 12-person full point per reception league.
The only quarterback on this list, and one that someone always drafts in the first round, is Josh Allen. While securing your QB in the first round might not be the best choice if it’s anyone else, Allen is a first-rounder for a reason.
Scoring a total of 374.6 fantasy points in 2025 for an average of 22 per game, Allen will be a hot commodity once again in 2026. Draft him in round one, or he will be on another player’s roster.
The last running back going to be taken in the first round will be Saquon Barkley. After a disappointing 2025 season compared to Barkley’s 2,000+ rushing yard 2024 season, he drops on this coming season’s draft list, playing for a dysfunctional Philadelphia Eagles offense.
While Barkley remains one of the best running backs in the league, having averaged 12.2 points per game for 195.3 total fantasy points in 2025, he’s still a first-round draft pick. With multiple running backs and superstars before him, he ends up as a late first-rounder, but don’t get too comfortable, or he will be gone.
This might come as a surprise to some owners, but being drafted tenth overall in 2026 will be Ja’marr Chase. While Chase has been a consistent top-three pick the past few seasons, the uncertainty with Joe Burrow’s health hurts his draft stock.
Having a total of 188.6 fantasy points in 2025 for an average of 11.8 per game is proof that fantasy points are tougher to come by without Burrow. While he could have another incredible season like 2024, the uncertainty after 2025 is not worth any higher draft pick than the tenth.
Another running back who will be selected in the back half of the first round is James Cook III. After Cook III’s best season, some owners might question ninth overall, but sharing carries and goal-line touches with Allen makes this the perfect spot to draft him.
Scoring 269.2 fantasy points for an average of 15.8 per game, with a league-leading 1600+ rushing yards, makes Cook III a great player to buy in on next season. While he might not score as many fantasy points as some of the other top running backs on this list, he is still slotted as a first-round pick in 2026.
The second-to-last wide receiver drafted in the first round will be Amon-Ra St. Brown. With a season in which St. Brown secured 117 receptions for 1,400+ yards and 11 touchdowns, many owners will question eighth overall, but there are still many superstars to go.
Having a teammate who nearly averaged five more fantasy points per game hurts St. Brown the most, but he still averaged 12.1, totaling 201 fantasy points, and deserves a first-round pick. Coming back to nearly the same situation in 2026, expect him to be set up for another big year and be a top-eight draft pick.
The first running back being selected beyond the top six picks in the first round will be Derrick Henry. After another dominant season, Henry earns a first-round pick in 2026, but with many fantasy stars ahead, seventh overall is the best draft spot for him.
Ending the season with 264.5 total fantasy points for an average of 15.6 with a high of 45.6 in week 17, there is no sign of Henry slowing down. Heading into his 11th year, expect the same from King Henry and draft him within the first round.
The second wide receiver that will be drafted in 2026, and possibly the first if you prefer and trust him more, is Puka Nacua. While Nacua may have had the best statistics of any wide receiver in 2025, his injury history and the possibility that teammate Matthew Stafford will retire hurt his draft stock.
With tons of time before the start of the 2026 season, we will know more about where the Los Angeles Rams offense stands, and Nacua can be moved accordingly. Right now, if you trust that he will be healthy and repeat 246 total fantasy points for an average of 15.4 per game, then drafting him sixth is the best option.
The first wide receiver that will be drafted in 2026 will be Jaxon Smith-Njigba. After the best season of Smith-Njigba’s short three-year career, he is the perfect player to buy in on early in 2026 and draft fifth overall.
Having a total of 240.9 fantasy points with an average of 14.2 from a league-leading 1793 receiving yards, Smith-Njigba is going to be another hot commodity in 2026. While he is currently slated for fifth, being one of two receivers with over 240 fantasy points in 2025 makes his value worth even more. Draft in the first five or miss your chance.
The teammate of St. Brown, who is also going to be selected in the first round, but more specifically, the top four, will be Jahmyr Gibbs. Having once again a spectacular season from a dynamic style of play, finishing fourth in fantasy points of any running back, it’s only right that Gibbs is taken fourth overall in 2026.
Finishing the season with 289.9 total fantasy points for an average of 17.1 per game shows Gibbs is at the peak of his career and doesn’t look like anything will change in 2026. Draft him within the top four, or he will be scoring those 17 ppg against you next season.
The third pick in the first round and the third running back off the board will be Christian McCaffrey. After scoring the second-most fantasy points of any running back in 2025, some owners will question why McCaffrey is not second on this list. While he is an incredible running back and has proven his impact over the years, the health risks surrounding him hurt his draft stock.
McCaffrey’s 2025 season was the second-best of his career, with over 2,100 scrimmage yards and 314.6 fantasy points (18.5 per game), making him a top-three pick in 2026. If you’re an owner who believes another fully healthy season is on the horizon for McCaffrey, you might even draft him higher. Either way, draft him early or kiss him goodbye.
The second pick in the first round and the second running back selected will be Bijan Robinson. Being one of the top-three fantasy running backs in 2025 secures him a top-three overall draft pick and possibly the first if an owner prefers him more.
Having a total of 291.8 fantasy points for an average of 17.2 per game from Robinson’s incredible dual-threat style of play makes him one of the best there is. If you don’t get one of the top-three draft picks, you can forget about having him on your roster in 2026.
The unanimous first overall pick in the 2026 fantasy draft, without any doubt, will be Jonathan Taylor. Having the second-best season in his career and the best season of any running back this season, he is a no-brainer for first overall.
Totaling 316.3 fantasy points from 1500+ rushing yards and a league-leading 18 rushing touchdowns, Taylor was unstoppable in 2025. In 2026, expect nothing less from this superstar and pray you get the first overall pick to secure him.
With tons of time between now and when the fantasy draft happens for the 2026 season, there’s a lot that can change. As of now, this is my way-too-early first-round mock draft, which will be updated in time.
Personally, if I get the first overall pick, I would take Taylor, but I can see the argument for Robinson or McCaffrey. If you’re on the back end of the first round, I would hope Cook III or Henry fall to me after their dominant seasons.
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