Tier 9 (Continued): The “Mustard Seed” Tier
The path to there if you have the faith to hold on.
151. Isaiah Likely, TE, BAL
We FINALLY got the Kyle Pitts breakout. Can we please get Isaiah Likely next? The pending free agent offers mouthwatering upside thanks to his athleticism and explosiveness, but he hasn’t been able to put it together for more than a few games in Baltimore. If he ends up as the TE1 in a tight-end-friendly offense (maybe following Monken to New York?), he has legit Top-5 potential.
152. Rashid Shaheed, WR, SEA
Rashid Shaheed hasn’t made much of a fantasy impact outside of special teams since heading to Seattle from New Orleans, but that’s not a surprise, as most receivers who change teams midseason don’t. Shaheed is set to become a free agent and likely will have plenty of suitors for his services as an electric kick returner and deep threat. His fantasy value depends on whether the team he signs with has wide receiver depth, specifically a downfield weapon. (Note: Imagine Shaheed in Buffalo?!!?)
153. J.J. McCarthy, QB, MIN
The best thing that J.J. McCarthy did for us this season was give us the “Nine” meme.
McCarthy can be summed up in one stat: he led the NFL in off-target percentage. Literally, over 20% of his pass attempts were off target. The dude is responsible for making Justin Jefferson a WR3. There were a couple of late-season starts where McCarthy looked serviceable, but it remains to be seen whether he’ll be the starter for Minnesota next season. I expect the Vikings to at least bring in a capable veteran backup.
154. Mason Taylor, TE, NYJ
Mason Taylor wasn’t able to get much going in his rookie season, which isn’t surprising, given the Flaming Hindenburg of Sadness they call the New York Jets offense. Taylor has the talent and the pedigree to become a fantasy weapon, but the Jets have to get their mess under center figured out before you can consider drafting him.
155. Matthew Golden, WR, GB
Matthew Golden is ranked here simply on his first-round pedigree and upside on a team that loves to throw the deep ball.
156. Tank Bigsby, RB, PHI
He’s so freaking good, man. I hope he just gets a chance.
157. Pat Bryant, WR, DEN
Pat Bryant only scored double-digit fantasy points twice in his rookie season, which isn’t a surprise given the crowded receiver room and Bo Nix’s low passing totals. Bryant has the skill set to become a fantasy asset, but he would need multiple injuries ahead of him to get the target share needed.
158. Malik Willis, QB, GB
An unrestricted free agent, Malik Willis nearly led the Packers to an overtime victory over Chicago in relief of an injured Jordan Love and totaled 300 yards and three touchdowns in a spot start against the Ravens. Willis played himself into an opportunity to compete for a starting job if he wants it this offseason.
159. Jonathon Brooks, RB, CAR
Out of sight, out of mind. People forget too easily how highly touted Jonathan Brooks was coming out of Texas. Rico Dowdle is a free agent who likely won’t return, and Chuba Hubbard is the guy I said had literally zero explosive runs. Brooks is one of my favorite sleepers for 2026.
160. Kimani Vidal, RB, LAC
Kimani Vidal surprised just about everyone, even his mom, with how well he played in place of Omarion Hampton. He averaged 13.5 points per game with Hampton out, though the metrics weren’t much to write home about (Vidal had the third-highest stuff rate, for example). Vidal is an Exclusive Rights Free Agent, meaning the Chargers can sign him to a minimal deal to bring him back. I expect Vidal back with the Chargers in a backup role, with a full offseason for Hampton to get healthy. But Vidal proved he can put up solid numbers if given the workload.
Tier 10: The “Mandela Effect” Tier
You knew they were good, but it’s like they never existed.
161. Devin Neal, RB, NO
A hamstring injury cut Devin Neal’s season short just as he was handed the reins to the backfield. He didn’t show much, averaging less than 4 yards per carry in two starts, but it’s unfair to judge on such a small sample size. The Saints’ backfield is in flux, and Neal could have an opportunity to earn significant touches.
162. Houston Texans DST
I’m generally not a fan of ranking a defense this high, but the Texans were on another level this season. Top ten in sacks, top five in interceptions, fewest yards per game allowed, second-fewest points per game allowed, and I could keep going. They were one of the few set-it-and-forget-it DSTs and should remain so in 2026.
163. Aaron Jones Sr., RB, MIN
Aaron Jones Sr. had the league’s worst 1.67 yards after contact and the third-lowest missed tackles forced. He’ll offer some PPR FLEX viability, but another year older is bringing him close to the end of his fantasy rosterability. Is rosterability a word?
164. Darius Slayton, WR, NYG
Darius Slayton has had just one season with a yards per catch under 14.5, and could become a useful boom-or-bust FLEX option if he lands in the right situation.
165. Adonai Mitchell, WR, NYJ
AD Meh-tchell… sorry… Mitchell was traded to the Jets for Sauce Gardner and would wind up with two games over 17 fantasy points, but was otherwise, well, meh. Granted, his competition for targets was John Metchie III and Isaiah Williams, and the Jets were constantly playing from behind, but Mitchell made some nice plays. He’s a lottery ticket you’ll only want to buy if the Jets make a splash at quarterback.
166. Seattle Seahawks DST
Fewest points allowed per game. Tied for most special teams touchdowns. Top 10 in takeaways and sacks. Yeah, the Seahawks are pretty much everything you could ask for in a fantasy defense.
167. Romeo Doubs, WR, GB
Romeo Doubs is the most Khalil Shakir receiver that ever James Jonesed. Doubs had some moments early in the season, but only scored over 10 points three times after Week 8. He’s a safe floor, low ceiling player who will get two or three games over 15 points a season.
168. Sean Tucker, RB, TB
Rachaad White isn’t expected back with the Bucs in 2026, giving Sean Tucker a clear path to the backup role. Tucker became the goal-line specialist when all three Bucs backs were healthy and showed his explosiveness against Buffalo in Week 11, totaling 106 yards on 19 carries and three total touchdowns. If White leaves and the Bucs don’t add a significant piece, Tucker will be in the conversation for the top handcuff in 2026.
169. Ryan Flournoy, WR, DAL
Ryan Flournoy showed flashes when given the opportunity. He could be in line for a larger role if George Pickens leaves in free agency.
170. Kyle Williams, WR, NE
The explosive rookie made only a few plays in his first season, but he could still develop into a deep threat for MVP candidate Drake Maye.
171. Isiah Pacheco, RB, KC
Isiah Pacheco is fun to watch run the football. He looks like a toddler running away from his parents because it’s bedtime. Sadly for Pacheco, his fantasy value has officially gone night-night. Among running backs with at least 100 rushing attempts, Pacheco had the second-lowest explosive run rate and was one of two players under 4%. If this is the end, I’ll never forget you, Isiah Pacheco. You’ve ruined me for trying to spell Isaiah for the rest of my life.
172. Mark Andrews, TE, BAL
If Isaiah Likely leaves via free agency, an increase in targets for Mark Andrews could help offset the decline in his skills.
173. Tre Tucker, WR, LV
This guy put up a 40-burger in Week 3, which made the Raiders comfortable enough to trade Jakobi Meyers. He’s at best a complementary receiver who could offer some FLEX value with the soon-to-be Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
174. T.J. Hockenson, TE, MIN
Not quite sure what happened to T.J. Hockenson, but with three top-five fantasy finishes in his first five seasons, he’s worth drafting late and seeing if he can get his mojo back. He could find himself in a new uniform next season, as his contract has no guaranteed money in 2026.
175. Kayshon Boutte, WR, NE
An inconsistent deep threat who is still just 23 years old. Worth stashing, but don’t overdraft.
176. Isaiah Davis, RB, NYJ
If Breece Hall moves on in free agency, Isaiah Davis could find himself competing for the Jets’ backup running back job. Davis has impressed in limited work, averaging 5.6 yards per carry on 73 attempts.
177. Denver Broncos DST
Led the league in sacks in back-to-back years, Jack (sorry for that.) One of the top defenses of the past few seasons, and that won’t change in 2026.
178. Michael Penix Jr., QB, ATL
Michael Penix Jr. has a long road to recovery ahead, but I really like the Kevin Stefanski hire for his development if he can get back on the field healthy.
179. Chimere Dike, WR, TEN
Chimere Dike sprinkled in a couple of double-digit fantasy performances in his rookie season, but his future in Tennessee is on special teams. The Titans likely draft and/or sign some weapons for Cam Ward this offseason, making Dike just a dart throw. However, after leading the league in all-purpose yards in 2025, if your league counts return yards in its scoring, bump Dike up about 150 spots.
180. Hunter Henry, TE, NE
President of tHe gLoB: a Mid-Tier Stagnation Phenomenon in fantasy football roster construction, this refers to the large sample size of tight ends who operate within a predictable yet sub-optimal range of outcomes. This demographic is defined by a reliance on accumulation rather than explosiveness, requiring a specific scoring anomaly to render them statistically distinguishable from the position’s median baseline.
181. Dylan Sampson, RB, CLE
The reincarnation of Duke Johnson with a ceiling of a bye week fill-in FLEX.
182. Tank Dell, WR, HOU
It’s a crowded receiver room in Houston, but I can’t wait to see Tank Dell back on the field. He’s a long shot for any sort of fantasy relevance given the gruesome injury, but he was one of the most explosive receivers in the league before it.
183. Keon Coleman, WR, BUF
Xavier Worthy hasn’t been anything special, but Keon Coleman has made the Bills’ decision to trade up to draft him over Worthy look about as bad as drafting JaMarcus Russell at 1.01. Coleman has upside if he can ever put it all together, but he’s not a guarantee to even be on the Bills come September.
184. Joe Mixon, RB, HOU
Technically, Joe Mixon is signed through this season, but the Texans have an out where they can cut him this offseason for a minimal cap hit. A season lost to injury that was oddly shrouded in secrecy, Mixon is a total wildcard at this point.
185. Dont’e Thornton Jr., WR, LV
Dont’e Thornton Jr. was virtually unused in his rookie season but was viewed as a long-term prospect when initially drafted. The Raiders are thin on pass-catching weapons outside of Brock Bowers, so Thornton could have a chance to carve out a role in 2026.
186. Emanuel Wilson, RB, GB
Emanuel Wilson went off in a spot start against the Vikings in Week 12, but tied Woody Marks and Chuba Hubbard for the lowest missed tackles forced per attempt.
187. Jerome Ford, RB, CLE
A free agent plodder who could have FLEX value if he winds up in a favorable situation. Ford had a 5.4 yards per carry on 104 attempts in 2024.
188. Kaleb Johnson, RB, PIT
Kaleb Johnson couldn’t get on the field with the coaching staff that drafted him. What makes you think he’ll get a chance with a completely new staff?
189. Los Angeles Rams DST
Give me a defense that ranks top five in forced turnovers and top ten in sacks.
190. Marvin Mims Jr., WR, DEN
Marvin Mims Jr. gets hyped up by Sean Payton every year, has a couple of 20+ point fantasy performances, then hibernates again until August. Rinse and repeat for 2026.
191. Terrance Ferguson, TE, LAR
Remember the name Terrance Ferguson at the end of the 2026 drafts. The rookie tight end saw only 25 targets, but among the 54 tight ends who saw at least that many, Ferguson ranked first with 21 yards per reception and ninth with 9.24 yards per target.
192. LeQuint Allen Jr., RB, JAC
With Travis Etienne heading into free agency, LeQuint Allen Jr. might have the chance to compete for the backup running back position.
193. Elic Ayomanor, WR, TEN
Ditto what I said about Dike, just skip over the special teams part.
194. Mack Hollins, WR, NE
I had no clue Mack Hollins was 32 years old.
195. Keaton Mitchell, RB, BAL
Keaton Mitchell seemed to get back on track in 2025, showing his explosiveness to the tune of 5.78 yards per carry. He’s a restricted free agent, but if he finds himself on another team with some guaranteed touches, he has sneaky RB2 upside.
196. Tyjae Spears, RB, TEN
Tyjae Spears couldn’t beat out Tony Pollard for the starting job, and his yards per carry have been under four in each of the past two seasons.
197. Xavier Legette, WR, CAR
The tweet pretty much says it all.
WR Xavier Legette rode his horse to today’s playoff game vs the #Rams. #Panthers
All this to catch 1 pass for 6 yards. pic.twitter.com/8O3nbixr3d
— FirstDownMedia (@FirstDownMediaa) January 10, 2026
198. Isaiah Bond, WR, CLE
Isaiah Bond flashed some explosiveness, averaging 18.78 yards per catch in his rookie season. However, all Browns receivers are too unpredictable to trust in fantasy until they can get consistent quarterback play.
199. James Bond, QB, London Silly Nannies
Hey, you. Yeah, you. Thank you for reading this far!
200. Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, WAS
Jacory Croskey-Merritt had the entire fantasy community all hot and bothered this preseason and after Week 1 against the Giants, but he was, and I quote, “Not great, Bob.” JCM had three good games after Week 1: Week 5 against the Chargers, with two counter runs, terrible defense, and wide-open spaces. The other two were against the Giants and Cowboys, two of the worst run defenses in the entire league. I’m sorry, guys, but Bill ain’t it.