Fantasy football 2026 rankings put Josh Allen, Bijan Robinson on top
SportsLine says its 10,000-season simulation ranks Josh Allen, Bijan Robinson, Puka Nacua and Trey McBride No. 1 at their spots.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
3 min read
Fantasy football 2026 rankings are already getting their first hard shove from SportsLine, which says its computer model simulated the NFL season 10,000 times before releasing positional cheat sheets for drafts.
The rankings, published in a CBS Sports story by Ross Kelly, put Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson, Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua and Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride at No. 1 in their respective positions.
SportsLine says the same model has previously identified several fantasy calls, including Daniel Jones’ strong first season in Indianapolis, Terry McLaurin’s decline, Tetairoa McMillan’s breakout, De’Von Achane’s rise into the elite running back group in 2025, A.J. Brown as a 2020 sleeper, Jonathan Taylor’s 2021 season and C.J. Stroud’s step back in 2024.
Who is No. 1 in fantasy football 2026 rankings?
SportsLine’s model has Allen as its top quarterback after he finished as fantasy’s No. 1 passer last season despite posting his lowest passing yards, 3,668, and passing touchdowns, 25, across the previous six years, according to CBS Sports.
The case is powered by his legs as much as his arm. CBS Sports reported that Allen has 41 rushing touchdowns over the last three years, second in the league across all positions, and has topped 500 rushing yards in seven of his eight NFL seasons.
Lamar Jackson sits second among quarterbacks in the model’s rankings, with Drake Maye third. CBS Sports said Jackson is coming off a down 2025 affected by injuries and roster attrition, while Maye enters after a runner-up MVP season that included 4,394 passing yards, 31 passing touchdowns, 450 rushing yards and four scores on the ground.
SportsLine’s top running backs and receivers
Robinson leads the running back board after a season in which CBS Sports said he ran for 1,478 yards, fourth in the NFL, while also leading running backs with 79 catches and 820 receiving yards.
Detroit Lions back Jahmyr Gibbs is second. CBS Sports noted that David Montgomery’s departure could give Gibbs more room, and said Gibbs has averaged 152.3 scrimmage yards with 10 total touchdowns across six career games without Montgomery.
Jonathan Taylor is third after leading the NFL in touchdowns for the second time, with 20 last season, according to CBS Sports. The report also said Taylor’s 90.5 rushing yards per game are the best mark among active players.
At wide receiver, Nacua tops the model’s list after leading the NFL with 107.2 receiving yards per game in 2025, CBS Sports reported. Ja’Marr Chase ranks second, with CBS Sports citing his 520 catches, 6,837 yards and 54 touchdowns through five seasons.
Seattle’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba is third after winning Offensive Player of the Year and leading the league with 1,793 receiving yards, according to CBS Sports.
What do tiers and ADP mean for fantasy drafts?
ADP means average draft position, a measure of where players are usually being selected in fantasy drafts. Tiers group players with similar value, helping managers avoid reaching for a name when a comparable option may be available later.
At tight end, SportsLine ranks McBride first, Brock Bowers second and Colston Loveland third. CBS Sports said McBride averaged 8.1 catches for 80.3 yards with 10 total touchdowns in 12 games with Jacoby Brissett starting, compared with 5.8 catches, 55 yards and one touchdown in five games with Kyler Murray.
Bowers remains high after an injury-hit sophomore season, while Loveland rose after taking over Chicago’s top tight end role from Week 8 through Week 18, according to CBS Sports.
This story draws on original reporting from CBS Sports.