Football
NFL Free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft will completely shake up the fantasy football landscape in the coming months.
Before the roster movement begins, Justin Boone is identifying one fantasy-relevant player from every team who’s most likely to break out during the 2026 season.
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Early Breakout Candidates
Houston Texans – Jayden Higgins, WR
Higgins was unable to achieve full-time status in the Texans offense as a rookie, but he earned playing time immediately while taking the field for 42% of the snaps or more in every game this season.
The second-round pick saw his role grow later in the year, leading to at least 50 yards and/or a touchdown in six of his last nine games. That included 88 yards and a score during fantasy championship week.
Most importantly, Higgins looked like a player who belonged and could eventually emerge as a quality No. 2 receiver in Houston’s passing attack behind Nico Collins.
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Though Higgins’ fantasy ceiling is slightly lower due to Collins’ presence, the 23-year-old still looks like a WR3/flex option in 2026. If you doubt that, just know that from Week 10 on, Higgins was the WR35 in fantasy points per game.
Fantasy breakout potential: ★★★★☆
Indianapolis Colts – Josh Downs, WR
Downs is a talented playmaker packaged in a smaller frame at 5-foot-9 and 171 pounds. That might be why the Colts have primarily used him as their third receiver, which has limited his production and fantasy outlook.
Even so, Downs did manage at least 50 yards and/or a touchdown in 50% of his games this season.
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There’s also the potential for a shakeup in the Colts’ WR room this offseason with Alec Pierce heading to free agency. That’s led some to suggest the team could cut Michael Pittman Jr. in favor of re-signing Pierce. Either way, it appears as though the depth chart will look a little different in 2026.
That could create an opportunity for Downs, who has the skill to be a more impactful player if he gets the chance.
Remember back in 2024 when Joe Flacco replaced Anthony Richardson Sr. in seven games? During those Flacco starts, Downs posted weekly fantasy finishes of WR8, WR25, WR16, WR34, WR21, WR75 and WR18 — all while averaging 7.1 receptions and 66.4 receiving yards. It’s a small sample size, but a glimpse of what Downs could do in the right setting with competent quarterback play.
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Perhaps I’m being a little hopeful for a Downs’ breakout in Year 4, but there’s no doubt in my mind he can perform as a fantasy WR3 with upside in the right environment.
Fantasy breakout potential: ★★★★☆
Jacksonville Jaguars – Bhayshul Tuten, RB
Despite being a Day 3 pick, Tuten was highly touted heading into his rookie campaign due to an intriguing prospect profile and the ambiguity in the Jaguars’ backfield. When Tank Bigsby was traded, it only fanned the flames of Tuten eventually carving out a major role and possibly even emerging as the starter.
However, Travis Etienne Jr. had an outstanding season and didn’t leave the door open for his new teammate to emerge.
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Tuten’s first season wasn’t a total bust, though. The 23-year-old scored seven touchdowns and made some big plays in the process.
We now enter an offseason where Etienne is set to become a free agent, and if the Jags don’t bring him back, then Tuten would immediately become one of the hottest names in fantasy drafts.
As it stands, Tuten remains an explosive young talent who was a favorite of general manager James Gladstone. If a path to the starting job presents itself, fantasy managers should be ready to draft him everywhere as a potential top-20 back.
Fantasy breakout potential: ★★★★☆
Tennessee Titans – Cam Ward, QB
We can talk all day about how Ward played better than his stats might indicate during his rookie season, but he still has a long way to go before he proves himself as the potential franchise QB the Titans hoped they were getting with the first overall pick.
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From a fantasy perspective, he’s not going to give you big numbers with his legs, so we’re talking about more of a pocket passer in an offense that lacked weaponry last year.
However, Ward did enough his first year to keep me interested in what he can develop into if his situation improves.
That will depend on what the front office can do this offseason in terms of adding skill position talent and finding an offensive coordinator to pair with new defensive-minded head coach Robert Saleh.
Just know that Ward doesn’t come with an elite fantasy ceiling. Even in a best-case scenario, he likely tops out as a low-end QB1, and we are a long way from getting there.
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The 23-year-old will likely be more of a volatile fantasy QB2 in 2026, unless we see some stunning moves by the Titans before next season.
Fantasy breakout potential: ★★★☆☆
Early Breakout Candidates
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