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Fantasy Football 2026: What You Need To Know – Player and Coaching Changes

Seahawks fantasy insider Scott Engel breaks down how player and coaching changes will affect your fantasy football season.

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We are back for a 15th season with the Seahawks Fantasy Insider series, which runs through the entire preseason and NFL regular season on Seahawks.com. We provide all the fantasy football draft prep information you need to build a championship roster, much as John Schneider has done twice with the Seahawks.

Coming soon will be player rankings and draft strategy articles throughout the summer. First, however, we must get you fully caught up on offseason NFL player moves and coaching changes that could significantly affect outlooks. We examine all of the fantasy-relevant personnel and staff changes around the league that will shape your cheat sheets and draft strategies. We also include top fantasy football rookies to consider for 2026.

Fantasy Football Quarterback Changes

Kyler Murray, Vikings: Hopefully he stays healthy, and Murray can still be at least a top fantasy QB2 with some upside.

Malik Willis, Dolphins: Finally gets a chance to start in his fifth year. The rushing promise is obvious, and it is possible more experience at this point in his career could lead to respectable fantasy QB2 production.

Tua Tagovailoa, Falcons: He may open the season as the starter for Atlanta. The former Dolphin does have enough weaponry with his new team to be a decent streamer as a fantasy QB2.

Geno Smith, Jets: If Smith remains the starter for a full season, he can be worthy of some fantasy starting consideration when the matchup is right. Garrett Wilson could produce the best fantasy season of his career, because Smith won't hesitate to pepper his top wide receiver with a lot of targets.

Kirk Cousins, Raiders: Might open the season as the starter for Las Vegas. Seahawks fans already know that Klint Kubiak can improve an offense. Cousins will be worth a look as a later QB pick in superflex leagues, where you can start two players at the position.

Fantasy Football Running Back Changes

Kenneth Walker III, Chiefs: The MVP of Super Bowl 60 has engraved his name in Seahawks franchise lore, and now he will be the clear feature back that the Chiefs have been searching for. Walker is a top 12 fantasy RB this year as a high-end RB2 with RB1 potential.

Travis Etienne, Saints: A proven versatile performer, Etienne will now be the lead back in an improving offense. He's a very good fantasy draft target as a top 15 player at the position.

Jeremiyah Love, Cardinals: He could be a major focal point of the Arizona offense for a long time to come. Fantasy football players do have to exercise some patience with even the best rookie RBs. I am targeting Love as a fantasy RB2 in the top 15 range at the position.

David Montgomery, Texans: The former Lion finally plugs the RB1 hole for the Texans. Montgomery is a recommended fantasy draft target as a lower-end RB. He's a tough runner and an established regular TD threat.

Jadarian Price, Seahawks: A very good target as a fantasy RB3 in drafts, Price has already been generating positive buzz ahead of the preseason. He has excellent vision and cutback moves, and he might have a few statistical spike games in the first half of the season. Again, we must be patient with first-year RBs. Price, though, is a welcome addition to an offense that returns all other projected starters.

Read my in-depth fantasy football reaction to the Seahawks drafting Price here.

Rico Dowdle, Steelers: Coming off consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, Dowdle can bust loose for a satisfying fantasy performance at any time. Consider him as a fantasy RB3/flex pick.

Rachaad White, Commanders: He might be a frequent pass-catcher out of the backfield for Washington and will be a sensible pick for PPR league depth.

Chris Rodriguez, Jaguars: Likely ticketed to share touches with Bhayshul Tuten. But Rodriguez could be Jacksonville's preferred goal-line option, which positions him as a nifty later-round target.

Kenneth Gainwell, Buccaneers: An admirable pro who always makes the most of his touches, Gainwell's weekly workload is hard to predict for fantasy purposes. He is still capable of some productive weeks as a streaming option.

Emanuel Wilson, Seahawks: He can be a good complementary runner to Price early in the season, and smart fantasy players must always be aware of NFL depth charts. Wilson is a player to monitor over the first few weeks of the 2026 schedule.

More NFL RBs who will wear new uniforms in 2026

Tyler Allgeier should be drafted as a fantasy insurance pick by those who take Love in the early rounds. … Isiah Pacheco is now the RB2 behind Jahmyr Gibbs in Detroit. … Brian Robinson Jr. could see some short-yardage work for Atlanta. … Emari Demercado should be the RB2 in Kansas City and should be drafted late as a fantasy backup to Walker.

Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Changes

A.J. Brown, Patriots: We may see Brown return to his best fantasy WR1 form in his first season as the needed No. 1 target for the ascending Drake Maye.

Jaylen Waddle, Broncos: He will be one of my favorite fantasy WR2 picks this season. Waddle is the big-play target that Bo Nix needed, and the former Dolphin could deliver a career year in his new environment.

Mike Evans, 49ers: The future Hall of Famer can still be a frequent TD threat at age 33, much in the same mold as Davante Adams was for the Rams last year.

DJ Moore: Josh Allen finally gets a trustworthy veteran WR again. Moore will be good for satisfying PPR production as a rather steady fantasy WR2.

Carnell Tate, Titans: The exciting rookie projects to be Cam Ward's big-play target for many years. In their first season together, Tate at least figures to be a fantasy WR3 with the promise for some occasional big games.

Jordyn Tyson, Saints: This NFL newcomer fits perfectly next to Chris Olave in New Orleans at WR. Tyson is an authentic field-stretcher who can flash frequent upside. If he stays healthy as a rookie, Tyson may provide a few exciting fantasy performances.

Makai Lemon, Eagles: The Eagles moved Brown, but Lemon could be an instant impact rookie. The Eagles feature some notable names up and down the roster at WR and TE this year. Lemon, however, could earn a healthy amount of targets early in his career.

Michael Pittman Jr., Steelers: He fills the No. 2 WR void in Pittsburgh, and with a new coaching staff in place, Pittman can hopefully function as a regular fantasy starter.

Wan'Dale Robinson, Titans: Should be a trusted target for Ward, who needed a reliable and proven presence at WR. Robinson should be drafted as a WR3/flex for adequate fantasy output overall.

Romeo Doubs, Patriots: Seahawks fans will see Doubs and A.J. Brown as the new WR pairing for the Patriots on opening night this season at Lumen Field. Drawing the Seahawks' secondary is a tough assignment to begin a tenure with a new team, but Doubs is a proven TD threat who can provide some possible fantasy WR3 production over the full season.

Jalen Nailor, Raiders: The ex-Viking has true sleeper appeal as a top target for the Raiders' new QBs. Nailor demonstrated some TD promise when he was lower on the depth chart with his previous team.

More NFL WRs who will wear new uniforms in 2026

Jauan Jennings is a WR to monitor in Minnesota, as he is capable of providing a few statistical spike weeks. … Darnell Mooney might operate as a downfield playmaker for the Giants. … Dontayvion Wicks will have to battle for some targets with the Eagles, but he should be final round consideration. Hollywood Brown is also a new WR in Philadelphia, so keep a watch on the Eagles' depth chart in the preseason and early in the regular season.

Other rookie WRs to watch include Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion in Cleveland, Omar Cooper Jr. with the Jets, and Antonio Williams with Washington. The Browns are building a young offense, so their new WRs can compete for quality playing time. Cooper and Williams could chase primary WR roles in their debut seasons.

Fantasy Football Tight End Changes

Isaiah Likely, Giants: The potential for big weeks was always there for Likely in Baltimore, but now he could truly emerge as a more dependable fantasy starter with some upside in 2026. Jaxson Dart and the Giants will try to unlock his better form more often. Likely reportedly is set to see a lot of reps out of the slot.

Chigoziem Okonkwo, Commanders: As a prime passing game complement to Terry McLaurin, Okonkwo might emerge as fantasy TE1 for the first time this season.

Kenyon Sadiq, Jets: The best fantasy TE draft target among rookies, Sadiq should get many opportunities to show his speed and playmaking ability. He does carry some later-round value as fantasy TE2 target.

David Njoku, Chargers: He is a recognizable fantasy name, and Njoku should still be a TD threat for his new team. Draft him as a later-round fantasy TE2.

NFL 2026 Offseason Coaching Changes

New offensive coordinators

**Brian Fleury** is the Seahawks’ new offensive coordinator, and he was a run game and TEs coach with the 49ers. His arrival bodes well for continued improved fantasy production from AJ Barner and a smoother transition to new faces at RB.

Mike McDaniel was the biggest offensive coordinator hire for fantasy purposes. We may see Justin Herbert perform above expectations, and Omarion Hampton and Ladd McConkey can possibly approach their ceilings as fantasy producers.

Sean Mannion might be one of the most impactful new coordinators. The former Seahawk fared well as a QB coach in Green Bay, and he could spark better fantasy output from Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts.

Frank Reich won a Super Bowl as a coordinator with the Eagles. Wilson and Breece Hall do carry some promise for higher production under an established play-caller.

Nathaniel Hackett will have some quality playmakers to work with in Arizona as he plays an important role on new head coach Mike LaFleur's staff. If the QB play is steady enough, we may see Marvin Harrison Jr. or Michael Wilson function as a regular fantasy WR2 starter.

Declan Doyle is a new play-caller for Baltimore, but Lamar Jackson should still be drafted as a top 3 fantasy QB, and Derrick Henry is still an RB1.

Drew Petzing is a highly experienced hire for the Lions, and Detroit's offense will still be a prime fantasy resource.

Tampa Bay's Zac Robinson is capable of getting a big rebound year from Baker Mayfield.

Brian Daboll is now in Tennessee, and his presence could inspire noticeable improvements from Ward in his second NFL season.

David Blough was promoted by Washington. He already has worked well with Jayden Daniels as an assistant QB coach, and we may see an impressive bounce-back season from the Commanders star.

New head coaches

Kevin Stefanski can possibly get even better numbers from Kyle Pitts in Atlanta. … The Bills promoted offensive coordinator Joe Brady, so we should continue to see Buffalo operate as a top NFL offense. … Todd Monken is a good hire for a young offense in Cleveland, and he could have early career fantasy dynasty impacts on some of his key offensive players.

Super-Bowl winning former Seahawks offensive coordinator **Klint Kubiak** was brought in by the Raiders to pump new life into the offense, and we might see Ashton Jeanty become a more consistent fantasy option in his second NFL season. … John

Harbaugh can help accelerate the development of Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo. … Mike McCarthy can revive the Pittsburgh offense, and DK Metcalf could show more of his past Seahawks form in 2026.

He is an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame. Scott is a four-time FSWA award winner and a 13-time nominee. You can find more of his fantasy football analysis and *fantasy football rankings at RotoBaller.com*, and he is also a host on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio. Use the promo code KING for a special discount from Scott for the RotoBaller Fantasy Football Season Pass.

Check out photos of the Seahawks roster for the 2026 season.

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