Scott Engel is entering his 15th year as the official Fantasy Football writer and analyst for Seahawks.com. 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 weekly fantasy football rankings at RotoBaller.com and he is also a host on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio.
Many fantasy football players are still basking in the glow of their 2025 championship seasons, and most fantasy leaguers are already looking ahead to the 2026 season.
We reveal our early Top 25 fantasy football rankings for the 2026 season. First, though, we must salute Seattle Seahawks standout wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a landmark fantasy season in team history.
Fantasy Football Spotlight: Jaxon Smith-Njigba earns elite place in Seahawks fantasy lore.
Before the 2025 fantasy football season started, we took a comprehensive look back at the 12 Greatest Seahawks in Team History from fantasy perspectives. Steve Largent was the highest-ranked wide receiver at fourth overall, and Tyler Lockett, Joey Galloway, DK Metcalf and Doug Baldwin all made the list of the Seahawks' legendary fantasy dozen.
When we revise and update the list, Jaxon Smith-Njigba will already crack the top 12 of all time based on his 2025 season alone. He led the NFL in receiving yards with 1,793 and was fourth in the league in receptions while also catching 10 TD passes. He finished second in total Fantasy Points (345.5) and Fantasy Points Per Game (21.6) through the fantasy football weeks for all wide receivers in 2025, according to stathead.com.
Most fantasy football leagues run for 17 weeks of the NFL regular season, yet if we include all 18 weeks, JSN totaled 359.9 Fantasy Points and averaged 21.2 FFPG, which also ranked second in each category for the 2025 campaign. Overall, Smith-Njigba's 359.9 total points were the second-most Fantasy Points ever scored in a season by any Seahawks player.
JSN finished less than two points behind Shaun Alexander's 361.8 Fantasy Points record for the most in a season, recorded during his 2005 NFL MVP campaign. His FFPG numbers rank as fourth-best on the all-time ladder, no matter whether you use his 17 or 18-game totals.
Of course, we must note that JSN's 17 games played were one more than logged in most other top Seahawks fantasy seasons of all time. His 2025 season was the only one among the top 10 that included a 17-game ledger.
Yet even if we remove the 18th week for pure comparative purposes, Smith-Njigba's 345.5 Fantasy Points would still rank fifth all-time and would still be the second-best of any non-quarterback. He by far outdistanced the previous best fantasy football wide receiver season recorded by a Seahawks player. DK Metcalf's 2020 performance, in which he scored 271.3 points, is the only other WR season in the top 25 of franchise history.
Smith-Njigba ascended to the lofty top levels of fantasy football WRs, among the very best in the game. He registered the 19th-best fantasy football season ever among all players at his position. In a few years, JSN might be rocketing up on the all-time Seahawks fantasy countdown, and we already have to consider that he may eventually catch Largent on the all-time list if he remains on his current trajectory.
Looking under the statistical hood as many fantasy players like to do, PlayerProfiler.com notes that Smith-Njigba finished second in Explosive Play Rate at WR (144.2), first in Target Share (35.9 percent), second in Air Yards (107.8 per game) and fourth in Yards After Catch (582). He was also third in Expected Fantasy Points Per Game (19.1) and second in Fantasy Points Per Route (0.75). He also led all players in Fantasy Points Per Target against man coverage (2.23).
According to ESPN.com, Smith-Njigba was the second-most rostered player on 2025 fantasy football teams that won their league championships on their platform, at 25.2 percent. If JSN helped you win a fantasy football title in 2025, you should consider donating to his charity as a way of thanking him for his efforts.
The JSN Family Foundation is dedicated to empowering youth, individuals and communities through a lifestyle of service, guided by resilience, integrity and hard work. Fantasy football players can learn more about the JSN Family Foundation and contact the charity here.
Now we answer the early question about where Jaxon Smith-Njigba should be drafted among the top fantasy football players in 2026.
Early 2026 Fantasy Football Rankings: The Top 25
- Bijan Robinson: He will turn 24 years old later this month and we likely have not seen his best fantasy season yet.
- Jahmyr Gibbs: No other RB has as much weekly upside as Gibbs, who is arguably the most efficient fantasy player at his position. He ranked third in Fantasy Points Per Opportunity (1.09), which divides total points by total touches.
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba: The next three players in our rankings are all WRs, and any one of them makes sense as a third overall pick, or even a top two pick for those who want to draft WRs before RB. JSN's Target Share and his reliability in terms of games played do give him a slight edge among the "big three."
- Puka Nacua: He finished as the No. 1 WR in fantasy football in 2025 through 17 weeks, as he and JSN were the only players at his position to post over 300 PPR points. Nacua was the top playmaker on the NFL's best offense.
- Ja'Marr Chase: The Bengals superstar will usually be a top finisher and producer at WR, as he is locked in as the prime target for an elite QB on an annual basis.
- Amon-Ra St. Brown: Just missed the 300-point mark in 2025 and finished as the overall fantasy WR3 after 17 weeks. Could make a case for him to be part of a "big four" rather than three at WR.
- Jonathan Taylor: The Colts' top offensive player finished third at RB in total points (356.4) and FFPG (22.3) after 17 weeks despite Indianapolis dealing with major QB issues. The Indianapolis offense should be improved next season, keeping Taylor's floor very high.
- James Cook: Might be the most underrated player among the best RBs in fantasy football. There will be no concerns of significant TD regression in 2026.
- De'Von Achane: Was a top 5 fantasy RB on one of the most dysfunctional offenses in the league. Achane should flourish again in 2026, especially if Miami improves the cast around him.
- CeeDee Lamb: The presence of George Pickens cuts into his ceiling a bit but Lamb will still have a very high statistical floor.
- Christian McCaffrey: Stayed healthy this past season and led all RBs in overall points (404.9) and FFPG (25.3). But his 413 total touches at age 29 will be a factor in tight draft decisions involving CMC.
- Malik Nabers: Has the potential to re-emerge as a top-shelf fantasy WR during the 2026 season.
- Ashton Jeanty: In his second season, the outlook will be better as the Raiders rework the team around him.
- Rashee Rice: The health of Patrick Mahomes will heavily affect his draft value, and with some optimism about his availability for the start of next season, Rice will be a prime early second-round pick.
- Justin Jefferson: A rebound campaign could mark Jefferson as a pretty good value in the second round of 2026 Drafts.
- Nico Collins
- Trey McBride
- Drake London
- Omarion Hampton
- George Pickens
- Brock Bowers
- Josh Jacobs
- Saquon Barkley
- Chase Brown
- Derrick Henry
Go behind the scenes with team photographer Rod Mar as he shares moments from the Seahawks' regular season finale at the 49ers where the team won the NFC West and clinched the conference's top seed.
Seahawks safety Julian Love walks from the team buses to the charter flight for the trip to the Bay Area.
On game day, the Seahawks woke to sunny skies at their team hotel and spent time together waiting for the late kickoff time.
In another area of the team hotel, Jalen Sundell plays chess with teammate Bryce Cabeldue as they wait for the night game against the 49ers.
At Levi's Stadium, Derick Hall pauses to sign autographs for the 12s during the early warmup period.
12s made themselves visible and known in the stands at Levi's Stadium.
Quarterback Sam Darnold in the locker room before the game.
On the other end of the locker room, the defensive line waits to leave for kickoff.
Defensive tackle Leonard Williams gets focused.
The Seahawks join hands in prayer before leaving the locker room.
Seahawks veteran leader Jarran Reed gives an impassioned speech to the team before the game.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp greets players as they leave the locker room and head to the field for kickoff.
Quarterback Sam Darnold greets receiver Cooper Kupp in the tunnel before taking the field.
Jarran Reed leads the Seahawks out of the tunnel for pregame warmups.
Seahawks game captains Eric Saubert, Zach Charbonnet, Leonard Williams and Jake Bobo attend the coin toss at midfield.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet leaps into the end zone for a touchdown.
Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba signals after a first down.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen tosses 49ers receiver Jauan Jennings out-of-bounds.
Seahawks defensive back Nick Emmanwori celebrates after stopping 49ers tight end George Kittle.
During halftime, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and members of the offense listen to instructions.
At the other end of the locker room, the defense rests before meeting with their coaches.
Defensive coordinator Aden Durde talks to players during halftime.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas puts a punishing hit on 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey.
Seattle's Jarran Reed celebrates a sack with teammates Boye Mafe, Derick Hall, as Drake Thomas looks on.
Running back Kenneth Walker III signals a first down and celebrates with teammates Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Jake Bobo after a 19-yard gain on third-and-17.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas intercepts a pass bobbled by the 49ers Christian McCaffrey.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas cradles the football after his key interception in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III jumps through a hole.
Seattle's Derick Hall and Leonard Williams put a punishing hit on 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy late in the game.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu hugs an assistant coach as the clock runs out on their 13-3 win over the 49ers.
Seattle's Leonard Williams celebrates at the end of the game.
Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori celebrates the win.
Linebacker Ernest Jones IV celebrates as he heads to the locker room.
Receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba dances in the locker room after the win.
Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams shows off his NFC West Champions hat.
The Seahawks dance and celebrate after winning the NFC West and clinching the number one seed in the NFC.
Derick Hall, Nick Emmanwori and teammates celebrate in the locker room.
Head coach Mike Macdonald talks to his team after they won the NFC West with a Week 18 win over the 49ers on the road.
Receivers Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Rashid Shaheed celebrate with victory cigars.
Seahawks defensive backs pose for a group photo in the locker room after clinching the NFC West title.
The Seahawks did not return to the Virginia Mason Athletic Center until after midnight but were greeted by a large group of 12s who braved the rain and cold to welcome them home.
