The new league year is upon us. As part of the start to the 2026 NFL season for the NFL, we’re seeing a wild season of new deals, trades, and player movement. Those moves have impacted player values, for better and for worse. Below is a look at one player at each position whose value rose, and one whose value took a tumble.
Quarterbacks
Stock Up: Kyler Murray, Minnesota Vikings
About: Murray was once a first overall draft pick. He had a spotty time in Arizona, often putting up decent fantasy numbers without ever really achieving sustained success. In seven seasons, he’s never reached 4,000 passing yards in a season, eclipsed 25 passing TDs once, and had a winning season once. He never seemed to click with Jonathan Gannon, culminating in just five games played in 2025. He was released this off-season but landed in Minnesota on a one-year deal.
The Vikings have been a solid place for quarterbacks not named J.J. McCarthy under Kevin O’Connell. Murray has a chance to rehab his image, possibly hit new career highs, and make a playoff run with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson.
Stock Down: Kirk Cousins, Free Agent
About: Three offseasons ago, Cousins was the hottest free agent quarterback on the market. He signed a massive deal with the Atlanta Falcons, who drafted Michael Penix, Jr., with the eighth pick that same offseason. After an uninspiring run in 2024, Cousins was replaced by Penix. Penix was the starter in 2025 until an injury ended his season. While Cousins finished the season strong, his time in Atlanta seemed to be at an end. The Falcons released him this offseason and brought in Tua Tagovailoa to compete with Penix.
Cousins, meanwhile, figured to get a chance to start somewhere else. But, with the obvious starting spots all filled, he remains a free agent. That could change if Aaron Rodgers retires and slots in for the Steelers, or if he serves as a bridge to start the year somewhere like Las Vegas. Either way, it doesn’t leave much value in terms of weekly fantasy for Cousins and those who roster him.
Running Backs
Stock Up: Ken Walker III, Kansas City Chiefs
About: Walker really pushed his value up during a great playoff run, culminating in becoming the Super Bowl MVP. The Seahawks elected to let him test the free agent market, and he landed a three-year deal with the Chiefs, who’ve brought back Eric Bienemy as the Offensive Coordinator. Walker is a strong runner with some pass-catching skills. Now, he’s in a high-volume offense alongside Patrick Mahomes. He’s an easy Top 12 option in Dynasty and could be poised for a career year. This is nearly the best possible landing spot for Walker this offseason. It should be wheels up.
Stock Down: Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
About: For years, Kamara has provided rock-solid value for the New Orleans Saints. But he’s getting older, and staying on the field has been more of a challenge. He was limited to just 11 games, 471 rushing yards, and 33 receptions in 2025, all career lows. Now, the Saints added Travis Etienne on a four-year, $61 million contract.
They have a similar skill set, which suggests that Kamara’s role reduction on the Saints will remain permanent, or he could be shipped elsewhere. Either way, he’s gone from a borderline RB1 to a low-end flex option for the time being.
Wide Receivers
Stock Up: Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts
About: Pierce seemed to be the biggest name in the free agent receiver market. He signed a four-year, $114 million deal to remain with the Colts. The Colts then promptly traded Michael Pittman, Jr., to the Steelers. That seems to clear the way for Pierce to be the Colts’ WR1 in 2026 and beyond. Pierce, coming off his first 1,000-yard season, should slide into WR2 range.
Stock Down: Tyreek Hill, Free Agent
About: Hill had a disastrous 2025 season on the field and off the field. On the field, he managed just 21 receptions in four games. He finished on injured reserve and was released by the Dolphins this offseason. He’s 32, coming off a major injury, and also still dealing with off-field distractions. It’s not obvious he even has a robust market, or how he would fit with a team. That’s likely why he remains unsigned. I suspect he’ll land on a team somewhere early in the season, but it’s hard to gauge his value, if any, for fantasy. He’s a hold with the hope he lands in a good situation.
Tight Ends
Stock Up: Chig Okonkwo, Washington Commanders
About: Okonkwo has been a steady contributor to the Titans for the past three seasons. He’s had 50-plus receptions each year, giving him TE2 value with upside. Now, he lands in Washington on a three-year deal. He figures to be a weapon for the Commanders that offers some upside. In 2024, when Jayden Daniels and Zach Ertz were both healthy, he finished 7th among TEs. That suggests Okonkwo, as a primary pass-catching tight end, could have low-end TE1 upside.
Stock Down: Jonnu Smith, Free Agent
About: After recording career-highs in receptions, yardage, and touchdowns in 2024, Smith was a big off-season acquisition for the 2025 Pittsburgh Steelers. It didn’t pan out for Smith, the Steelers, or fantasy players. He had just 38 receptions for 222 yards and two touchdowns. Smith was released by the Steelers and now remains unsigned. It’s hard to tell if the journeyman tight end will find any situation that returns a stable fantasy value. He’s borderline droppable for dynasty.
Matthew Fox is a die-hard NFL fan and Broncos’ homer. He’s a member of the FSWA. You can find more from him on Twitter @knighthawk7734 or as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast, a part of the Campus2Canton Network.
