The Herd with Colin Cowherd FantasyPros - Projecting the First Round | The Top 12 Fantasy Football Players in 2026 (Ep. 1939)
Jan 17, 2026
Jake Ciely, a dedicated fantasy football analyst, and Andrew Erickson, a data-driven contributor, dive into projecting the top 12 fantasy players for 2026. They debate the merits of Bijan Robinson as the ideal first pick and explore the rising status of players like Puka Nacua and James Cook. Jake emphasizes the importance of target shares, while Andrew raises caution over Christian McCaffrey’s declining efficiency. The discussion also touches on draft strategies and the potential impact of rookies in future drafts.
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Episode notes
Use Early Drafts To Practice Pivoting
- Drafts in July will differ substantially from late-August drafts because injuries and new info change value.
- Use early mock drafts to learn names and pivot quickly as ADP and news evolve.
Bijan Robinson As Safer Bell-Cow
- Bijan Robinson is viewed as the safest bell-cow running back with upside and fewer warts than peers.
- Jake Ciely values him above other backs because of role stability and remaining upside.
Running Backs' Recent Edge
- Andrew Erickson emphasizes running backs' recent dominance in top-12 fantasy finishes.
- He pushes RBs up in early 2026 rankings because of consistent production since 2022.