MY GUYS 2026

By: Josh Frey-Sam

It’s time, folks. Time to plant my flags.

My 2026 MY GUYS have been percolating for months while I pour hours into research.

There’s been a lot of back and forth at some positions, while injuries and late free agency signings have forced me to reconsider my stance on some players.

Others have been as clear as day to me for months.

I won’t keep you guessing any longer. Without further ado, my 2026 MY GUYS.

Quarterback: Trevor Lawrence, JAX

Honourable mention: Tyler Shough, NO

To put my feelings about TLaw heading into this season into perspective, I have placed a futures bet on him to win MVP.

Those closest to me know how high I am on this Jaguars team this season, and that begins with their quarterback.

TLaw finished as the QB4 overall last season, the best finish of his young career. What I especially like about him is the value he presents, going off the board as the QB8 in drafts.

It was a rather bumpy start to the season for TLaw last year while he adjusted to Liam Coen’s offence. We saw flashes of his brilliance, as we had in spurts over the first four years of his career.

When the Jags returned from the bye in Week 9, though, something clicked.

Throughout the rest of the regular season, TLaw was the QB1 overall, averaging 23.3 points per game. The best part, as it has been when he’s been at his best for fantasy, is he was not only getting it done through the air, but also on the ground.

He logged 82 carries and racked up 359 yards and nine touchdowns with his legs last season — all career-highs.

What I like most is that he returns with the same coaching staff, the same system and almost entirely the same core of weaponry.

There’s a lot of debate right now about who is actually the Jags’ WR1 and where their talented group slots in the pecking order of targets. When that happens, the best person to grab is the guy throwing them the ball.

Running back: James Cook, BUF

Honourable mention: Chase Brown, CIN

Quietly one of the most consistent running backs in football the last three seasons, and he’s gotten better every year.

Since 2023, Cook has finished as the RB12, RB8 and RB6, respectively, and has dismissed just about any concern about any limitations that are perceived to be in his game.

I believe the NFL’s rushing leader from a season ago could be even better this time around, not only as a rusher, but particularly as a pass-catcher.

Cook is not only going to get his usual workload on the ground, but now with offensive co-ordinator Pete Carmichael in the fold, there will be an emphasis on getting him more involved in the passing game, which was a strength of his in college but has been underutilized since entering the league.

Should this come to fruition, Cook has RB1 overall upside.

The main concern around him will be Josh Allen vulturing touchdowns, but Cook still managed to find the end zone 14 times.

With the addition of DJ Moore and a healthy Dalton Kincaid, that should only open things up more for the Bills’ top offensive weapon.

Wide receiver: Luther Burden III, CHI

Honourable mention: Zay Flowers, BAL

I’ve been waiting to plant this flag since last season ended.

The funny thing is Burden likely won’t even be the Bears’ top weapon in the passing game. Head coach and play-caller Ben Johnson has also made his name in the run game.

If you also look at the counting stats, Burden really only had one week of fantasy relevance last season.

So how does this work?

The plan for Burden to break out this season has been in place since the Bears selected him in the second round of last year’s draft.

DJ Moore was traded, as expected, and with the runway clear for a full-time role in this offence, the drumbeat has been steady for Burden all off-season, beginning in OTAs when Johnson said he’s “buying Luther Burden stock,” then again in training camp when GM Ryan Poles said, “if there’s a guy I’m really excited about, it’s Luther Burden.”

The hype trained only gained more steam as beat writers reported that Burden was the most targeted player before he went down with a groin injury.

No need to worry, he’ll be ready to go for Week 1.

Burden in Chicago will be what Amon-Ra St.Brown was to Johnson in Detroit — a high-volume player with plenty of plays designed to scheme him open.

The main argument against LB3 has been his ADP. He’s the WR19/20 off the board right now in the fourth round, which seems like a hefty price to pay for a guy who made a minimal impact last season.

But I’m taking the swing. I want him before everyone else is on him. I think he has top 10, and maybe even top five upside at his position, and I’m betting on it.

Tight end: Dalton Kincaid, BUF

Honourable mention: Tucker Kraft, GB

The negative is obvious. We’ve been waiting for a breakout from Kincaid for a couple of years now, which hasn’t happened because he’s had trouble staying on the field.

Kincaid has missed nine games over the last two seasons, including five last year.

However, in the 12 games he was healthy last season, Kincaid’s 2.91 yards per route run were the best of any player, while his 11.65 yards per target were the best of any tight end. Simply put, he was well on his way to a breakout before getting injured.

With a 29-year-old DJ Moore being the only meaningful addition to the receiving core, Kincaid is trending toward another season of heavy involvement, but is being overlooked due to his injury history.

Rookie: De’Zhaun Stribling, SF

Honourable mention: Denzel Boston, CLE

Ricky Pearsall — done for the year. Christian Kirk — likely getting cut. George Kittle — still working back from a major injury. Mike Evans — already dealing with “tightness.”

Whether Niners fans like it or not, their second-round rookie is going to be a focal point in the offence.

Stribling was always thought to eventually get some snaps this season, but it’s come a lot quicker than many thought.

And perhaps that’s a good thing for him and the Niners, who shocked everyone when they drafted him 33rd overall this spring.

I don’t need to tell you about Kyle Shanahan’s ability to scheme his best players open, and I don’t think I need to sell you on Brock Purdy’s ability to support a top fantasy option.

At 6-2, 207 pounds, Stribling is built like a top receiver, and all he’s done in training camp is show that he has the skill set to match. He can threaten all three levels of the field, but he will likely do the bulk of his damage in the short-intermediate areas.

Purdy is going to throw for somewhere in the ballpark of 4,000 yards and 30+ touchdowns this season, and with Evans, CMC and a shell of Kittle as his only other options, Stribling is going to have to account for a large chunk of that.

For what it’s worth, I placed a futures bet on him to win Offensive Rookie of the Year last month.

Stack: Tyler Shough & Chris Olave, NO

Honourable mention: Dak Prescott & CeeDee Lamb, DAL

In the second half of the season, from Weeks 10-17 (when Shough took over as the Saints starter), Olave was the WR3 in points per game, and Shough was the QB12. During that time, Olave also drew the seventh-most targets among all WRs, and averaged more targets than the likes of JSN, George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb.

What gets you even more excited about this duo is that the Saints have one of the easiest schedules in football this season, including games against the Bucs, Cards and Falcons in the fantasy playoffs.

Also, this becomes one of the best duos to own with rookie Jordyn Tyson slated to miss two months of action with a hamstring injury.

Shough and CO2 are teed up for a monster season.

Thanks for reading and, as always, have a great day.

Josh