Fantasy Football 2026: Players with Rising ADP Due to Name Recognition
As the 2026 fantasy football season approaches, certain players are seeing their average draft positions (ADP) rise primarily due to their name recognition. This trend occurs even when their recent performances may not justify such increases.
Josh Jacobs, running back for the Green Bay Packers, has an ADP of 40.1 despite a challenging previous season, where he rushed for 929 yards and scored 11 touchdowns. Legal issues and uncertainties surrounding the Packers' offensive line could further impact his performance. Comparatively, players like Bucky Irving and Derrick Henry have lower ADPs, yet may offer better productivity.
Wide receiver D.K. Metcalf of the Pittsburgh Steelers has an ADP of 94.0, following a season where he recorded career lows in several receiving categories. The addition of Michael Pittman Jr. to the Steelers could further diminish Metcalf's value. Meanwhile, quarterback Jaxson Dart, who finished as QB14 last season, has an ADP of 7, raising questions about his ability to maintain that position given his inconsistent passing stats and injury risks.
