FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast

Episode 1959: An Early Look at the Best Landing Spots for the Top 2026 NFL Free Agents
Date: February 12, 2026
Host: Joe Pisapia ("Joey P")
Guests: Tom Strachan (The Athletic), Jake Ciely

Overview

This episode dives into the biggest 2026 NFL Free Agents, speculating on the most fantasy-friendly landing spots for quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends. Joey P, Tom Strachan, and Jake Ciely analyze the potential “waterfall effects” of free agency, debating not just optimal NFL fits, but where these players can juice your fantasy lineup for next season.

The discussion is lively and informed, brimming with fantasy insight, bold predictions, and plenty of playful banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Quarterback Free Agents

Aaron Rodgers: To Hang It Up or Try Again?

• Jake: Suggests retirement is the best outcome (“the cave”), but if Rodgers plays, Minnesota makes sense:

  “If we're talking about a logical landing spot that's not back with the Steelers, Aaron Rodgers going to Minnesota to finish things out with one more year makes sense.” (04:42)

• Tom: Goes outside the box with Arizona, citing potential mutual interest if Kyler Murray departs.

  “If you can't retire, the closest thing is Arizona, right?... [Rodgers] indoors, after a year in Pittsburgh, might fancy it.” (06:00)

Daniel Jones: Return to Indy or A New Start?

• Jake: Thinks the Indianapolis Colts will aggressively re-sign Jones due to Anthony Richardson’s health and inconsistency:

  “Daniel Jones was working. Yes, he got hurt, too, but... his was more of a freak injury... and you see how well the offense worked with Daniel Jones [in Indy].” (07:26)

• Tom: Backs the Indy reunion:

  “It felt like the vibe between everyone involved was really good and why would he not want to go back there when everything clicked for him?” (08:50)

Malik Willis: Intriguing Upside for the Right Team

• Tom: Sends Willis to Pittsburgh for a dual-threat, cold-weather fit.

  "He torched my Ravens with the deep ball this season... 40+ rushing yards in six games. I think taking a two-year deal or so in Pittsburgh is probably as good as it gets." (10:23)

• Jake: Connects Willis to Miami, citing coaching links and play-action fit:

  "Malik Willis is the easy tie to this team [Miami]. You look at touchdowns per attempt and first downs per attempt when in play action, he's one of the top 10 quarterbacks." (11:40)

2. Wide Receiver Free Agents

Alec Pierce: A Sought-After Downfield Threat

• Tom: Seattle Seahawks—they have cap room, need a downfield option, and Darnold loves to air it out.

  “I want Alec Pierce to land somewhere good for fantasy football, where the downfield passing is going to be good…Seattle Seahawks.” (16:06)

• All: General consensus on Las Vegas Raiders as the dream fantasy spot alongside Brock Bowers, where Pierce could see 120+ targets.
• Jake:

  “Using him like [Kubiak] used JSN with the Seahawks... Pierce with 120 targets—super exciting for fantasy.” (19:20)

Mike Evans: Veteran Still Changing Contenders

• Jake: San Francisco 49ers for a like-for-like Aiyuk replacement and reliable red-zone target.

  “…The 49ers are getting overlooked as an intriguing landing spot for Mike Evans.” (19:52)

• Tom: Baltimore Ravens, providing Lamar Jackson with a true big-bodied weapon for play-action designs.

  “Mike Evans with the Ravens… play action catch rate of 86%... that's what Lamar needs right now.” (20:58)

Deebo Samuel: Not Done, Just Needs a New Home

• Tom: Carolina Panthers—slots into Dave Canales’ system as a reliable middle-of-field weapon.
• Jake: Pittsburgh Steelers, who "need a second wide receiver" and whose scheme suits Deebo’s versatility:

  “Mike McCarthy... moves [WRs] around... Deebo can do a lot more... for the McCarthy style offense, [he] makes a ton of sense.” (23:22)

Other WRs—Rapid-Fire Landing Spots

• Juwan Jennings:

  • Jake: Buffalo Bills
  • Tom: 49ers (return)

• Rashid Shaheed:

  • Tom: Las Vegas Raiders
  • Jake: Miami Dolphins (if Tyreek Hill leaves)

• Romeo Doubs:

  • Jake: New Orleans Saints
  • Tom: Miami Dolphins (as WR2 to Waddle)

• Wan’Dale Robinson:

  • Tom: Tennessee Titans—“feels like Titans all over” (25:33)
  • Jake: Washington Commanders—“the better version of Deebo at this point, alongside Terry McLaurin.” (25:41)

3. Running Back Free Agents

Ken Walker: Super Bowl MVP to What Next?

• Tom: Houston Texans, post-Joe Mixon—they can cut Mixon and need upside.

  “If you put him with the Texans, he could really help take some of the pressure off CJ Stroud.” (27:17)

• Jake: Arizona Cardinals—could finally get true bell-cow workload (if LeFleur gives him the Josh Jacobs treatment).

  “…What if the Cardinals, with all their money… treat him like Josh Jacobs… getting bell-cow work with Arizona?” (28:15)

Breece Hall: Chiefs or Commanders?

• Jake: Layup pick—Kansas City Chiefs, creating instant fantasy hype.

  “You put Breece Hall on the Chiefs and people are going to lose their damn minds.... Hall would probably push top five if he ended up on the Chiefs.” (30:35)

• Tom: Washington Commanders for true three-down usage.

  “... Another opportunity where you could see a three-down running back…” (31:17)

Travis Etienne: Back with Jags or New Start?

• Tom: New Orleans Saints—Kamara likely done, and Etienne fits their run scheme.

  “The Saints run similar kind of schemes to the Jags. Etienne averaged 4.6 yards per carry in zone runs.” (33:54)

• Jake: Houston Texans—similar offensive fit and can supplant inefficient Woody Marks.

  "If you're looking for a similar offense... ETN could step in there and be the lead." (34:45)

Rico Dowdle: Time to Be "The Guy"?

• Jake: Jaguars (if Etienne leaves)—Dowdle complements Tootin as the “lead, with timeshare upside.” (35:21)
• Tom: Kansas City Chiefs—cost-efficient, explosive, could get a multi-year deal in KC’s new-backfield-by-committee.

  “Everything that was explosive from the Panthers came from Rico Dowdle...he would be a fantastic fit [in KC].” (37:00)

Javonte Williams: Cowboys Reunion?

• Both: Consensus—Dallas Cowboys, where things finally clicked post-injury.

  “Too much sense... to go back to Dallas… This is the first time it's really all clicked for Javonte Williams post all the injuries...” —Tom (37:55)

Tyler Allgeier: Chiefs or Jets?

• Jake: Kansas City—if they shop the bargain bin at RB, Allgeier could be a top-15 fantasy back there. (39:44)
• Tom: New York Jets—could be a sneaky long-term fit if Breece Hall leaves. (40:35)

Other RB Thoughts

• J.K. Dobbins: Tom likes a Broncos reunion.
• Jake: If Dobbins, Najee Harris, or Rashad White go to Houston or Washington—“it would raise our eyebrow.” (41:58)

4. Tight End Free Agents

Kyle Pitts: Still Chasing the Dream

• Jake: Returns to Atlanta—Stefanski and Reese “love run games and tight ends”:

  “Let's stop making Kyle Pitts run routes because he can't run routes. Let's treat him like a power forward in the NFL...” (42:42)

• Tom: Sends Pitts to Philadelphia for more explosive play potential if Goddard departs.

Dallas Goedert: Stick with the Eagles or Spice Up Miami?

• Jake: Back to Eagles—assumes A.J. Brown leaves, making Goedert the secondary weapon.

  “Dallas Goedert back with the Eagles in the same role...where he can be the 2/3 and be a real big red zone threat...” (43:53)

• Tom: Miami Dolphins—reliable, steady contributor to a target-needy offense.

  “Dallas Goedert as someone who can be solid, reliable...that will appeal to a new head coach in Miami.” (45:57)

Other TE Notables

• David Njoku: Tom speculates a reunion with Kevin Stefanski in Atlanta.
• Banter about the perpetual job security of certain coaches and agents—Arthur Smith, Matt Nagy, Nathaniel Hackett—showing the podcast’s humorous edge. (46:13-46:38)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Aaron Rodgers’ Prospects:

  “First option is Cave. As long as he can't podcast from there or appear on Pat McAfee.” – Tom (05:15)

• On Malik Willis’ Upside:

  “He torched my Ravens with the deep ball this season… 40+ rushing yards in six games.” – Tom (10:23) “He’s one of the top 10 QBs in TDs per attempt and first downs per attempt when in play action…” – Jake (11:40)

• On Deebo Samuel:

  “Who the hell cares at this point? So you're looking at DK Metcalf and blank. And the blank could easily be filled in by Deebo Samuel…” – Jake (23:25)

• On the Jets’ Struggles:

  "It's gonna be funny when the Jets have 60 of their 80 million still in cap because nobody wants to go there." – Jake (40:59)

• Self-Deprecating Banter:

  “Not breaking any news there with self-loathing and Jake Seeley. Just saying. I've known you long enough.” – Joey P (47:03)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Quarterbacks

  • Aaron Rodgers discussion: 03:50 – 06:31
  • Daniel Jones: 07:12 – 09:39
  • Malik Willis: 09:39 – 12:29

• Wide Receivers

  • Alec Pierce: 15:24 – 19:34
  • Mike Evans: 19:34 – 21:44
  • Deebo Samuel: 22:16 – 24:17
  • Others rapid-fire: 24:17 – 26:09

• Running Backs

  • Ken Walker: 27:03 – 29:32
  • Breece Hall: 29:32 – 32:17
  • Travis Etienne: 32:17 – 34:58
  • Rico Dowdle: 35:06 – 37:40
  • Javonte Williams: 37:40 – 39:44
  • Tyler Allgeier & other RBs: 39:44 – 42:17

• Tight Ends

  • Kyle Pitts & Dallas Goedert: 42:24 – 45:57

Tone & Language

The hosts maintain a conversational, witty, and irreverent tone:

• Plenty of humor and inside jokes (“If you can’t retire, the closest thing is Arizona, right?... Cave is still on the board.”)
• Direct engagement with fans (“Drop your predictions in the chat...You might win that championship belt.”)
• Openly admit to disagreements and live corrections for transparency.

Summary

If you’re looking ahead to 2026 fantasy football, this episode offers a gold mine of speculation on how free agency could shift the fantasy landscape. From veteran QBs like Aaron Rodgers searching for the right goodbye, to tantalizing fantasy dream fits for young stars like Alec Pierce, Breece Hall, and Travis Etienne, the crew covers it all with detail, stats, and humor. With every prediction, they keep an eye on what really matters—landing spots that juice your fantasy roster, not just NFL depth charts. All key takes are backed by sharp analysis, chemistry, and plenty of laughs.

For die-hard fantasy footballers, this episode is essential offseason listening.