FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast

Episode: Top 5 Rookie Fits We Already Love for 2026 (Ep. 1964)
Date: February 18, 2026
Hosts: Joe Pisapia ("Joey P") & Pat Fitzmaurice (“Fitzy”)

Episode Overview

In this lively episode, Joey P and Pat Fitzmaurice break down their five favorite potential rookie landing spots for the 2026 NFL Draft and explain why these fits could supercharge both NFL rookie performance and fantasy football value. They analyze prominent rookie prospects, speculate on possible team fits, and share early opinions about 2026 redraft and dynasty fantasy football strategies.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jeremiah Love to the Kansas City Chiefs

[00:46 – 02:34]

• Why the fit excites Pat:

  • Chiefs GM Brett Veach could redeem his past error (Clyde Edwards-Helaire over Jonathan Taylor).
  • "Love could give the Chiefs the star caliber running back they have lacked ever since the demise of Jamal Charles..." (Pat, 01:19)
  • Love’s explosive playmaking and acceleration would ease pressure off Patrick Mahomes, who’s coming off a major knee injury.

• Fantasy impact:

  • Love is a consensus number one pick in dynasty rookie drafts (One QB or Superflex).
  • With Mahomes likely missing the start, Love would be leaned on more but would lack Mahomes's supporting cast effect.
  • In redraft leagues: late second round feels about right.

• Quote:

  "Drafting Love would be a great way to take pressure off Patrick Mahomes as he recovers from a major knee injury."
  (Pat, 01:37)

• Memorable moment:

  • Joey and Pat reflect on tempered expectations given recent rookie RB misses, but agree the upside is hard to ignore.

2. Denzel Boston to the Buffalo Bills

[02:34 – 04:18]

• Why the fit excites Pat:

  • Bills need a playmaking WR; Keon Coleman hasn’t panned out.
  • Boston is 6’4”, 209 – a true X receiver with red-zone prowess, dangerous after the catch.

• Potential role:

  • “It’s not hard to imagine him being a prolific red zone guy who threatens double digit touchdowns every year.” (Pat, 03:37)
  • Would immediately give Josh Allen the help he desperately needs.

• Fantasy impact:

  • Could operate as WR1 in Buffalo from day one if they move up or Boston falls to #26.

• Quote:

  "I would love to see Denzel Boston go to the Buffalo Bills... He would give Josh Allen the pass catching help he so desperately needs."
  (Pat, 03:24)

• Memorable moment:

  • Discussion about Bills possibly trading up to secure Boston’s services.

3. Mike Washington to the Houston Texans

[05:21 – 06:42]

• Why the fit excites Pat:

  • Big-bodied (6’0”, 228), three-down back with good movement skills.
  • Not perfect (questionable vision, some fumble issues), but offers potential as a true early-down workhorse.

• Texans angle:

  • Existing RB Woody Marks “miscast as an early down guy”; Washington would let Marks reprise his natural third-down role.
  • Texans under DeMeco Ryans want a defense-strong, ball-control identity.

• Fantasy impact:

  • Could step into meaningful volume, especially in leagues that reward early-down work.

• Quote:

  "Let him go to work on early downs and let Woody Marks play his more natural third-down role."
  (Pat, 06:32)

• Memorable moment:

  • Joey P draws parallels between Washington and “Matt Forte or even a Steven Jackson-type if he grows a little bit more.” (05:03)

4. Omar Cooper Jr. to the Las Vegas Raiders

[07:26 – 09:00]

• Why the fit excites Pat:

  • Undersized but sure-handed, tough receiver—“not going to melt stopwatches” but immensely skilled.
  • "Witness the game-winning TD catch he made against Penn State last fall which was one of the best catches I've ever seen at any level of football.” (Pat, 07:39)
  • Already has established chemistry with projected rookie QB, Fernando Mendoza; Raiders could double up on Indiana’s duo.

• Fantasy impact:

  • Pat sees him as a "Day One starter. And I think he leads the wide receivers in targets and is number two behind Brock Bowers." (Pat, 08:53)
  • Upside for instant fantasy relevancy—especially in PPR formats.

• Quote:

  "This guy is just a baller, man. And I am convinced that Omar Cooper Jr. is going to be a good NFL receiver."
  (Pat, 07:53)

• Memorable moment:

  • Pat candidly claims Cooper would “lead the WR room in targets as a rookie, right behind Brock Bowers.” Major praise.

5. Eli Stowers to the New England Patriots

[09:29 – 11:09]

• Why the fit excites Pat:

  • Tight end from Vanderbilt; athletic background (former QB, Texas state high jump champ).
  • Patriots have aging TEs—Hunter Henry (31) and Austin Hooper (32)—and a massive hole in playmaking pass-catchers.
  • Stowers has "good route running, dangerous after the catch, really good hands, excellent body control."

• Developmental angle:

  • Pat especially likes the pairing with Drake Maye: "would love to see Eli Stowers paired with Drake May and have these two grow together..." (Pat, 10:33)

• Fantasy impact:

  • Potential to quickly become a favorite target, large red zone upside given athletic profile.

• Quote:

  "I want to give the Patriots Eli Stowers... he is a really good athlete... you can see that high jumping background when he high points the ball..."
  (Pat, 09:31 & 10:09)

• Memorable moment:

  • Pat admits the pick is “all about appeasing” Joey P, who is delighted to see New England get a weapon for Drake Maye.

Notable Quotes & Speaker Attributions

• "Love could give the Chiefs the star caliber running back they have lacked ever since the demise of Jamal Charles..." (Pat, 01:19)
• "I would love to see Denzel Boston go to the Buffalo Bills... He would give Josh Allen the pass catching help he so desperately needs." (Pat, 03:24)
• "This guy is just a baller, man. And I am convinced that Omar Cooper Jr. is going to be a good NFL receiver." (Pat, 07:53)
• "Let him go to work on early downs and let Woody Marks play his more natural third-down role." (Pat, 06:32)
• "I want to give the Patriots Eli Stowers... you can see that high jumping background when he high points the ball..." (Pat, 09:31 & 10:09)
• “I hope they all come true and I hope they all play well in their rookie year.” (Pat, 11:19)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:46] — Jeremiah Love to Chiefs
• [02:34] — Denzel Boston to Bills
• [05:21] — Mike Washington to Texans
• [07:26] — Omar Cooper Jr. to Raiders
• [09:29] — Eli Stowers to Patriots

Summary Table: Top 5 Rookie Fits

| Prospect | Desired Team | Projected Role/Value | |---------------------|---------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------| | Jeremiah Love | Kansas City Chiefs | Feature RB, late 2nd round redraft, 1.01 in rookie | | Denzel Boston | Buffalo Bills | Alpha WR, red-zone monster, double-digit TD potential | | Mike Washington | Houston Texans | Early-down workhorse, RB2 upside, complements Marks | | Omar Cooper Jr. | Las Vegas Raiders | Immediate WR1, chemistry with rookie QB, PPR sleeper | | Eli Stowers | New England Patriots| Dynamic pass-catching TE, early favorite for Drake Maye |

Final Thoughts

Joey P and Pat Fitzmaurice deliver a brisk, enthusiastic look at 2026 rookie prospects and their fantasy ramifications, emphasizing how the right landing spot can unleash a young player’s value. They remind listeners to track rookie rankings at FantasyPros.com and subscribe to the Dynasty channel for more in-depth analysis.