Footballguys Fantasy Football Show
Episode: Predicting This Offseason's Losers and Winners with Theo Gremminger
Date: January 15, 2026
Hosts: Dave Kluge, Alfredo Brown
Guest: Theo Gremminger (Fantasy Points)
Overview
On this episode, Dave Kluge welcomes industry expert Theo Gremminger to predict the biggest fantasy football winners and losers of the 2026 NFL offseason, with a focus on dynasty and bestball formats. Together, they debate potential risers and fallers among free agents, rising talents, and established stars heading into a tumultuous period of NFL drafts, trades, and organizational shakeups. If you want to get ahead of the market and identify the next breakout stars or avoid fading assets, this is a must-listen.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Offseason Winners: Players Set to Gain Value
Malik Willis: Free Agent Quarterback with Huge Upside
- Theo: "For me, the guy who's going to gain a ton of value this offseason and could end up having a Daniel Jones like season is Malik Willis." [02:34]
- Willis, formerly a 3rd-round pick, is just 26 and has demonstrated serious dual-threat potential, notably his Week 17 performance vs Baltimore.
- Possible landing spots: New York Jets, Arizona, Cleveland, Miami, Pittsburgh, or even Minnesota—any of which could elevate his ADP.
- Dave: "He came out against Baltimore in a pass heavy game script and still looked unbelievable... completing over 85% of his passes, that to me was a huge step in Malik Willis's development." [04:55]
Braylon Allen: Sleeper Workhorse Back
- Dave: Emphasizes Allen’s youth (still just 21), size (6’1”, 235 lbs), and growth as a developmental back for the Jets.
- Sees Allen as a breakout candidate whether or not Breece Hall stays.
- "This is one of those guys, we see it all the time where guys end the season on IR, just get completely forgotten about in Dynasty circles." [08:32]
- Theo: "It's that profile that coaches gravitate towards. It's the elite, elite athlete and it's the massive size." [08:32]
Alec Pierce: Under-the-Radar WR About to Get Paid
- Theo: "Alec Pierce is going to get a massive, massive contract...he had a thousand receiving yards. The yards per reception total have just been incredible the last two years. 21 yards per reception this year, 22 last." [11:51]
- At only 25, with Day 2 draft capital, Pierce could ascend to a WR1 role, especially if Michael Pittman moves on from Indianapolis.
- Pierce already leads the NFL in air yard share and continues to improve production each year.
Devin Neal: Deep Running Back Value
- Dave: Once skeptical, but the 2025 rookie has converted skeptics by handling a workhorse role when given touches in New Orleans (17 and 20 touches in two starts). [17:27]
- Risk is a rookie or free agent usurping him in 2026, but if not, Neal is a cheap "throw in" who has shown he can be productive.
Zach Charbonnet AND Kenneth Walker: Both Can Win
- Theo: "Charbonnet has continued to score touchdowns at a high clip...now has a chance to take over this backfield." [19:54]
- Charbonnet averages >4 ypc, has gaudy TD totals, and checks every box for increased role if Walker departs.
- Dave: Suggests managers acquire both Walker and Charbonnet – the "blackjack split" strategy. Both are talented and situations could tilt in either's favor. [21:58]
- "The worst case scenario is that Seattle retains Kenneth Walker where he was an RB2 last year. Zach Charbonnet was an RB2 last year. So that's the worst case scenario." [23:49]
Chuba Hubbard: Post-Hype Sleeper
- Theo: "Chuba Hubbard had a terrific year in 2024...loses all sorts of dynasty value. But we've seen the season end exceedingly well for him." [28:04]
- Out-touched Rico Dowdle down the stretch and regains likely workhorse status in Carolina in Dave Canales’ RB-friendly offense.
Jaylen Waddle: Finally Poised for Alpha Role
- Dave: "Tyreek Hill, I think his time in Miami has come to an end...Jalen Waddle, still just 27 years old, in his prime, sitting on a massive contract..." [32:18]
- No more Tyreek or Tua; with a new coach and QB, Waddle could see the target volume and efficiency reminiscent of his rookie year.
Offseason Losers: Players (or Archetypes) at Risk
Woody Marks: Temporary Shine in Houston
- Theo: "Ends up with over 900 total yards, scores six touchdowns...but this is exactly the sort of profile we want to bet against." [35:02]
- At 25, not built for bell-cow work, and on a team that reliably signs aging, pedigree-rich free agents (e.g., expects Najee Harris or Aaron Jones types to Houston).
- Dave echoes, "We have seen that this team really does like to have that veteran that they can lean on and they wanted that to be Nick Chubb..." [36:41]
Davante Adams: End of Fantasy Dominance?
- Dave: "Devonte Adams is a guy that...if I can get a second round pick in return at this point..." [37:56]
- Age (entering age-34 season), contract outs, and touchdown-dependent production with L.A. Rams. Rams may draft his replacement; strong risk for regression or outright release.
- Theo: "Leaving Los Angeles would actually be crazy, especially with how pure he ran in terms of the touchdowns with Matthew Stafford." [39:45]
Generic Warning: The Free Agent Running Back Class Will Nuke Jobs
- Theo: "There's too many names available, where there's going to be some landing spots that are uncomfortable for fantasy managers..." [42:55]
- Upside RBs who break out by necessity (e.g. the backfield opens due to injury) often get replaced/suppressed by incoming free agents or rookies—he highlights Javonte Williams, Travis Etienne, Rashad White, Kenneth Gainwell as possible casualties or risk cases as rosters churn.
Garrett Wilson: Situation Still Grim
- Dave: "I am so worried about the quarterback situation there with the Jets...we've been hoping for years that Garrett Wilson's situation can improve and I don't see it happening in 2026." [45:11]
- Rookie QB (Dante Moore?) is likely, with Tyrod Taylor and Justin Fields set to move on and improved competition for targets.
- Theo: "It's a really frustrating player because he's super talented, ...but then it's like the actual production for Garrett Wilson and the idea of Garrett Wilson, they don't always match up." [46:32]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Theo on Malik Willis: "All Malik Willis needs is a starting opportunity and he's going to score a lot of fantasy points. His profile is extremely fantasy friendly because he's very mobile, but he's also an underrated passer..." [02:34]
- Dave on Alec Pierce: "My expectation is that they let Michael Pittman walk, he becomes a free agent and they do pay Alec Pierce to be that wide receiver of the future." [13:29]
- Theo's Running Back Warning: "...there's too many names available, where there's going to be some landing spots that are uncomfortable for fantasy managers..." [42:55]
- Dave on Walker/Charbonnet: "The worst case scenario is that Seattle retains Kenneth Walker where he was an RB2 last year. Zach Charbonnet was an RB2 last year." [23:49]
- Theo on the Jets: "Remains to be seen. If New York does something like trades for Mac Jones...maybe Dante Moore goes back to Oregon, then maybe we can get really excited about Garrett Wilson." [46:32]
Important Timestamps
- Malik Willis as a potential top-15 QB: 02:34–06:49
- Braylon Allen’s undervalued dynasty profile: 06:49–11:33
- Alec Pierce’s breakout & contract projections: 11:51–15:28
- Zach Charbonnet and Kenneth Walker “split” strategy: 19:54–26:14
- Chuba Hubbard’s sleeper appeal: 28:04–30:02
- Jaylen Waddle ready to ascend: 32:18–34:31
- Woody Marks as a cautionary fade: 35:02–37:54
- Davante Adams—time to sell?: 37:56–42:49
- Running back market dangers: 42:55–45:10
- Garrett Wilson’s persistent situation problem: 45:11–48:07
Tone & Style
The episode is fast-paced, energetic, and loaded with actionable insights, industry anecdotes, and good-natured debate. Both hosts are analytical yet conversational, weaving statistical arguments with player-humanizing stories and strategic dynasty advice for both competitive and rebuilding rosters.
Conclusion
- The 2026 NFL offseason is loaded with uncertainty, making it ripe with opportunity (and peril) for fantasy managers—a time to buy promising backs on the cheap, prepare for the churn in crowded backfields, and reconsider aging assets before the music stops.
- Knowledgeable dynasty players can get ahead by targeting flexible, undervalued players poised for breakout, while selling or hedging on aging/blocked assets, especially at wide receiver and running back.
- Make sure to check out Theo’s and Dave’s work for more deep dives as free agency and draft chaos approaches.
For complete player-by-player breakdowns and more, listen to the full episode or follow the hosts on their respective platforms.