Footballguys Fantasy Football Show

Episode Title: Way-Too-Early Rankings (Top-24) || Fantasy Football 2026
Date: January 22, 2026
Hosts: Dave Kluge, Alfredo Brown
Guest: Andrew Cooper (Fantasy Alarm)

Episode Overview

In this “Way-Too-Early” rankings special, Dave Kluge and guest Andrew Cooper challenge themselves to draft their consensus Top 24 for the 2026 fantasy football season. With the NFL Draft and free agency yet to come, there's loads of uncertainty, but the duo provides sharp, practical analysis on player value, emerging talent, and how coaching changes might impact early fantasy football strategy. The show balances in-depth football conversation with plenty of fun banter, making it engaging even for those not deep into the fantasy off-season.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The “Way-Too-Early” Exercise: Why Do It?

• The rankings come before free agency and the draft, giving perspective on player value before offseason changes.
• Andrew Cooper: “This process of two-on-one drafting the top 24 players on January 21st is insanity. But we're going to do it … it sets the tone for how we go into the offseason.” (01:44)

2. How Offseason Chaos Affects Rankings

• Dave shares past lessons (e.g., overreacting to the Rams' additions and moving Puka Nacua down in last year's ranking when he shouldn't have).
• Andrew discusses his “color-code” system for team situations, marking who is really “free-agency agnostic.”

3. First-Round (Picks 1-12): “These are the Prime Time Players”

(See below for the draft order and critical comments)

1. Bijan Robinson (RB, Falcons)

   • Coop: “Averages 110 yards from scrimmage per game. He’s a major focal point … perfect combination of floor and ceiling.” (04:43)
   • New coaching staff, but talent transcends.

2. Jahmyr Gibbs (RB, Lions)

   • Dave: “In games he’s played without David Montgomery, he is averaging nearly 30 points per game.” (05:30)
   • New OC Drew Petzing, but strong offensive line.

3. Christian McCaffrey (RB, 49ers)

   • Coop: Age 30 season, high touch count, but “If a guy is currently healthy, I’m not going to try to play doctor fortune teller … I’m just going to take Christian McCaffrey.” (09:03)

4. Puka Nacua (WR, Rams)

   • Dave: “Per-game, the top scoring fantasy WR this year … I’m etching it in stone … I’m not going to move.” (11:33)
   • Discussion on value even if roster changes.

5. Ja’Marr Chase (WR, Bengals)

   • Coop: Highest floor and ceiling. “His QB is incredible. Hoping Bengals invest in OL to let Chase thrive.” (13:16)

6. Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR, Seahawks)

   • Dave: “Targets are just funneled so heavily to JSN … If the defense gets a little worse and game scripts are more pass-heavy, we might not have seen his ceiling.” (14:19)

7. CeeDee Lamb (WR, Cowboys)

   • Coop: “Alpha stud WR … transcends other assets on the team.” (16:36)
   • Health affected 2025 dip.

8. Omarion Hampton (RB)

   • Dave’s “spiciest” pick. “Mike McDaniel signed … a better offensive line … I have him as RB3 in my 2026 rankings.” (18:49)

9. Jonathan Taylor (RB, Colts)

   • Coop: “Easy to forget … MVP candidate. #3 all-time in yards per scrimmage among actives.” (20:43)

10. Drake London (WR, Falcons)

    • Dave: “Injuries clouded his season, but between injury stretches, he was a lock for 100 yards and a TD.” (22:55)
    • Expected connection with Cousins.

11. Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR, Lions)

    • Coop: “Any given year can be WR1. Lions are now a team that handles business with ease.” (25:20)
    • Volume rock solid, coach changes shouldn’t hurt.

12. James Cook (RB, Bills)

    • Dave: “Huge breakout season … very similar profile to Jameer Gibbs, much cheaper cost. This is fair value now.” (30:17)

4. Second-Round (Picks 13-24): Value, Risks, and Positional Tiers

13. Devon Achane (RB, Dolphins)

    • Coop: “Closest thing to Jameer Gibbs … explosive, awesome player, used as WR often—game script independent” (32:14)

14. Ashton Jeanty (RB, Raiders)

    • Dave: “One of the worst rookie situations imaginable—did all the things we liked at Boise. Raiders hold #1 pick, $100M cap.” (33:58)
    • Real upside for “dynasty brain rot” drafters.

15. Malik Nabers (WR)

    • Coop: “The ceiling: could score 400 PPR points. If healthy, could be the #1 flex player in all fantasy.” (39:20)
    • Injury caveats remain, but upside is immense.

16. Chase Brown (RB, Bengals)

    • Dave: “People missed his late-season dominance. When Burrow is healthy, he’s a top-5 RB weekly.” (42:33)

17. Nico Collins (WR, Texans)

    • Coop: “Maybe getting ahead of myself, but he feels like Mike Evans now. 1,000 yards/five TDs each year easy.” (47:48)

18. Josh Jacobs (RB, Packers)

    • Dave: “Somehow finds the end zone every week … never really had a ceiling year with that OL. Top-10 path in 2026.” (50:57)

19. Saquon Barkley (RB, Giants)

    • Coop: “Still an awesome weapon, especially if team hires creative OC—maybe Slowik or Kubiak.” (51:44)

20. Justin Jefferson (WR, Vikings)

    • Dave: Fallen far enough pick “You talk about guys who could be the #1 flex—Jefferson still checks that box.” (53:31)

21. George Pickens (WR, Steelers)

    • Coop: “Electric … wants to make something happen every time. Diva, maniac, but the big weeks are worth it.” (58:24)

22. Trey McBride (TE, Cardinals)

    • Dave: “Doubt he makes it to the 2.10 in most drafts, but this is where value fits. Top scoring TE almost never lives up to 1–2 turn draft capital, but he’s different.” (59:17)

23. Brock Bowers (TE, Raiders)

    • Coop: “For dynasty, I have him as TE1. Do you have Bowers ahead? … He does special things—just go watch the highlights.” (60:14)

24. **Jeremiah Love (RB, Saints/Bears?)

    • Dave: “Transcendent talent … will be shocked if he isn’t a late 1st/early 2nd pick once he actually gets that draft capital.” (65:33)

5. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On drafting CMC at age-30:

  “If a guy is healthy, I’m not gonna try and play doctor fortune teller and predict he’s going to get hurt. … Might as well draft the good players and hope they don’t get hurt.”—Andrew Cooper (09:03)

• Highlight on RB Analysis:

  “For guys like Bijan and Gibbs—they’re the best player at every single one of those things. High-leverage situations? Always them.”—Coop (06:40)

• On Wide Receiver Upside:

  “Who could score me 400 PPR points? Once that list is exhausted, then I consider TE or QB … If you don’t see that upside, you don’t take them.”—Coop (41:09)

• Fun banter on Justin Jefferson falling to late 2nd:

  “This time last year if you’d said we’d be disgusted to take Justin Jefferson at the 2.08…”—Dave (55:07)

• On Watching Highlights:

  “Just watch a player's highlights and if you’re putting in the work, you'll get a pretty good idea of what that player can do, right?”—Dave (64:00)

Other Noteworthy Segments

• Debate about young risky upside (Dave) vs. safe floor (Coop)
  Dave often leans dynasty with high-upside young talent, while Coop takes the reliable producers (“glass of milk” vs. “spicy reapers”).

• Coaching/Free Agency Uncertainty
  They stress that value could flip wildly based on team decisions—watch for post-draft/summer updates!

• Positional Tiers
  Both identify natural breaks at RB and WR after about 18–20 names.

Top 24 Consensus List (Draft Order)

1. Bijan Robinson
2. Jahmyr Gibbs
3. Christian McCaffrey
4. Puka Nacua
5. Ja’Marr Chase
6. Jaxon Smith-Njigba
7. CeeDee Lamb
8. Omarion Hampton
9. Jonathan Taylor
10. Drake London
11. Amon-Ra St. Brown
12. James Cook
13. Devon Achane
14. Ashton Jeanty
15. Malik Nabers
16. Chase Brown
17. Nico Collins
18. Josh Jacobs
19. Saquon Barkley
20. Justin Jefferson
21. George Pickens
22. Trey McBride (TE)
23. Brock Bowers (TE)
24. Jeremiah Love (rookie)

Timestamps for Critical Segments

• Start of Rankings Discussion: 04:29
• Bijan Robinson at 1.01: 04:43
• Jahmyr Gibbs Analysis: 05:30
• CMC Age-Apocalypse Debate: 09:03
• Puka Nacua as WR1: 11:33
• JSN Breakout/OC Talk: 14:19
• CD Lamb’s Role and Injury Context: 16:36
• Spiciest Pick: Omarion Hampton: 18:49
• Drake London and Falcons Offense: 22:55
• Amon-Ra St. Brown’s Consistency: 25:20
• Round 2 Begins: 31:44
• Devon Achane’s Unique Usage: 32:14
• Justin Jefferson Value Debate: 53:31
• Tight End Tier: McBride vs. Bowers: 59:17
• Rookie Watch: Jeremiah Love: 65:33

Major Omissions / Honorable Mentions

• Rashee Rice, A.J. Brown, Peter O. McMillan, Tee Higgins, Bucky Irving, Chris Olave, Derrick Henry, etc.
• Both highlight big names falling out due to uncertainty (e.g., QB situations, suspensions, team changes).

Closing Thoughts

• Quarterback/Tight End Scarcity
  They discuss when it’s right to pull the trigger for QBs/TEs, but focus this list on flex value.
• Draft Lessons
  Early-season narratives and recency bias can cloud true player value.
• Advice
  Stay flexible, adapt as offseason information updates. Use resources to input scoring/roster requirements for custom rankings.

For Listeners:

This episode gives an in-depth, highly anticipatory view into 2026 fantasy football. Kluge and Cooper’s combined wisdom, nuanced player analysis, and “risk vs. floor” debates produce a list both practical and laced with upside. Their conversational style and willingness to laugh at their own biases make it an enjoyable listen, even in the offseason doldrums.

Quotes and timestamps have been included to reflect the speakers’ tone and focus points throughout the podcast.