The Herd with Colin Cowherd — FantasyPros: An Early Look at the Best Landing Spots for the Top 2026 NFL Free Agents (Ep. 1959)

Released: February 14, 2026

Hosts: Joey P. (Joe P. Zapia), Tom Strachan, Jake Sealey

Main Theme

This episode of FantasyPros takes a forward-looking, fantasy-focused dive into the 2026 NFL Free Agent class. Hosts Joey P., Tom Strachan, and Jake Sealey predict "best-case" landing spots for the biggest names heading to free agency, analyzing how each player's destination could impact not just their real teams, but their value for fantasy football managers in both redraft and dynasty leagues.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

How NFL Free Agency Shapes Fantasy Football

• Timing of Free Agency: Jake questions the NFL's unique scheduling—free agency before the draft—and how it affects team planning and fantasy value (02:34).

  “Why are we doing free agency then the draft? … the NFL has to capitalize on having every month have something happen for them.” — Jake Sealey [02:34]

• Cascading Effects: The panel emphasizes how free agent decisions often create “waterfall” effects, not just changing players’ fantasy values, but also shifting draft approaches and creating unexpected team fits.

Quarterbacks

Aaron Rodgers

• Jake’s pick: Minnesota Vikings
  • A return to the NFC North “revenge tour,” playing Kevin O'Connell’s QB-friendly offense alongside Justin Jefferson.
  • “Aaron Rodgers going to Minnesota to finish things out with one more year makes sense.” — Jake Sealey [04:46]
• Tom’s outside-the-box: Arizona Cardinals
  • With rumors of a Kyler Murray split, Rodgers could take over an offense dominated by YAC weapons (Trey McBride, Michael Wilson) and play inside.
  • “We would be putting Aaron Rodgers indoors, which at this point in his career, after a year in Pittsburgh, he might fancy.” — Tom Strachan [05:53]
• Both joke about Rodgers retiring to “the cave.” [04:22-05:53]

Daniel Jones

• Both believe a reunion with the Indianapolis Colts is probable.
  • “Why would he not want to go back there when everything clicked for him?” — Tom Strachan [09:20]
  • Trust in the run game, familiar offense, and doubts about Anthony Richardson’s durability.

Malik Willis

• Tom: Pittsburgh Steelers
  • Mobility fits cold-weather football and AFC North defensive landscape.
  • “He torched my Ravens with the deep ball this season… I just think that there’s going to be a lot of possibilities for Malik Willis this year.” — Tom Strachan [10:45]
• Jake: Miami Dolphins
  • Reunites with coaching tree from Green Bay, offense uses lots of play-action and pre-snap motion.
  • “Malik Willis is the easy tie to [Miami], and I think it does make a lot of sense.” — Jake Sealey [12:02]

Wide Receivers

Alec Pierce

• Tom: Seattle Seahawks
  • Team flush with cap space, great deep ball QB (Sam Darnold), an aggressive post-Super Bowl build.
  • “It’s so rare for someone of his talent to end up on the free agency market. … I want somewhere where the downfield passing is going to be good.” — Tom Strachan [17:04]
• All three: Las Vegas Raiders (“The consensus”)
  • Paired with Brock Bowers, new OC designs offense to get WRs deep and in space.
  • “You put Alec Pierce on the Raiders with Brock Bowers … we’d be talking about now Alec Pierce with 120 targets, maybe even more.” — Jake Sealey [20:08]

Mike Evans

• Jake: San Francisco 49ers
  • Fills Brandon Aiyuk’s “big playmaker” spot—important for a contending team with red zone/TD threats.
• Tom: Baltimore Ravens
  • Fulfills Lamar Jackson’s need for a big-bodied downfield threat in play action.
  • “Rashod Bateman regressed this year... They don’t like going to Zay Flowers in the red zone. So get Mike Evans in there...” — Tom Strachan [21:52]

Deebo Samuel

• Tom: Carolina Panthers
  • Offensive fit for Dave Canales, using him underneath to create YAC in a “Hunter Renfrow-plus” role.
  • “If you added Deebo Samuel, he could eat underneath, be a nice outlet…” — Tom Strachan [23:17]
• Jake: Pittsburgh Steelers
  • McCarthy’s love for 3-WR sets, Deebo’s movement ability fits alongside DK Metcalf.
  • “Deebo can do a lot more whether zone, whether it’s man, whether it’s out wide, whether it’s in the slot…” — Jake Sealey [24:25]

Rapid Fire: Other WRs

• Juwan Jennings: Jake—Buffalo, Tom—San Francisco (return)
• Rashid Shaheed: Tom—Vegas, Jake—Miami
• Romeo Doubs: Jake—Saints, Tom—Miami
• Wandale Robinson: Tom—Titans, Jake—Commanders

Running Backs

Kenneth Walker

• Tom: Houston Texans
  • Joe Mixon likely cut, fits as primary runner though pass protection remains a knock.
• Jake: Arizona Cardinals
  • LaFleur’s OC style could give Walker rare “bellcow” treatment if Trey Benson’s injury lingers.
  • “What if the Cardinals… getting bell cow work… I wouldn’t be shocked.” — Jake Sealey [29:00]

Breece Hall

• Jake: Kansas City Chiefs (“the fantasy dream scenario”)
  • “You put Breece Hall on the Chiefs and people are going to lose their damn minds.” — Jake Sealey [31:36]
• Tom: Washington Commanders
  • Sees opportunity for Hall as a true 3-down back in a new-look offense.

Travis Etienne

• Tom: New Orleans Saints
  • Fit with Kellen Moore; Saints run similar zone-heavy schemes; potential Kamara replacement.
• Jake: Houston Texans
  • Fills Mixon’s spot, offense parallels Jacksonville’s.

Rico Dowdle

• Jake: Jacksonville Jaguars (if Etienne walks)
• Tom: Kansas City Chiefs (cap-friendly, explosive runner, multi-year deal potential)

Javonte Williams

• Both agree: Dallas Cowboys
  • Proven fit post-injury, likely affordable for Dallas’ cap.

Tyler Allgeier

• Jake: Chiefs (cost-effective, RB-friendly fit, “top 15 RB” upside if he signs)
• Tom: New York Jets (builds around solid O-line, opportunity for lead work with Hall’s departure)

J.K. Dobbins, Najee Harris, Rashad White

• Tom: Dobbins to Denver (complements RJ Harvey)
• Jake: Any of the trio in Washington or Houston would make fantasy managers take notice

Tight Ends

Kyle Pitts

• Jake: Atlanta Falcons (retain, unlock with Stefanski/Reese, finally use him as “power forward”)
  • “Let’s stop making Kyle Pitts run routes… let’s treat him like a power forward in the NFL.” — Jake Sealey [43:42]
• Tom: Philadelphia Eagles
  • “If they wanted someone who can give a bit more YAC, who can stretch field, then Kyle Pitts would be fun there.” — Tom Strachan [45:59]

Dallas Goedert

• Jake: Philadelphia Eagles (keeps role as a top target, especially if AJ Brown departs)
• Tom: Miami Dolphins (reliable, 500yd/5TD tight end to stabilize offense)

Bonus: Tom floats David Njoku’s possible reunion with Kevin Stefanski.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “If you want to win [the Fantasy Pros championship belt], drop your comments below, subscribe to the channel. That’s it. That’s all you got to do...” – Joey P. [03:05]
• “Aaron Rodgers going to Minnesota to finish things out with one more year makes sense.” — Jake Sealey [04:46]
• “If you can’t retire, the closest thing is Arizona, right? … They got the golf, people retire to Florida or Arizona.” — Joey P. [07:02]
• “If you look over the last five years, Malik Willis … is one of the top 10 quarterbacks in just percentages of [TDs and first downs per attempt off play action].” — Jake Sealey [12:02]
• “I guarantee you at least one of these places that you guys have predicted will be true. Just watch!” — Joey P. [46:58]
• “Not breaking any news there with self-loathing and Jake Sealey.” — Joey P. [48:04]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Quarterbacks

  • Aaron Rodgers (Vikings/Cardinals/Cave): 04:22–07:02
  • Daniel Jones (Colts): 07:42–10:09
  • Malik Willis (Steelers/Dolphins): 10:09–13:00

• Wide Receivers

  • Alec Pierce (Seahawks/Raiders): 16:31–20:34
  • Mike Evans (49ers/Ravens): 20:34–22:43
  • Deebo Samuel (Panthers/Steelers): 23:17–25:18
  • Rapid Fire WRs: 25:18–27:10

• Running Backs

  • Kenneth Walker (Texans/Cardinals): 28:05–30:33
  • Breece Hall (Chiefs/Commanders): 30:33–33:18
  • Travis Etienne (Saints/Texans/Jaguars): 33:57–36:00
  • Rico Dowdle (Jaguars/Chiefs): 36:07–38:41
  • Javonte Williams / Tyler Allgeier / Others: 38:41–42:05
  • J.K. Dobbins, Harris, White: 42:40–43:18

• Tight Ends

  • Kyle Pitts/Dallas Goedert landing spots: 43:25–46:58

Tone & Style

• Conversational, humorous, and candid — banter between Joey, Jake, and Tom is lively and filled with playful jabs
• Deeply knowledgeable: Hosts quickly shift from stats to real-world team needs, making sophisticated connections between offensive schemes and fantasy upside
• “Wish-casting” (dream landing scenarios) is acknowledged and contrasted with practical, likely outcomes

For Fantasy Managers & NFL Fans

This episode is a deep-dive into how the 2026 NFL free agency could reshape next year’s fantasy football landscape. The hosts blend sharp analysis, roster construction knowledge, and franchise tendencies to speculate about who’s going where — and why it might matter more for your dynasty roster than for the teams themselves. If you want both practical and creative predictions (plus a laugh), this episode is for you.