Fantasy Football Free Agency Winners & Losers (2026)

Mar 23, 2026

Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

The meat of the 2026 NFL free agency period is over, and it has not disappointed. Quarterbacks have changed cities, a few young running backs have found new homes, and a handful of receivers have landed in spots that could dramatically shift their fantasy value. Below, I break down the biggest winners and losers of the early free agency period, and what each move means for your fantasy drafts.

Winners

QB Kyler Murray, Minnesota Vikings

Kyler Murray's fantasy value has always been tied to two things: health and scheme. In Minnesota, he gets both. Kevin O'Connell is one of the most creative offensive minds in the league, a play-caller who enabled Justin Jefferson to become a perennial top-three fantasy receiver and consistently puts his skill players in positions to thrive. When healthy, Murray is a borderline QB1 with the rushing floor that keeps him relevant on a weekly basis. He finished as the QB11 in 2024 and was on a QB17 pace through five weeks of 2025 before going down, and that rushing upside alone gives him a higher weekly floor than most pocket passers.

Pair that with Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson, and Murray steps into one of the most loaded supporting casts he has ever had. If O'Connell can do for Murray what he did for Kirk Cousins in his prime, a top-eight fantasy finish is well within reach. The injury history is the obvious caveat, but the upside here is genuine.

RB Tyler Allgeier, Arizona Cardinals

Tyler Allgeier is walking into one of the more intriguing opportunity situations of the offseason. James Conner turns 31 this year and has a long injury history. Trey Benson has been unable to return from the knee injury he suffered in Week 4 of last season. The door is wide open. Allgeier's 2025 efficiency numbers were underwhelming. He averaged just 3.6 YPC and ranked 47th of 65 in yards before contact, but a strong 2024 campaign (8th in yards after contact, 12th in PFF rush grade) is a reminder of what he looks like when he is right.

In Atlanta, he never got a chance to be the guy with Bijan Robinson commanding 200-plus touches per season. In Arizona, that ceiling exists. If Allgeier wins the starting job and the Cardinals lean on him as a featured back, an RB2 fantasy finish is in play. He's a dart throw worth targeting in the middle rounds.

TE Gunnar Helm, Tennessee Titans

Gunnar Helm may be the most underappreciated breakout candidate at the tight end position heading into 2026. Chigoziem Okonkwo's departure to Washington left a significant void in Tennessee's passing game, and while Daniel Bellinger signed for $24 million over three years, signaling some front-office commitment, Helm has the profile to take the job outright. He caught 29 passes for 372 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie in a limited role, and the Titans clearly believe in his upside.

With Wan'Dale Robinson now in the building as Cam Ward's projected WR1, Helm could carve out a complementary role as the tight end safety valve. Given how few reliable TE options exist outside the top 10, Helm is exactly the kind of late-round target that wins fantasy drafts. Monitor his role closely throughout training camp.