Players At Each Position Joel Smyth Has Changed His Mind On The Most Throughout Training Camp And Preseason For 2026 Fantasy Football

Over the course of August, so much changes, and our opinions should too. Whether it's training camp, preseason, roles being revealed or injuries, rankings are moving every day. Analyst Joel Smyth breaks down the handful of players that he's switched around in his fantasy football rankings as we approach Week 1.

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Quarterback

Bo Nix, Broncos

• From average to above average 

In a year with so many amazing fantasy QB options, Bo Nix is a punt option that builds great teams. First off, he was the QB7 in ADP last season, and going into Year 3 with a similar situation, but adding a true WR1 in Jaylen Waddle, he's going as the QB15. Why? He's back strong from the injury he sustained last playoffs, and although he underperformed last season, he didn't play poorly. Every time I mock draft and wait until the very end and grab Nix, my team build makes me happy. He has the combination of incredible passing volume and a rushing floor that makes him extremely safe, while still providing high potential. 

Running Back

Javonte Williams, Cowboys

• From average to above average 

In a range of so much mystery, injury and risk, Javonte Williams is there, seemingly as the safe option. With the top-12 RBs flying off the board, I think Williams is a good option near the end of Round 3 for RB-needy teams. Nothing has changed, which is a positive for top fantasy players from the prior year. Offensive line, coaching, QB, RB depth, nothing. All that happened was he got a big contract that cements his volume. He's not the ultimate upside pick, but there isn't much top-five RB upside outside of Round 2 overall. 

Travis Etienne Jr., Saints

• From below average to average 

It sounds weird, but sometimes the lack of belief in a player's skill can steer you too far away. It can be outweighed by other fantasy factors that are just as important. With Etienne, I don't believe he's a dominant RB, and I do believe he's due for some heavy receiving regression after a six-TD year (had one career receiving TD prior). However, with an improved Saints OL, an injured Alvin Kamara and even Jordyn Tyson, along with what seems like every other RB on the entire team, Etienne is set up for huge volume at RB18. I'm a big believer in the Saints' offense for fantasy reasons. There is such a built-in cushion for error at his price that things would have to go horribly wrong to finish outside the top-20 RBs. 

Bucky Irving, Buccaneers

• From average to above average 

Head coach Todd Bowles said "we're not easing [Irving] back from anything" back in July. Over a month of being full-go, full pads. That was concern No. 1. Concern No. 2 is the volume with Kenny Gainwell and Sean Tucker. First off, Irving is going as the 47th player off the board as RB23, and last season, with Tucker and Rachaad White stealing valuable touches and dealing with injury, Irving was the … RB18 in PPG (even including his bad Week 18 game for a larger sample). Zero goal-line TDs, an injured offensive line, injured QB, offense falling apart and he was a low-end RB2. Disappointing, yes, but a value as a near Round 5 pick? I think so. Remember, even in Gainwell's career-best season, he had 31.6 rushing yards per game. I expect him to be a third-down back and split passing game work. Tucker was rumored to be a cut option, and with a new coaching staff, it's not guaranteed he retains his goal line role as a former UDFA. Irving has a lot that could turn him from an OK pick that finishes near ADP to a steal that has top volume in a solid offense.

TreVeyon Henderson, Patriots

• From average to below average

Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots

• From average to above average

This has been, what I would say, the most important news to follow in all of fantasy. It didn't count in fantasy, but the most important games of the year came in the playoffs. TreVeyon Henderson was an afterthought, and Rhamondre Stevenson was a workhorse. Sadly for the talented 2025 draft pick, nothing seems to be changing. All reports point toward Stevenson heavily as the clear RB1, with Henderson "potentially being a change-of-pace back if he can pass protect." Oof. Stevenson is too reliable and productive to be taken off the field, and to make matters worse, Henderson is now hurt. He is the best insurance back in fantasy, but it puts you in a hole taking him when others are selecting starters. 

David Montgomery, Texans

• From average to below average

Montgomery is kind of my reverse Bucky Irving. In my opinion, he needs a bell-cow role. I don't believe he's being drafted much later than his ceiling potential, and there are lots of risks for a floor pick. He's a 29-year-old RB who virtually lost his role from a coach that was in love with him. He now moves teams to an OK offense with a poor offensive line. He's not expected to be the main pass-catching RB, and the Woody Marks' drumbeat has been steady. Not that Marks would take over, or even be 50/50, but if Montgomery has 65% of the touches instead of 75-80%, is that enough? I'd rather be drafting a top WR in the range he's going. 

RJ Harvey, Broncos

• From below average to average, accidentally

I was very out on RJ Harvey as he was going in the low 60s to begin the draft season, a Round 6 pick. He has since dropped 20+ spots to the later rounds. Now I have to be back in? I'm not a believer in the talent; however, I love the RB setting the Broncos have. It's perfect for fantasy, and even on poor efficiency, turned Harvey into a low-end RB1 without J.K. Dobbins. I'm a Jonah Coleman believer, but with Harvey playing 100% of the snaps to start the preseason games, it seems like one of the best insurance picks with an injury-plagued Dobbins in front of him. If there's any growth in Year 2, which there seems to be some confidence that's the case, then Harvey can be a bench fill-in with RB1 upside again if Dobbins were to miss games. It's ugly, but he's dropped too far? 

Wide Receiver

Nico Collins, Texans

• From average to just above average

I thought that one of the most underrated negatives for Nico Collins' profile was the rise of WR Jayden Higgins after his strong rookie season. After the ACL injury to Higgins, the path to a 30% target share for Collins is wide open. He is not a WR that needs 10+ targets per game to produce at a high level; eight targets that are predominantly downfield or in the red zone will do. Collins is a fantasy WR that when healthy the past three seasons, is below only a few names in production. Without an established second option on the team, Collins has an incredible floor with his usual top-five ceiling if he can stay off the injury report. 

Chris Olave, Saints

• From below average to average

The combination of two concerns made me below consensus on Chris Olave. Remember, Olave was being drafted in the mid-WR30s last season, yes, because of the QB room, but more so because of missing half a season from another concussion. The other risk was the addition of top-10 pick Jordyn Tyson. Olave was decently affected by Rashid Shaheed, and fully grew to his potential once Shaheed was dealt mid-season, alongside the rise of Tyler Shough. With Tyson aggravating his severe hamstring injuries once more, 50% of that concern is gone for a significant portion of the season. Olave was a bona fide fantasy WR1 with Shough last season, and without Tyson healthy in the near future, I'm fine taking the risk with his injuries in a Round 3 that's filled with injury issues. 

Green Bay WRs

• From average to above average

Dontayvion Wicks and Romeo Doubs are gone, leaving the trio of Christian Watson, Jayden Reed and Matthew Golden. You could argue (I will) that all three are being slightly underdrafted at their current ADP. The combo of good QB play and a good offense goes a long way, and has really only been held back by a run-first attack (especially in the red zone). With Josh Jacobs on the commissioner's exempt list, rumors (and preseason proof) of a faster offense and TE/RB absences that can lead to more 3-WR sets, the opportunity looks the best it's ever been. The efficiency for Watson and Reed specifically has been incredible on a route-by-route basis, meaning any small uptick in volume goes a long way. Then you have a Round 1 NFL Draft pick going into his second season that is virtually free at the end of drafts, a good process pick. 

Tight End

Tucker Kraft, Packers

• From average to above average

Very similar with Tucker Kraft, adding in the positive injury news. He is no longer being limited in training camp, and although he is still likely to be limited early in the season, that is baked into his ADP. When fully healthy, he was the overall TE1 last season. So if he's playing at 80% health? For half the season? I think that's worth a Round 6 selection in an offense that could rely on him a ton.