Schefter Flags 2026 Fantasy Values From Gibbs at 1.4 to Shough at 155.4

3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Aug 28

Adam Schefter’s 2026 cheat sheet highlights players he believes can beat ESPN average draft position, splitting targets into early rounds 1-4, middle rounds 5-11 and late rounds 12-plus.
Quarterback is his clearest wait-on-the-position call: no early-round QBs made the list, with Bo Nix at 86.3, Caleb Williams at 92.2 and Justin Herbert at 106.0 leading the value tier.
Running back starts at the top of drafts, where Jahmyr Gibbs at 1.4 and Bijan Robinson at 2.5 are framed as worthy 1-2 picks, while Chase Brown and Kenneth Walker III headline later value in the position.
Wide receiver and tight end offer depth across the board, from Ja’Marr Chase at 4.0 and Brock Bowers at 24.3 to middle-round names such as DeVonta Smith, Colston Loveland and Harold Fannin Jr.
The broader takeaway is roster flexibility: Schefter argues 2026 depth at quarterback, receiver and tight end should let drafters prioritize elite backs early and hunt sleepers such as Tyler Shough, Jordan Love and Isaiah Likely later.