Which Players Are Rising and Falling in Fantasy Football ADP?
Average Draft Position (ADP) changes throughout draft season as injuries, preseason performances, depth chart movement, and fantasy owner sentiment evolve. Identifying the biggest ADP risers and fallers before your draft helps you capitalize on value while avoiding players whose price no longer matches their outlook. Monitoring ADP movement is one of the easiest ways to gain an edge over your league.
Why Tracking ADP Risers and Fallers Gives You a Draft Edge
ADP isn’t just a ranking—it’s a snapshot of how fantasy owners value players today.
When a player’s ADP climbs, it’s usually because optimism surrounding their role or talent is increasing. Sometimes that movement is justified. Other times, the hype pushes a player beyond where they should realistically be drafted.
Likewise, falling ADP isn’t always a red flag. Some players become excellent draft values once they slide far enough.
The key is separating legitimate movement from overreaction.
Below are some of the biggest ADP movers entering the 2026 fantasy football season.
2026 Fantasy Football ADP Risers
Malik Nabers (WR – Giants)
Why He’s Rising
- Entered the offseason with significant questions surrounding his recovery timeline after last year’s knee injury.
- Has been participating during training camp, easing concerns about his health.
- Positive reports from camp have restored confidence that he’ll be ready for Week 1.
- Remains the clear centerpiece of the Giants’ passing attack when healthy.
- Fantasy owners are becoming more comfortable drafting him near his ceiling again.
Fantasy Recommendation: Don’t let early offseason injury concerns scare you away—Nabers is trending toward moving back to WR1 territory.
Bhayshul Tuten (RB – Jaguars)
Why He’s Rising
- The addition of Chris Rodriguez initially cooled enthusiasm and pushed his ADP down.
- Jacksonville’s coaching staff has continued to praise Tuten throughout training camp.
- The market is adjusting to the idea that he remains the favorite to lead the backfield.
- Explosive athleticism gives him legitimate breakout potential.
- Confidence continues to build that he’ll outperform his current draft cost.
Fantasy Recommendation: Target Tuten before his ADP climbs further, as he has the upside to become one of this year’s breakout running backs.
Jonathon Brooks (RB – Panthers)
Why He’s Rising
- Appears fully recovered and ready for a larger workload.
- Carolina has shown confidence in making him a centerpiece of the offense.
- Three-down skill set creates significant fantasy upside.
- Strong receiving ability boosts his weekly consistency.
- Still has room for additional ADP growth.
Fantasy Recommendation: Buy before his ADP climbs even higher, especially if you’re looking for breakout potential.
Jalen Coker (WR – Panthers)
Why He’s Rising
- Built momentum after an encouraging 2025 season that showcased his playmaking ability.
- Rookie Chris Brazzell’s season-ending injury opens additional opportunities for targets.
- Has a clearer path to meaningful snaps than he did earlier in the offseason.
- Continues to generate positive buzz throughout training camp.
- Offers intriguing upside well beyond his current ADP.
Fantasy Recommendation: Coker is an excellent late-round target with a realistic path to becoming a weekly fantasy contributor.
De’Zhaun Stribling (WR – 49ers)
Why He’s Rising
- Continues to receive glowing praise from teammates during training camp.
- Ricky Pearsall’s season-ending injury creates a larger opportunity in San Francisco’s receiving corps.
- Has taken advantage of increased first-team reps.
- Possesses the size and athletic profile to emerge as an impact receiver.
- ADP continues to climb as more fantasy owners buy into the opportunity.
Fantasy Recommendation: Stribling is one of the best late-round upside picks available and is worth targeting before his price rises further.
2026 Fantasy Football ADP Fallers
Drake Maye (QB – Patriots)
Why He’s Falling
- Entered the offseason with tremendous hype that pushed his ADP aggressively upward.
- The fantasy market has since cooled, bringing expectations back to a more reasonable level.
- His decline is driven more by pricing correction than concerns about his long-term talent.
- Still projects as an intriguing fantasy quarterback with upside.
- Fantasy owners are simply becoming more realistic about where he should be drafted.
Fantasy Recommendation: If Maye continues slipping to a fair value, he’s a smart target with plenty of upside at his adjusted ADP.
Xavier Worthy (WR – Chiefs)
Why He’s Falling
- Injuries have once again interrupted his momentum during the offseason.
- Durability concerns continue to follow him early in his career.
- His elite speed remains enticing, but his smaller frame raises questions about his ability to stay healthy.
- Missed development time has cooled fantasy enthusiasm.
- Fantasy owners are becoming more cautious about paying for his upside.
Fantasy Recommendation: Worthy still offers big-play potential, but he’s better viewed as a value pick after his ADP falls rather than someone to aggressively target.
Braelon Allen (RB – Jets)
Why He’s Falling
- Faces a crowded backfield with uncertain weekly volume.
- Touchdown opportunities could be inconsistent.
- Limited receiving role caps PPR upside.
- Requires an injury ahead of him to maximize fantasy value.
- Difficult to trust as more than bench depth.
Fantasy Recommendation: View him as a handcuff with upside rather than a weekly starter.
Zach Charbonnet (RB – Seahawks)
Why He’s Falling
- Continues working his way back from an injury suffered last season.
- Rookie Jadarian Price has generated significant buzz throughout training camp.
- Price’s emergence creates additional competition for touches.
- Questions remain about how quickly Charbonnet will return to a full workload.
- His path to consistent fantasy production has become less certain.
Fantasy Recommendation: Charbonnet is best left as a late-round depth option until his health and role become clearer.
Oronde Gadsden (TE – Chargers)
Why He’s Falling
- Has not been heavily involved as a target during training camp practices.
- The Chargers have several established pass catchers competing for opportunities.
- The offseason addition of veteran David Njoku further crowds the tight end room.
- Immediate fantasy production looks less likely than it did earlier this offseason.
- His ADP is adjusting to reflect a more limited role.
Fantasy Recommendation: Gadsden remains an intriguing dynasty prospect, but in redraft leagues he’s better left as a late-round flyer or waiver-wire watch candidate.
How to Use ADP Movement During Your Draft
Don’t blindly chase rising players or automatically avoid those whose ADP is falling.
Instead:
- Target risers before they become overpriced.
- Buy talented fallers after they become discounts.
- Compare ADP movement with your own player rankings.
- Avoid emotional reactions to preseason hype.
- Let your league mates overreact while you capitalize on value.
The best fantasy owners consistently draft players who outperform their draft position—not simply the players everyone else wants.
Final Thoughts on 2026 Fantasy Football ADP Risers and Fallers
ADP movement tells a story, but it shouldn’t dictate your draft. Rising players often signal breakout opportunities, while falling players can become some of the best values available. Understanding why a player’s ADP is changing is far more important than simply knowing that it has changed.
Stay flexible during your draft, trust your rankings, and use ADP as a tool—not a rule. Doing so will put you in a much stronger position to build a championship-caliber roster.
ADP Risers and Fallers: Frequently Asked Questions
ADP stands for Average Draft Position. It represents the average spot where a player is selected across thousands of fantasy football drafts.
ADP changes because of injuries, preseason performances, depth chart updates, coaching comments, trades, and shifts in fantasy owner sentiment.
No. Some risers become overpriced. Focus on whether their increasing cost still matches their projected production.
Often, yes. A falling ADP can create buying opportunities if the reasons for the decline are being overblown.
During draft season, checking updated ADP weekly—or even daily during preseason—helps you stay ahead of market trends and identify changing draft values.