Shocking Yahoo Fantasy ADP Risers and Fallers Revealed

Image Source: Yahoo Sports

Yahoo Fantasy managers are making major adjustments ahead of the 2026 NFL season. The latest average draft position data shows several players climbing rapidly after preseason developments, roster news and injuries changed their outlooks. At the same time, some highly regarded players have slipped into more reasonable draft ranges.

The final update in Yahoo Sports’ series on the biggest ADP risers and fallers highlights a handful of critical decisions for fantasy football managers. Mike Washington Jr. and MarShawn Lloyd are among the biggest winners, while Jordyn Tyson has experienced the sharpest decline.

Yahoo Fantasy ADP Risers Making a Powerful Move

Mike Washington Jr. Becomes a Must-Watch Raiders Backup

Mike Washington Jr. was the biggest ADP riser, jumping 25.3 spots. The Raiders rookie running back has benefited from uncertainty surrounding Ashton Jeanty, who is now a major question mark for Week 1 because of an injury.

Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak has discussed the possibility of a two-man backfield, similar to the Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet arrangement in Seattle last season. Washington’s preseason performances have also strengthened his case for a meaningful role.

Washington has now moved toward the 10th- to 11th-round turn, while Jeanty dropped six spots from 15th overall to 21st. That decline could eventually create value for Jeanty after the 20th pick, but his early-season workload is no longer as secure as it appeared earlier in the offseason.

MarShawn Lloyd Surges After Josh Jacobs News

MarShawn Lloyd also made an explosive move, rising 20.6 spots in ADP. The Green Bay Packers running back has become a popular target after Josh Jacobs was placed on the commissioner’s exempt list amid an ongoing legal investigation.

Lloyd is the prospective frontrunner to handle more work if Jacobs misses time, although the situation remains complicated. Chris Brooks and trade acquisition Kaleb Johnson are also in the mix, and Jacobs has fallen only six spots to 41st overall.

Lloyd was a third-round pick in 2024 but has dealt with injuries throughout his first two NFL seasons. His potential opportunity is significant, yet fantasy managers should avoid treating him as a guaranteed workhorse. A range around RB30 represents a more measured approach, while Jacobs remains difficult to value near RB40.

Terrance Ferguson and Dalton Schultz Gain Ground

Terrance Ferguson and Dalton Schultz posted the next-largest rises among the featured players. Ferguson climbed 18.6 spots, while Schultz gained 17.2.

Schultz appears to have the safer profile. He has received at least 85 targets in five consecutive seasons and caught 82 passes for 777 yards last year. With Houston dealing with uncertainty at wide receiver, including injuries and the loss of Jayden Higgins, Schultz could see dependable volume.

Ferguson’s rise is based more on upside. He must first earn a larger role in a crowded Los Angeles tight end group before competing for targets behind Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. His athletic potential is intriguing, but Schultz remains the stronger late-round value.

Surprising Yahoo Fantasy ADP Fallers to Reconsider

Jordyn Tyson’s Injury Creates a Major Draft Concern

Jordyn Tyson suffered the steepest fall, dropping 28.2 spots. The Saints wide receiver was selected eighth overall in the 2026 NFL Draft and entered the season widely viewed as the class’s top wideout.

However, Tyson is expected to miss more than a month with a hamstring injury and was placed on short-term injured reserve. Even a return around mid-October would leave him without valuable development time during training camp and the opening weeks of the season.

Tyson has now fallen to the 11th round. That range may make him worth a speculative selection, particularly in leagues with injured reserve positions. Still, managers should not expect consistent WR2 production until the second half of the season.

Josh Downs Loses Breakout Appeal in Indianapolis

Josh Downs dropped 6.4 spots after the Colts signed Keenan Allen. Much of Downs’ preseason breakout appeal came from the expectation that he would receive a larger share of the Indianapolis passing game following Michael Pittman Jr.’s departure.

Allen changes that calculation. He led the Los Angeles Chargers with 122 targets last season, finishing ahead of Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston. Although Allen could face a short suspension related to a recent DWI arrest, his presence still threatens Downs’ path to a high-volume campaign.

Downs remains useful in PPR formats, but his risk has increased. A selection around the eighth- or ninth-round turn is more appropriate than the aggressive price he carried earlier in the summer.

TreVeyon Henderson Remains Behind Rhamondre Stevenson

TreVeyon Henderson fell 5.6 spots, but the move may not fully reflect the uncertainty in New England. Henderson was often drafted as though he would clearly lead the Patriots backfield. The latest evaluation suggests Rhamondre Stevenson remains the preferred fantasy option.

Stevenson outplayed Henderson when both were healthy last season and reclaimed the job after Henderson’s brief late-season surge. Henderson can still deliver explosive weeks, but his workload may be too inconsistent for his previous RB2 price.

What These 2026 Fantasy Football Moves Mean

These ADP changes show how quickly fantasy values can shift before Week 1. Injuries, depth-chart changes and off-field developments can dramatically alter draft strategy in a matter of days.

• Consider Washington Jr. as a late-round upside pick, but monitor Jeanty’s health.
• Treat Lloyd as a potential value rather than a guaranteed starter.
• Prioritize Schultz over Ferguson for safer tight end depth.
• Use an injured reserve slot before drafting Tyson.
• Expect Downs and Henderson to offer potential, but with less predictable volume.

Fantasy managers should continue checking practice reports and team announcements before draft day. The best strategy is to balance opportunity with reliability instead of chasing every dramatic ADP jump.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was the biggest Yahoo Fantasy ADP riser?

Mike Washington Jr. was the biggest riser, climbing 25.3 spots as uncertainty grew around Ashton Jeanty’s health and Week 1 availability.

Is MarShawn Lloyd worth drafting in 2026 fantasy football?

Lloyd is worth considering around RB30 because he could lead the Packers backfield while Josh Jacobs is unavailable. However, Chris Brooks and Kaleb Johnson remain potential competitors for touches.

Why did Jordyn Tyson fall in fantasy drafts?

Tyson was placed on short-term injured reserve with a hamstring injury and is expected to miss more than a month, making his early-season role difficult to trust.

Should fantasy managers draft Josh Downs?

Downs still has PPR upside, but Keenan Allen’s arrival reduces his target ceiling. His current late-eighth- or ninth-round range is safer than his earlier draft price.