2026 Fantasy Football Rankings: Analysis for players ranked 25-36 in Half-PPR - Yahoo Sports

What the report says

Yahoo Sports fantasy analyst Hayden Winks published the final installment of his 2026 fantasy football top-36 rankings, focusing on players ranked 25 through 36 in half-PPR formats. Winks frames this tier as a step down from the first two rounds: the players remain strong NFL contributors, but some carry ceiling concerns tied to talent level, offensive environment, team changes or volatility.

The analysis highlights several wide receivers and running backs in the third-round range. DeVonta Smith is presented as Philadelphia’s likely No. 1 wide receiver after A.J. Brown’s departure, with Winks noting Smith’s stronger production in a small sample without Brown. Tee Higgins is described as a stable Bengals option when Joe Burrow is healthy, with additional upside if Ja’Marr Chase were unavailable. Dallas running back Javonte Williams is evaluated as a volume-based RB2 after signing a three-year deal, while Rams back Kyren Williams is viewed as reliable but potentially affected by Blake Corum taking more snaps.

Winks also evaluates Josh Allen as the top quarterback despite a discussion of draft opportunity cost. He notes Allen’s recent record of elite fantasy finishes and points to the addition of DJ Moore, plus a healthier Dalton Kincaid, as possible support for a better Buffalo passing game. The article begins a section on Cardinals tight end Trey McBride, though the supplied text cuts off before that analysis develops.

For fantasy players, the piece matters because it helps define the risk-reward profile of early draft picks after the perceived elite tier, especially in half-PPR leagues where running back, receiver, quarterback and tight end values can shift significantly by format.