32 Fantasy Football Takeaways From Dane Brugler's 7-Round NFL Mock Draft

The Athletic's Dane Brugler is a pretty big deal. "The Beast" remains the gold standard for draft guides in the industry (Fantasy Life's NFL Draft Guide for silver!)—it's tough to find someone in the NFL Draft streets with a better mix of ball knowledge and insider sources.

This brings us to today: Brugler released his full 2026 NFL mock draft, predicting all 7 rounds and 257 picks. You should definitely check it out, but THIS article intends to highlight one key fantasy-relevant takeaway for all 32 teams based on Dane's potential team-prospect marriages.

As always: It's a great day to be great.

Fantasy Football Takeaways For Every Team From Dane Brugler's 7-Round Mock Draft

Arizona Cardinals

Highlighted pick: Alabama QB Ty Simpson (2.34)

Jacoby Brissett would still be the favorite to start Week 1, but Simpson would profile as a mid-to-late-season starter if the Cardinals are anywhere near as bad as their current 4.5 win total indicates.

This would be a quality enough landing spot for Simpson, considering the potential for new head coach Mike LaFleur to install a McVay-esque/QB-friendly offense and due to the presence of top playmakers like Trey McBride, Michael Wilson … and hell, maybe even Marvin Harrison Jr.

Also check out: Ty Simpson scouting report.

Atlanta Falcons

Highlighted pick: North Dakota State WR Bryce Lance (3.79)

Many have been quick to assign a Christian Watson comp to Trey Lance's uber-athletic younger brother. It still remains to be seen if Lance has the wide receiver ability to thrive at the professional level, but he'd have every chance to prove himself early inside of a Falcons WR room tentatively expected to start Olamide Zaccheaus and Jahan Dotson next to alpha Drake London.

Baltimore Ravens

Highlighted pick: Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq (1.14)

Baltimore lost Isaiah Likely (Giants) and Charlie Kolar (Chargers) in free agency, and here Brugler has them quickly re-fortifying the tight end room.

Good news for Lamar Jackson and the offense as a whole? Yes.

Bad news for the fantasy stock of Mark Andrews and Sadiq himself, considering the newfound target competition and likelihood of a rotation? Also yes.

Honorable mention: Seeing Washington RB Jonah Coleman (5.162) land here could be cool, given there isn't a clear-cut handcuff behind Derrick Henry at the moment, but then again, seeing Round 5 draft capital behind someone many consider to be in the conversation for RB3 status isn't ideal.

Also check out: Kenyon Sadiq scouting report.

Buffalo Bills

Highlighted pick: *0* wide receivers or running backs drafted before Day 3

The Bills only have two picks (1.26, 3.91) inside of the first two days of the draft, and Brugler has them refraining from addressing any of their skill-position rooms with them. This would be good news for the handcuff potential of Ray Davis and Ty Johnson, while projecting targets in this DJ Moore and Khalil Shakir-led WR room would also be easier without newfound early-round competition.

Carolina Panthers

Highlighted pick: Vanderbilt TE Eli Stowers (2.51)

Brugler does not have Carolina using their first-round pick on a wide receiver for the third consecutive draft. Rather, they go back to the "tight end" well with Stowers, who reportedly is considered more of a big slot wide receiver by plenty of teams anyway.

There's certainly plenty to like from Stowers as a pass catcher—he's the TE2 in the Fantasy Life Rookie Super Model for a reason—but this landing spot might not be ideal. Head coach Dave Canales has made a habit of rotating multiple bodies at the position during his two years in charge, and Panthers tight ends as a whole rank 29th in total targets since 2024. Throw in the likelihood that Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker easily work as the receiver room's top two targets, and it'd be tough to be too optimistic for Stowers ahead of 2026.

Chicago Bears

Highlighted pick: *0* wide receivers or running backs

Adding zero bodies to the running back room would make D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai rather awesome zero-RB targets, while the Luther Burden and Rome Odunze hype trains could reach another level if their biggest positional target competition is Kalif Raymond.

Cincinnati Bengals

Highlighted pick: Clemson RB Adam Randall (7.221)

I recently wrote about Chase Brown's potential to be a 2026 (wait for it) league winner thanks to his fantasy-friendly combination of talent, offensive environment, workload and age. Of course, that key workload element is contingent on Samaje Perine remaining his primary backfield competition.

Well, Brown makes it out of the clear in Dane's mock, as Randall wouldn't even be guaranteed to make the active roster with this lowly seventh-round draft capital. I'm already the highest Fantasy Life ranker on Brown (RB8), and this runout could cause me to get even wilder.

Cleveland Browns

Highlighted pick: Texas A&M WR KC Concepcion (1.20, acquired in mock draft via DAL)

The Browns pass on a receiver at 1.12, and instead land the explosive Aggie with their second first-round pick. Concepcion's twitch and separation ability is enough for me to rank him as the WR4 in this class *and* in the same tier as the position's near-consensus big-three.

The Browns' ever-dreadful QB room makes it tough to call this a fantastic landing spot, but new head coach Todd Monken is certainly used to getting the most out of relatively undersized spark plugs (see: Zay Flowers), and there's very little meaningful target competition here outside of Jerry Jeudy and Harold Fannin.

Also check out: KC Concepcion scouting report.

Dallas Cowboys

Highlighted pick: *0* wide receivers or running backs

Which makes sense considering how historically awful this defense was last season, but yeah:

Javonte Williams would project for one of the position's biggest workloads
Malik Davis would be a pretty solid and cheap handcuff option (sorry, Jaydon Blue truthers)
Ryan Flournoy would become an intriguing late-round best ball dart as the No. 3 WR of this high-octane passing attack.

Denver Broncos

Highlighted pick: Nebraska RB Emmett Johnson (4.108)

The Broncos only have one pick inside the draft's first three rounds at the moment, but using their second pick on a pass-catching back like Johnson would be no bueno for the year-two fantasy aspirations of RJ Harvey, who is already projected to work as the backup early-down option behind J.K. Dobbins.

Detroit Lions

Highlighted pick: *0* running backs

This would make Isiah Pacheco the next man up behind Jahmyr Gibbs. It's unlikely that Pacheco sees anything close to David Montgomery's 2023-2024 workload, but the injury-contingent handcuff upside alone would still be enough to make the ex-Chief a late-round dart worth throwing.

Green Bay Packers

Highlighted pick: *0* wide receivers

And after the team traded Dontayvion Wicks to the Eagles, that would mean Christian Watson, Jayden Reed and 2025 first-rounder Matthew Golden would be cemented as the team's starting wide receiver trio.

Of course, Matt LaFleur could always get wonky and find a way to get guys like Bo Melton or Savion Williams snaps, but this runout would at least give Golden a solid second chance at fantasy relevance. The history of Round 1 wide receivers doing so little as rookies certainly isn't on his side; just realize the speedy Texas product did at least flash some playmaking ability down the stretch last season.

Matthew Golden pic.twitter.com/fQWFCXFpB6
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) April 13, 2026

Houston Texans

Highlighted pick: Notre Dame RB Jadarian Price (2.59)

One of my way-too-early bold predictions for 2026 was that Texans RB1 David Montgomery would randomly finish as a relatively boring top-12 fantasy RB. The thought process was pretty simple:

Monty isn't bad just because the Lions prefer to more fully feature Jahmyr Gibbs.
This RB room is currently pretty barren outside of Woody Marks, who was pretty bad as a rookie based on pretty much any rushing efficiency metric.
The Texans' defense is so damn good that the offense could find itself in the sort of leading game scripts that can really boost a lead back's numbers.

Well, adding Price to the equation with Round 2 draft capital would not help these matters. Could they still form a productive one-two punch? Sure, but expecting 300-plus touches for Montgomery in this scenario would look more like wishful thinking.

Also check out: Jadarian Price scouting report.

Indianapolis Colts

Highlighted pick: Tennessee WR Chris Brazzell (3.78)

Brazzell is a long-striding field-stretching outside receiver in the same vein as Alec Pierce. This fit makes sense considering 2024 touchdown-scoring extraordinaire Nick Westbrook was the only additional competition brought in after the team traded Michael Pittman to the Steelers.

Overall, adding Brazzell to this room wouldn't make for too severe a downgrade for Pierce or slot maven Josh Downs, but it would be tougher to paint a breakout scenario for the Tennessee wide receiver with so much target competition already in this wide receiver room, on top of Tyler Warren's potential to (again) lead the team in targets.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Highlighted pick: Mississippi State WR Brenen Thompson (3.100)

The pint-sized speedster would provide some serious field-stretching skillz to this already-crowded wide receiver room. We're already having problems finding Travis f*cking Hunter a full-time receiver role here—this would add another level of competition for snaps there and simultaneously make it unlikely that Thompson carves out a true full-time role.

Kansas City Chiefs

Highlighted pick: Washington WR Denzel Boston (1.29)

Many have had Kansas City mocked to a wide receiver with their FIRST first-round pick, but Brugler has them waiting until later in Round 1 to land Boston.

And honestly, I love it. The Chiefs have tried (and largely failed) to land so many speedy, smaller options like Xavier Worthy, Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore in their efforts to replace Tyreek Hill, so why not instead go for the 6-foot-4, 212-pound contested-catch artist? It's tough to think of a much better landing spot for the 22-year-old talent.

115 seconds of fun Denzel Boston catches pic.twitter.com/i2RPysW8Uu
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) March 19, 2026

Also check out: Denzel Boston scouting report.

Las Vegas Raiders

Highlighted pick: Indiana WR Elijah Sarratt (3.67)

Duh, Brugler has the Raiders taking Fernando Mendoza 1.01, but I LOVE the idea of pairing him with his most productive receiver on Day 2. Many of Sarratt's big highlights are contested back-shoulder snags, but he also displayed some sneaky-solid route-running chops during his time in Bloomington. His overall production profile is borderline erotic.

Day-one No. 1 WR duties would be on the table here, considering the current frontrunners are Tre Tucker and Jalen Nailor. Of course, Brock Bowers will always be projected to be the actual No. 1 pass-game target, but this combination of soft depth chart and familiarity would result in Sarratt being a major post-draft riser.

Los Angeles Chargers

Highlighted pick: Clemson WR Antonio Williams (3.86)

Williams' early-collegiate production and shiftiness out of the slot earn him Day 2 draft capital in this Justin Herbert-led attack. Of course, adding more slot competition to replace Keenan Allen isn't exactly ideal for Ladd McConkey partying like it's 2024 again. Not the end of the world here, although Williams would be one more piece to a passing attack already equipped with several capable targets inside an offense that loves to run the football.

Los Angeles Rams

Highlighted pick: Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson (1.13)

Tyson has been a popular pick for the Chiefs at 1.09 among alleged insiders recently, but Dane has him falling a few spots later. The immediate 2026 fit here wouldn't be the most ideal—Puka Nacua and Davante Adams are obviously the top two pass-game options in this high-flying attack, but Tyson could take over as THE No. 2 as early as 2027, and he'd offer massive injury-contingent upside from day one.

Also check out: Jordyn Tyson scouting report.

Miami Dolphins

Highlighted pick: Louisville WR Chris Bell (2.43)

This is one of my favorite pairings: The Dolphins' wide receiver room is more sad than the end of Marley & Me at the moment, so Bell (like Sarratt) would be the rare Day 2 pick with the opportunity to work as their team's No. 1 wide receiver from day one.

Of course, Bell's timeline is a bit of an unknown after tearing his ACL at the end of 2025; just realize the man possesses an enticing size-speed blend (watch the Miami game) and is capable of doing BIG things with a legit triple-digit target projection.

Minnesota Vikings

Highlighted pick: Kentucky RB Seth McGowan (7.235)

This is more of a Vikings takeaway than endorsement of McGowan: Only adding a Round 7 RB would cement Jordan Mason and Aaron Jones as the Vikings' lead backs again in 2026. Neither exactly boomed with their respective opportunities in 2025, although Kyler Murray has the potential to help this offense's scoring upside and could help widen the rushing lanes for everyone involved thanks to his dual-threat ability.

New England Patriots

Highlighted pick: Ole Miss WR De'Zhaun Stribling (2.63)

Round 2 draft capital for Stribling was a bit of a shocker to me! Maybe he proves it's warranted, although it'd be tough to be overly excited about the 2026 upside inside a wide receiver room likely to be headlined by A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs.

Throw in guys like Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas and Kyle Williams, and Stribling could struggle to find the field early in his career.

New Orleans Saints

Highlighted pick: Ohio State WR Carnell Tate (1.08)

Tate would join former Buckeye Chris Olave as the clear top two targets of this Tyler Shough-led passing attack. The lack of additional high-end target competition would make it fairly easy to pencil in triple-digit targets here—Tate would have every opportunity to produce upside WR3 numbers from day one here.

Also check out: Carnell Tate scouting report.

New York Giants

Highlighted pick: Penn State RB Kaytron Allen (5.145)

No Jeremiyah Love at No. 5 would be GREAT news for Cam Skattebo, who worked as fantasy's RB9 in PPR points per game prior to his devastating season-ending lower-body injury.

Now, Skattebo needs to prove that he's healthy in 2026 and capable of winning over a new coaching staff. It's possible that Allen and Tyrone Tracy offer enough talent in their own rights to make this a committee of some shape or size.

Still, avoiding one of the best running back prospects in recent years would objectively be a massive win for Skattebo, who carries that proven top-10 upside at a borderline RB2 ADP for the time being.

New York Jets

Highlighted pick: USC WR Makai Lemon (1.16)

Lemon would slide in between Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell to provide Geno Smith with a pretty awesome wide receiver trio. You have to squint a bit to get overly excited here about the day-one upside—Wilson is a good candidate to vie for the league-lead in targets with good health—but Lemon could certainly see plenty of targets himself as the presumed No. 2 option.

The USC product would remain locked in as a consensus top-six rookie dynasty pick with this landing spot. There's a VERY good chance the Jets get one helluva QB upgrade as early as 2027.

Also check out: Makai Lemon scouting report.

Philadelphia Eagles

Highlighted pick: Notre Dame WR Malachi Fields (2.54)

A somewhat surprisingly high landing spot for Fields, who would presumably be the A.J. Brown replacement. Credit to the Golden Domer for making some acrobatic catches during his time in South Bend, and his performance at the Senior Bowl has led to some offseason hype.

Of course, only adding Fields and Dontayvion Wicks to the equation would be great news for DeVonta Smith putting his best foot forward in 2026. There's JSN-esque breakout potential here.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Highlighted pick: Indiana WR Omar Cooper (1.21)

Cooper would form a very solid WR trio alongside DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman. Of course, those veteran talents would present pretty tough early-career target competition, and we shouldn't expect too many fireworks from old man Aaron Rodgers these days.

The Indiana YACster does provide some much-needed twitch with the football in his hands here, but Cooper would really need to make the most out of his opportunities from day one to have a ton of fantasy impact in what figures to be (again) a fairly average to below-average passing game.

Also check out: Omar Cooper scouting report.

San Francisco 49ers

Highlighted pick: Alabama WR Germie Bernard (2.58)

Bernard would be a candidate to start from day one alongside Mike Evans and Ricky Pearsall. The jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none talent is reminiscent of Jauan Jennings and is capable of filling that same role.

Honorable mention: The 49ers did NOT select an RB in Brugler's mock, making Jordan James someone to REALLY consider in the later rounds of drafts.

Seattle Seahawks

Highlighted pick: Arkansas RB Mike Washington Jr. (3.96)

Washington and Seattle are the clear top two landing spots for any running back in this draft, considering the possibility for the rookie to earn a day-one starting job (Zach Charbonnet could miss months of the season while recovering from last year's torn ACL). Many have wondered if the Seahawks might go after Love's teammate Jadarian Price at the end of Round 1, but Dane has them instead using their third-round pick on the ridiculously athletic Razorback.

Emanuel Wilson and George Holani may be good enough to make this more of an annoying committee for fantasy purposes; just realize Seattle is VERY close to the top of Washington's best-case landing spot list. He'd be in contention as a late-Round 1 rookie dynasty draft pick with this pairing.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Highlighted pick: Navy RB Eli Heidenreich (6.195)

Heidenreich comes from the wonky Navy-option offense, but he obliterated school receiving records while also providing plenty of juice on the ground. Sixth-round draft capital isn't ideal; just realize he'd join Kenneth Gainwell as another annoyingly pass-game capable option for Bucky Irving to deal with.

Tennessee Titans

Highlighted pick: *0* running backs, wide receivers, or tight ends before Round 6

This would highlight guys like Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears, Calvin Ridley, Wan'Dale Robinson and Gunnar Helm as major veteran winners.

Of course, I don't love the idea of those guys being Cam Ward's top playmakers ahead of year two, but then again, there are needs all over the place in Tennessee at the moment, and it'd make sense if new head coach Robert Saleh spends his first draft focusing more on the trenches and defense.

Washington Commanders

Highlighted pick: Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love (1.07)

Love would immediately profile as a three-down workhorse inside a Commanders backfield currently expected to be headlined by Rachaad f*cking White. After all, RBs with top-10 draft capital have almost always gotten force-fed the football over the years. Throw in the fact that Daniels and company are just one year removed from finishing with the league's fifth-ranked scoring offense, and it's possible we would see Love as a consensus first-round pick in redraft fantasy land by August. Current Underdog Fantasy ADP is as follows …

All the backs ahead of Love are awesome in their own right, but several could be stuck in bad offenses (Ashton Jeanty, De'Von Achane), and others don't boast his receiving ceiling (James Cook, Saquon Barkley). Top-eight treatment would immediately be more than warranted for the explosive Golden Domer.

Also check out: Jeremiyah Love scouting report.