Field's Favorites 2026: Herbert at QB6 and Henry's 12 Games of 125 Rushing Yards

Field Yates identifies Justin Herbert and Justin Jefferson as top 2026 targets, noting Herbert's 498 rushing yards in 2025 and Henry's 13 high-scoring games.

Justin Herbert enters the 2026 fantasy football season as Field Yates’ QB6, supported by a 2025 campaign where he recorded 498 rushing yards. This rushing total exceeds the combined output of Tua Tagovailoa over six NFL seasons. Under playcaller Mike McDaniel, Herbert aims to replicate the success of Tagovailoa, who previously led the league in passing yards and secured three top-two weekly fantasy finishes in his second year within the system. Yates places Herbert significantly higher than his current ESPN average draft position (ADP).

In the backfield, Derrick Henry remains a statistical powerhouse, having finished as the NFL’s second-leading rusher for four consecutive seasons. Over the last two years, Henry has recorded 12 games with at least 125 rushing yards, the highest mark in the league ahead of Saquon Barkley’s nine. Despite totaling only 34 receptions and 343 receiving yards in that span, Henry tied for the third-most games of 20-plus fantasy points among running backs with 13. Yates ranks Henry 11th overall, nearly a full round ahead of his typical draft slot.

Explosive Additions and Tight End Tiers

Kenneth Walker III joins the Kansas City Chiefs to address a rushing attack that produced only one run of 20-plus yards in 2025. Walker himself recorded 10 such explosive carries last season, ranking third in the NFL. Yates positions Walker as the 15th-ranked player overall, six spots ahead of his ESPN ADP, as the back prepares to support Patrick Mahomes following a major knee injury. Walker’s role is expected to expand as a pass catcher in the Chiefs' offense.

Colston Loveland of the Chicago Bears is ranked as the TE3 and 36th player overall by Yates, placing him ahead of his 45.3 ADP. During the final four games of the 2025 season, including the playoffs, Loveland led all Bears players in targets with individual game totals of 10, 13, 15, and 10. While Brock Bowers and Trey McBride maintain the top two spots at the position, Loveland is viewed as a dynamic threat in a deep Chicago receiving corps.

Wide Receiver Rankings and Injury Updates

Justin Jefferson is the 12th-ranked overall player on the 2026 big board, serving as a primary target for the late first round. Jefferson looks to bounce back from a 2025 season where he was limited to two receiving touchdowns amid struggles from J.J. McCarthy. With Kyler Murray now at quarterback for Minnesota, Jefferson is projected to return to his form as a top-three wide receiver. Yates notes that Jefferson remained productive regardless of quarterback play prior to the offensive difficulties of last year.

George Kittle is currently valued as the TE9 at the ninth/10th-round turn following a torn Achilles suffered in January. Recently removed from the PUP list and participating in his first practice, Kittle averaged 14.7 fantasy points per game last season, tying for the second-highest mark among tight ends. Yates projects him as a top-five option if he remains healthy for a full season starting in Week 1.

Rookie Development and Roster Changes

Emeka Egbuka enters his second season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the WR13. As a rookie in 2025, Egbuka finished as a top-four wide receiver in three of his first nine games and totaled 63 catches on over 120 targets. The Buccaneers' passing offense, which averaged nearly 50 fewer yards per game in 2025 than in 2024, now features Baker Mayfield and a new coaching staff. Egbuka is currently managing a lingering toe injury that could impact his Week 1 availability.

Carnell Tate, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft, is ranked as the WR22. During his 2025 college season, Tate averaged over 17 yards per catch. He joins a Tennessee Titans offense led by coordinator Brian Daboll and quarterback Cam Ward. Finally, Christian Watson is ranked as the WR29 for the Green Bay Packers. With Romeo Doubs no longer on the roster and Tucker Kraft managing early-season snaps, Watson is positioned as the team's most talented wideout despite never exceeding 620 receiving yards in a single season.