Ask the Experts

September 03, 2026

Who will be the fantasy MVP?

Gibbs, Allen, and Nabers among the favorites

ASK THE EXPERTS appears weekly from training camp through the Super Bowl with answers to a new question being posted Thursday morning. How the guest experts responded when we asked them: Who will be the fantasy MVP?

TONY HOLM

Jahmyr Gibbs to me is the obvious answer but I know the fine folks that subscribe to Fantasy Index will desire.. nay, demand! a more well thought out response - so let's do that. There's one player I think, has a chance to be this year's JSN; it's Raven wide receiver Zay Flowers. The knock is that Baltimore is considered a running team (I'd argue Seattle was too last year) but Lamar Jackson is at a turning point in his career where he must become a pocket passer; older rushing quarterbacks do not last long in the NFL. We have already seen him start to transition and he has to continue that transition to being a pocket passer in 2026, to extend his highly lucrative career. Flowers has top-end talent, on a team that can score in bunches, playing with a veteran quarterback that is going to be looking for him a lot - what's not to like?

Holm works for Fantasy Sharks, whose rankings and content can be found at fantasysharks.com.

KEVIN ENGLISH

Brock Bowers, TE, Raiders: Bowers played hurt for much of last season but enters Year 3 healthy. I expect a return toward his record-setting 2024 form, when he set rookie TE marks for PPR points, catches, and receiving yards. Vegas’ thin WR corps should funnel targets his way, while HC Klint Kubiak and QBs Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza improve the offense’s scoring outlook.

English is a Senior Analyst at DraftSharks.com and has been on staff since 2009. Draft Sharks launched in 1999 as one of the web’s first fantasy football content sites and has evolved to help fantasy managers win with cutting-edge tools for drafting and in-season management.

JASON WOOD

The fantasy MVP has to be a player who materially outperforms their ADP, which makes picking one in advance of the season next to impossible. So I'll go with the player I'm most ahead of consensus, which is DJ Moore. Moore's ADP remains depressed because of last year's disappointing finish in Chicago. But in Buffalo, he's unquestionably the alpha receiver for the league's best quarterback in an offense that's been elite for years without skipping a beat. Stefon Diggs AVERAGED 160 targets in his seasons with Allen, and Moore steps into that role now.

Wood is Senior Editor at Footballguys.com and has been with the company since its start in 2000. For more than 20 years, Footballguys has provided rankings, projections, and analysis to help fantasy managers dominate their leagues.

SAM HENDRICKS

I like long shot Ladd McConkey LAC WR to be the 2026 fantasy MVP. I see an amazing bounce back year for him with Mike McDaniels as OC. I think he will surpass his ADP (WR19, 41 overall) and be a huge asset toward a Championship. He will be the main receiver and I expect 90/1100/9 from him for 270+ fantasy points. That is good enough for a top 5 finish in PPR leagues. Far exceeding his WR27 finish in 2025 and his rookie WR12 finish. So I guess my definition of MVP is a player who far exceeds his draft spot and provides great value for ADP.

Hendricks is the author of Fantasy Football Guidebook, Fantasy Football Tips and Fantasy Football Basics, all available at ExtraPointPress.com, at all major bookstores, and at Amazon and BN.com. He is a 30-year fantasy football veteran who participated in the National Fantasy Football Championship (NFFC) and finished 7th and 16th overall in the 2008 and 2009 Fantasy Football Players Championship (FFPC). He won the Fantasy Index Open in 2013 and 2018.

IAN ALLAN

If I have the No. 1 pick, I'm selecting Jahmyr Gibbs. When you compare the team around him to the cast that Bijan Robinson is working with, there's no comparison. Things could really go sideways in Atlanta, with that offense maybe scoring 25 fewer touchdowns than the Lions. I think the offensive line will be at least somewhat improved in Detroit this year, and I think they're going to get a bump from their offensive coordinator change.

Allan co-founded Fantasy Football Index in 1987. He is a member of the FSGA Fantasy Sports Hall of Fame and the Fantasy Sports Writers Association Hall of Fame.

MICHAEL NAZAREK

While I'd love to name rookie Malachi Fields as the fantasy MVP, he doesn't fit this award. I'll go with another Giant, Malik Nabers. If Nabers is healthy for all of 2026, that means you could get a top 3 WR for fantasy and you likely drafted him no earlier than late in the second round. That is value!

Nazarek is the CEO of Fantasy Football Mastermind Inc, celebrating 30 years online! His company offers a preseason draft guide, customizable cheat sheets, a multi-use fantasy drafting program including auction values, weekly in-season newsletters, injury reports and free NFL news (updated daily) at its website, www.ffmastermind.com. He has been playing fantasy football since 1988 and is a four-peat champion of the SI.com Experts Fantasy League, a nationally published writer in several fantasy magazines and a former columnist for SI.com. He's also won more than $40K in recent seasons of the FFPC High Stakes Main Event. Nazarek can be reached via email at miken@ffmastermind.com.

SCOTT SACHS

Josh Allen is my easy choice for fantasy MVP this season. He had 25 passing TDs and 14 rushing TDs in 2025. How could he possibly improve on that? Well, he has a number of motivational factors going for him. Josh got married to Hailee Steinfeld, and in April they welcomed their first child. The Bills acquired DJ Moore, their best alpha receiver since Diggs, and he and Allen are already establishing daily chemistry. Also, Buffalo is unveiling a brand new stadium, and the Bills Mafia will be at fever pitch from the jump. It doesn't hurt either that Buffalo plays 4 games against 2 of the worst teams in the NFL, the Dolphins and the Jets. That is a whole lot of additional motivation for the best dual threat QB in the league. Barring injury, Josh Allen is poised to be the MVP in both the NFL and fantasy football.

With 2 perfect seasons and multiple league championships to his credit, Sachs runs Perfect Season Fantasy Football, featuring LIVE Talk & Text Advice. He is a 3-time winner of the Fantasy Index Experts Auction League, as well as a previous winner of the Fantasy Index Experts Poll. Follow on X: https://x.com/ffbcoach

ANDY RICHARDSON

I guess most will definite it as top performer, but I like going with the player you draft cheaply who has a big year. Plenty of candidates, but I'm going to vote for the guy I have on every team, Rico Dowdle, and just hope I'm right. Most view it as a one-two punch with Jaylen Warren in Pittsburgh, and are in fact drafting Warren first in most leagues. I think Dowdle is going to be the Steelers' main running back, accounting for most of the rushing yards and touchdowns, with Warren in a secondary role. If I'm wrong, well, I've wasted a mid-round pick. If I'm right, Dowdle will help me win leagues, and by the MVP, at least for me.

Richardson has been a contributing writer and editor to the Fantasy Football Index magazine and www.fantasyindex.com since 2002. He is responsible for various site features, writes a weekly gambling newsletter, Index Bets, during the NFL season and also previews all the games on Saturdays.

Older

Newer

Luke Wilson answers your fantasy football questions. With drafts far and wide just around the corner, we are going jumbo personnel this week: Discussing two AFC West running backs, the case for/against our rankings of fantasy football's two most important New York Jets, revised rookie rankings after a summer of buzz (or lack thereof), ringing in a major anniversary by smuggling some intel out through a crack in the wall, and much more.

The ultimate information advantage with cheat sheets and custom rankings every week from preseason to playoffs (starting July 27).

Includes ALL updates: preseason Cheat Sheet Updates, plus all 18 in-season issues of Fantasy Index Weekly, plus every in-season ReDrafter cheat sheet, plus our NFL Playoffs ReDrafter and newsletters. And access to customized cheat sheets and auction values all season long, of course.

My dad and I have subscribed since I was 10 years old and I am 38 now. We canʼt go a season without it.

Trevor T. Sparks, Nev.

You guys are great - if you look at my account, I believe I have been a subscriber for around 20 years! Unfortunately, a few years ago a couple of other owners found the same publication (they didnʼt get it from me; I always disguised the sheets while at the draft!)

Michael B. St. Charles, Mo.

I have purchased your magazine since my first fantasy football season ever 12 season ago and love the insight you offer. Thank you for the great service, I look forward to many many more years of enjoying your subscription!

Paul L. Mequon, Wisc.

The magazine is exactly the same as last year, which is perfect. Boys, we have a chance to repeat in the 33rd year of the NWFFL. I am counting on you to help pull it off. FI has been a league staple for decades, one of my guys has every edition. A few years ago, we devised a clever way to use one of your lists to draft a team for an absent owner, the sob won it all. We love you guys. Peace!

Glenn S. Olympia, Wash.

Hi, received my copy over the weekend and I think it's the best work you guys have done (I've been reading your publication since 1988). The writing is terrific and full of good humor, along with more substance than anybody else has.

Keep up the great work!

John L. Madison, Wis.

I'm in 3 leagues. All have different formats. I bought one magazine, the same magazine for 30 years. I keep the Fantasy Football Index handy and refer back to your preseason reports throughout the season to help me evaluate roster moves in every format. This week I'm in two championship games and a semifinal. Did I tell you I'm in three leagues? Three playoff teams! Best fantasy season ever. Thank you.

Henry G. Bartlett, Ill.

Thanks for another great season of Fantasy Index, you avoid group-think and form your own opinions, and always have. I've been using your products since 1992, and you've always been a cut above the rest.

Rob D. Wellington, Fla.

Thank you for all you do and what your team does. Been playing since mid 90s and your mag has been there every year. The mailer I get with the questions on the front is what I consider the beginning of the fantasy football season. Get the updates and listen to the podcast. I write a weekly column for the newspaper I work at and always appreciate the work you put in to produce as much as you do. Just a fan saying thanks and will keep up with you and the site through the season.

Jason C. Tulsa, Okla.

A little feedback from a long time customer.

Our fantasy pool is entering its 25^th year and I have used multiple books and on-line tools over the years.

I have locked on to Fantasy Index as my go to for the last 5 years and have won the pool 3 of those years and finished no lower than 4^th.

Interesting to see how much more accurate you were at the end of the year compared to other books my competitors used.

Having it in a format that allows me to work the forecasts to match our scoring system and then receive updates as the season approaches is invaluable. Whoever your sources are for the forecasts are the best. Hang on to them. Thanks for the help!!

Peter M. London, Ontario, Canada

I did receive the updated draft ranking from you guys in plenty of time for my draft that night. My draft report gave me an A+ and predicted me to go 14-0 and win my league! I just want to say thank you for the excellent customer service that your company provided me. When I first started playing fantasy football more than 15 years ago, I used to buy as many fantasy football magazines as I could find. It wasnʼt long before I only purchased Fantasy Football Index each year. It is by far the most comprehensive, well written fantasy football magazine on the market. Also, I almost always rank in the top three in my fantasy football leagues, and won my league last year. Thank you to you and all of your great team. You have a customer for life!

Trey C. Fort Worth, Texas

Thank you for all the updates etc. In the last 14 or 15 years, we have placed in the top three 9 times winning it all 4 times. I have been a customer of yours for many years. Our success is partially due to luck, but I think your magazine with all of the good stuff has been a real contributing factor. Keep up the good work. Will be a customer until the time I can't read anymore.

Richard M. Imperial, Neb.

I just wanted to send everyone at Fantasy Football Index an apology. Since 2003 (Ricky Williams cover), I've protected my source of information and have gone out of my way to hide Fantasy Football Index from my leagues prying eyes. I've won championships in leagues and money playing Daily Fantasy and your Training Camp updates are the highlight of my summer and a recurring order for me every single season. I just wanted to Thank You and everyone there (customer service, the writers, janitors, secretaries and assistants) for your hard work and dedication.

You are appreciated and valued part of my Fantasy Football Operations department even if i never speak your name in fear that others in my league will discover the wondrous bounty of knowledge contained in your pages…

From the bottom of a champion's heart,

Dave M. Elma, N.Y.

I wanted to send a quick note and thank you for your great magazine! The information you provide, has allowed me to win my league 3 years in a row!

The payoff in the league is not bad, six hundred dollars to be exact, but it is those all important bragging rights that really make it fun!

I epically enjoyed this last issue because you included all the covers for the past 30 years, I did not buy 87, and 88, but all the rest I have purchased.

All I have to do is read and then plug and play, thanks again for doing all the work so I don't have to, except for cash the check of course! Lol.

I will be continue to purchase your magazine, and recommend it to others, although I don't like to give away my secret!

I typically don't write emails to magazines, but after 3 wins in a row, and others which I did not list, I felt like you would like to know.

Thanks again to you and your staff,

Darrell W. Holt, Mich.

I wanted to let you know I finished my season going 16-0 winning my league, breaking every record in our 19 year history along the way. A special thank you to FI for the insightful knowledge as it provided me much help along the way.

Ryan M. Lynnwood, Wash.

You guys do a great job. I got laughed at by a few people at the draft but they're not laughing now. I'm leading the league in record (8-1) and PF thus far.

John W. Aylett, Va.

And a side note… we've got a re-draft 16-team, 20 players drafted league (drafting water boys by the 17^th round) that I've won 2 years in a row. Nobody's ever done that in 21 years… using your cheat sheet. it's an old school league that used to draft out of piles of magazines.

Thanks again,

Todd S. Grand Junction, Colo.

This is my ninth year competing with my two very savey adult children and their 11 regulars to make it a 14 team draft with a $200 bid limit. Your SuperFanatic package has put me into the 6 team play- offs 4 out of the 8 years and there is no way I could compete with these guys without my cheat sheets! They still have no idea how I can be so lucky every year :-) Cheaters do prosper!!!!

Robert A.

I wanted to thank you for such an amazing product and your customer service. I ordered the wrong date for my update and called to correct the mistake. Your customer service person was very kind, helpful and took care of the issue immediately.

I have used your product for the past 18 years or so… Every now and then I will be tempted and look at what other magazines have to offer, quickly realizing no one comes close.

In addition to the magazine, I started buying the weekly updates years ago when my dad taught me a lesson. The draft came and dad was sitting in the 12 hole for his pick. He told me he felt very comfortable about who he was going to select but would not tell me who his prized gem was to be. I was doubtful. The pick? Priest Holmes (his first dynamite year). I remember telling my dad, "that is a decent pick but they plan to pull him at the goal line." Ever the teacher, dad explained he had purchased the Fantasy Football Index update and read Holmes would get the goal line carries. "Update?", I asked. That was 2002 and Holmes had 21 rushing TDs and Dad won the title! Lesson learned.

By the way, I have made the title game for the last 5 years in a row. Thanks for the detailed, hard work and an great product!

David R. Queen Creek, Ariz.

Fantasy Index

Customer Service

Ask the Experts

Who will be the fantasy MVP?

Today's Trivia

Mailbag

2026 Super Fanatic Newsletter Updates

Member updates

Follow

Why Choose Fantasy Index?

Quick hits

Your Stuff

In-Depth

Resources

All Products

Help & Support

Fantasy Index

Customer Service

Customer Service