Must-Have Players for Winning Fantasy Football Teams

Despite the name, fantasy football is very much more than just a game; it absolutely has real life implications for many as well, both positive and negative. As the season approaches, the excitement builds, and so does the pressure to assemble the perfect team. While trades and waiver wire pickups are key to having a successful season, the most important day of the season is always draft night. You get one night to decide the fate of your entire fantasy season, and so nailing the draft is always priority number 1 for anybody participating. So now let's go through some must have players you should be targeting in this year's draft.

Quarterbacks: The Cornerstone of Your Team

When it comes to fantasy football, quarterbacks are one of the most important pieces of a team due to their ability to consistently bring in points each week. While everybody knows about the top signal callers of the league, the quarterback position is very deep and there's value to be found everywhere, especially with these players:

Jared Goff (Detroit Lions)

Why You Need Him: Jared Goff has been an ultra reliable fantasy quartback who thrives within Detroit's high powered offense. Despite the lack of rushing upside, Goff's constant passing volume makes up for it and allows him to be one of the steadiest quarterback picks year in and year out especially at an ADP of QB16.

Key Stats: Last season, Goff threw for 4,564 yards and 34 touchdowns, continuing to prove himself as one of the most productive quarterbacks through the air.

Trevor Lawrence (Jacksonville Jaguars)

Why You Need Him: Last year, Lawrence finally seemed to tap into that MVP potential that made so many teams label him generational when he got drafted. He's always had the tools, a strong arm, mobility, and the ability to make plays through both the air and ground. But it now seems with the arrival of Liam Cohen, Lawrence finally has the system needed around him to fully utilize the talented Jaguars quarterback.

Key Stats: Lawrence threw for 4,007 yards and 29 touchdowns along with an additional 359 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns as well. His ability to make plays in both aspects gives him a big time ceiling that can far exceed his ADP of QB10

Running Backs: The Workhorses

Running backs are the backbone of any fantasy football team. Often providing the most consistent scoring opportunities game to game. Here are some top running backs to consider:

Jonathan Taylor (Indianapolis colts)

Why You Need Him: Jonathan Taylor has consistently been lauded as one of the elite backs in the NFL, with his only critiques relating to his injury issues. However, last season he managed to appear in all 17 games and the results reflected that. With Daniel Jones coming back from a serious Achilles injury and likely having some rust to knock off, you can expect a higher workload and opportunity for Taylor to get off to another hot start this year.

Key Stats: In 2025, Taylor rushed for 1,585 yards and 18 touchdowns along with 378 yards and 2 touchdowns in the air. His nearly 2,000 scrimmage yards and 20 touchdowns even after losing his quarterback for half the season should absolutely give him the ability to outperform his ADP of RB4.

David Montgomery (Houston texans)

Why You Need Him: Montgomery has long been known for his physical and powerful running and being the second back in detroit behind Jahmyr Gibbs. However, after being traded to the Texans, Montgomery finds himself as the clear lead back who will likely see a heavy majority of Houston's short yardage situations.

Key Stats: In 2025, Montgomery rushed for 716 yards and 8 touchdowns while adding 192 receiving yards on 24 receptions. His 908 scrimmage yards are especially impressive given his status as an RB2 in Detroit and should only improve as the top option in Houston, giving him higher upside than his ADP of RB22.

Wide Receivers: The Game-Changers

Wide receivers can make or break your fantasy team. While being the most volatile, they are also the players who can explode for a big game at any moment. Here are some must-have wide receivers:

Tetairoa Mcmillan (carolina panthers)

Why You Need Him: After coming off of a strong rookie campaign that earned him Offensive Rookie of the Year, McMillan seems poised to take yet another leap in 2026, with an improved Panthers team and more time working in Dave Canales' offensive scheme.

Key Stats: In 2025, McMillan recorded 70 receptions for 1,014 yards and 7 touchdowns. As the clear top receiving option in Carolina, McMillan's rapport with quarterback Bryce Young seems to have the young receiver poised to outperform his ADP of WR16.

Garrett wilson (new york jets)

Why You Need Him: Garrett Wilson is an explosive wide receiver known for his elite route running, reliable hands, and ability to create separation from defenders. As the Jets' clear number 1 receiver, and with a new quarterback in Geno Smith who has no issues airing the ball out, Wilson is in prime position for a bounce back year.

Key Stats: In 2025 , Wilson recorded 36 receptions for 395 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns in just 7 games due to injury. Despite the shortened season, his three consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns from 2022 to 2024 clearly prove his capabilities of playing above his ADP at WR18.

Tight Ends: The Hidden Gems

Tight ends can often be overlooked, but often even having a tight end bringing in a consistent 8-10 ppg can swing a week or two in your favor.

dallas goedert

Why You Need Him: Dallas Goedert is a reliable fantasy tight end known for his strong hands and effectiveness in the red zone. As a key part of Philadelphia's offense, especially with the departure of A.J. Brown, his chemistry with Jalen Hurts and consistent touchdown opportunities make him a valuable fantasy option at a position where consistent production can be rare.

Key Stats: In 2025, Goedert recorded 60 receptions for 591 receiving yards and a career-high 11 touchdowns across 15 games. His impressive touchdown production established him as one of the league's most valuable red-zone threats with more yardage upside in 2026 with the loss of Brown, giving him potential to exceed his ADP of TE13.

Isaiah likely (new york giants)

Why You Need Him: Why You Need Him: Likely is an athletic tight end with impressive receiving ability, strong hands, and the versatility to create mismatches against defenders. After playing behind Mark Andrews in Baltimore, Likely rejoined coach John Harbaugh by signing with the Giants, clearly seeming to indicate that he'll be playing a larger role in the Giants' upcoming offense.

Key Stats: In 2025, Likely recorded 27 receptions for 307 receiving yards and 1 touchdown across 14 games. Although his production was limited due to playing behind Mark Andrews, Likely now has a clear path to being a major receiving option in New York still playing under coach John Harbaugh and with new quarterback Jaxson Dart. All this seems to signal a breakout year for Likely to outperform his ADP of TE12.

Building a Balanced Roster

While star players are essential, building a balanced roster is equally important. Here are some other tips for constructing a winning fantasy football team:

Diversify Your Picks

• Mix Positions: Ensure you have a good mix of quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends.

• Consider Bye Weeks: Pay attention to players' bye weeks to avoid having too many key players unavailable at the same time.

Draft deep

Injuries and bye weeks can derail even the best fantasy teams. Having depth on your roster is crucial for navigating the ups and downs of the season. Here are some strategies for building depth:

Target High-Upside Players

• Rookies: Keep an eye on rookie players who may have breakout potential.

• Handcuffs: Draft backup players for your star running backs to ensure you have coverage in case of injury.

  
  

Stay Active on the Waiver Wire

• Weekly Monitoring: Regularly check the waiver wire for emerging players who can bolster your roster.

• Trade Opportunities: Be open to trading players to improve your team’s overall strength.

  
  

Conclusion

As you prepare for the upcoming fantasy football season, remember that success hinges on selecting the right players and building a balanced roster. By zeroing in on some lesser known or less favorably projected players, you can find yourself building a juggernaut of a team that your friends will stress matching up against each week.

Now that you have the insights, it's time to start drafting your winning team. Good luck!