Tristan H. Cockcroft's 2026 fantasy football Knockout league rankings will be updated throughout the preseason to reflect the latest news, trends and opinions. Use them to inform your own rankings, or as a guide to draft your team. Sign up for your team for free.
Knockout leagues are our newest offering for 2026, challenging fantasy football managers to avoid being the last-place scorer in any given week, with the final team standing winning the championship. For those new to the format, here's a strategy primer to help you fine-tune your game.
The rankings below will differ slightly from our standard offering in that Knockout leagues begin with 18 teams, creating more demand at thinner positions such as quarterback and tight end. Additionally, week-over-week consistency carries additional weight, players with injury or other availability concerns are less desirable, and later-year bye weeks can prove advantageous. A standard 18-team knockout league comprises 14 slots including a kicker and a defense, so the rankings below go 252 deep to take you from the first overall selection through to the final pick of the draft.
Last update: Aug. 26
1. Bijan Robinson, Falcons, RB1, Bye week: 11
2. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks, WR1, Bye week: 11
3. Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions, RB2, Bye week: 6
4. Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals, WR2, Bye week: 6
5. Puka Nacua, Rams, WR3, Bye week: 11
6. Jonathan Taylor, Colts, RB3, Bye week: 13
7. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions, WR4, Bye week: 6
8. James Cook III, Bills, RB4, Bye week: 7
9. CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys, WR5, Bye week: 14
10. Christian McCaffrey, 49ers, RB5, Bye week: 8
11. Justin Jefferson, Vikings, WR6, Bye week: 6
12. Nico Collins, Texans, WR7, Bye week: 8
13. Saquon Barkley, Eagles, RB6, Bye week: 10
14. Drake London, Falcons, WR8, Bye week: 11
15. Trey McBride, Cardinals, TE1, Bye week: 14
16. George Pickens, Cowboys, WR9, Bye week: 14
17. A.J. Brown, Patriots, WR10, Bye week: 11
18. De'Von Achane, Dolphins, RB7, Bye week: 6
19. Chris Olave, Saints, WR11, Bye week: 8
20. Omarion Hampton, Chargers, RB8, Bye week: 7
21. Brock Bowers, Raiders, TE2, Bye week: 13
22. Josh Allen, Bills, QB1, Bye week: 7
23. Garrett Wilson, Jets, WR12, Bye week: 13
24. Chase Brown, Bengals, RB9, Bye week: 6
25. Tetairoa McMillan, Panthers, WR13, Bye week: 5
26. Kenneth Walker III, Chiefs, RB10, Bye week: 5
27. Ashton Jeanty, Raiders, RB11, Bye week: 13
28. Derrick Henry, Ravens, RB12, Bye week: 13
29. Lamar Jackson, Ravens, QB2, Bye week: 13
30. Zay Flowers, Ravens, WR14, Bye week: 13
31. Jeremiyah Love, Cardinals, RB13, Bye week: 14
32. DeVonta Smith, Eagles, WR15, Bye week: 10
33. Colston Loveland, Bears, TE3, Bye week: 10
34. Javonte Williams, Cowboys, RB14, Bye week: 14
35. Rashee Rice, Chiefs, WR16, Bye week: 5
36. Ladd McConkey, Chargers, WR17, Bye week: 7
37. Drake Maye, Patriots, QB3, Bye week: 11
38. Breece Hall, Jets, RB15, Bye week: 13
39. Davante Adams, Rams, WR18, Bye week: 11
40. Tyler Warren, Colts, TE4, Bye week: 13
41. Emeka Egbuka, Buccaneers, WR19, Bye week: 10
42. Kyren Williams, Rams, RB16, Bye week: 11
43. Terry McLaurin, Commanders, WR20, Bye week: 7
44. Malik Nabers, Giants, WR21, Bye week: 8
45. Jayden Daniels, Commanders, QB4, Bye week: 7
46. Tee Higgins, Bengals, WR22, Bye week: 6
47. Travis Etienne Jr., Saints, RB17, Bye week: 8
48. Jaylen Waddle, Broncos, WR23, Bye week: 10
49. Kyle Pitts Sr., Falcons, TE5, Bye week: 11
50. Jameson Williams, Lions, WR24, Bye week: 6
51. Bucky Irving, Buccaneers, RB18, Bye week: 10
52. Luther Burden III, Bears, WR25, Bye week: 10
53. DK Metcalf, Steelers, WR26, Bye week: 9
54. Harold Fannin Jr., Browns, TE6, Bye week: 11
55. Josh Jacobs, Packers, RB19, Bye week: 11
56. Jalen Hurts, Eagles, QB5, Bye week: 10
57. Rome Odunze, Bears, WR27, Bye week: 10
58. D'Andre Swift, Bears, RB20, Bye week: 10
59. Carnell Tate, Titans, WR28, Bye week: 9
60. Sam LaPorta, Lions, TE7, Bye week: 6
61. Courtland Sutton, Broncos, WR29, Bye week: 10
62. Bhayshul Tuten, Jaguars, RB21, Bye week: 7
63. Joe Burrow, Bengals, QB6, Bye week: 6
64. Mike Evans, 49ers, WR30, Bye week: 8
65. Cam Skattebo, Giants, RB22, Bye week: 8
66. DJ Moore, Bills, WR31, Bye week: 7
67. Michael Pittman Jr., Steelers, WR32, Bye week: 9
68. Travis Kelce, Chiefs, TE8, Bye week: 5
69. David Montgomery, Texans, RB23, Bye week: 8
70. Dak Prescott, Cowboys, QB7, Bye week: 14
71. Parker Washington, Jaguars, WR33, Bye week: 7
72. George Kittle, 49ers, TE9, Bye week: 8
73. Marvin Harrison Jr., Cardinals, WR34, Bye week: 14
74. Quinshon Judkins, Browns, RB24, Bye week: 11
75. Alec Pierce, Colts, WR35, Bye week: 13
76. Tucker Kraft, Packers, TE10, Bye week: 11
77. Christian Watson, Packers, WR36, Bye week: 11
78. Michael Wilson, Cardinals, WR37, Bye week: 14
79. Jaylen Warren, Steelers, RB25, Bye week: 9
80. Justin Herbert, Chargers, QB8, Bye week: 7
81. Chris Godwin Jr., Buccaneers, WR38, Bye week: 10
82. Wan'Dale Robinson, Titans, WR39, Bye week: 9
83. Matthew Golden, Packers, WR40, Bye week: 11
84. Jadarian Price, Seahawks, RB26, Bye week: 11
85. Caleb Williams, Bears, QB9, Bye week: 10
86. Jakobi Meyers, Jaguars, WR41, Bye week: 7
87. Jake Ferguson, Cowboys, TE11, Bye week: 14
88. Brian Thomas Jr., Jaguars, WR42, Bye week: 7
89. Tony Pollard, Titans, RB27, Bye week: 9
90. Jordan Addison, Vikings, WR43, Bye week: 6
91. Josh Downs, Colts, WR44, Bye week: 13
92. Matthew Stafford, Rams, QB10, Bye week: 11
93. Rico Dowdle, Steelers, RB28, Bye week: 9
94. Dallas Goedert, Eagles, TE12, Bye week: 10
95. Quentin Johnston, Chargers, WR45, Bye week: 7
96. Jayden Reed, Packers, WR46, Bye week: 11
97. Jaxson Dart, Giants, QB11, Bye week: 8
98. TreVeyon Henderson, Patriots, RB29, Bye week: 11
99. Stefon Diggs, Commanders, WR47, Bye week: 7
100. Romeo Doubs, Patriots, WR48, Bye week: 11
101. Bo Nix, Broncos, QB12, Bye week: 10
102. Dalton Kincaid, Bills, TE13, Bye week: 7
103. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars, QB13, Bye week: 7
104. Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots, RB30, Bye week: 11
105. Makai Lemon, Eagles, WR49, Bye week: 10
106. Brock Purdy, 49ers, QB14, Bye week: 8
107. Khalil Shakir, Bills, WR50, Bye week: 7
108. Kenny Gainwell, Buccaneers, RB31, Bye week: 10
109. Mark Andrews, Ravens, TE14, Bye week: 13
110. Rachaad White, Commanders, RB32, Bye week: 7
111. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs, QB15, Bye week: 5
112. Xavier Worthy, Chiefs, WR51, Bye week: 5
113. Juwan Johnson, Saints, TE15, Bye week: 8
114. Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers, QB16, Bye week: 10
115. Aaron Jones Sr., Vikings, RB33, Bye week: 6
116. Jalen Coker, Panthers, WR52, Bye week: 5
117. Jared Goff, Lions, QB17, Bye week: 6
118. Isaiah Likely, Giants, TE16, Bye week: 8
119. Jonathon Brooks, Panthers, RB34, Bye week: 5
120. KC Concepcion, Browns, WR53, Bye week: 11
121. J.K. Dobbins, Broncos, RB35, Bye week: 10
122. Kenyon Sadiq, Jets, TE17, Bye week: 13
123. Rashid Shaheed, Seahawks, WR54, Bye week: 11
124. Hunter Henry, Patriots, TE18, Bye week: 11
125. Kyler Murray, Vikings, QB18, Bye week: 6
126. Kyle Monangai, Bears, RB36, Bye week: 10
127. Tre Tucker, Raiders, WR55, Bye week: 13
128. Jordan Love, Packers, QB19, Bye week: 11
129. Chuba Hubbard, Panthers, RB37, Bye week: 5
130. T.J. Hockenson, Vikings, TE19, Bye week: 6
131. Jordan Mason, Vikings, RB38, Bye week: 6
132. Dalton Schultz, Texans, TE20, Bye week: 8
133. Tyler Shough, Saints, QB20, Bye week: 8
134. RJ Harvey, Broncos, RB39, Bye week: 10
135. De'Zhaun Stribling, 49ers, WR56, Bye week: 8
136. Brenton Strange, Jaguars, TE21, Bye week: 7
137. Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Commanders, RB40, Bye week: 7
138. Sam Darnold, Seahawks, QB21, Bye week: 11
139. Denzel Boston, Browns, WR57, Bye week: 11
140. AJ Barner, Seahawks, TE22, Bye week: 11
141. Blake Corum, Rams, RB41, Bye week: 11
142. Daniel Jones, Colts, QB22, Bye week: 13
143. Jerry Jeudy, Browns, WR58, Bye week: 11
144. Chig Okonkwo, Commanders, TE23, Bye week: 7
145. Deebo Samuel Sr., 49ers, WR59, Bye week: 8
146. Gunnar Helm, Titans, TE24, Bye week: 9
147. C.J. Stroud, Texans, QB23, Bye week: 8
148. Jalen McMillan, Buccaneers, WR60, Bye week: 10
149. Woody Marks, Texans, RB42, Bye week: 8
150. Malik Willis, Dolphins, QB24, Bye week: 6
151. Terrance Ferguson, Rams, TE25, Bye week: 11
152. Jalen Nailor, Raiders, WR61, Bye week: 13
153. Malik Washington, Dolphins, WR62, Bye week: 6
154. Pat Freiermuth, Steelers, TE26, Bye week: 9
155. Greg Dulcich, Dolphins, TE27, Bye week: 6
156. Adonai Mitchell, Jets, WR63, Bye week: 13
157. Jacoby Brissett, Cardinals, QB25, Bye week: 14
158. Isiah Pacheco, Lions, RB43, Bye week: 6
159. Tre' Harris, Chargers, WR64, Bye week: 7
160. Oronde Gadsden, Chargers, TE28, Bye week: 7
161. Bryce Young, Panthers, QB26, Bye week: 5
162. Tank Dell, Texans, WR65, Bye week: 8
163. Kayshon Boutte, Patriots, WR66, Bye week: 11
164. Chris Rodriguez Jr., Jaguars, RB44, Bye week: 7
165. Cam Ward, Titans, QB27, Bye week: 9
166. Ryan Flournoy, Cowboys, WR67, Bye week: 14
167. Cade Otton, Buccaneers, TE29, Bye week: 10
168. Jordyn Tyson, Saints, WR68, Bye week: 8
169. Devaughn Vele, Saints, WR69, Bye week: 8
170. Broncos D/ST, Broncos, DST1, Bye week: 10
171. Rashod Bateman, Ravens, WR70, Bye week: 13
172. Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks, RB45, Bye week: 11
173. Rams D/ST, Rams, DST2, Bye week: 11
174. Jauan Jennings, Vikings, WR71, Bye week: 6
175. Texans D/ST, Texans, DST3, Bye week: 8
176. Evan Engram, Broncos, TE30, Bye week: 10
177. Pat Bryant, Broncos, WR72, Bye week: 10
178. Tyjae Spears, Titans, RB46, Bye week: 9
179. Seahawks D/ST, Seahawks, DST4, Bye week: 11
180. Aaron Rodgers, Steelers, QB28, Bye week: 9
181. Travis Hunter, Jaguars, WR73, Bye week: 7
182. Eagles D/ST, Eagles, DST5, Bye week: 10
183. Dylan Sampson, Browns, RB47, Bye week: 11
184. Dontayvion Wicks, Eagles, WR74, Bye week: 10
185. Darnell Mooney, Giants, WR75, Bye week: 8
186. Keaton Mitchell, Chargers, RB48, Bye week: 7
187. Brandon Aubrey, Cowboys, K1, Bye week: 14
188. Ravens D/ST, Ravens, DST6, Bye week: 13
189. Cooper Kupp, Seahawks, WR76, Bye week: 11
190. Mike Gesicki, Bengals, TE31, Bye week: 6
191. Tyler Allgeier, Cardinals, RB49, Bye week: 14
192. Cameron Dicker, Chargers, K2, Bye week: 7
193. Keenan Allen, Colts, WR77, Bye week: 13
194. Chargers D/ST, Chargers, DST7, Bye week: 7
195. Geno Smith, Jets, QB29, Bye week: 13
196. Harrison Mevis, Rams, K3, Bye week: 11
197. Tank Bigsby, Eagles, RB50, Bye week: 10
198. Patriots D/ST, Patriots, DST8, Bye week: 11
199. Mike Washington Jr., Raiders, RB51, Bye week: 13
200. Ka'imi Fairbairn, Texans, K4, Bye week: 8
201. Isaac TeSlaa, Lions, WR78, Bye week: 6
202. Jaguars D/ST, Jaguars, DST9, Bye week: 7
203. Alvin Kamara, Saints, RB52, Bye week: 8
204. Lions D/ST, Lions, DST10, Bye week: 6
205. Colby Parkinson, Rams, TE32, Bye week: 11
206. Jake Bates, Lions, K5, Bye week: 6
207. Calvin Ridley, Titans, WR79, Bye week: 9
208. Steelers D/ST, Steelers, DST11, Bye week: 9
209. Jason Myers, Seahawks, K6, Bye week: 11
210. Packers D/ST, Packers, DST12, Bye week: 11
211. Jaylin Noel, Texans, WR80, Bye week: 8
212. Brian Robinson Jr., Falcons, RB53, Bye week: 11
213. Michael Mayer, Raiders, TE33, Bye week: 13
214. Eddy Pineiro, 49ers, K7, Bye week: 8
215. Browns D/ST, Browns, DST13, Bye week: 11
216. Ray Davis, Bills, RB54, Bye week: 7
217. Omar Cooper Jr., Jets, WR81, Bye week: 13
218. Bears D/ST, Bears, DST14, Bye week: 10
219. Darnell Washington, Steelers, TE34, Bye week: 9
220. Cam Little, Jaguars, K8, Bye week: 7
221. Ja'Kobi Lane, Ravens, WR82, Bye week: 13
222. Vikings D/ST, Vikings, DST15, Bye week: 6
223. Harrison Butker, Chiefs, K9, Bye week: 5
224. Germie Bernard, Steelers, WR83, Bye week: 9
225. Tyler Loop, Ravens, K10, Bye week: 13
226. David Njoku, Chargers, TE35, Bye week: 7
227. Cairo Santos, Bears, K11, Bye week: 10
228. Chiefs D/ST, Chiefs, DST16, Bye week: 5
229. Will Reichard, Vikings, K12, Bye week: 6
230. Theo Johnson, Giants, TE36, Bye week: 8
231. Caleb Douglas, Dolphins, WR84, Bye week: 6
232. Jake Tonges, 49ers, TE37, Bye week: 8
233. Chase McLaughlin, Buccaneers, K13, Bye week: 10
234. Falcons D/ST, Falcons, DST17, Bye week: 11
235. Zachariah Branch, Falcons, WR85, Bye week: 11
236. MarShawn Lloyd, Packers, RB55, Bye week: 11
237. Andy Borregales, Patriots, K14, Bye week: 11
238. Chimere Dike, Titans, WR86, Bye week: 9
239. 49ers D/ST, 49ers, DST18, Bye week: 8
240. Chris Boswell, Steelers, K15, Bye week: 9
241. Mason Taylor, Jets, TE38, Bye week: 13
242. Bills D/ST, Bills, DST19, Bye week: 7
243. Xavier Legette, Panthers, WR87, Bye week: 5
244. Wil Lutz, Broncos, K16, Bye week: 10
245. Keon Coleman, Bills, WR88, Bye week: 7
246. Evan McPherson, Bengals, K17, Bye week: 6
247. Jaydon Blue, Cowboys, RB56, Bye week: 14
248. Cowboys D/ST, Cowboys, DST20, Bye week: 14
249. Darren Waller, Panthers, TE39, Bye week: 5
250. Antonio Williams, Commanders, WR89, Bye week: 7
251. Saints D/ST, Saints, DST21, Bye week: 8
252. Malachi Fields, Giants, WR90, Bye week: 8
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