CBS Sports analyst flags Goff and Purdy as key 2026 fantasy value picks
Analysis suggests both players offer top-six upside, allowing managers to prioritise offensive skill positions earlier in the draft process.
CBS Sports analyst Heath Cummings has identified Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff and San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy as primary value targets for the 2026 fantasy football season. In a recent assessment, Cummings argues that both players are significantly undervalued relative to their average draft position, presenting opportunities for managers to secure high-level production at a discount.
Goff is currently ranked as the 16th quarterback in CBS PPR average draft position, placing him at the end of Round 12 in one-quarterback leagues. Cummings highlights Goff’s durability and consistency as key factors, noting the quarterback has not missed a game in the past three seasons. During that period, he has finished as the 10th, 8th, and 13th best quarterback on a per-game basis, while recording at least 30 touchdowns and 4,500 passing yards in each of those years.
The Detroit Lions’ offensive core, including Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs, Jameson Williams, and Sam LaPorta, is expected to return for the 2026 season. Cummings suggests that perceived turbulence within the Lions’ defence could lead to increased passing volume for Goff. Additionally, Goff plays only one true outdoor game during the final eight weeks of the fantasy season, potentially mitigating weather-related performance risks.
Purdy is identified as a Round 11 pick, with Cummings citing his elite efficiency and rushing upside as reasons to expect him to outperform his draft status. Since his rookie season, Purdy has recorded 470 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns in his last 24 games. Statistical data indicates he ranks first in yards per attempt and success rate among quarterbacks with at least 1,000 pass attempts, while also placing second in touchdown rate and passer rating.
The potential upside for Purdy is contingent on the health of key offensive players such as Mike Evans, George Kittle, Ricky Pearsall, and Christian McCaffrey. Cummings notes that if the supporting cast remains healthy, Purdy could finish as a top-four quarterback. The analyst emphasises that both Goff and Purdy offer the strategic advantage of allowing managers to draft all offensive skill positions and multiple backups before selecting a quarterback, with both players projected to outscore approximately half of those drafted ahead of them.
