Fantasy Football Rankings Adjusted Following Preseason Week 1 Performance Data
Key players including Michael Wilson, Kyle Pitts, and De’Zhaun Stribling see ranking revisions, while injury concerns for Christian McCaffrey and Jeremiyah Love impact early-season outlooks.
CBS Sports analyst Dave Richard has released updated 2026 Fantasy Football rankings following Preseason Week 1, incorporating performance metrics and injury reports into his projections. While Richard cautions against overreacting to limited sample sizes, several positional adjustments reflect distinct on-field outcomes and emerging team dynamics.
Michael Wilson has moved closer to Marvin Harrison Jr. in the rankings, driven by his demonstrated ability to run horizontal routes and improvise on broken plays. Wilson’s performance suggests he is ready to share the load with Harrison, though neither receiver is expected to lead the Arizona Cardinals in targets while Trey McBride remains active. Both are now projected as viable Round 6 picks in PPR formats.
In the tight end category, Kyle Pitts has been ranked above Isaiah Likely in full-PPR formats. Pitts caught three passes, including two slip screens off quarterback Tua Tagovailoa under pressure, which prompted a re-evaluation of his utility. Likely, who played limited snaps with the first-team offense, has been dropped to the Round 7/8 turn.
Conversely, Carnell Tate has been dropped into Round 7 due to a combination of zero catches and broader offensive struggles. Tate’s lack of production was compounded by quarterback Cam Ward’s poor performance and issues along the offensive line, leading Richard to lower expectations for the rookie’s early-season output.
De’Zhaun Stribling has risen to Round 11 after securing seven catches on eight targets, including a 32-yard gain. His usage suggests a solid role in the San Francisco 49ers’ offence, providing contingency value for managers seeking a double-digit-round receiver. Other risers include Ja’Kobi Lane, Khalil Shakir, Caleb Douglas, and Emmett Johnson, all of whom have moved into late-round consideration.
Injury concerns have also influenced the running back landscape. Christian McCaffrey has missed a week of practice due to tightness, potentially impacting his early-season volume. Meanwhile, Jeremiyah Love remains a late Round 3 pick despite a high-ankle sprain reported shortly after the game, with analysts noting he did not display significant explosiveness against starting defenders.
Jonathan Brooks remains at the Round 6/7 turn after playing every snap with Bryce Young, though his impact was limited by a struggling offensive line. Cam Skattebo has been moved to Round 5 due to uncertainty surrounding the Giants’ running back rotation, while KC Concepcion and Jonah Coleman remain in their respective late-round ranges based on projected usage and role clarity.
