NFL free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft will completely change the fantasy football landscape in the coming months.
Before roster moves begin, Justin Boone is picking one fantasy-relevant player from each team who is most likely to break out in the 2026 season.
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early breakout candidate
Early AFC North breakout candidate
baltimore ravens – Keaton Mitchell, running back
Mitchell showed off his game-breaking explosiveness during his rookie season in 2023, but a promising start to his career was derailed before suffering a torn ACL.
In that rookie season, he averaged 8.43 yards per carry and 10.33 yards per catch as a dangerous switch-back.
Mitchell missed most of 2024 with a knee injury, but he struggled to find his role during the first half of the season. However, once he started getting touches, we saw a similar version of the player who seemed to move at a different pace than everyone else a few years ago.
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Even as a part-time player behind Derrick Henry, Mitchell has gained at least 40 yards or a touchdown in five of the last 10 games.
While Mitchell is unlikely to be a high-volume running back, the Ravens would be wise to expand Mitchell’s involvement in the offense, especially with Henry, 32, entering his 11th season.
If that happens, Mitchell will become a weekly flex option, with the potential to break out into an exciting fantasy RB2 if Henry gets injured.
Fantasy breakthrough potential: ★★★☆☆
cincinnati tigers – Eric Orr, TE
The Bengals are a team with established stars at nearly every skill position, making it difficult for someone to be a meaningful fantasy option.
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With Mike Gesicki turning 31 this year and Noah Fant set to hit free agency, tight end is a position where players can move up on the depth chart.
Which brings us to the forgotten man of Erick All.
Orr was dealing with a torn ACL as a rookie, which caused him to slip to the fourth round on draft day in 2024. However, he immediately earned a role on offense and had multiple catches in seven of his first nine games before suffering a torn ACL that kept him sidelined.
In November, he provided his first positive update in a while, indicating he was already running routes and expected to clear by season’s end.
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While he still needs to prove himself as an interior blocker, Orr’s receiving skills make him an intriguing dynasty piece. If all goes well with his rehab, we could consider him a late re-draft target or an early-season waiver wire pick.
Fantasy breakthrough potential: ★★★☆☆
cleveland browns – Quinshane Judkins, RB
Judkins had a stellar rookie season with the Browns, racking up 998 scrimmage yards and seven touchdowns in just 14 games.
The 22-year-old ranks 22nd among RBs in points per game (11.2 FPPG) despite being plagued by injuries and struggling in a Cleveland offense that lacked quality quarterback play much of the year.
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If we break down the five games before his first injury (shoulder), Judkins produced more than the RB14 during that span (14.6 FPPG).
Unfortunately, his season came to an abrupt end due to a fractured fibula and dislocated ankle in Week 16, a recovery that would take 4-5 months. If all goes according to plan, Judkins should be able to return to full strength before training camp.
The second-round pick has proven he’s worthy of being drafted high and has the ability to be a difference-maker at this level. Whether he can be an impact player will depend on his health and how the Browns address their head coaching and quarterback vacancies.
Fantasy breakthrough potential: ★★★★★
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pittsburg steelers -Pat Freiermuth, TE
The departures of Mike Tomlin and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith mean the Steelers offense will look a lot different in 2026.
Aaron Rodgers is unlikely to return at quarterback, so there are huge unknowns at the most important position when trying to predict the pass rusher’s fantasy prospects.
Aside from a few noteworthy performances, Freiermuth has largely flown under the radar in his latest offense — so the change is welcome.
After all, Freiermuth has been a fantasy factor in the past, ranking as a TE14 in points per game in 2024, TE9 in 2022, and TE16 as a rookie in 2021. He also has two seven-touchdown seasons on his resume and three different seasons with at least 60 catches.
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In the right system, we could easily see Freiermuth re-entering the conversation as a potential top-12 fantasy tight end, but there’s still a lot to work out in Pittsburgh before we can confidently say that.
Fantasy breakthrough potential: ★★★☆☆
