Get ready to rethink your entire 2026 Fantasy Football draft strategy, because Dave Richard just revealed his absolute must-draft players, and he’s not afraid to snatch them ahead of their average draft position. He’s openly admitting to drafting guys earlier than consensus, sometimes by a few spots in the early rounds, sometimes a full ten spots later on, because he simply believes in them more than the public does. And frankly, if you’re not paying attention to his “consensus-beaters,” you’re already behind.
Chase Brown Is About to Explode for the Bengals
Richard is all-in on Chase Brown out of Cincinnati, targeting him at the back end of Round 1 with an ADP of 15.4. Why? This dude has elite-tier RB upside, plain and simple, and his role in that Bengals offense is evolving big time. Think about this: Brown averaged a ridiculous 21 PPR points per game over the last six games of 2025, getting 19.2 touches a pop, and that was with Joe Burrow slinging the rock. Cincy’s defense is only gonna get better, which means more favorable game scripts for the run game. And get this, thanks to the star power of Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, Brown saw a stacked box on only 15.8% of his rushes last year. That’s the fourth-fewest in the entire league! The only real downside Richard sees is if Burrow or Chase get hurt, or if Samaje Perine somehow gets more work. But honestly, that’s a risk for almost any top-tier back. You gotta grab him when you can.
Omarion Hampton Is the High-Volume Play You Need
Then there’s Omarion Hampton from the Chargers, a Round 2 target with an ADP of 17.4. This guy is an efficient, elusive runner, and he’s got insane high workload potential. Why? He’s running in an offense coordinated by a certified run-game genius, and he’s got one of the league’s better offensive lines blocking for him. When Richard stacked up Hampton’s 2025 numbers against Ashton Jeanty, Hampton had more PPR points per game, better consistency, and better efficiency. And let’s be real, you’d rather have a guy facing the Raiders defense twice a year than the Chargers defense twice, right? The big question mark is whether new playcaller Mike McDaniel actually tries to split touches three ways. Richard is betting against it, especially after Kimani Vidal played a lot in their first preseason game while Hampton barely saw the field, suggesting they’re saving him. If Hampton gets anywhere near his 17.3 touches per game from last year, he’s a steal.
This list isn’t for the faint of heart, but if you’re looking for an edge in your 2026 Fantasy league, these are the names you absolutely need to be watching. Are you brave enough to make the move?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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