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. 24
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. De'Von Achane, Dolphins, RB7, Bye week: 6
17. George Pickens, Cowboys, WR9, Bye week: 14
18. A.J. Brown, Patriots, WR10, Bye week: 11
19. Omarion Hampton, Chargers, RB8, Bye week: 7
20. Chris Olave, Saints, WR11, Bye week: 8
21. Brock Bowers, Raiders, TE2, Bye week: 13
22. Chase Brown, Bengals, RB9, Bye week: 6
23. Garrett Wilson, Jets, WR12, Bye week: 13
24. Josh Allen, Bills, QB1, Bye week: 7
25. Kenneth Walker III, Chiefs, RB10, Bye week: 5
26. Tetairoa McMillan, Panthers, WR13, Bye week: 5
27. Ashton Jeanty, Raiders, RB11, Bye week: 13
28. Derrick Henry, Ravens, RB12, Bye week: 13
29. Zay Flowers, Ravens, WR14, Bye week: 13
30. Jeremiyah Love, Cardinals, RB13, Bye week: 14
31. DeVonta Smith, Eagles, WR15, Bye week: 10
32. Lamar Jackson, Ravens, QB2, Bye week: 13
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. Breece Hall, Jets, RB15, Bye week: 13
38. Davante Adams, Rams, WR18, Bye week: 11
39. Drake Maye, Patriots, QB3, Bye week: 11
40. Emeka Egbuka, Buccaneers, WR19, Bye week: 10
41. Kyren Williams, Rams, RB16, Bye week: 11
42. Terry McLaurin, Commanders, WR20, Bye week: 7
43. Tyler Warren, Colts, TE4, Bye week: 13
44. Tee Higgins, Bengals, WR21, Bye week: 6
45. Jaylen Waddle, Broncos, WR22, Bye week: 10
46. Travis Etienne Jr., Saints, RB17, Bye week: 8
47. Malik Nabers, Giants, WR23, Bye week: 8
48. Jayden Daniels, Commanders, QB4, Bye week: 7
49. Jameson Williams, Lions, WR24, Bye week: 6
50. Kyle Pitts Sr., Falcons, TE5, Bye week: 11
51. Luther Burden III, Bears, WR25, Bye week: 10
52. Josh Jacobs, Packers, RB18, Bye week: 11
53. DK Metcalf, Steelers, WR26, Bye week: 9
54. Harold Fannin Jr., Browns, TE6, Bye week: 11
55. Bucky Irving, Buccaneers, RB19, Bye week: 10
56. Rome Odunze, Bears, WR27, Bye week: 10
57. Jalen Hurts, Eagles, QB5, Bye week: 10
58. D'Andre Swift, Bears, RB20, Bye week: 10
59. Carnell Tate, Titans, WR28, Bye week: 9
60. Courtland Sutton, Broncos, WR29, Bye week: 10
61. Sam LaPorta, Lions, TE7, Bye week: 6
62. Bhayshul Tuten, Jaguars, RB21, Bye week: 7
63. Mike Evans, 49ers, WR30, Bye week: 8
64. Cam Skattebo, Giants, RB22, Bye week: 8
65. Joe Burrow, Bengals, QB6, Bye week: 6
66. DJ Moore, Bills, WR31, Bye week: 7
67. Michael Pittman Jr., Steelers, WR32, Bye week: 9
68. David Montgomery, Texans, RB23, Bye week: 8
69. Parker Washington, Jaguars, WR33, Bye week: 7
70. Travis Kelce, Chiefs, TE8, Bye week: 5
71. Marvin Harrison Jr., Cardinals, WR34, Bye week: 14
72. Alec Pierce, Colts, WR35, Bye week: 13
73. Dak Prescott, Cowboys, QB7, Bye week: 14
74. Quinshon Judkins, Browns, RB24, Bye week: 11
75. Michael Wilson, Cardinals, WR36, Bye week: 14
76. George Kittle, 49ers, TE9, Bye week: 8
77. Stefon Diggs, Commanders, WR37, Bye week: 7
78. Christian Watson, Packers, WR38, Bye week: 11
79. Jaylen Warren, Steelers, RB25, Bye week: 9
80. Chris Godwin Jr., Buccaneers, WR39, Bye week: 10
81. Tucker Kraft, Packers, TE10, Bye week: 11
82. Wan'Dale Robinson, Titans, WR40, Bye week: 9
83. Justin Herbert, Chargers, QB8, Bye week: 7
84. Matthew Golden, Packers, WR41, Bye week: 11
85. Jadarian Price, Seahawks, RB26, Bye week: 11
86. Jakobi Meyers, Jaguars, WR42, Bye week: 7
87. Brian Thomas Jr., Jaguars, WR43, Bye week: 7
88. Tony Pollard, Titans, RB27, Bye week: 9
89. Jordan Addison, Vikings, WR44, Bye week: 6
90. Caleb Williams, Bears, QB9, Bye week: 10
91. Jake Ferguson, Cowboys, TE11, Bye week: 14
92. Josh Downs, Colts, WR45, Bye week: 13
93. TreVeyon Henderson, Patriots, RB28, Bye week: 11
94. Quentin Johnston, Chargers, WR46, Bye week: 7
95. Jayden Reed, Packers, WR47, Bye week: 11
96. Rico Dowdle, Steelers, RB29, Bye week: 9
97. Dallas Goedert, Eagles, TE12, Bye week: 10
98. Matthew Stafford, Rams, QB10, Bye week: 11
99. Romeo Doubs, Patriots, WR48, Bye week: 11
100. Jaxson Dart, Giants, QB11, Bye week: 8
101. Kenny Gainwell, Buccaneers, RB30, Bye week: 10
102. Makai Lemon, Eagles, WR49, Bye week: 10
103. Bo Nix, Broncos, QB12, Bye week: 10
104. Dalton Kincaid, Bills, TE13, Bye week: 7
105. Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots, RB31, Bye week: 11
106. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars, QB13, Bye week: 7
107. Brock Purdy, 49ers, QB14, Bye week: 8
108. Rachaad White, Commanders, RB32, Bye week: 7
109. Khalil Shakir, Bills, WR50, Bye week: 7
110. Mark Andrews, Ravens, TE14, Bye week: 13
111. Aaron Jones Sr., Vikings, RB33, Bye week: 6
112. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs, QB15, Bye week: 5
113. Juwan Johnson, Saints, TE15, Bye week: 8
114. Xavier Worthy, Chiefs, WR51, Bye week: 5
115. Jonathon Brooks, Panthers, RB34, Bye week: 5
116. Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers, QB16, Bye week: 10
117. Jalen Coker, Panthers, WR52, Bye week: 5
118. Isaiah Likely, Giants, TE16, Bye week: 8
119. Jared Goff, Lions, QB17, Bye week: 6
120. J.K. Dobbins, Broncos, RB35, Bye week: 10
121. Kyle Monangai, Bears, RB36, Bye week: 10
122. Kenyon Sadiq, Jets, TE17, Bye week: 13
123. KC Concepcion, Browns, WR53, Bye week: 11
124. Hunter Henry, Patriots, TE18, Bye week: 11
125. Kyler Murray, Vikings, QB18, Bye week: 6
126. Chuba Hubbard, Panthers, RB37, Bye week: 5
127. Jordan Mason, Vikings, RB38, Bye week: 6
128. Jordan Love, Packers, QB19, Bye week: 11
129. T.J. Hockenson, Vikings, TE19, Bye week: 6
130. Rashid Shaheed, Seahawks, WR54, Bye week: 11
131. RJ Harvey, Broncos, RB39, Bye week: 10
132. Dalton Schultz, Texans, TE20, Bye week: 8
133. Tyler Shough, Saints, QB20, Bye week: 8
134. Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Commanders, RB40, Bye week: 7
135. Tre Tucker, Raiders, WR55, Bye week: 13
136. Brenton Strange, Jaguars, TE21, Bye week: 7
137. Blake Corum, Rams, RB41, Bye week: 11
138. Sam Darnold, Seahawks, QB21, Bye week: 11
139. De'Zhaun Stribling, 49ers, WR56, Bye week: 8
140. AJ Barner, Seahawks, TE22, Bye week: 11
141. Denzel Boston, Browns, WR57, 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. Woody Marks, Texans, RB42, Bye week: 8
149. Jalen McMillan, Buccaneers, WR60, Bye week: 10
150. Jalen Nailor, Raiders, WR61, Bye week: 13
151. Terrance Ferguson, Rams, TE25, Bye week: 11
152. Malik Willis, Dolphins, QB24, Bye week: 6
153. Malik Washington, Dolphins, WR62, Bye week: 6
154. Pat Freiermuth, Steelers, TE26, Bye week: 9
155. Isiah Pacheco, Lions, RB43, Bye week: 6
156. Adonai Mitchell, Jets, WR63, Bye week: 13
157. Greg Dulcich, Dolphins, TE27, Bye week: 6
158. Tre' Harris, Chargers, WR64, Bye week: 7
159. Jacoby Brissett, Cardinals, QB25, Bye week: 14
160. Broncos D/ST, Broncos, DST1, Bye week: 10
161. Tank Dell, Texans, WR65, Bye week: 8
162. Oronde Gadsden, Chargers, TE28, Bye week: 7
163. Bryce Young, Panthers, QB26, Bye week: 5
164. Ryan Flournoy, Cowboys, WR66, Bye week: 14
165. Rams D/ST, Rams, DST2, Bye week: 11
166. Chris Rodriguez Jr., Jaguars, RB44, Bye week: 7
167. Texans D/ST, Texans, DST3, Bye week: 8
168. Rashod Bateman, Ravens, WR67, Bye week: 13
169. Jordyn Tyson, Saints, WR68, Bye week: 8
170. Cam Ward, Titans, QB27, Bye week: 9
171. Kayshon Boutte, Patriots, WR69, Bye week: 11
172. Cade Otton, Buccaneers, TE29, Bye week: 10
173. Seahawks D/ST, Seahawks, DST4, Bye week: 11
174. Devaughn Vele, Saints, WR70, Bye week: 8
175. Jauan Jennings, Vikings, WR71, Bye week: 6
176. Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks, RB45, Bye week: 11
177. Eagles D/ST, Eagles, DST5, Bye week: 10
178. Travis Hunter, Jaguars, WR72, Bye week: 7
179. Isaac TeSlaa, Lions, WR73, Bye week: 6
180. Tyjae Spears, Titans, RB46, Bye week: 9
181. Darnell Mooney, Giants, WR74, Bye week: 8
182. Ravens D/ST, Ravens, DST6, Bye week: 13
183. Evan Engram, Broncos, TE30, Bye week: 10
184. Dylan Sampson, Browns, RB47, Bye week: 11
185. Aaron Rodgers, Steelers, QB28, Bye week: 9
186. Chargers D/ST, Chargers, DST7, Bye week: 7
187. Cooper Kupp, Seahawks, WR75, Bye week: 11
188. Patriots D/ST, Patriots, DST8, Bye week: 11
189. Keaton Mitchell, Chargers, RB48, Bye week: 7
190. Brandon Aubrey, Cowboys, K1, Bye week: 14
191. Cameron Dicker, Chargers, K2, Bye week: 7
192. Tank Bigsby, Eagles, RB49, Bye week: 10
193. Mike Gesicki, Bengals, TE31, Bye week: 6
194. Pat Bryant, Broncos, WR76, Bye week: 10
195. Jaguars D/ST, Jaguars, DST9, Bye week: 7
196. Harrison Mevis, Rams, K3, Bye week: 11
197. Mike Washington Jr., Raiders, RB50, Bye week: 13
198. Geno Smith, Jets, QB29, Bye week: 13
199. Ka'imi Fairbairn, Texans, K4, Bye week: 8
200. Dontayvion Wicks, Eagles, WR77, Bye week: 10
201. Lions D/ST, Lions, DST10, Bye week: 6
202. Alvin Kamara, Saints, RB51, Bye week: 8
203. Steelers D/ST, Steelers, DST11, Bye week: 9
204. Brian Robinson Jr., Falcons, RB52, Bye week: 11
205. Jake Bates, Lions, K5, Bye week: 6
206. Colby Parkinson, Rams, TE32, Bye week: 11
207. Calvin Ridley, Titans, WR78, Bye week: 9
208. Jason Myers, Seahawks, K6, Bye week: 11
209. Ray Davis, Bills, RB53, Bye week: 7
210. Packers D/ST, Packers, DST12, Bye week: 11
211. Omar Cooper Jr., Jets, WR79, Bye week: 13
212. Keenan Allen, Colts, WR80, Bye week: 13
213. Eddy Pineiro, 49ers, K7, Bye week: 8
214. Browns D/ST, Browns, DST13, Bye week: 11
215. Jaylin Noel, Texans, WR81, Bye week: 8
216. Tyrone Tracy Jr., Giants, RB54, Bye week: 8
217. Michael Mayer, Raiders, TE33, Bye week: 13
218. Vikings D/ST, Vikings, DST15, Bye week: 6
219. Cam Little, Jaguars, K8, Bye week: 7
220. Zachariah Branch, Falcons, WR82, Bye week: 11
221. Bears D/ST, Bears, DST14, Bye week: 10
222. Harrison Butker, Chiefs, K9, Bye week: 5
223. Germie Bernard, Steelers, WR83, Bye week: 9
224. Tyler Loop, Ravens, K10, Bye week: 13
225. Jake Tonges, 49ers, TE34, Bye week: 8
226. MarShawn Lloyd, Packers, RB55, Bye week: 11
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. Antonio Williams, Commanders, WR84, Bye week: 7
231. Chase McLaughlin, Buccaneers, K13, Bye week: 10
232. Theo Johnson, Giants, TE35, Bye week: 8
233. Andy Borregales, Patriots, K14, Bye week: 11
234. Falcons D/ST, Falcons, DST17, Bye week: 11
235. David Njoku, Chargers, TE36, Bye week: 7
236. 49ers D/ST, 49ers, DST18, Bye week: 8
237. Keon Coleman, Bills, WR85, Bye week: 7
238. Tyler Allgeier, Cardinals, RB56, Bye week: 14
239. Mason Taylor, Jets, TE37, Bye week: 13
240. Chris Boswell, Steelers, K15, Bye week: 9
241. Chimere Dike, Titans, WR86, Bye week: 9
242. Bills D/ST, Bills, DST19, Bye week: 7
243. Wil Lutz, Broncos, K16, Bye week: 10
244. Tory Horton, Seahawks, WR87, Bye week: 11
245. Evan McPherson, Bengals, K17, Bye week: 6
246. Jaydon Blue, Cowboys, RB57, Bye week: 14
247. Darnell Washington, Steelers, TE38, Bye week: 9
248. Caleb Douglas, Dolphins, WR88, Bye week: 6
249. Xavier Legette, Panthers, WR89, Bye week: 5
250. Saints D/ST, Saints, DST21, Bye week: 8
251. Cowboys D/ST, Cowboys, DST20, Bye week: 14
252. Ja'Kobi Lane, Ravens, WR90, Bye week: 13
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