More Outlooks
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Arizona
Carolina
Chicago
Dallas
Denver
Detroit
Houston
Kansas City
LA Rams
Minnesota
NY Giants
Tampa Bay
QB C.J. Stroud
(2025 QB Rank – No. 22, 16.0 FPts/G)
Since one of the best rookie seasons ever by a quarterback in
2023, when he threw just one interception through his first eight
games, finished eighth in MVP voting, and won Offensive Rookie
of the Year, C.J. Stroud’s fantasy shine has dulled considerably.
The reasons vary, including injuries to both himself and his supporting
cast. Struggles along the offensive line, an inconsistent running
game, and defenses becoming more familiar with his tendencies
have all contributed to his regression.
That has all played a part in the lack of explosive performances
from Stroud. Over his last 26 games, he’s eclipsed 300 passing
yards only once. During that span, he’s had more games without
a touchdown pass (seven) than games with more than two touchdown
passes (two). Houston addressed the offensive line by signing
Braden Smith and Wyatt Teller, but whether those additions are
enough to help Stroud recapture his rookie form remains to be
seen.
We can perhaps conclude that the Texans want to see more from
Stroud before signing him to the contract extension he’s currently
eligible for. So far, they haven’t done so. Fantasy managers should
take the same cautious approach. He’s a low-end QB2 with spot-start
and bye-week appeal. Viewing him as anything more than that is
fool’s gold.
RB David Montgomery
(2025 RB Rank – No. 37, 8.9 FPts/G)
David Montgomery and the 33 rushing touchdowns he scored over
the past three seasons arrive in Houston poised to revive a rushing
attack that finished 27th in rushing touchdowns last year. Houston’s
expected improvements along the offensive line should create more
running lanes for Montgomery, who thrived behind an elite unit
in Detroit. But fantasy managers should remember that Woody
Marks remains on the roster after leading the Texans in rushing
attempts and rushing yards last season. We should expect him to
have a role in 2026.
Despite Marks’ presence, Montgomery will be the lead back. He
should see the lion’s share of the goal-line carries, and Houston’s
stout defense could lead to a more conservative offensive approach.
Those factors make his low-end RB2 ranking an appealing value.
But he’s also 29 years old, an age when many running backs begin
to decline. Couple that with his anticipated limited role in the
passing game, and some caution flags begin to emerge.
That said, I believe Montgomery has enough left to squeeze out
another relevant fantasy season. He may have a low ceiling, but
his floor is high. Grab him as your RB2 and hope he can resurrect
the success he found in Motor City over the last three years.
WR Nico Collins
(2025 WR Rank – No. 10, 12.7 FPts/G)
Most rankings have Nico Collins comfortably inside the top 10
at wide receiver heading into the 2026 season. While he’s the
undisputed alpha in Houston’s receiver room, it’s important to
understand what could limit his upside. For starters, he’ll have
more competition for targets this year. Youngsters Jayden Higgins
and Jaylin Noel
are poised for larger roles, and Tank Dell’s return could siphon
off additional opportunities. Collins has also battled nagging
injuries over the past few years, and those concerns could always
resurface.
Still, Collins is an efficient receiver who routinely finishes
among the league leaders in target-to-reception ratio. There’s
also plenty of scheme certainty in Houston’s passing attack —
we know who Collins is and what he means to this offense. If 2026
unfolds similarly to 2025 despite the added competition, Collins
should continue delivering the low-end WR1 production fantasy
managers have come to expect.
WR Jayden Higgins
(2025 WR Rank – No. 70, 6.4 FPts/G)
Jayden Higgins’ rookie season started slowly in 2025, as he totaled
only five receptions through his first four NFL games. His role
in the offense expanded soon afterward, however, and he caught
at least four passes in six of the next eight contests. He trailed
only Collins in end-zone targets and tied him for the team lead
with six touchdown receptions despite catching 30 fewer passes.
Even so, Higgins is going in the late rounds, if he’s being drafted
at all. Houston’s conservative passing attack and his role as
the team’s WR2 limit his fantasy outlook. Still, he’s worth taking
a flier on in the event Collins misses time again. The big-bodied
receiver has intriguing upside, making him worth monitoring. Grab
him with one of your final picks, see how he’s being utilized
early in the season, and adjust accordingly.
WR Tank Dell
(2025 WR Rank – N/A)
The 2023 season feels like a lifetime ago in fantasy football,
so some managers may have forgotten just how dynamic Tank Dell
was as a rookie. He burst onto the scene with three 100-yard games
and posted four contests with double-digit targets. Dell’s production
despite his small stature surprised many and made him a popular
fantasy option entering the 2024 season.
But he suffered a devastating knee injury in December of that
year and hasn’t played since. We don’t know what version of Tank
Dell we’ll get when he returns, and the increased competition
for targets should allow Houston to ease him back into the offense.
That doesn’t lend itself to fantasy production. While he’s not
draftable at this point, his past success makes him a player worth
monitoring as the season progresses. For now, though, leave him
on the waiver wire.
TE Dalton Schultz
(2025 TE Rank – No. 18, 8.0 FPts/G)
Dalton Schultz posted career highs in targets (106) and receptions
(82) last season but is being overlooked heading into 2026. Those
82 catches led the team, and he finished with 10 games of at least
five receptions. Schultz is a quietly intriguing option this year,
but expectations should remain realistic. He’s entering his ninth
NFL season and has appeared in 124 games, yet he’s topped 100
receiving yards only once.
Schultz is what he is: a mid-range TE2 with limited upside. You
can probably wait until the later rounds to draft him and see
how his role develops early in the season. Just don’t invest too
much draft capital.