JJ Zachariason's 16 Fantasy Football Players that WON the Offseason! 👀

Overview

JJ Zachariason breaks down which 2026 rookie wide receivers (plus other rookies—tight ends and running backs) landed in the best NFL situations after the draft. He compares them using his ZAP model, and then discusses implications for best-ball/redraft pricing and dynasty outlooks.

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Key Rookie Landing-Spot Takeaways

Jordan Tyson (Saints, drafted 8th overall)

• Zachariason ranks him above Carnell Tate.
• He argues Tyson’s analytical profile is strongest, highlighting:
  • Yards after catch (YAC) ability
  • Tackle-breaking
  • Age-adjusted production
• He also likes the Saints/coordinator fit:
  • Specifically pointing to Kellen Moore
  • Predicting a zone-beating role that can support fantasy volume
• He acknowledges concerns around injury + age, but still prefers Tyson.

Carnell Tate (Titans, drafted 4th overall)

• Considered similar-tier in talent/fit.
• Main questions are about targets/volume translation.
• Zachariason isn’t “anti-Tate,” but says Tyson has the model edge:
  • A step-up in his ZAP profile
  • Fewer number-translation worries

Best-ball pricing (Tyson vs. Tate)

• Both Tyson and Tate are priced around WR30–31 in best-ball ADP.
• Zachariason views that as roughly fair.
• He calls both “stackable”, especially if their QB situations support full-season participation.

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Additional Rookies (RB/WR/TE)

Jeremiah Love (RB, Cardinals, drafted 3rd overall)

• Framed as a value around early RB13 ADP.
• Usage comparison:
  • More Jahmyr Gibbs-type rookie deployment
  • ~50–60% rush share and ~12–13% target share
• Not expected to be an elite bellcow early (not peak Zeke/Saquon).
• Zachariason argues Arizona’s offense should create lots of negative-game-script targets.

Malik Mustion (“Mai Lemon”), WR (Eagles, drafted 20th overall)

• Zachariason is middle-of-the-road but leans positive.
• The case is driven less by assuming a pure role (like “slot-only”)
  • and more by Philadelphia’s likely role flexibility.
• He emphasizes Lemon’s range of outcomes in route concepts like:
  • crossing routes
  • middle-field concepts
• He places Lemon at the top of a “next tier”:
  • Below Tyson/Tate
  • Above other comparable prospects

Casey Conpsion, WR (Browns)

• Called the most talented receiver Cleveland has.
• Zachariason expects Todd Monken to help extract efficiency.
• He compares the type of coaching/production transformation to what Monken did for Zay Flowers.
• He expects a realistic path to consistent ~13–14 PPR points per game
  • without requiring a guaranteed massive breakout.

Kenyan Sadiq, TE (Jets, drafted 16th overall)

• Zachariason likes the profile and the landing spot.
• He points to Frank Reich’s tight end usage track record.
• He notes the model score isn’t only raw production:
  • draft capital
  • athletic traits
  • age support
• He accepts that TE is scarce/fuzzy in fantasy projections,
  • but believes Sadiq’s range of outcomes supports drafting.

Eli Raridan, TE

• Zachariason identifies him as his clear tight end “3” behind the perceived big two.
• Reasons cited:
  • athletic testing
  • possible QB/target opportunity
  • especially: year-one usability compared to many TE prospects

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More Rookies Worth Noting

Jadarian Price, RB

• A “head scratcher” relative to the model.
• Zachariason sees high volatility:
  • clear ceiling exists
  • but concerns about:
    • receiving
    • pass protection
    • bellcow workload
    • timeline/competition
• He’s inclined to adjust him down to a more comfortable top-20 dynasty ceiling
  • instead of a top-10 ceiling.

Jeremy Bernard, WR (Steelers)

• Called underrated.
• Zachariason cites:
  • strong model inputs (breakout + versatility)
  • a scenario where Pittsburgh’s WR depth/age/contract dynamics improve his opportunity
• He stresses Bernard may have a better floor than similar late-2nd/early-3rd options.

Josh DS (WR/slot profile) and Jaden Reed (WR)

• Both discussed as usage-driven opportunities.

Josh DS

• Zachariason points to Detroit-related (and/or Panther-style) usage logic:
  • Michael Pittman’s departure plus roster composition could increase perimeter snaps
  • improving fantasy viability.

Jaden Reed

• Green Bay’s depth is changing, and Reed could outperform an incumbent like Matthew Golden.
• Additional contingent upside:
  • if the offense becomes more pass-heavy
  • if Jordan Jacobs misses time

Javvante Williams, RB (Dallas)

• Zachariason treats the situation as a straightforward value if Dallas didn’t add another back.
• Thesis:
  • continued volume
  • possible improvement as a pass-catcher

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Veteran “Winners” After the Draft (Valuation Shifts)

Brock Bowers

• Expected to remain a top-tier fantasy TE.
• Zachariason prefers Bowers over Trey McBride in early redraft drafts.
• Reasoning emphasizes:
  • system/role
  • touchdown volatility concerns around McBride

Chase Brown

• Called underrated.
• Arguments include:
  • high rush share
  • meaningful target share
  • strong end-of-season stretch
• Zachariason says Cincinnati hasn’t changed enough to justify discounting him.

Kyle Manungai (RB)

• Framed as contingent/flex upside:
  • value rises if DeAndre Swift misses time
• Not presented as an anti–Swift stance so much as a timing/contingency bet.

Bashalt Tutin (Jaguars-style backfield winner)

• Called the ceiling bet in the backfield.
• Expectations:
  • heavier personnel
  • more short-yardage fit
• He views other backs as less likely to capture the same high-leverage ceiling role.

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Recurring “Underrated” / Value Themes

Zachariason also repeatedly returns to:

• Josh DS
• Jaden Reed
• Javvante Williams

as examples within his veteran/value framing.

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Where to Find Zachariason’s Work

• JJ Zachariason / Fantasy Points
• Late Round (site referenced for guides/podcasts)
• Brandon Gadulla (mentioned as collaborator)
• Fantasy Football Daily hosts referenced:
  • Scott Barrett
  • Chris Wet
• Mentioned guest/updates:
  • Thomas Tipple
  • Ryan Heath (messaged during the discussion)