SportsLine Model Calls Darnold 2026 Fantasy Bust
Get the Sports newsletter
Daily sports — scores, transfers, the storylines from the leagues you actually follow. Free.
- SportsLine's model simulated the NFL season 10,000 times and released 2026 Fantasy football rankings for PPR and non-PPR leagues, identifying sleepers, breakouts, and busts across positions.
- Kenneth Gainwell is flagged as a sleeper at ADP No. 99; after posting 1,023 scrimmage yards and 8 touchdowns in Pittsburgh, coach Todd Bowles labeled him 1B to Bucky Irving in Tampa's Rachaad White-replacement backfield.
- Bhayshul Tuten is tabbed as a breakout after a rookie year of 386 yards and 7 touchdowns backing up Travis Etienne, who left for New Orleans; Tuten owned the fastest 40-yard dash among 2025 draft RBs.
- Sam Darnold is identified as a bust after leading the NFL with 20 turnovers (6 lost fumbles, 14 INTs) in a Seahawks offense that ranked third in rushing attempts and 29th in pass attempts, prompting the model to drop him to QB20 from last year's QB14 finish.
- SportsLine highlights a prior track record that includes calling Daniel Jones as a 2025 top-15 Fantasy QB (QB10 before injury), Jonathan Taylor's 2021 monster season, Rachaad White's 2023 breakout, and Isiah Pacheco as a 2025 bust.
- Early 2026 ADP leaders include Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, Ja'Marr Chase, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jonathan Taylor, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Christian McCaffrey, with Brock Bowers leading the tight end group.
- An unnamed tight end is ranked as a top-8 Fantasy option ahead of Travis Kelce and Sam LaPorta, with full details gated to SportsLine subscribers.
Why it matters: The model that nailed Daniel Jones and flagged Isiah Pacheco as a 2025 bust is now calling a sharp fade on a fresh Super Bowl-winning QB — Darnold's 20-turnover season in a run-heavy Seattle offense gives Fantasy drafters a concrete reason to drop him from QB14 to QB20. Mid-round value hunters get specific targets: Gainwell (ADP 99) in Tampa's pass-heavy backfield and Tuten atop Jacksonville's depth chart, where Etienne's 1,400 yards and 13 touchdowns are up for grabs.
