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: Sept. 1
1. Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions, RB1, Bye week: 6
2. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks, WR1, Bye week: 11
3. Bijan Robinson, Falcons, RB2, Bye week: 11
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
13. Saquon Barkley, Eagles, RB6, Bye week: 10
12. Nico Collins, Texans, WR7, Bye week: 8
14. Trey McBride, Cardinals, TE1, Bye week: 14
15. Drake London, Falcons, WR8, Bye week: 11
17. De'Von Achane, Dolphins, RB7, Bye week: 6
16. George Pickens, Cowboys, WR9, Bye week: 14
19. Omarion Hampton, Chargers, RB8, Bye week: 7
18. A.J. Brown, Patriots, WR10, Bye week: 11
20. Brock Bowers, Raiders, TE2, Bye week: 13
21. Chase Brown, Bengals, RB9, Bye week: 6
23. Chris Olave, Saints, WR11, Bye week: 8
22. Josh Allen, Bills, QB1, Bye week: 7
24. Kenneth Walker III, Chiefs, RB10, Bye week: 5
26. Ashton Jeanty, Raiders, RB11, Bye week: 13
25. Garrett Wilson, Jets, WR12, Bye week: 13
28. Derrick Henry, Ravens, RB12, Bye week: 13
27. Tetairoa McMillan, Panthers, WR13, Bye week: 5
30. Jeremiyah Love, Cardinals, RB13, Bye week: 14
29. Zay Flowers, Ravens, WR14, Bye week: 13
31. Lamar Jackson, Ravens, QB2, Bye week: 13
32. Javonte Williams, Cowboys, RB14, Bye week: 14
33. Colston Loveland, Bears, TE3, Bye week: 10
34. DeVonta Smith, Eagles, WR15, Bye week: 10
35. Rashee Rice, Chiefs, WR16, Bye week: 5
36. Breece Hall, Jets, RB15, Bye week: 13
37. Ladd McConkey, Chargers, WR17, Bye week: 7
38. Drake Maye, Patriots, QB3, Bye week: 11
39. Davante Adams, Rams, WR18, Bye week: 11
40. Tyler Warren, Colts, TE4, Bye week: 13
41. Kyren Williams, Rams, RB16, Bye week: 11
42. Emeka Egbuka, Buccaneers, WR19, Bye week: 10
43. Terry McLaurin, Commanders, WR20, Bye week: 7
44. Malik Nabers, Giants, WR21, Bye week: 8
45. Tee Higgins, Bengals, WR22, Bye week: 6
46. Jayden Daniels, Commanders, QB4, Bye week: 7
47. Travis Etienne Jr., Saints, RB17, Bye week: 8
48. Kyle Pitts Sr., Falcons, TE5, Bye week: 11
49. Jaylen Waddle, Broncos, WR23, Bye week: 10
50. Jameson Williams, Lions, WR24, Bye week: 6
51. Luther Burden III, Bears, WR25, Bye week: 10
52. Bucky Irving, Buccaneers, RB18, Bye week: 10
53. Harold Fannin Jr., Browns, TE6, Bye week: 11
54. DK Metcalf, Steelers, WR26, Bye week: 9
55. Rome Odunze, Bears, WR27, Bye week: 10
56. D'Andre Swift, Bears, RB19, Bye week: 10
57. Jalen Hurts, Eagles, QB5, Bye week: 10
58. Sam LaPorta, Lions, TE7, Bye week: 6
59. Carnell Tate, Titans, WR28, Bye week: 9
60. Bhayshul Tuten, Jaguars, RB20, Bye week: 7
61. Courtland Sutton, Broncos, WR29, Bye week: 10
62. Cam Skattebo, Giants, RB21, Bye week: 8
63. DJ Moore, Bills, WR30, Bye week: 7
64. David Montgomery, Texans, RB22, Bye week: 8
65. Joe Burrow, Bengals, QB6, Bye week: 6
66. Travis Kelce, Chiefs, TE8, Bye week: 5
67. Michael Pittman Jr., Steelers, WR31, Bye week: 9
68. Mike Evans, 49ers, WR32, Bye week: 8
69. Quinshon Judkins, Browns, RB23, Bye week: 11
70. George Kittle, 49ers, TE9, Bye week: 8
71. Parker Washington, Jaguars, WR33, Bye week: 7
72. Dak Prescott, Cowboys, QB7, Bye week: 14
73. Marvin Harrison Jr., Cardinals, WR34, Bye week: 14
74. Jaylen Warren, Steelers, RB24, Bye week: 9
75. Tucker Kraft, Packers, TE10, Bye week: 11
76. Christian Watson, Packers, WR35, Bye week: 11
77. Alec Pierce, Colts, WR36, Bye week: 13
78. Michael Wilson, Cardinals, WR37, Bye week: 14
79. Jadarian Price, Seahawks, RB25, Bye week: 11
80. Chris Godwin Jr., Buccaneers, WR38, Bye week: 10
81. Wan'Dale Robinson, Titans, WR39, Bye week: 9
82. Justin Herbert, Chargers, QB8, Bye week: 7
83. Matthew Golden, Packers, WR40, Bye week: 11
84. Jake Ferguson, Cowboys, TE11, Bye week: 14
85. Jakobi Meyers, Jaguars, WR41, Bye week: 7
86. MarShawn Lloyd, Packers, RB26, Bye week: 11
87. Brian Thomas Jr., Jaguars, WR42, Bye week: 7
88. Tony Pollard, Titans, RB27, Bye week: 9
89. Caleb Williams, Bears, QB9, Bye week: 10
90. Jordan Addison, Vikings, WR43, Bye week: 6
91. Dallas Goedert, Eagles, TE12, Bye week: 10
92. Josh Downs, Colts, WR44, Bye week: 13
93. Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots, RB28, Bye week: 11
94. Quentin Johnston, Chargers, WR45, Bye week: 7
95. Jayden Reed, Packers, WR46, Bye week: 11
96. Stefon Diggs, Commanders, WR47, Bye week: 7
97. Matthew Stafford, Rams, QB10, Bye week: 11
98. Rico Dowdle, Steelers, RB29, Bye week: 9
99. Dalton Kincaid, Bills, TE13, Bye week: 7
100. Romeo Doubs, Patriots, WR48, Bye week: 11
101. Jaxson Dart, Giants, QB11, Bye week: 8
102. Kenny Gainwell, Buccaneers, RB30, Bye week: 10
103. Makai Lemon, Eagles, WR49, Bye week: 10
104. Bo Nix, Broncos, QB12, Bye week: 10
105. TreVeyon Henderson, Patriots, RB31, Bye week: 11
106. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars, QB13, Bye week: 7
107. Juwan Johnson, Saints, TE14, Bye week: 8
108. Brock Purdy, 49ers, QB14, Bye week: 8
109. Khalil Shakir, Bills, WR50, Bye week: 7
110. Aaron Jones Sr., Vikings, RB32, Bye week: 6
111. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs, QB15, Bye week: 5
112. Mark Andrews, Ravens, TE15, Bye week: 13
113. Jonathon Brooks, Panthers, RB33, Bye week: 5
114. De'Zhaun Stribling, 49ers, WR51, Bye week: 8
115. Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers, QB16, Bye week: 10
116. Rachaad White, Commanders, RB34, Bye week: 7
117. Isaiah Likely, Giants, TE16, Bye week: 8
118. Xavier Worthy, Chiefs, WR52, Bye week: 5
119. Jared Goff, Lions, QB17, Bye week: 6
120. Chuba Hubbard, Panthers, RB35, Bye week: 5
121. Hunter Henry, Patriots, TE17, Bye week: 11
122. Kyler Murray, Vikings, QB18, Bye week: 6
123. Jalen Coker, Panthers, WR53, Bye week: 5
124. Kenyon Sadiq, Jets, TE18, Bye week: 13
125. J.K. Dobbins, Broncos, RB36, Bye week: 10
126. KC Concepcion, Browns, WR54, Bye week: 11
127. Kyle Monangai, Bears, RB37, Bye week: 10
128. T.J. Hockenson, Vikings, TE19, Bye week: 6
129. Rashid Shaheed, Seahawks, WR55, Bye week: 11
130. Jordan Love, Packers, QB19, Bye week: 11
131. Tre Tucker, Raiders, WR56, Bye week: 13
132. Jordan Mason, Vikings, RB38, Bye week: 6
133. Dalton Schultz, Texans, TE20, Bye week: 8
134. Tyler Shough, Saints, QB20, Bye week: 8
135. RJ Harvey, Broncos, RB39, Bye week: 10
136. Brenton Strange, Jaguars, TE21, Bye week: 7
137. Denzel Boston, Browns, WR57, Bye week: 11
138. Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Commanders, RB40, Bye week: 7
139. Sam Darnold, Seahawks, QB21, Bye week: 11
140. Blake Corum, Rams, RB41, Bye week: 11
141. AJ Barner, Seahawks, TE22, Bye week: 11
142. Jerry Jeudy, Browns, WR58, Bye week: 11
143. Chig Okonkwo, Commanders, TE23, Bye week: 7
144. Deebo Samuel Sr., 49ers, WR59, Bye week: 8
145. Daniel Jones, Colts, QB22, Bye week: 13
146. Gunnar Helm, Titans, TE24, Bye week: 9
147. Woody Marks, Texans, RB42, Bye week: 8
148. Jalen McMillan, Buccaneers, WR60, Bye week: 10
149. C.J. Stroud, Texans, QB23, Bye week: 8
150. Terrance Ferguson, Rams, TE25, Bye week: 11
151. Jalen Nailor, Raiders, WR61, Bye week: 13
152. Chris Rodriguez Jr., Jaguars, RB43, Bye week: 7
153. Malik Willis, Dolphins, QB24, Bye week: 6
154. Pat Freiermuth, Steelers, TE26, Bye week: 9
155. Malik Washington, Dolphins, WR62, Bye week: 6
156. Greg Dulcich, Dolphins, TE27, Bye week: 6
157. Adonai Mitchell, Jets, WR63, Bye week: 13
158. Kayshon Boutte, Texans, WR64, Bye week: 8
159. Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks, RB44, Bye week: 11
160. Jacoby Brissett, Cardinals, QB25, Bye week: 14
161. Tre' Harris, Chargers, WR65, Bye week: 7
162. Cade Otton, Buccaneers, TE28, Bye week: 10
163. Ryan Flournoy, Cowboys, WR66, Bye week: 14
164. Bryce Young, Panthers, QB26, Bye week: 5
165. Evan Engram, Broncos, TE29, Bye week: 10
166. Tyjae Spears, Titans, RB45, Bye week: 9
167. Devaughn Vele, Saints, WR67, Bye week: 8
168. Rashod Bateman, Ravens, WR68, Bye week: 13
169. Aaron Rodgers, Steelers, QB27, Bye week: 9
170. Dylan Sampson, Browns, RB46, Bye week: 11
171. Calvin Ridley, Titans, WR69, Bye week: 9
172. Jordyn Tyson, Saints, WR70, Bye week: 8
173. Broncos D/ST, Broncos, DST1, Bye week: 10
174. Tyler Allgeier, Cardinals, RB47, Bye week: 14
175. Cooper Kupp, Seahawks, WR71, Bye week: 11
176. Mike Gesicki, Bengals, TE30, Bye week: 6
177. Rams D/ST, Rams, DST2, Bye week: 11
178. Texans D/ST, Texans, DST3, Bye week: 8
179. Travis Hunter, Jaguars, WR72, Bye week: 7
180. Pat Bryant, Broncos, WR73, Bye week: 10
181. Seahawks D/ST, Seahawks, DST4, Bye week: 11
182. Keaton Mitchell, Chargers, RB48, Bye week: 7
183. Dontayvion Wicks, Eagles, WR74, Bye week: 10
184. Eagles D/ST, Eagles, DST5, Bye week: 10
185. Tank Bigsby, Eagles, RB49, Bye week: 10
186. Cam Ward, Titans, QB28, Bye week: 9
187. Jauan Jennings, Vikings, WR75, Bye week: 6
188. Oronde Gadsden, Chargers, TE31, Bye week: 7
189. Mike Washington Jr., Raiders, RB50, Bye week: 13
190. Ravens D/ST, Ravens, DST6, Bye week: 13
191. Ja'Kobi Lane, Ravens, WR76, Bye week: 13
192. Chargers D/ST, Chargers, DST7, Bye week: 7
193. Brandon Aubrey, Cowboys, K1, Bye week: 14
194. Brian Robinson Jr., Falcons, RB51, Bye week: 11
195. Darnell Mooney, Giants, WR77, Bye week: 8
196. Cameron Dicker, Chargers, K2, Bye week: 7
197. Patriots D/ST, Patriots, DST8, Bye week: 11
198. Jonah Coleman, Broncos, RB52, Bye week: 10
199. Keenan Allen, Colts, WR78, Bye week: 13
200. Harrison Mevis, Rams, K3, Bye week: 11
201. Geno Smith, Jets, QB29, Bye week: 13
202. Colby Parkinson, Rams, TE32, Bye week: 11
203. Steelers D/ST, Steelers, DST9, Bye week: 9
204. Jaguars D/ST, Jaguars, DST10, Bye week: 7
205. DeMario Douglas, Patriots, WR79, Bye week: 11
206. Ka'imi Fairbairn, Texans, K4, Bye week: 8
207. Josh Jacobs, Packers, RB53, Bye week: 11
208. Lions D/ST, Lions, DST11, Bye week: 6
209. Caleb Douglas, Dolphins, WR80, Bye week: 6
210. Jake Bates, Lions, K5, Bye week: 6
211. Packers D/ST, Packers, DST12, Bye week: 11
212. Michael Mayer, Raiders, TE33, Bye week: 13
213. Jaylin Noel, Texans, WR81, Bye week: 8
214. Jason Myers, Seahawks, K6, Bye week: 11
215. Browns D/ST, Browns, DST13, Bye week: 11
216. Xavier Legette, Panthers, WR82, Bye week: 5
217. Darnell Washington, Steelers, TE34, Bye week: 9
218. Chris Brooks, Packers, RB54, Bye week: 11
219. Bears D/ST, Bears, DST14, Bye week: 10
220. Isaac TeSlaa, Lions, WR83, Bye week: 6
221. Eddy Pineiro, 49ers, K7, Bye week: 8
222. Malachi Fields, Giants, WR84, Bye week: 8
223. Dawson Knox, Bills, TE35, Bye week: 7
224. Vikings D/ST, Vikings, DST15, Bye week: 6
225. Omar Cooper Jr., Jets, WR85, Bye week: 13
226. Darren Waller, Panthers, TE36, Bye week: 5
227. Cam Little, Jaguars, K8, Bye week: 7
228. Chris Bell, Dolphins, WR86, Bye week: 6
229. Theo Johnson, Giants, TE37, Bye week: 8
230. Samaje Perine, Bengals, RB55, Bye week: 6
231. Harrison Butker, Chiefs, K9, Bye week: 5
232. Chiefs D/ST, Chiefs, DST16, Bye week: 5
233. Germie Bernard, Steelers, WR87, Bye week: 9
234. Cairo Santos, Bears, K10, Bye week: 10
235. Falcons D/ST, Falcons, DST17, Bye week: 11
236. Will Reichard, Vikings, K11, Bye week: 6
237. Chase McLaughlin, Buccaneers, K12, Bye week: 10
238. Chimere Dike, Titans, WR88, Bye week: 9
239. Tyler Loop, Ravens, K13, Bye week: 13
240. David Njoku, Chargers, TE38, Bye week: 7
241. 49ers D/ST, 49ers, DST18, Bye week: 8
242. Andy Borregales, Patriots, K14, Bye week: 11
243. Jordan James, 49ers, RB56, Bye week: 8
244. Jahan Dotson, Falcons, WR89, Bye week: 11
245. Bills D/ST, Bills, DST19, Bye week: 7
246. Chris Boswell, Steelers, K15, Bye week: 9
247. Elijah Arroyo, Seahawks, TE39, Bye week: 11
248. Cowboys D/ST, Cowboys, DST20, Bye week: 14
249. Keon Coleman, Bills, WR90, Bye week: 7
250. Wil Lutz, Broncos, K16, Bye week: 10
251. Antonio Williams, Commanders, WR91, Bye week: 7
252. Evan McPherson, Bengals, K17, Bye week: 6
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