7 NFL Draft Risers & Fallers (2026 Fantasy Football)

Discover which rookies from the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft saw their stock rise or fall the most post-NFL Scouting Combine.

Mar. 9, 2026 at 11:07am

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With the NFL Scouting Combine behind us, most attention is turning back to the NFL's free agency period. The rookies, though, are still keeping busy, and this week saw the first trickle of pre-draft visit announcements from teams. At this point, it feels like a ripe opportunity to examine players whose NFL Draft stock has increased or decreased in the last few weeks.

Why it matters

Understanding how a player's draft stock changes in the lead-up to the NFL Draft is crucial for fantasy football managers, as it can impact where they are selected and their potential fantasy value in the upcoming season.

The details

Several players have seen their draft stock rise or fall in recent weeks, including Kenyon Sadiq, Omar Cooper Jr., Mike Washington Jr., Zachariah Branch, Jadarian Price, Malachi Fields, and Denzel Boston. Sadiq, Cooper, Washington, and Branch have all seen their stock rise, while Fields and Boston have seen their stock fall.

  • The NFL Scouting Combine took place recently.
  • Teams have started announcing pre-draft visits with prospects.

The players

Kenyon Sadiq

The clear TE1 in the 2026 NFL Draft class, Sadiq impressed at the Combine with his athleticism and competitiveness, leading to a rise in his draft stock.

Omar Cooper Jr.

A wide receiver who has quietly moved up draft boards, with analysts like Lance Zierlein and Dane Brugler projecting him to be selected in the first round.

Mike Washington Jr.

A running back who thrived at the Combine, with a 4.33 40-yard dash time and strong performance in the jumping drills, elevating him into contention for a Day 2 selection.

Zachariah Branch

A smaller wide receiver at 5'10" and 180 lbs, Branch has impressed with his lightning-fast 4.35 40-yard dash and is now ranked as the WR8 on consensus draft boards.

Jadarian Price

The clear RB2 in the draft class, Price's smooth running style has kept him firmly in that position, despite not standing out at the Combine.

Malachi Fields

A player who was flying up draft boards after the Senior Bowl, Fields has seen his stock fall after a 4.61 40-yard dash at the Combine, though he is still expected to be drafted in the second round.

Denzel Boston

A wide receiver who has dropped in draft rankings after not running the 40-yard dash and performing poorly in the vertical jump at the Combine.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This analysis of NFL Draft risers and fallers provides valuable insight for fantasy football managers, as it can help them anticipate where certain players may be drafted and how that could impact their potential fantasy value in the upcoming season.