- Fantasy Life Newsletter
- Posts
- A Veteran TE Wants A New Home
After nine years in Cleveland, TE David Njoku recently announced in a classy post that he will not return to the Browns in 2026 and will instead hit free agency while looking for a new home.
Who knows what conversations had already taken place between Njoku’s agent and the team—and why he felt the need to close the door a month before FA begins? But it’s not too hard to infer why he is interested in a change of scenery.
Njoku watched rookie TE Harold Fannin Jr. step onto the field and immediately command a 22% target share. He finished the season with the fifth-best Utilization Score among all TEs in one of the best under-22 seasons we’ve ever seen from a TE.
I wouldn’t want to play behind him either.
In his early 2026 fantasy rankings, Ian slotted Fannin as the TE4 overall behind only Trey McBride, Brock Bowers and fellow rookie phenom Colston Loveland.
Veterans like Sam LaPorta and Kyle Pitts might offer a higher floor—yes, I realize it’s crazy to use the word “floor” and "Pitts” in the same sentence but it’s a new era—but Fannin’s ceiling is too irresistible to pass up on once the other three are off the board.
FWIW, Ian doesn’t currently have Njoku ranked in his Top 12 tight ends, but I could see him providing value if he lands in the right spot.
Maybe the Patriots? Drake Maye to Njoku could be nice—especially if the Patriots elect to cut Hunter Henry ($2.5M dead money, $9.3M in savings).
Speaking of Maye, check out where Ian has him ranked (👀 ).
🍋 🏈 Go Hard or Go Home!
The Super Bowl is here. The matchup is set: Seahawks vs. Patriots. And it’s time to GO HARD. The stakes are high with every snap. Whether you’re glued to the couch or pacing the room, Mike’s Hard Lemonade is right there with you. Cold. Hard. Refreshing. GO HARD. Grab a Mike’s. Nobody Makes Lemonade Like Mike.
Mike’s is hard. So is prison. Don’t drive drunk.® Premium Malt Beverage with Flavors. All registered trademarks used under license by Mike's Hard Lemonade Co., Chicago, IL
Fantasy
Editors’ Picks
It’s been three long, grueling days without NFL football and we have roughly seven months to go. If anything is going to get us through the offseason, it’s looking ahead with the latest content from our team of experts …
 | We’re only three days removed from Super Bowl 60, but we’re already looking ahead to Super Bowl 61. Matthew Freedman takes an early look at the odds to win. |
 | Did Javonte Williams provide a boost for your team last season? Chris Allen and Jake Trowbridge break down his outlook for the season ahead and gauge his trade value. |
 | The Jags have a crowded room of pass catchers and Parker Washington is flying under the radar despite a strong finish to the year, but is he worth targeting in dynasty leagues? |
FantasyL
2026 Early Mock Draft: Bijan at 1.01
It’s easy to still be riding high on the memory of Bijan Robinson exploding for 37.4 points to power a Monday Night Miracle on the way to a title for so many fantasy managers in Week 17—Championship Week. But aside from that, it was the work that Bijan did throughout the season that put so many teams in that title game, and it’s a big reason that Kendall Valenzuela has him topping off her early 2026 fantasy football mock draft:
Everyone knows how damn good Bijan Robinson is and that's why he's more than likely going to be drafted 1.01 overall this season. Kevin Stefanski is the new head coach in Atlanta and we can all remember the prime years he had with Nick Chubb. In Chubb’s two healthiest seasons with the Browns, he was fourth in the league in carries (530) and second among running backs in yards per carry (5.3). The big question with this offense sits more at the quarterback position than anywhere else—not only will we have to wait to see how Michael Penix Jr.'s rehab goes, but it isn't a given that he's the QB1 in 2026. The team will also have to make a decision on whether or not to bring back Kyle Pitts.
Last season, Robinson was second among all running backs in targets (102), receiving yards (820), and third in total touches (366). Another important note is that Tyler Allgeier is an upcoming free agent. Robinson managers remember the pain they felt when Allgeier scored eight times, but now that he's likely gone we are looking at huge touchdown upside for Robinson in 2026.
Since your drive to the next title has already begun, dive into the rest of the first round right here. ⤵️
NFL
49ers Team Needs: Beef Up The WR Room
As the 49ers limped to the finish line in a 41-6 thrashing at the hands of the eventual Super Bowl-champion Seahawks, it was easy to forget that this team forged on through injuries toward a 12-5 regular-season record and a first-round win in the playoffs. And they did it with the WR position in flux much of the season. That group has Ian Hartitz’s full attention as he uncovers the 2026 team needs for San Francisco:
General Manager John Lynch said, "It's safe to say Brandon Aiyuk has played his last snap as a 49er."
Jauan Jennings is an unrestricted free agent looking to cash in after strong 77-975-6 and 55-643-9 campaigns during the last two seasons.
Kendrick Bourne is also hitting free agency. While Bourne was an afterthought down the stretch, he did post back-to-back 142-yard games in Weeks 5-6!
Ricky Pearsall has flashed marvelous route-running ability at times, but has only been healthy enough to suit up for 20 of 34 regular-season games over the past two seasons. Throw in the potential for George Kittle to not be operating at 100% coming off his Achilles tear, and more high-end pass-catching talent NEEDS to be added here.
What else does the team look to add or improve ahead of the 2026 season? Ian is on the case.⤵️
Fantasy
Around the Watercooler
Our merry band of football nerds is back and bringing you the latest news, content and memes from the NFL universe …
🤔 How does the 2026 class stack up for dynasty leagues? Upgrade Jaxson Dart.
💪 Malik Willis is about to get PAID. But where?
✌️ QB2 is still on the rise, even after his rough ending.
🤣 Wes Welker joins Commanders staff. LMAO, Ian.
🥵 Will Campbell has taken a lot of heat … but he’s still young.
🎙️ Everyone is in on Harold Fannin … including this former NFL QB.
🦵🏽 Never bring up kickers winning MVP to Ian. And don’t tell him about Mark Moseley in 1982.
🤩 Maxx Crosby got another big fan. His new coach.
🫡 One of the big guys calls it a career. Rams QBs thank you for your service.
Our tiered premium product built upon a suite of fantasy football and sports betting tools. The NEW way to take your game to the next level. | Sync your league and get started with customizing all of Fantasy Life's tools, rankings, and projections to your league settings. |