2026 First Fantasy Football Thoughts: AFC/NFC South

by Michael Nazarek - 7/23/2026

Most training camps are starting this week, so it's time to take a closer look at the South Division teams to see how things are shaping up...

AFC SOUTH

Houston Texans: The Texans made the playoff in 2025 again, but failed to make the big game. QB C.J. Stroud returns as the starter, but was only QB21 for fantasy last year. While a lot of that was the cause of a lousy OL, a lot of the blame also goes to Stroud himself. He simply is not a quality starter in the league, so I am avoiding him in drafts this summer. QB Davis Mills returns as the backup. In the running game, RB Nick Chubb was not re-signed, leaving RB Woody Marks to return as the primary back... until the team acquired RB David Montgomery. Monty is now the clear workhorse back, while Marks will be the third down and change of pace back. In fantasy terms, Monty is a solid RB2 with RB1 upside in certain games, while Marks is a RB4 and handcuff for Monty. RB Jawhar Jordan returns as the RB3. In the passing game, WR Nico Collins returns as the clear WR1 for the team and lower-end WR1 for fantasy in 2026. Second-year WR Jayden Higgins will be the WR2, while WR Jaylin Noel, WR Xavier Hutchinson, and WR Justin Watson will provide depth. WR Tank Dell (knee) should man the slot when he's healthy. Higgins is a WR4 with WR3 upside. WR Christian Kirk and WR John Metchie are gone. At tight end, TE Dalton Schultz returns to start, but is anything but an impressive producer for fantasy in this offense, keeping him only a decent TE2 in 2026. TE Foster Moreau will backup Schultz. PK Ka'imi Fairbairn returns as the kicker, and is a top 3 PK for fantasy this season once again.

Indianapolis Colts: The rest of this article can be found in our Pre-Season Draft Guide. If you'd like to read it, please click HERE to order our annual premium product!

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