With the arrival of the spring semester comes the end of the NFL season and Fantasy Football. No matter the outcome of your season, it’s never too early for fantasy users to begin looking ahead.
Knowing which players to scout and which teams to keep tabs on will allow you to be ready for draft day. So, whether you’re basking in glory or slouching in regret, this Fantasy Forecast finale will have you prepped for next season.
The Player
Over 300 players were placed on the injured reserve list this season, which derailed several teams’ chances at supremacy and diminished many players’ hopes for success. Unfortunately for the New York Giants, their fourth-round pick fell into this statistic.
Running back, Cam Skattebo quickly became a rookie of the year candidate in his NFL debut. Prior to his season-ending injury in Week 8, Skattebo rushed for 410 yards and gained another 207 in receiving. The 225-pound rookie led his class in touchdowns (7) and was destined for a record-breaking season before a dislocated ankle sidelined him.
In 2026, Skattebo can expect to see lots of action as the Giants’ new head coach, John Harbaugh, favors a run-heavy offense. With a healthy ankle, a favorable playstyle, and a seasoned quarterback, Skattebo will be the player to keep in mind.
The Team
Millions of Instagram users have coined a new phrase claiming that 2026 is the new 2016. The posts are usually accompanied by a photo of themselves from the previous decade. In efforts to encapsulate the year’s vibe and thrills, society is obsessed with all things 2016. The NFL is no exception to this takeover as one team is buying into this trend and looks to bring it into next season.
Following Sunday’s win that advanced them to the AFC Championship, the New England Patriots are continuing to dominate the league. In the regular season, quarterback Drake Maye recorded the highest QBR average in the league at 77.2 and carried the Pats to a 13-4 record.
It’s fair to argue that the MVP candidate is something similar to that of Tom Brady, who in the 2016 season led his Patriots to a Superbowl victory. Maye’s chances of playing in Super Bowl LX are strong, as the Denver Broncos will be without quarterback Bo Nix. He certainly has his sights on hoisting the Lombardi Trophy as Brady did a decade ago.
Whether Foxborough gets its seventh Super Bowl victory or not, the Patriots are the team to look out for in 2026. With few players entering free agency for New England, they can look to continue their dominance next season with the team intact and freshly motivated off a successful season.
The Division
The division with the most speculation belongs to the AFC North. In just eight days, all but one head coach would remain with a job heading into next season. On Jan. 5, the Cleveland Browns fired Kevin Stefanski after six seasons with an overall record of 45-56.
Then, 24 hours later, John Harbaugh was released by Baltimore after falling to secure a spot in the playoffs. Through 18 seasons, Harbaugh became the Raven’s winningest coach at 180, causing confusion from fans following the decision to let him go.
The following Tuesday, Mike Tomlin stepped down from his position with the Pittsburgh Steelers after a disappointing 30-6 loss to the Houston Texans in the AFC Wild Card game. Tomlin is known for never coaching a losing season in his 19-year run with the Steelers and had 13 playoff appearances.
That leaves the Cincinnati Bengals, who retained head coach Zac Taylor after etching a 6-11 season. With new personnel soon to flood the division, the Bengals’ outlook is debatable. All this uncertainty means one thing: the AFC North will certainly be the division to watch.
Best of luck, Huskies.