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Everything is earned, and nothing is guaranteed. NFL depth charts change fast, and every year a handful of veterans find themselves one play, one mistake or one rookie breakout away from losing their spot. This fantasy football season is no different. Several teams added more talented players with higher upside than the current starters, and the 2026 rookie class in particular is underrated.
A few of these rookies are already pushing for meaningful roles and could force early lineup changes. This article highlights veteran players who are at real risk of losing their starting jobs before the season settles.
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Risky Fantasy Football Veterans to Avoid
Jacoby Brissett (QB – ARI)
Jacoby Brissett enters the 2026 season with one of the shakiest starting jobs in the league. He continues to push for QB1 money and has not participated in mandatory team activities beyond showing up to avoid fines.
Brissett’s on‑field results do not support his demands. He went 1‑11 as a starter for the Cardinals last season, and nothing about his performance suggests he is a long‑term or even short‑term answer at quarterback.
Arizona has already prepared for alternatives. Gardner Minshew II and Kedon Slovis are on the roster as depth options, but the real threat to Brissett’s job is Carson Beck. The rookie has not officially signed his contract yet, reportedly due to guaranteed‑money negotiations, but he has attended every team event and has looked excellent.
Beck is a smart and adaptable quarterback who transitioned from Georgia to Miami and led the Hurricanes to a National Championship appearance. His ability to learn new systems quickly and command an offense makes him the clear front‑runner to take over.
Fantasy managers should avoid Brissett entirely. Even with strong weapons around him, his job security is fragile, and his performance history offers no confidence. All signs point to the Cardinals moving on early, and Brissett is one of the easiest fades in fantasy formats this season.
Calvin Austin III (WR – NYG)
Calvin Austin III arrived in New York as a free‑agent signing from Pittsburgh, but his grip on a starting job may not last long.
Austin’s role is secure only because Malik Nabers is still recovering from injury and is not ready to return. Nabers is unlikely to suit up for Week 1, keeping Austin in the lineup for now. Once Nabers is back, the Giants have a clear path to reshaping their receiver room.
The logical move is simple. Nabers fits best as a Z receiver, Darius Slayton can shift inside to the slot, and Malachi Fields should be elevated to the X. Fields is already pushing for early playing time, and reports indicate he is performing well enough to earn a significant role.
Fields’ size, physicality and college production make him a natural boundary option. Nabers is too small to function as a true X, and Slayton has always profiled more as a Z receiver who can slide inside when needed. Fields stands at 6-foot-4 and gives the Giants the big‑bodied outside presence their offense needs.
Austin’s starting job is tied directly to Nabers’ recovery timeline, and once he returns, Austin becomes the odd man out. Fantasy managers should be cautious. His early‑season opportunity is temporary, and his role is likely to shrink quickly as the Giants transition to their long‑term receiver structure.
Olamide Zaccheaus (WR – ATL)
Olamide Zaccheaus earned a starting spot for Atlanta heading into 2026, but his hold on the slot position is unlikely to last. The Falcons drafted Zachariah Branch, a former USC standout who once looked like one of the best wide receivers in college football when paired with Caleb Williams.
Branch’s production eventually dipped, but his skill set never changed. He is a true field-expander with elite speed, sharp footwork, reliable hands and the ability to pile up yards after the catch.
Branch profiles as a natural slot weapon that fits into the offense. His quickness, acceleration and short‑area burst give him a clear advantage over Zaccheaus, who has always been more of a placeholder than a long‑term solution.
The Falcons need explosive playmakers who can create separation and extend drives, and Branch fits that role immediately.
Based on his traits and projected usage, Branch is positioned to overtake Zaccheaus early in the season. A change before Week 4 is very realistic.
Zaccheaus earned his opportunity through strong offseason work, but once Branch settles in, the veteran becomes the odd man out. Fantasy managers should expect an early shift in Atlanta’s slot hierarchy.
Jacory Croskey‑Merritt (RB – WSH)
Jacory Croskey‑Merritt took over Washington’s backfield in 2025 as a seventh‑round pick, but the situation was misleading. There was zero competition behind him, and when a team has no alternatives, whoever is available ends up with the job. That is not the case heading into 2026.
Croskey‑Merritt now faces real pressure in a crowded backfield featuring Rachaad White and Kaytron Allen, both of whom bring traits that directly threaten his role.
White is the most proven back on the roster and is significantly better in the passing game. Croskey‑Merritt has been criticized for inconsistent hands, while White is a reliable, natural pass catcher who fits perfectly with Jayden Daniels’ need for stability in the short and intermediate areas of the field.
Allen adds another layer of competition. He broke Saquon Barkley’s career rushing record at Penn State even while sharing the backfield with Nicholas Singleton. Allen is the physical runner Washington has been missing, capable of bulldozing defenders and handling the tough yardage that Croskey‑Merritt struggled to secure.
The Commanders are under pressure to rebound after a disappointing season, and they cannot afford to experiment at running back. Croskey‑Merritt’s 2025 production came from circumstance, not long‑term trust or superior talent.
With White and Allen both offering more defined skill sets, Croskey‑Merritt is one of the most vulnerable starters in the league heading into 2026. His role is likely to shrink quickly, and fantasy managers should be cautious about expecting repeat success.
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