The Buffalo Bills made a coaching change this offseason, but they kept it in-house. After firing Sean McDermott, Buffalo promoted offensive coordinator Joe Brady to head coach. Brady has overseen a top-10 offense in each of his two full seasons calling plays. Both Josh Allen and James Cook return. As a result, the fantasy outlook here stays about as strong as any team in the league.
A Promotion, Not a Rebuild
Brady’s offenses have finished top-5 in both yards and points over the past year. Working with Josh Allen certainly helps. However, Buffalo has an elite quarterback. Even so, they’ve leaned on the run more than the pass in nearly every season of Allen’s career. Furthermore, Brady’s offense led the league in running-back-only rushing yards last year, on top of Allen’s own runs. As a result, a coaching promotion is unlikely to shift that run-heavy identity.
Fantasy football implications: Buffalo’s run-first approach under a familiar play-caller is good news for both Allen’s rushing floor and James Cook’s workload heading into 2026.
Quarterback: Josh Allen Remains a Fantasy Cornerstone
Allen has averaged fewer passing yards and touchdowns over the last two seasons. That’s a step down from his three prior 35-plus touchdown years. Even so, his rushing production has stayed steady, and he’s actually scored more total touchdowns as a result. Some of the passing dip traces back to personnel — Buffalo never fully replaced Stefon Diggs after trading him away. Moreover, Allen turned 30 in May. He hasn’t missed a start since his rookie season, even after finishing last year with a foot injury that required surgery.
Fantasy football implications: Allen’s rushing floor makes him a top-tier fantasy quarterback regardless of how the passing numbers shake out, and last year’s foot injury doesn’t appear to be a lingering concern.
Running Back: James Cook Coming Off a Rushing Title
Buffalo is the only team to score more touchdowns running than passing in each of the last two seasons. James Cook won last year’s rushing title. His 342 touches were well above his career average, though, which raises some regression risk. Even with that caveat, Cook has been a top-12 back in each of his three seasons as a starter. He’s missed just one game in his career. Ray Davis and Ty Johnson round out the depth chart behind him.
Fantasy football implications: Cook is a locked-in RB1 given his workload and goal-line role, even accounting for some regression after a career-high touch count.
Receiver: DJ Moore Arrives to Replace the Diggs Void
Buffalo traded a second-round pick to Chicago for DJ Moore, signaling they see him as their long-awaited No. 1 receiver. Moore is only a year removed from a stretch averaging 97 catches and 1,165 yards a season. However, he’s coming off a down year, so there’s some risk attached to the move. Khalil Shakir has quietly built a reliable, high-catch-rate role for Josh Allen since Diggs left. His targets tend to be lower-impact, though.
Fantasy football implications: Moore carries WR2 upside if he bounces back to his earlier form, while Shakir remains a safe PPR floor play regardless of how the Moore addition shakes out.
Draft Day Starts With the Right Board
Whether your league is banking on a James Cook repeat or DJ Moore’s bounce-back, draft day goes smoother with the right board. Commish Kit has been the draft board of choice for fantasy leagues since 2002. Commish Kit started in Daly City, California, and moved to Austin, Texas in 2012, making 2026 its 24th season in business. Every wall-hanging draft board ships free. It’s carefully rolled and packed in a sturdy mailing tube, never folded. It arrives ready for draft night — no creases, no excuses.
A new head coach in Buffalo doesn’t change what matters on draft day. A Commish Kit board with 2026 labels keeps things simple. Team city and bye week are included on every one.
FAQ
Who is the Buffalo Bills’ head coach in 2026?
Joe Brady, Buffalo’s offensive coordinator for the past two seasons, takes over. He was promoted after the Bills fired Sean McDermott.
Is Josh Allen still a top fantasy quarterback?
Yes. His rushing production has remained steady even as his passing touchdown totals have dipped. That rushing floor keeps him among the top options at the position.
Is James Cook a safe fantasy running back in 2026?
Yes, with some regression risk after a career-high workload. Cook has been a top-12 back in each of his three seasons as a starter. He’s missed just one game in his career.
Where can I get a fantasy football draft board for my league?
Commish Kit has made wall-hanging draft boards since 2002, as featured on Thrillist.
