Fantasy Football Winners and Losers After the 2026 NFL Trade Deadline

Fantasy Football Winners and Losers After the 2026 NFL Trade Deadline

• Winner: Justin Jefferson, with Kirk Cousins now in Minnesota
• Winner: Tyler Warren, now the clear top target in Indianapolis
• Loser: Indianapolis's passing game, after Keenan Allen and Josh Downs were both traded
• Loser: the Las Vegas passing game, which lost its starting quarterback

The NFL trade deadline passed Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET, and several fantasy-relevant deals were completed in the final days. The biggest move for fantasy managers was Kirk Cousins heading from the Raiders to the Vikings, but the Colts' decision to trade two receivers also reshapes a short list of offenses. Here is who gained and who lost value.

Trade details and fantasy reactions reflect reporting from November 10 and may change as teams finalize depth charts.

Winners

Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings

The biggest fantasy winner of the deadline is Jefferson. Minnesota traded a 2027 third-round pick to land Cousins, giving the Vikings a proven passing game after a long search for a quarterback upgrade. Cousins ranks second in the NFL in passing touchdowns (20) and fifth in passing yards (2,340), and he is expected to hold similar fantasy value in Minnesota as he did in Las Vegas. That is good news for Jefferson, who should see a more reliable and productive passer throwing him the ball. Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson could also benefit from a stronger quarterback, though the bigger lift belongs to Jefferson.

Tyler Warren, Indianapolis Colts

Warren is the most notable beneficiary on the Colts' side. With Keenan Allen and Josh Downs both gone, the Colts' targets opened up, and Warren is now the team's unquestioned top option in the passing game. Warren and Jonathan Taylor are the only Indianapolis players who are consistently fantasy-relevant, so Warren's role is more valuable than it was before the deadline. He is a tight end worth monitoring for weekly lineup decisions, particularly in leagues where tight ends are scarce.

Losers

Indianapolis Colts Passing Game

The Colts were among the most disappointing teams on deadline day. They traded Keenan Allen to San Francisco for a sixth-round pick and Josh Downs to Kansas City for fourth- and fifth-round picks, which removed two of their most familiar receivers. Beyond Warren and Taylor, the Colts' fantasy outlook is limited, and reports have described the moves as minor returns for players who were meaningful pieces of the offense.

Las Vegas Raiders' Passing Game

The Raiders' offense loses its starting quarterback in the Cousins trade. Cousins has been one of the more productive passers in the league, and Las Vegas now has to rely on a different quarterback for its pass-catchers. Fantasy managers who have Raiders receivers or tight ends should expect a change in target distribution and monitor the team's quarterback decisions in the coming weeks.

Mixed Results

Josh Downs, Kansas City Chiefs

Downs moved from a struggling Colts offense to a Kansas City passing game that has dealt with significant wide receiver injuries and depth concerns. That could give him a path to playing time, but he has averaged only 8.3 fantasy points per game this season in Indianapolis, so this is not a guaranteed upgrade. Treat him as a depth receiver who could offer value if Kansas City's receiving corps remains thin.

Keenan Allen, San Francisco 49ers

Allen joins a 49ers receiving group missing several starters, including Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, and Christian Kirk. That creates a short-term opportunity, but Allen is 34 years old and has ranked around the bottom of the wide receiver fantasy tiers this season. He is best viewed as insurance until the 49ers' injured receivers return, not as a dependable WR3 for the rest of the year.

Bottom Line

Jefferson is the clearest winner of the deadline because of the upgrade at quarterback, and Warren is the most useful pickup for managers looking for an opportunity. On the losing side, the Colts' passing game and the Raiders' quarterback situation both create uncertainty for their players. Before setting your Week 10 lineup, check the injury reports for the 49ers, Chiefs, and Vikings, since several of these trade impacts depend on who is healthy on Sunday.