2026 Eastern Michigan University Depth Chart

Noah Kim’s return for a seventh year locks in the most stable QB situation in the MAC. His 2025 rushing TD production (6 TDs, 186 yards) is the key fantasy differentiator — EMU’s RPO scheme manufactures keeper opportunities, and year-two familiarity with Piatkowski’s system should sustain that floor. McCaughey (Yale transfer, dual-threat) is the only credentialed backup; everyone else behind him is non-competitive for the job.

The tension at receiver is talent ceiling versus proven role. Devereaux slots WR1 on the strength of his 7 red zone TDs and entrenched target share as Kim’s primary option — his late-season explosion (5 TDs over final 3 games) was no fluke. Mack Jr. sits at WR2 purely on projection: 55.5 yards per game as a true freshman in 6 appearances is an elite pace, and a full season unlocks the room’s highest ceiling. Beasley (JUCO transfer, 41/737/6 career) edges Prosper at WR3 because of his 6’3″ red zone profile in an offense where EMU’s elite conversion rate drives TD upside. Long at TE1 is arguably the safest overall pass-catcher on this roster — team-leading 37 catches return in a unit that lost 67% of its production. Bennett at RB1 over James comes down to goal-line role and Kim chemistry from their Coastal Carolina days; James’s value is speed and change-of-pace, not volume.

The biggest unresolved tension is Bennett’s health (4-game 2025 due to knee) against James’s explosive upside at RB2. If Bennett can’t sustain full-season availability, James’s target share on screens and wheels makes him a genuine PPR asset. Turner at TE2 over Lemaster reflects the JUCO transfer’s receiving production (51/612/8 at Butte CC) versus Lemaster’s purely blocking role.