2026 Missouri Tigers Depth Chart

Missouri’s offense will be built around Austin Simmons at quarterback. The Tigers aggressively pursued the former Ole Miss starter and even brought in his favorite target, Cayden Lee, to ensure Simmons succeeds. Simmons’ big arm and two years of eligibility give him a high ceiling, and the staff’s investment signals strong job security despite his past interception issues. He’s expected to beat out younger holdovers like Matt Zollers (who filled in late 2025) and fellow transfer Nick Evers – Simmons’ downfield passing adds a dimension Mizzou lacked last year. Zollers’ Gator Bowl audition keeps him ahead of Evers as a developmental QB2, but neither threatens Simmons barring an injury or meltdown. In a redraft context, only Simmons projects as a fantasy contributor, thanks to his likely starting role and potential rushing/dual-threat upside (essential for QB value). The new Chip Lindsey-led offense (imported from Michigan) should remain balanced, but it will lean on Simmons’ arm more than last year, when the Tigers rode their ground game heavily.

At running back, Ahmad Hardy and Jamal Roberts form one of the nation’s most productive one-two punches, making it an easy call to list them as RB1 and RB2. Hardy, a Louisiana–Monroe transfer, shattered expectations by rushing for 1,649 yards and 16 TDs (an MU record) in 2025, and Roberts added around 750 yards with 6 scores – together they churned out 2,402 yards and 22 TDs on the ground. There’s little doubt they’ll “still dominate carries for Missouri next season”. Hardy’s combination of vision and power gives him the higher weekly ceiling, especially as the preferred goal-line back, while Roberts provides a reliable all-purpose element and injury insurance (a high floor as the 1B option). We give Hardy the edge due to his elite production and workhorse upside, but Roberts will be plenty relevant in fantasy as a complementary piece in a run-friendly scheme. Beyond them, the depth chart tilts toward newcomers with upside: Xai’Shaun Edwards (an FCS standout with 1,061 yards in 2025) profiles as RB3 because of his explosiveness and potential role in relief. He earns the nod over younger backs thanks to his experience and the staff eyeing him as a future starter. Still, barring injury, Edwards’ 2026 touches will be limited behind two established sophomores. Missouri’s backfield may be a committee, but it’s a narrow committee – one where both Hardy and Roberts can thrive, while any other back is a mere handcuff in redraft formats.

The wide receiver rankings reflect a blend of proven chemistry, returning talent, and incoming speed. Cayden Lee slots in as WR1 because he arrives as a “proven beast” from the SEC and the presumptive focal point of the passing game. Lee put up 57 catches for 874 yards with Ole Miss in 2024 and should immediately become Simmons’ top target, not only due to his polished route-running but also their built-in rapport from Oxford. Donovan Olugbode follows as WR2 – the rising sophomore stayed at Mizzou despite portal overtures after an “elite debut season”. His 6’2″ frame and playmaking flashes (30 receptions as a true freshman) give him a high ceiling, and he’ll challenge Lee for the team lead in targets. We’re confident Lee’s experience gives him a higher floor (and the nod for WR1), but Olugbode’s talent and year-two growth keep him firmly in the gameplan. Caleb Goodie earns the WR3 spot as a field-stretching weapon that perfectly complements Simmons’ deep ball. Goodie is one of the fastest wideouts in the nation (ranked top five in average speed) and is coming off a 484-yard, 4-TD campaign at Cincinnati. His ability to take the top off defenses should translate into immediate fantasy-relevant splash plays. While he may be a bit boom-or-bust week to week, Goodie’s speed-based role gives him the edge over the remaining receivers for 2026 – Mizzou didn’t bring in a burner of his caliber to have him sit.

Rounding out the receiver depth, we gave priority to experienced transfers, though this portion of the chart comes with more uncertainty. Kenric Lanier II slots as WR4. The former Minnesota receiver brings two years of eligibility and a veteran presence to a very young room. Lanier has the polished routes and size (6’1″, 200) to be a reliable chain-mover, which likely earns him immediate snaps in the rotation. Right behind is Naeshaun Montgomery at WR5 – a former four-star recruit from Florida with four years left to play. Montgomery boasts a higher long-term ceiling than Lanier, but he essentially redshirted in 2025, so we’re tempering expectations for year one. Think of Montgomery as the big-play prospect who could surge late in the season if he adapts quickly; for now, we project the older Lanier to see more targets early on (hence the WR4/WR5 ordering of floor vs. ceiling). The WR6 spot was a tough call, but we leaned toward an in-house underclassman (Shaun Terry II) who has drawn praise internally for his quickness. Terry was an early enrollee who “turned heads” in spring, and his slot skill set could carve out a situational role, especially on returns or gadget plays. He gets the nod over other holdovers with similar profiles (e.g. Da’Marion Fowlkes or any remaining upperclassmen) because of his dynamic upside. Realistically, however, Missouri’s passing production should concentrate heavily on the top three or four receivers – beyond Lee, Olugbode, and Goodie, it’s a wait-and-see which of the newcomers (Lanier/Montgomery) or young Tigers steps up. We’ve ranked that middle tier conservatively by experience, acknowledging that Montgomery in particular could leap forward if his talent flashes.

At tight end, Brett Norfleet is clearly TE1 assuming he returns healthy. Norfleet emerged as a favorite red-zone target with 31 catches for 254 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2025, and he offers the most complete receiving skill set in the TE room. We’re confident ranking him atop this position given his demonstrated route running and the trust he earned last season (he started 10 games before a shoulder injury). In fantasy terms, Norfleet’s touchdown production and every-down role (when healthy) make him the only Missouri tight end worth considering. Jordon Harris fills the TE2 slot, primarily as a blocking tight end with occasional short-range targets. He’s a solid 268-pound in-line player but only caught 4 passes last year – meaning his on-field snaps won’t translate to consistent fantasy stats. We ranked Harris over veteran transfer Vince Brown II because Harris is a homegrown junior the staff trusts as an every-snap contributor (even if he’s not running many routes). Brown did chip in 215 yards and 3 TDs as a reserve, so if he’s back in 2026 he could be a receiving specialist, but any role for him would cut into Harris’ playing time, not Norfleet’s. In short, Norfleet is the only TE here with a real fantasy-friendly profile (thanks to his targets and 6’6″ catch radius in the red zone), while the TE2 is a distant afterthought for fantasy.

Finally, at kicker, Robert Meyer returns as K1 after a steady freshman season. He converted 10 of 14 field goals (71.4%) and 36 of 38 PATs, showing enough accuracy to keep the job. Meyer doesn’t have a massive leg (long of 40 yards in ’25), but the Tigers’ offense should give him plenty of scoring opportunities. With no competition brought in this offseason, his role is secure. In fantasy terms, Meyer projects as a serviceable college kicker – not elite, but reliable on a team that may find itself in many scoring situations. Overall, Missouri’s 2026 depth chart is shaped by an infusion of transfer talent and the retention of key playmakers. Our rankings emphasize opportunity and proven production: the new QB1 and WR1 duo (Simmons-Lee) get top billing due to their chemistry and clear path to touches, the backfield tandem stays ahead of any newcomers by virtue of their established dominance, and experienced weapons (and red-zone threats) are favored in the supporting slots. There is plenty of upside in this lineup – but also new variables (new system, many new faces). Serious fantasy managers should monitor how quickly the Simmons-led passing game gels under Coach Drinkwitz and OC Lindsey. Still, the hierarchy we’ve set balances that uncertainty with the information at hand: Missouri has “surrounded [Simmons] with plenty of options”, and we’ve identified the ones most likely to matter when the stats start counting.