2026 Northwestern University Depth Chart

Northwestern’s offense has a new spark under coordinator Chip Kelly, and all signs point to veteran Aidan Chiles as the linchpin at quarterback. Chiles brings two years of Big Ten starting experience and a dual-threat skill set to Evanston. He’s comfortably ahead of sophomore Ryan Boe – who flashed as a package runner last year – and will be given every opportunity to run Kelly’s uptempo scheme. Boe profiles as the future and should hold off senior Gavin Frakes for QB2, but Chiles’ one-year tenure and rushing upside lock him in as the clear QB1 for fantasy purposes. His mobility (over 4,100 career pass yards and 27 TDs, plus significant rushing ability) behind an improved O-line gives him a sturdy floor. With Chiles at the helm, Northwestern’s attack (just 23.4 PPG in 2025) should open up, making him a confident fantasy starter with Boe merely a developmental handcuff.

At running back, the Wildcats suddenly boast a wealth of talent and a potential committee to navigate. Caleb Komolafe earns the RB1 nod after a breakout 941-yard, 11-TD campaign; he proved he can carry the load in Big Ten play and is a known quantity in this offense. Pushing him is incoming transfer Gavin Sawchuk, perhaps the flashiest skill addition on the roster. Sawchuk compiled 486 yards and 8 TDs at Florida State last fall (with 1,463 career yards between FSU and Oklahoma) and brings a 5.1 YPC career explosiveness that Northwestern sorely needs. While Komolafe’s incumbency and all-around consistency give him a slight edge for early-down and goal-line work, Sawchuk’s pedigree and burst ensure a near 1B role. Kelly’s history of high-play-volume offenses can support two fantasy-relevant backs, and this backfield looks like a true one-two punch. Expect Northwestern to ride the “three-headed monster” of Komolafe, Sawchuk, and versatile senior Joe Himon II. Himon slots in as RB3 thanks to his third-down skills and 21-catch receiving output in 2025, but his upside is capped by the two lead horses ahead of him. In sum, Komolafe’s proven production and Sawchuk’s dynamic upside present a classic floor-ceiling tension – both will see ample work, but Komolafe’s established role keeps him narrowly in front for now.

The wide receiver hierarchy is clearer at the top. Junior Griffin Wilde is entrenched as the WR1 after emerging as Northwestern’s go-to target; he led the team by a wide margin in 2025 and is labeled a “star” internally. Wilde’s volume (he topped 750 yards with 6 TDs last year) and rapport in the short and intermediate game give him the safest fantasy outlook. Opposite him, sophomore Hayden Eligon II has surged into the WR2 spot on merit – he finished the season strong (8 catches, 99 yards and a score in the finale) and showcased hands and body control that make him a reliable big-play threat. Eligon’s emergence provides a formidable one-two punch with Wilde, and he should build on his 500+ yard season. The more intriguing call is WR3 Frank Covey IV. Covey was slated to start last year before injuries derailed him, and he’s arguably the most physically gifted of the group at 6’1″/210. We’re slotting him third for now – he must prove he can stay on the field – but Covey’s upside could push him into fantasy relevance if he finally stays healthy and syncs with Chiles. In the meantime, experienced junior Drew Wagner and rangy sophomore Ricky Ahumaraeze fill out the WR4 and WR5 roles. Wagner was a steady safety valve last year (22 catches) when Covey went down, and Ahumaraeze flashed as a 6’4″ deep target (18.3 yards per catch). They’ll be on the field in four-wide sets and rotate in, though neither projects for high weekly consistency barring injuries above them. For the final WR spot, we give the nod to redshirt freshman Braden Blueitt. Blueitt didn’t record stats in 2025, but coaches are high on his development, and he has a path to leapfrogging other reserves (like the smaller Chase Farrell or fellow second-year Dube Enongene) due to his all-around skill set. Ultimately, Northwestern’s WR room after Wilde and Eligon has talent but will likely see production spread around – our rankings favor the higher ceilings (Covey’s pedigree, Ahumaraeze’s explosiveness) while acknowledging Wagner’s PPR-friendly role.

Tight end is a position of dramatic overhaul, with two incoming transfers poised to headline the room. We project Luke Dehnicke as the TE1 thanks to his exceptional receiving résumé – he put up a staggering 61 catches, 1,119 yards, and 14 TDs at Minnesota-Duluth last season. Translating those video-game numbers from DII to the Big Ten is the big question, but Dehnicke’s downfield ability and route-running should earn him immediate targets in Kelly’s offense. Right behind him (and likely sharing the field often) is Alex Honig, a 6’7″, 270-pound grad transfer from UConn. Honig is an elite athlete (notably featured on The Athletic’s “Freaks List”) and quietly delivered 3 TDs on 13 receptions in 2025, showcasing his value as a red-zone weapon. We give Dehnicke the fantasy edge due to his dynamic playmaking profile, but Honig’s one-year experience in FBS and prowess near the goal line should not be overlooked – he could easily siphon touchdowns even if Dehnicke sees more between-the-20s volume. Both newcomers should leap ahead of any holdovers; Northwestern’s staff prioritized receiving talent at TE, signaling a shift away from pure blockers. Expect Dehnicke to run plenty of routes as a flex weapon, with Honig handling inline duties and popping up for high-value targets. This duo provides a nice balance of floor (Honig’s likely snap count and TD chances) and ceiling (Dehnicke’s potential to be a matchup nightmare) for fantasy purposes, a notable upgrade from last year’s pedestrian TE production. Finally, at kicker the Wildcats address last year’s inconsistency by adding Jackson Kleather. The Bowling Green transfer hit 19 of 22 field goals in 2025 and should benefit from an uptick in scoring opportunities; he’s a solid bet to stabilize the kicking game as K1 on our depth chart.

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