July 23, 2026
By Ryan Baker
The 2026 playoffs are underway, featuring four compelling first-round matchups that will decide which teams advance. With another DC versus New York contest and a fifth meeting between Madison and Indianapolis, the stage is set for an exciting round. The following seven players are poised to play pivotal roles in their teams’ elimination games:
Alex Atkins, New York Empire
Alex Atkins returns to the playoffs for the first time since 2023, now leading the league’s top offense. In 2026, he nearly replicated his 2024 First-Team All-UFA statistics but with significantly greater efficiency, playing 44 fewer points and committing 23 fewer turnovers. Facing the DC Breeze for the third time this season, Atkins aims to build on his previous performances against them, which included 9 assists, 5 goals, and over 1,500 total yards. The first meeting was a season highlight, handing New York one of its only losses, while New York prevailed in the rematch. Notably, Atkins, who holds the league’s second-highest Thrower Adjusted Expected Contribution (T-aEC), will have the next player on this list available for the first time against DC.
Daan De Marrée, New York Empire
In just six games with New York, Daan De Marrée has already made a massive impact. He has shot up the rankings to the second-highest Receiver Adjusted Expected Contribution (R-aEC) by way of his 20 goals and 1,838 receiving yards. The DC Breeze will have to handle De Marrée for the first time this season, and they are going to be scrapping to corral one of the most dynamic players in the world. Not to mention that he can do it on both ends. He blew up the stat sheet with eight assists in his last game against Toronto, and has proven he can beat any defense horizontally, vertically, with his arm, or with his legs. De Marrée and Atkins are arguably the scariest duo in the entire league, and both of them have only had one playoff appearance that ended in losses for each of them. There is going to be a fire lit underneath New York, and DC is going to get caught in the blaze.
Miles Grovic, DC Breeze
On the other side of round one in the East is DC’s Miles Grovic, who will have his work cut out trying to match the Empire’s offense. Grovic did not play against New York in their loss but did in their nail-biting win, producing three goals and three assists on a flawless 30 completions. The Breeze are a different team when Grovic is on the field. He has the seventh-highest Total Adjusted Expected Contribution (Tot-aEC), with 15 players between him and the next highest-ranked Breeze player. The key will be getting him the ball. When Grovic has 20 or more touches (4 games), he has 22 assists and 2,112 total yards, compared to 11 assists and 2,046 yards in games with fewer than 20 touches (6 games). Grovic is also an elite defender with a different role, so it shouldn’t be a surprise if he plays both ways.
Elliot Hawkins, Indianapolis AlleyCats
Elliot Hawkins led the 2026 regular season in assists (65) and receiving yards (3,378), ranked third in plus/minus and total yards, and finished second in total scores, despite missing three games. Had he played all 12 games, he was on pace for 112 scores, the highest since 2022. Hawkins ended the regular season with a 14-assist game against Pittsburgh, mirroring his season-opening 15-assist performance. With several key teammates unavailable, Hawkins will carry even more responsibility against the Madison Radicals. In their last meeting, he recorded nine assists and four goals in a decisive win. While he does not need to replicate those numbers, minimizing turnovers—he had 22 this season—will be crucial. A strong, efficient performance from Hawkins could be the difference against Madison.
Spencer Lofink, Seattle Cascades
The Seattle Cascades finished 8-4 this season, driven in part by Spencer Lofink’s standout year. In his six seasons with Seattle, Lofink has never matched his 2026 production: 51 assists, tied for third in the league, and 3,504 throwing yards, nearly 1,600 more than any teammate. He ranks second in league completions, making him central to Seattle’s offense. The Cascades will host the Salt Lake Shred, a team they have narrowly defeated twice this year, with Lofink recording 11 assists on 112 completions and only three turnovers in those games. Lofink has routinely had Salt Lake’s number. In their 2024 playoff meeting, Seattle edged Salt Lake by one, led by Lofink’s seven assists and two goals.
Eric Sjostrom, Madison Radicals
The Madison Radicals have experienced an inconsistent season with their new offensive system. While several players contribute regularly, Eric Sjostrom’s performance will be especially important when they host the Indianapolis AlleyCats. Although his statistics are modest, Sjostrom is a key facilitator, providing outlets and delivering precise flick hucks when needed. He has just 3 huck turnovers on 18 attempts this season. However, the timing of his turnovers has occasionally been costly, including errors in the end zone or during opponent scoring runs. He has had only one turnover-free game this year. If Sjostrom can limit mistakes at critical moments, Madison’s chances of advancing will improve.
Chad Yorgason, Salt Lake Shred (Pictured)
Chad Yorgason ranked fifth in both scoring and player impact in 2026, establishing himself as one of the league’s most effective players. Since joining the O-line last year, he and Jordan Kerr have formed a highly productive backfield partnership. Yorgason is notably balanced, with nearly equal receiving and throwing yards, but his ability to deliver in crucial moments sets him apart. Two weeks ago against Seattle, he secured a layout block and threw the game-tying huck with less than 10 seconds remaining, forcing overtime. According to Shown Space, Yorgason excels under pressure, leading the league with 15 fourth-quarter assists and the highest Tot-aEC in the final 12 minutes. If Salt Lake defeats Seattle for the first time this season, Yorgason’s late-game performance will likely be the deciding factor.
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