2026 Fantasy Football Sleepers (Aug. 10):
This is a list of my favorite 2026 fantasy football sleepers - underrated players who are going way later than they should (ADP 100 overall or lower.) The Average Draft Position (ADP) is found on Fantasy Pros.
Our sleepers list in 2024 was a tremendous success. Our top sleeper was Brian Thomas, whose ADP of 10.09 was ridiculously low. Chase Brown, Tank Bigsby, Jordan Mason, and Chuba Hubbard were also on our Fantasy Football Sleepers list. Our final 2025 list was a disaster, save for Zach Charbonnet, but we had a number of successes before their ADP rose, including Emeka Egbuka and Jacory Croskey-Merritt.
Denzel Boston, WR, Browns. ADP: 14.05.
Denzel Boston has enjoyed a tremendous training camp. He was chosen in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, but I considered him to be a first-round prospect, so I'm not too surprised. I know of someone who went to Cleveland training camp and described watching Boston as a "religious experience." I bet him to win Offensive Rookie of the Year at 60/1 odds, so I'm obviously going to love him in fantasy.
Ja'Kobi Lane, WR, Ravens. ADP: 19.07.
We asked one of our sources who could be this year's Puka Nacua - a mid-round receiver rookie who takes the league by storm. He said Ja'Kobi Lane. The Baltimore receiver is a big target who could emerge as an end-zone threat for the Ravens. Lane doesn't have much competition in front of him, and the Ravens will be using fewer multi-tight end formations this year with Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar gone. A recent training camp report said that the beat writer had never seen a rookie have as great of a training camp as Lane has enjoyed. It's difficult to trust training camp reports, but this just confirmed what our source said.
Zachariah Branch, WR, Falcons. ADP: 20.02.
The Falcons have just two dynamic receiving threats in Drake London and Kyle Pitts. After that, there's no one - except for maybe Zacharian Branch. The third-round rookie receiver is a spark plug who can go the distance any time he touches the ball. There's a good chance he'll start in the slot and be productive in his first season. Reports indicate that he has terrorized cornerbacks in training camp, which is not much of a surprise.
Malachi Fields, WR, Giants. ADP: 20.06.
The Giants traded up for Malachi Fields and have not been disappointed thus far. Fields has thrived in camp, and some reports indicate that he appears to be the No. 2 receiver despite being a rookie. Given that Malik Nabers is coming off a torn ACL, there's a chance that Fields will be Jaxson Dart's top option in 2026.
Pat Bryant, WR, Broncos. ADP: 26.06.
Pat Bryant displayed some great flashes in his rookie year. A third-round pick, Bryant has major potential and has been the star of Broncos camp. I've seen speculation that he could supplant an aging Courtland Sutton at some point this season. Regardless, the Broncos love Bryant and will want to get him on the field more and more as the year progresses.
De'Zhaun Stribling, WR, 49ers. ADP: 15.06.
Mike Evans is a 34-year-old with hamstring issues. Deebo Samuel is 30 and out of shape. Ricky Pearsall is out for the year. George Kittle is hurt right now. De'Zhaun Stribling is a big, strong receiver who can make plays downfield. It's possible that he could emerge as the No. 1 in San Francisco at some point this year.
Jayden Reed, WR, Packers. ADP: 9.10.
Word out of Packers camp is that Jayden Reed is playing in two-receiver sets along with Christian Watson now that Romeo Doubs is gone. This is huge. Reed has almost never played in two-receiver sets throughout his career, which has limited his upside. If he's going to be on the field more, his production will skyrocket, and he'll be more consistent.
Romeo Doubs, WR, Patriots. ADP: 10.07.
Slot receivers have a long and successful history in Josh McDaniels' offenses. Think Wes Welker, Julian Edelman, and others. Even the talentless Demario Douglas had his moments. Romeo Doubs, who was just signed this offseason, will be New England's new slot receiver. He'll be playing with a much better quarterback in New England, so with the upgraded passer and superior coaching staff, Doubs could be a huge producer in 2026.
Tre Tucker, WR, Raiders. ADP: 15.07.
Tre Tucker is the No. 1 receiver in Las Vegas, and yet, he's being drafted in the middle of the 15th round. Tucker is a better talent than Jalen Nailor, and he had some solid performances last year despite his miserable quarterback not having any sort of time in the pocket. The Raiders have improved their offensive line, so Tucker should have a strong year.
Tyler Shough, QB, Saints. ADP: 12.11.
Last year, we loved Drake Maye if he got to the double-digit rounds. This year, it's Tyler Shough. The Saints quarterback was given a boost in the draft via Jordyn Tyson, who has thrived in New Orleans' training camp thus far. Also, Shough has already looked great. He scored 17-plus fantasy points in each of his final six games, thanks in part to his rushing ability.
Dallas Goedert, TE, Eagles. ADP: 10.02.
Dallas Goedert could have his best season of his career. Not only is he in a contract year; he'll be operating without A.J. Brown on the field. Jalen Hurts functions as a first read, second read, then run quarterback. With Brown on the field, Brown and DeVonta Smith were his top two targets. With Brown gone, it'll likely be Smith and then Goedert. This is one of many reasons to stay away from tight ends early in fantasy drafts unless you play in leagues with multiple starters at the position.
Tank Dell, WR, Texans. ADP: 15.05.
Tank Dell is a major injury risk, but if you're taking him in the 15th round, it's not much of a gamble. Dell is a special talent who can be a league winner if he's healthy. He's been given the green light to practice, making it seem likely that he'll be ready for Week 1. He's the type of high-upside gamble you should make late in your fantasy football drafts.
More 2026 Fantasy Football Articles:
Fantasy Football Rankings
2026 Fantasy Football Rankings:
2026 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks - 8/14 (Walt)
2026 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs - 8/14 (Walt)
2026 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers - 8/14 (Walt)
2026 Fantasy Football Rankings: Tight Ends - 8/14 (Walt)
2026 Fantasy Football Rankings: Kickers - 8/14 (Walt)
2026 Fantasy Football Rankings: Defenses - 8/14 (Walt)
2026 Fantasy Football Mock Drafts:
2026 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets:
2026 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 - 8/14 (Walt)
2026 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 PPR - 8/14 (Walt)
2026 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 Half-PPR - 8/14 (Walt)
2026 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 2-QB - 8/14 (Walt)
2026 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 Touchdown League - 8/14 (Walt)
2026 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Custom - 8/14 (Walt)
2026 Fantasy Football: Dynasty Rankings - 8/14 (Walt)
2026 Fantasy Football Articles:
2026 Fantasy Football Stock Report: OTAs, Training Camp - 8/14 (Walt)
2026 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Preseason Games - 8/14 (Walt)
2026 Fantasy Football Values - 8/11 (Walt)
2026 Fantasy Football Sleepers - 8/10 (Walt)
2026 Fantasy Football Busts - 8/10 (Walt)
2026 Fantasy Football Round-by-Round Strategy Guide - 8/5 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Rankings - Aug. 14
2027 NFL Mock Draft - June 16
NFL Picks - Feb. 9
NFL Power Rankings - Jan. 26

Walt