32 teams, 32 Sleepers
2026 Fantasy Football: 32 Teams, 32 Sleepers
By: Andrew Ferguson
“Some of you I know, some of you I’m meeting for the first time.” A quote from the brilliant Dr. Evil from Austin Powers. All 32 NFL teams have at least one guy out perform his projections in fantasy so let’s figure out who they are. A lot of variables are considered here with these people. Some are being drafted later than they should be or are good value, some guys may require an injury to get where they need to be and some guys won’t break out until later in the season. These aren’t necessarily ‘must draft’ players’ or ‘breakout candidates’ but they are people to keep on your radar for those that are in deep leagues looking for any leg up on their competition. If your league is like mine, the slightest rumor or momentum is enough for a guy to get scooped up where the remaining players on the waiver are just a trash heap of endless void. So be on the lookout for these guys in 2026 that can make a difference to your roster when you need it most.
1) Arizona Cardinals- QB Jacoby Brissett
In 2025, Brissett finished as QB 16 overall and didn’t start until week 6. After he got the nod, he finished with 20.7 points per game and finished as QB 4 during that stretch. Kyler Murray is gone and the only thing that’s scaring people from counting on him to repeat the success is if he gets benched for Carson Beck. Here’s the thing, Brissett is currently being drafted as the 28th QB off the board. You can afford to take him with one of your last picks or as your starting QB late. He still has tons of weapons to throw to and a much better run game this year. The Cardinals will be bad, but they will still have plenty of yards for fantasy points.
2) Atlanta Falcons- WR Zachariah Branch
Branch is a rookie drafted in the 3rd round of the NFL draft but could easily be the Falcons WR2 alongside Drake London. The only bad news is if he does win the job, he’ll be 4th in the pecking order for targets in this offense behind London, Pitts and Bijan Robinson. He’s a big play receiver but one who also possesses a skillset not exactly in London’s repertoire. Look for Branch to catch short routes and make a big play. It’ll be hard to judge when to start him due to lack of volume and consistency, but watch out for some big games as a rookie. He’s a deep draft pick, currently going as WR 75. He’s worth a flyer as one of your last picks.
3) Baltimore Ravens- TE Mark Andrews
There honestly aren’t a lot of options here for the Ravens. Before 2025, Mark Andrews has been a top 7 tight end in fantasy 6 of the last 7 years. This position has proven that age doesn’t have to be a huge factor in producing. Baltimore had a tough season last year with injuries so the offense was off its game entirely. Mark Andrews falls into sleeper category because he’s being drafted as the 10th TE off the board, when he could easily break into top 5 numbers. Isaiah Likely is gone and Lamar still loves him in the red zone. If you wait on TE and can’t land one of the top guys, this could be your late round starter.
4) Buffalo Bills- WR Skyler Bell
Bell is another rookie that could get early playing time. The Bills focus heavily on the run game and their down the field play makers will be DJ Moore on the outside and Khalil Shakir in the slot. Bell had a monster final year in college with over 100 catches, nearly 1,300 receiving yards and 13 TDs. Does he have future WR1 blood running through his veins? He’ll most likely have to fend off guys like Keon Coleman, Joshua Palmer and Tyrell Shavers in his rookie year to find out. If he truly wants to make a big splash, he will have to eat into DJ Moore’s targets. Bell is someone to keep an eye on talent wise, we may have to wait for the right opportunities though. Depending on how many bench spots you have, you can stash him way late as he’s going mostly undrafted as of now.
5) Carolina Panthers- WR Jalen Coker
Nothing about Bryce Young at QB makes me feel confident in any WR on this team. However, his 3,000 yards have to go to somebody. And maybe Young even makes a leap in his career. Coker just signed a 3 year extension to stay in Carolina and he’s built a nice report with Young. During playoff weeks in fantasy last year, Coker averaged 10 half PPR points per game and had 3 TDs. Not too sexy, but enough to bail you out for any injury you had on your way to a championship. He’s locked in as the number 2 WR on the team and he’s currently being drafted as WR50 going into 2026. You could do a lot worse as your WR4 or even 5 depending on how your draft goes.
6) Bears WR- Zavion Thomas
Who? Another rookie WR drafted in the 3rd round of this year’s draft. BUT, he went to LSU. They have pretty decent WRs coming out of there lately. Zavion Thomas runs a 4.28 so the speed and skill are there. DJ Moore and Zaccheaus are gone so there is some playing time up for grabs in this offense behind Burden and Odunze. Burden isn’t necessarily proven, but has high expectations this year, and Odunze will play with a lingering foot injury all year. Thomas should get in the mix with returns so if your league gets points for that, this could be a great little gadget pickup. He’s currently going undrafted but he’s worth clicking on the little start to keep an eye on him. I see big plays in his future.
7) Cincinnati Bengals- WR Mitch Tinsley
Again, who? And this guy isn’t even a rookie. Tinsley is a very talented WR who people think he may be starting on other NFL teams if it weren’t for Higgins and Chase hogging the targets as the NFL’s deadliest WR duo. However, Higgins and Chase both miss games frequently. If either of them miss any games this year, Tinsley is the sneaky plug and play. Keep him on your radar and as an insurance blanket for those that spend early picks on the Bengals WRs. Joe Burrow puts up very friendly numbers for WRs so if Tinsley earns the WR3 role, he could be in for a big year.
8) Cleveland Browns- WR Denzel Boston
Are you guys sick of WRs on this list yet? Me too, but I really like this one. And don’t worry, there are RBs to come. Boston was actually the 2nd WR drafted by Cleveland in this year’s draft right behind KC Concepcion. Boston reminds me of a poor man’s Carnell Tate going into the year in the sense the playing time will be there and the volume should match. The WR room in Cleveland was awful in 2025, so look for a completely revamped passing attack, no matter who’s at QB. Boston is a big physical target so look for him to get the red zone looks (which may be rare for the Browns this year). He’s currently projected as WR58 off the board so he’s worth a flyer as your WR4/5.
9) Dallas Cowboys- WR Ryan Flournoy
Let me explain why this guy is different from all the other WRs I’ve listed so far. In 2025, Dak Prescott threw for 4,500 yards. That’s plenty of love to go around for 3 WRs in an offense like this. Pickens and Lamb will eat. I expect Dak to put up similar numbers this year but Flournoy could get even more opportunities than he did last year since he earned the trust of Dak and the coaching staff. He’s coming into a season where a year 3 breakout could happen and if there’s any WR3 on a team you’re banking on, this is the guy. He finished last year with moments where he shined as WR55 and he’s currently being drafted as WR88. If Lamb or Pickens were to miss any time, he would be an absolute must pick up. He’s worth drafting late and stashing.
10) Denver Broncos- RB Jonah Coleman
This one is a bit of a reach but we see random RBs breakout every year, especially rookies out of nowhere. What’s to like about this guy though? He’s built like a tank and his biggest competition in JK Dobbins is one of the most injury prone RBs in the league. Coleman would instantly take over the backfield if Dobbins were to miss any time. RJ Harvey isn’t an every down back so his usage would most likely remain the same no matter who’s getting the snaps between Dobbins/Coleman. Coleman is a big power back, but can also catch the ball. If he can pass protect and earn Sean Peyton’s trust, watch out for a new weapon in the backfield. The Broncos aren’t married to Dobbins for a long term plan.
11) Detroit Lions- RB Isaiah Pacheco
Yay, another RB! Have you guys seen the Pacheco memes? They’re similar to the Chuck Norris one liners in the sense of “Pacheco runs like the ground owes him money.” Well his attitude and run style have not changed. Pacheco is going super late but I’m not exactly sure why? David Montgomery has left and Pacheco is taking over the “Knuckles” role in this offense to Gibbs’ Sonic nickname. Montgomery put up RB2/3 numbers and Pacheco can easily come in and spell Gibbs in the same manner. Pacheco is currently drafted as RB60. Give me that all day with one of my late round RB flyers.
12) Green Bay Packers- WR Jayden Reed
There is a lot of love for Christian Watson this year. Why? He’s had flashes of greatness, but he hasn’t stayed healthy for most of his career and doesn’t put up mind blowing numbers. His price tag this year comes as a gamble to me as WR29 off the board. Before last season, Jayden Reed finished as WR23 and WR26 overall. You can get him for a lot cheaper than Watson as WR55 going into this year. I like the price tag better out of these 2. Wicks and Doubs are both gone so the path for Reed having a bounceback season seems likely.
13) Houston Texans- RB Woody Marks
I love the David Montgomery signing. However, he’s not coming in to be Joe Mixon by any means. I think this backfield will be more split than people think. Marks is a very good receiving back and he’s earned more playing time coming into 2026 after putting up respectable numbers at the end of 2025. He finished last season as RB29 and is currently being drafted as RB46. So there is some late round value there if he can spell Montgomery appropriately.
14) Indianapolis Colts- WR Josh Downs
I’m not entirely confident in the Colts passing game as a whole if I’m being completely honest. Daniel Jones is coming off an achilles injury, Michael Pittman is gone, and the Colts didn’t do anything to replace him or bring in more weapons. However, with Pittman gone, it opens up 111 more targets for guys like Downs. Alec Pierce is dealing with an injury so we’ll see what he’s like in 2026. Pierce is also more of a deep threat guy than a possession/volume hog. The Colts have admitted they plan to run Jonathan Taylor into the ground this year, but Downs could be in for a big breakout with an expanded role.
15) Jacksonville Jaguars- WR Parker Washington
You probably think there are too many mouths to feed here. But the thing is, Trevor Lawrence is about to have a huge year and his supporting cast will feast. Travis Hunter is a non factor to worry about. I do believe Brian Thomas will have a bounceback but there is plenty of room for Washington to keep his momentum from 2025 going. Washington went crazy for anyone in a playoff run last year averaging 18.5 PPG in the final 3 weeks. Jakobi Meyers hardly scratched the surface of those numbers. Washington is currently going as WR34. A little pricey to some but it’s a safe pick.
16) Kansas City Chiefs- TE Travis Kelce
Wow really? This guy is not a sleeper. Well in 2026, he kind of is. Remember when this guy was a 1st round fantasy pick? Well he was not too long ago. People are starting to write him off due to age, questions around the QB play in Kansas City and if Mahomes will be healthy to start the season. But drafting Kelce comes with high expectations and last year we finally saw that he is human. And even so, he still finished as TE3. He’s being drafted outside the top 10 TEs going into 2026! That’s absolutely crazy. Kelce could easily have a bounce back season and put up similar numbers to what he did in 2025. Go look what Gronk did when he came out of retirement. You can trust Kelce as your TE1 as a late pick if you decide to wait.
17) Los Angeles Chargers- RB Keaton Mitchell
Every year I wait for this guy to explode. He’s in the perfect situation coming into this season to finally do so. He’s shown flashes of speed and big play ability with his time with the Ravens but has struggled to stay healthy. Omarion Hampton is obviously the starter, but we’ve seen what Mike McDaniel can do with 2 running backs, especially one with top end speed like Mitchell possesses. Mostert and Achane proved it can work. This run heavy, Mike McDaniel offense will have plenty of fantasy points up for grabs for whoever is the backup RB here. He’s being drafted as RB59. I think his ROI will be much higher than that.
18) Los Angeles Rams- TE Colby Parkinson
Stafford is coming off a monster MVP season so there are plenty of yards up for grabs in this offense. Stafford offers 0 upside when it comes to running the ball himself so those yards get dinked and dunked to tight ends and checkdowns to compensate. Parkinson is the favorite for targets at the TE position for the Rams and had some big games down the stretch in 2025. From week 10 on, Parkinson was TE4 overall and had 8 TDs. He’s currently projected as TE26 off the board. An absolute steal and sleeper waiting for you at the end of the draft.
19) Las Vegas Raiders- WR Jailon Nailor
I have 2 questions for you. Did you know Nailor was on the Raiders? Can you name one other WR on this team? No you can’t. This guy is WR1 but will probably finish 3rd in targets behind Bowers and Ashton Jeanty. The QB position is much better for the Raiders this year whether it’s Cousins or Mendoza that’s starting. They have to throw to someone at WR and Nailor should be the number one option. He’s currently WR87 drafted in mocks and I see no reason why I shouldn’t take him with my last WR spot in the draft.
20) Miami Dolphins- RB Jaylen Wright
Achane is the clear lead dog in this offense but there are some things I like about Wright’s opportunity here. This team is going to be hot garbage to start. Everybody from this offense that was once must watch TV and high octane is gone… except Achane. There is still a chance Achane gets traded. Jaylen Wright looks to have kept Ollie Gordon off his back for the backup role so if Achane does get traded, Wright would immediately jump into RB1 rankings. This will be a run heavy offense this year and Jaylen Wright could be a solid stash or plug and play. He’s RB69 (nice) off the board right now. Pretty much going undrafted.
21) Minnesota Vikings- WR JuJuan Jennings
This guy is cocky and thinks he’s better than he really is. He wants big money but settled for a contract where he’ll be the WR3 behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Adison. But that confidence is what I like. Is he good enough to take snaps away from Adison? We’re about to find out. This passing game is going to be light years better than last year with Kyler Murray at QB. Kevin O’Connell is a great offensive coach so Jennings will eat. Jennings is coming off the board as WR57 but I feel much safer with that pick later in drafts given he’s proven he’s capable of putting up some big numbers.
22) New England Patriots- WR Romeo Doubs
In 2025, the Patriots made it to the Super Bowl with Stefon Diggs and Kayshon Boutte. Now they have AJ Brown and Doubs which is a massive upgrade. If AJ Brown is double covered, Doubs should be a volume driven reception beast in this offense. Maye likes to spread the ball around but now that he has an alpha, it’s going to give guys like the WR2 on the team more open looks. Doubs’ pricetag is a little higher at WR46 off the board, but I think this is another safe pick given he’s put up numbers in the past and he’s getting a huge upgrade at QB.
23) New Orleans Saints- QB Tyler Shough
Gross. Can we skip this one? I already wrote about how he’s a big sleeper in one of my articles but I guess I have to do it again. Shough put up respectable numbers once he got the starting job in New Orleans. He even entered start worthy fantasy numbers. The Saints have massively upgraded the weapons around him and I’ve previously said he likes to run so there’s a lot of upside there. Shough is my biggest QB sleeper heading into 2026 and could be drafted in the last round and be your starting QB for the entire year.
24) New York Giants- TE Isaiah Likely
The Giants are a young and fun team on offense that’s only getting better. But one thing to be concerned about is the health of Malik Nabers. Until we know what’s going on there, Likely could be Dart’s favorite target. Wan’Dale Robinson is gone and if Nabers were to miss time, Likely is a proven vet and that’s every young QBs safety valve. Likely could be a top 10 TE this year and he’s currently being drafted as TE21. He spent his career fighting off a top 3 TE in the league with Mark Andrews and still put up great stats. He’s the best TE on this roster now and a big year could be on the horizon.
25) New Yorks Jets- WR Omar Cooper
Believe it or not, Geno Smith at QB is an upgrade for the jets this year. Geno was in a terrible spot last year with the Raiders and I don’t think his bad numbers are all on him. Before last year, he had 2 seasons in 2022 and 2024 where he threw for over 4,200 yards. He’s capable of slinging the ball around and there should be plenty of opportunities to do so this year as they won’t be in the lead much. Omar Cooper is a rookie WR that could potentially win offensive rookie of the year. Garrett Wilson keeps getting hurt but I think having a veteran WR taking on opposing teams’ best corner and maybe being double covered will allow Cooper to get a lot of open looks and volume. He’s a Jets WR, I get it, but he’s going as WR60. Just remember how late you got him in 2026 because it won’t happen again.
26) Philadelphia Eagles- WR Dontayvion Wicks
Wicks is coming in to Philly to lead the path for Makai Lemon to take over the WR2 role. Wicks and Lemon (sounds like a candle company) may be alternating this role for the season until Lemon proves he’s ready for a large share of snaps. Wicks is a solid veteran that gets another upgrade at QB with Jalen Hurts that’s proven he can put up respectable fantasy numbers. Wicks is going undrafted so he’s someone to keep more on your radar and only to draft in very deep leagues. But he’s the WR3 on a team that doesn’t have a solid WR2 or WR1 for that matter.
27) Pittsburgh Steelers- WR Michael Pittman
One of the higher players on this list of sleepers but he’s still only being drafted as WR43. Since 2021, he’s averaged an overall fantasy finish of WR24. There is a lot of good value here. Aaron Rodgers is going to fall in love with throwing him the ball and Pittman eats targets. Mike McCarthy is a huge upgrade to this offense so I see Pittman as a solid WR3/4 depending on how your draft goes.
28) Seattle Seahawks- WR Rashid Shaheed
This guy has a ring, what’s not to like? He was also traded to the Seahawks midseason so he didn’t necessarily light up the fantasy stat sheets for owners. Before Shaheed was traded to Seattle, he had 4+ catches and every game of the season. And that wasn’t even during the time Shough was starting. Oh what could’ve been for us fantasy owners. He now has a full offseason under his belt and I feel this will be a massive weapon for Seattle’s attempt to run it back with another Super Bowl.
29) San Francisco 49ers- RB Kaelon Black
Every year, Christian McCaffrey’s backup is the number one handcuff in fantasy football. This is the guy to hold onto. CMC is 31 and coming off a successful, but volume driven fantasy season. That kind of wear and tear is something I just do not trust and if he were to miss any time, Black would be the rookie RB surprise of the year. It’s only a matter of time. He’s completely going undrafted so snag him up just to piss off the people that draft CMC early.
30) Tampa Bay Buccaneers- WR Jalen McMillan
Finally! The last WR on this list! McMillan had a massive rookie year in 2024 scoring 8 TDs. A neck injury forced him to miss the entire 2025 regular season but was able to come back for the playoffs. He’s healthy coming into 2026 and Mike Evans has left for San Francisco. Everyone assumes Egbuka is fully healthy as well and is the sure fire WR1 on this team (which they should), but he still has some growing up and proving to do. We’ll also see how Chris Godwin plays this year. McMillan is going as WR68 off the boards as the team’s WR3 for now, but he’s someone I’m confident in taking as a late round flyer as my WR5.
31) Tennessee Titans- RB Nicholas Singleton
A lot of what I love on Singleton is the fact he’s a freak athlete. He somehow fell to the 5th round of this year’s draft and the Titans got a huge steal which they definitely needed to backup Tony Pollard. Pollard has put up respectable numbers but his job is no way guaranteed locked up for him and Tyjae Spears is someone we keep waiting to do something. I’m not 100% he’s going to ever be a 3 down running back but he can definitely come in as a rookie and put up relevant fantasy RB3 numbers. Take him as your last RB.
32) Washington Commanders- TE Chig Okonkwo
At long last, our last player. Okonkwo has been victim of terrible QBs in his career. He finally has Jayden Daniels to help his case. Okonkwo stays healthy and has been very consistent in his career. He just hasn’t really bursted through the scene. He will be the starting TE in Washington so the volume will be there and you can rely on him to get out there. Now that Ertz is gone, Okonkwo has some big shoes to fill but could lead to fantasy relevance. He’s currently being drafted as TE21 but could easily break into top 12.
