Fantasy Football is so popular that you can encounter players at so many various levels of experience and interest. Some of the most notable expert players compete for high stakes, others play in a family and friends leagues, and of course, there are fantasy leaguers who are participating for the first time in 2026.

More experienced competitors spend large amounts of time preparing for their drafts and may play in multiple leagues. Some participants prepare heavily for one league. But there are some people who just don't have the time to do extensive fantasy homework. A few of them that I know might text me just before their drafts and say "Hey, my draft is in two hours. Got any sleepers?"

Our 2026 fantasy football rundown of our favorite sleepers was compiled with all types of fantasy managers in mind. Experienced players can use the list to verify that certain guys that they are targeting as sleepers will be worthy of the later draft choice. Those who are pressed for time before a draft can simply use this article as a cheat sheet, with necessary analysis included.

While a sleeper is generally regarded as a lesser-known player who bursts into prominence, we must also include value plays who are being drafted later than they should be, in our view. We cover all offensive skill positions.

Wide receiver includes a healthy number of draft targets and highlights a few rookies, while multiple players at running back can make an impact during the regular season, even if they are not the top guys on an NFL depth chart right now. We provide some nifty picks at tight end, and quarterbacks are so plentiful this year in one-QB league drafts, that we feature less options, but both of them are recommended value picks.

All players are ranked by their most recent Average Draft Position, and the analysis leans to Point Per Reception (PPR)formats.

Fantasy Football Sleepers 2026: Wide Receivers

Josh Downs, Colts (**Average Draft Position of 100.2 overall**): You can draft Downs as a third or fourth WR. He might emerge as the top fantasy producer at WR for the Colts. He was targeted 205 times in his first two NFL seasons and now he is well positioned to soar past his current career high of 72 receptions in a season.

Matthew Golden, Packers (ADP of 115.9): A first-round draft pick for Green Bay last year, Golden reportedly had a good offseason, as he became more mentally and physically ready for his second pro campaign. Golden is a speed demon who has a legitimate chance to emerge as a featured downfield playmaker for the Packers.

De'Zhaun Stribling, 49ers (133.3): He has been one of the biggest rookie stars of the preseason and may be taken earlier than his listed ADP in some drafts.  This preseason, Stribling became the first player in at least 20 years to catch 11 receptions within the first 20 minutes of two consecutive exhibition games. He might become a consistent target for Brock Purdy based on potential injuries or just playing his way into more reps.

Rashid Shaheed, Seahawks (141.2): The Seahawks' special teams star on the way to winning Super Bowl LX, Shaheed might now be on the verge of his best season yet as a pass-catcher. This year, he was able to work through a full preseason with the team and appeared to develop an even better on-field rapport with Sam Darnold.

In the first three seasons of his career, Shaheed averaged 15-plus yards per reception, and he can certainly function as an ideal deep threat for Darnold this season. He could deliver at least a few impactful spike weeks for fantasy purposes. In leagues where points are awarded for return yardage, Shaheed becomes even more appealing as a pick in the later rounds.

Tre Harris, Chargers (172.4): With Mike McDaniel now operating as the Chargers' offensive coordinator, the passing game can open up more. Harris is a big target, listed at 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds. He will open the season appearing in three-WR sets and could push for frequent targets. Harris is an impressive blocker, a strength that should keep him on the field often enough.

Ja'Kobi Lane, Ravens (184.0): Much like Stribling, Lane shined during the preseason, and he could eventually work his way into an important offensive role. Baltimore's third round pick in 2026 has a potential path to fantasy relevance as a big WR (6-foot-4, 200 pounds) who can win on contested catches. He does have some promise as a TD weapon for Lamar Jackson.

Caleb Douglas, Dolphins (225.3): Miami's third-round pick in 2026 has already appeared to wrap up a role with the first-team offense to open the season. Douglas blends size (6-4) and downfield speed, marking him an enticing late-round pick. Game scripts could force the Dolphins to throw often later in some games.

More WR Sleepers and Value Picks: Jalen McMillan, Buccaneers (156.9), Adonai Mitchell, Jets (182.2), Dontayvion Wicks, Eagles (190.1), Malachi Fields, Giants (226.2).

Fantasy Football Sleepers 2026: Running Backs

Jonathon Brooks, Panthers (86.3): His preseason draft value is quickly climbing to the point where Brooks may not be a true sleeper by the end of the preseason. He has apparently recovered well from two knee surgeries, while running with the first team often during the preseason.

If he performs well early in the regular season, it is conceivable that Brooks' role on offense can grow to the point where he will be worthy of consistent fantasy lineup consideration.

Rachaad White, Commanders (112.8): The ex-Buccaneer is a proven receiving RB, and there is certainly later-round value attached to him for PPR purposes. The Washington RB room appears to be open enough for any RB to earn a good amount of playing time. White does carry some appeal as a possible flex option.

Tyler Allgeier, Cardinals (142.3): Arizona drafted Jeremiyah Love, but the rookie is already dealing with a high ankle sprain, and Allgeier could still be productive at times when the two are playing together. The Arizona backfield is crowded, but Allgeier is an established inside runner and TD threat who was a significant offseason acquisition for the Cardinals. If he sees extended playing time at any point, the ex-Falcon can be worthy of starting fantasy consideration.

Marshawn Lloyd, Packers (150.0): Durability has been an issue for Lloyd in previous seasons, but he has remained healthy in the 2026 preseason and appears to have sewn up the No. 2 job in Green Bay. Monitor Lloyd to see if he gets a decent amount of reps early in the year, and if he sees an opportunity to start for the Packers at any point, he may function as a viable source of TDs.

Kaelon Black, 49ers (208.8): Fantasy leaguers always want to know who Christian McCaffrey's backup is on the 49ers. Rostering injury insurance RBs are always recommended, especially when you draft an annual fantasy superstar like McCaffrey. Black has performed well in exhibition games and joint practices in his first NFL preseason, displaying a determined and shifty running style. He might nail down the No.2 RB job in San Francisco.

Najee Harris, Giants (241.5): The former Steeler and Charger is returning from an Achilles injury, which is always a challenge for any RB to come back from. Some fantasy players are understandably skeptical that Harris will be worth a fantasy draft pick, but he reportedly may see a decent amount of work with the Giants. The NFL Network reported that he did look good in a joint practice with Miami this week.

Harris will try to earn the primary ball-carrier duties behind Cam Skattebo, and he should have the opportunity to ease back into acceptable playing form. He is worthy of a later-round flier as a fantasy insurance play, especially if you draft Skattebo.

More RB Sleepers and Value Picks: Mike Washington Jr. (165.7) of the Raiders will see his ADP rise now because of the Ashton Jeanty ankle injury. Other sleeper targets: Kyle Monangai, Bears (107.2), Jonah Coleman, Broncos (150.9), Tank Bigsby, Eagles (155.4), Emmett Johnson, Chiefs (188.6) and Kaytron Allen, Commanders (210.3).

Fantasy Football Sleepers 2026: Tight Ends

Isaiah Likely, Giants (114.4): The former Raven followed John Harbaugh to the Giants, and he may become more of a featured pass-catcher than ever before. Likely was consistently a second TE option in Baltimore, and he occasionally flashed exciting potential. Now, as one of the projected prime targets for Jaxson Dart, Likely might surface as a regular fantasy TE1 for the first time in his career.

Chig Okonkwo, Commanders (148.6): A tempting later-round target when he was with Tennessee, Okonkwo has moved to a team that can possibly boost his fantasy output. He should be one of the preferred pass-catchers for Jayden Daniels. Okonkwo and Stefon Diggs were brought in to improve the Washington receiving crew, and they can both benefit from playing alongside Terry McLaurin.

Terrance Ferguson, Rams (163.5): In his second pro season, Ferguson may emerge as a third passing option for Matthew Stafford, who already has Puka Nacua and Davante Adams as his prime targets. The Rams are going to consistently feature their TEs, and Ferguson is the best pure pass-catcher in the group. In the Los Angeles offense, the best pass-catching TE might be a frequent target.

Greg Dulcich, Dolphins (177.3): Dulcich has intrigued fantasy players as a late-round draft pick or possible waiver pickup in the past. Now he is in a position to step forward for a Dolphins team that has no firmly established pass-catchers. It is possible that he could work as a second primary target for Malik Willis.

Gunnar Helm, Titans (204.6): He is a deeper sleeper target with Okonkwo now in Washington. Helm has good hands, and Cam Ward does need reliable pass-catchers to cement themselves in the Tennessee offense. You can draft Helm as a TE2, and he might at least work out as a streamer.

Fantasy Football Sleepers 2026: Quarterbacks

Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers (133.2): The Tampa Bay passer is not a sleeper in the truest sense of the word, but he is a good value target in drafts. In preseason drafts, I have been able to land Mayfield in the 12th or 13th rounds, which feels like a steal. QB is very deep this season, but Mayfield was banged up last year and can regain fantasy QB1 form in 2026 if he stays healthy. He's a terrific late bargain.

Tyler Shough, Saints (138.5): As noted by FantasyPros, Shough was the sixth-most productive fantasy QB from Week 12 until the end of the season last year. He also displayed some running promise when he was rewarded with the opportunity to start for the Saints. The New Orleans offense is expected to ascend this season, and if it does, Shough will be the pilot that guides an improving unit.

Scott Engel's *2026 Fantasy Football rankings are available at RotoBaller.com.* Scott is a member of the inaugural class of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's (FSWA) Hall of Fame. He has been the official Fantasy Football writer for *Seahawks.com* since 2012 and has contributed to game coverages and special projects such as the *Top 50 Seahawks of All Time*. Scott is a Senior Writer at *RotoBaller.com* and a host on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio. His work has regularly appeared at *CBSSports.com*, *ESPN.com* and The Athletic.