Fantasy football draft sleepers 2026: Best steals, undervalued picks by position originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
What is a sleeper in fantasy football? There is no firm definition, but you should learn to know when you see such a steal ahead of your 2026 drafts.
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Every position boasts several undervalued picks to target in the middle-to-late rounds. From quarterbacks to tight ends, rookies to veterans, many players can return more value than their consensus rankings and average draft positions (ADP) according to Fantasy Pros.
For Sporting News’ latest list, we’re sticking to sleepers who are expert-ranked or have an ADP for the sixth round or later in 12-team, half-point PPR redraft leagues (or after No. 72) overall. Here’s plucking our best from QB, RB, WR and TE, a total of 26 sleepers:
MORE: Top 300 players in fantasy football for 2026
Jaxson Dart, Giants (QB11, ADP: 88 | Ranking: 94)
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Dart was the average QB8 in the second half of last season with 19-plus points per game. He fits under the “cheat code” category with his running floor, and his price has dropped to be much nicer near the bottom of the QB1s. The only key for him outperforming his draft slot is staying on the field, where he gets a healthy Malik Nabers back as a No. 1 wide receiver and has revamped weapons in the new Matt Nagy offense. He also should benefit from better pass protection with rookie Francis Mauigoa.
Matthew Stafford, Rams (QB13, ADP: 99 | Ranking: 107)
Stafford was badly undervalued ahead of his MVP season before finishing as a QB3 as a pure prolific pocket passer armed with Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. There were some reasonable age and injury concerns, and now he’s a year older at 38. It’s difficult to duplicate a 46-TE season, but even a dropoff to 35 can make him a QB7-8 on the board assuming his wideouts are healthy, too.
Brock Purdy, 49ers (QB15, ADP: 106 | Ranking: 92)
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With his missed time last season, Purdy fell to QB24 overall, but in terms of average scoring over nine games, he was QB5 with more than 20 points per game. The 49ers’ wide receiver and tight end injuries provide some pause, but Mike Evans can still make a big impact. The depth looks better with Deebo Samuel and Christian Kirk added, and rookie De’Zhaun Stribling having a strong camp. Also, count on George Kittle being back sooner rather than later to dominate as Purdy’s go-to guy again.
Jordan Love, Packers (QB19, ADP: 133 | Ranking: 122)
Love has gone from a reliable, well-rounded QB1 in his first season starting to a disappointing producer. But he’s still rather durable and efficient as a reality QB with his YPA and rating; he just needs more passing volume. Green Bay threw only 52 percent of the time, and that needs to go up after paying Christian Watson, getting Tucker Kraft back, and investing a first-round pick last year on Matthew Godlen. Upgrading his attempts back to around 500 or more will make him viable in the top-12 as a big bargain.
Tyler Shough, Saints (QB20, ADP: 154 | Ranking: 127)
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Shough finished as the QB12 on average in the second half of last season, not far behind Dart. He can also provide supplemental production with his legs, but between Chris Olave, Juwan Johnson and hopefully a somewhat healthy Jordyn Tyson in Year 2 of Kellen Moore’s offense, he should continue to have good downfield passing success. He is best second-choice value for two-QB and superflex leagues and a plus QB2 option.
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Rico Dowdle, Steelers (RB30, ADP: 79 | Ranking: 81)
Dowdle produced well for Mike McCarthy as the Cowboys’ default lead back two seasons ago and showed some big production when getting a shot at significant volume for the Panthers. Sharing with Jaylen Warren caps Dowdle, but he can be a valuable FLEX with the key power touches through the red zone.
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Jonathon Brooks, Panthers (RB35, ADP: 92 | Ranking: 86)
Dowdle wasn’t re-signed in Carolina behind Chuba Hubbard because the team was confident Brooks was well on the mend from the knee injury issues he had at Oklahoma and as an NFL rookie. Should Hubbard keep fading a bit, he will be used more in a limited capacity in passing game situations with Brooks complementing him more.
Rachaad White, Commanders (RB40, ADP: 112 | Ranking: 112)
The Commanders’ backfield battle is ongoing, and Jacory Croskey-Merritt might have the edge to get the most touches. But Washington will give White, the former Buccaneers feature back, every opportunity to show his versatility in the offense as the superior receiver to “Bill”. That can give him FLEX appeal.
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Tyler Allgeier, Cardinals (RB44, ADP: 138 | Ranking: 133)
Everyone would like to write off the former Falcons understudy to Bijan Robinson, but he did cut well into Robinson’s work in the latter’s rookie season. He can do the same ahead of Jeremiyah Love, dealing with a concerning ankle injury going into 2026. Allgeier’s volume and production may be more tied to the early part of the season, but for a technical starter on his team, he’s being taken far too low.
Jonah Coleman, Broncos (RB50, ADP: 156 | Ranking: 150)
RJ Harvey is an inefficient power runner. J.K. Dobbins is the explosive veteran, but he keeps having trouble staying healthy, throwing it back to his Baltimore days. The rookie Coleman has had a strong complete camp, getting even work with the starters in preseason games. He’s a high-upside sleeper to steal the key touches from both backs for open-minded offensive mind Sean Payton.
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Tank Bigsby, Eagles (RB52, ADP: 163 | Ranking: 146)
Bigsby has emerged as the best handcuff for Saquon Barkley, making him the best late-round “lottery ticket” type who can have a big role should an older, worn-out back ahead of him miss time. Bigsby has definitely displaced Will Shipley as the No. 2.
Dylan Sampson, Browns (RB54, ADP: 172 | Ranking: 151)
Quinshon Judkins is coming off multiple injuries that cut short this rookie season. Sampson is a lot healthier for Year 2 and is a good fit for Todd Monken’s offense with his quickness and versatility. Don’t be surprised if this turns into more of a situational committee in which Sampson has PPR FLEX intrigue.
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MarShawn Lloyd, Packers (RB56, ADP: 177 | Ranking: 169)
Jacobs is another older back with high tread. Lloyd hasn’t been able to be healthy early in his career, but that seems to be the case now, helped by the team moving on from former top backup Emanuel Wilson. Lloyd also is worth a lottery flyer late in deeper leagues.
MORE: Fantasy football rookie rankings for 2026
Parker Washington, Jaguars (WR 30-32, ADP: 73 | Ranking: 68)
Washington is the sneaky top wideout for Trevor Lawrence as a co-go-to guy with Jakobi Meyers, with Brian Thomas Jr. trying to reinvent himself as a big-play threat outside. Washington is blowing up camp to the point he can have some Amon-Ra St. Brown-like high upside working out of the slot.
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Chris Godwin Jr., Buccaneers (WR35, ADP: 91 | Ranking: 83)
Godwin once was a primo fantasy asset working the slot for Tom Brady and Jameis Winston, but that hasn’t materialized with Baker Mayfield. Godwin has not been able to shake injuries as he gets older. He’s still only 30 and will be needed to complement rising Emeka Egbuka well in Evans’ stead. He can turn into a vital option again in Zac Robinson’s offense.
Jordan Addison, Vikings (WR43, ADP: 110 | Ranking: 102)
Addison gets a new QB right along with Justin Jefferson. Addison can turn into a quick, valuable slot cog for Kyler Murray as he, too, tries to rebound with favorable volume and scoring opportunities. Murray is bound to make the passing attack to make everyone more productive in Kevin O’Connell’s scheme.
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Stefon Diggs, Commanders (WR45, ADP: 114 | Ranking: 109)
The Commanders had a boatload of vacated targets all-around and had a void at No. 2 receiver to Terry McLaurin until Diggs, a Maryland product, was signed late for his homecoming. Diggs still had some real value for the Patriots last season and has a chance to creep into WR3 consideration in Washington.
KC Concepcion, Browns (WR51, ADP: 136 | Ranking: 128)
The Browns will try to figure out their pecking order behind Jerry Jeudy and tight end Harold Fannin Jr., and Concepcion is well positioned to start in the slot with his quickness and big-play flair. They unleashed him as a weapon to open the preseason, and that can continue with either QB starting.
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Romeo Doubs, Patriots (WR55, ADP: 142 | Ranking: 137)
A.J. Brown is getting hype for sure as the flashy newcomer replacing Diggs, but don’t forget about the new No. 2 in New England. Doubs has had some big games for the Packers and is capable of connecting well with Maye as the needed No. 2, too.
Jayden Higgins, Texans (WR49, ADP: 152 | Ranking: 124)
Higgins is the No. 2 to Nico Collins and has looked good in camp with Tank Dell still on the mend for C.J. Stroud. He has some WR3 potential too as Houston opens up the offense.
Jalen Coker, Panthers (WR53, ADP: 160 | Ranking: 130)
Coker, back healthy, can take advantage of the attention Tetairoa McMillan gets to be the key second target on the team ahead of Xavier Legette. He just needs to rekindle his connection well with Bryce Young early in the season.
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George Kittle, 49ers (TE9, ADP: 95 | Ranking: 98)
Kittle would be much higher if not for caring about his torn Achilles’ recovery at 32. But counting him out to rebound strong would be a big mistake, as he has crushed it getting rejuvenated with Brock Purdy. He’s a better pick in this range than Travis Kelce.
Isaiah Likely, Giants (TE12, ADP: 103 | Ranking: 118)
Likely, with Wan’Dale Robinson gone, can emerge as the key complementary intermediate target to Nabers in a tight end-friendly offense with Dart needing to throw the ball shorter more often. Likely’s wideout-like qualities make him appealing away from Mark Andrews.
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Mark Andrews, Ravens (TE14, ADP: 116 | Ranking: 123)
Likewise, with Likely a Giant and Charlie Kolar also gone, Andrews will get the top tight end billing in Baltimore again. Declan Doyle helped Ben Johnson use tight ends well in Chicago, and that can manifest in the Ravens’ offense with Lamar Jackson.
Brenton Strange, Jaguars (TE19, ADP: 157 | Ranking: 147)
Washington, Meyers and Strange were the key trio for Lawrence last season. Strange has made a case to get more looks in a busy tight end offense behind the wideouts.
Gunnar Helm, Titans (TE30, ADP: 240 | Ranking: 185)
Helm gets the job after Chig Okonkwo (now less of a value with Diggs) left for Washington in free agency. Robinson, rookie Carnell Tate, and Calvin Ridley are in the wideout mix, but Helm might end up with a bigger role than expected for Brian Daboll’s offense with his athleticism and good hands.
