- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,246,064
- Reaction score
- 59
The calendar is turning to August, which means it's 2026 fantasy football season. And that means your draft prep has started. So of course we're here to help you out.
The first thing you need to do is identify value in fantasy football drafts, and that's what we're here to help you do with a list of the early sleepers that we've seen as we've scoured the lists of rankings as training camp gets underway. And while injuries and training camp battles will no doubt change some of these, it's a good time as any to start thinking sleepers.
So here's a list of some of the names we're intrigued by who could beat out their average draft position (ADP) later on in August when you select your team for the season:
My faith in Bucky Irving has gone way down and here comes a running back who looked really good last season for the Pittsburgh Steelers and who finished inside the top-25 at the position in fantasy. He can catch passes, he can score at the goal line... and he's not going to cost you much on draft day.
The injuries have been a huge concern for the talent former Chiefs running back. But let's imagine for a moment that the Lions don't want to completely overuse Jahmyr Gibbs and that Pacheco can be explosive in limited action. I'm willing to spend a late pick to see if that works out.
How healthy is Cam Skattebo? Evenso, how many passing downs will Skattebo play? I like him more in PPR leagues, but either way, he has a chance to beat out his ADP with ease.
We've been hearing about him ever since the franchise took him in 2024 in the second round. Since then, he's played... three games. He's suffering through a couple of torn ACLs, but the upside is there and Chuba Hubbard has been beaten out before (see Dowdle, Rico).
He ticks a ton of boxes -- a strong finish last year, a great offensive mind in head coach Kellen Moore, a supporting cast that now includes rookie Jordyn Tyson and running back Travis Etienne Jr., and he ran for 186 yards in 11 games with three TDs on the ground.
We saw flashes of sleeper talent at the end of last season, and now that Chris Brazzell is out for the year, there's a path for Coker to be a valuable part of the Panthers' passing attack. Take him late and see if he can flourish.
Dude looked like WR1 in Jacksonville down the stretch. Brian Thomas Jr. definitely did not. And Travis Hunter? Well, is he going to play a ton at receiver? In other words: I see a ton of value here.
He's clearly got some talent -- we saw that in Tennessee. And there's the fact that as of publishing this, he's the No. 2 receiver with Terry McLaurin as WR1. That's intriguing as heck. Let's see if he keeps Ben Sinnott from getting too much volume.
Who's going to catch passes in Miami? Not Jaylen Waddle (he's a Bronco). Not Tyreek Hill (he's gone). Not Darren Waller (also gone). Dulcich might end up with a ton of volume.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Early fantasy football sleepers: 9 to consider in your 2026 draft prep
Continue reading...
The first thing you need to do is identify value in fantasy football drafts, and that's what we're here to help you do with a list of the early sleepers that we've seen as we've scoured the lists of rankings as training camp gets underway. And while injuries and training camp battles will no doubt change some of these, it's a good time as any to start thinking sleepers.
So here's a list of some of the names we're intrigued by who could beat out their average draft position (ADP) later on in August when you select your team for the season:
RB Kenneth Gainwell, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
My faith in Bucky Irving has gone way down and here comes a running back who looked really good last season for the Pittsburgh Steelers and who finished inside the top-25 at the position in fantasy. He can catch passes, he can score at the goal line... and he's not going to cost you much on draft day.
RB Isiah Pacheco, Detroit Lions
The injuries have been a huge concern for the talent former Chiefs running back. But let's imagine for a moment that the Lions don't want to completely overuse Jahmyr Gibbs and that Pacheco can be explosive in limited action. I'm willing to spend a late pick to see if that works out.
RB Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants
How healthy is Cam Skattebo? Evenso, how many passing downs will Skattebo play? I like him more in PPR leagues, but either way, he has a chance to beat out his ADP with ease.
RB Jonathon Brooks, Carolina Panthers
We've been hearing about him ever since the franchise took him in 2024 in the second round. Since then, he's played... three games. He's suffering through a couple of torn ACLs, but the upside is there and Chuba Hubbard has been beaten out before (see Dowdle, Rico).
QB Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints
He ticks a ton of boxes -- a strong finish last year, a great offensive mind in head coach Kellen Moore, a supporting cast that now includes rookie Jordyn Tyson and running back Travis Etienne Jr., and he ran for 186 yards in 11 games with three TDs on the ground.
WR Jalen Coker, Carolina Panthers
We saw flashes of sleeper talent at the end of last season, and now that Chris Brazzell is out for the year, there's a path for Coker to be a valuable part of the Panthers' passing attack. Take him late and see if he can flourish.
WR Parker Washington, Jacksonville Jaguars
Dude looked like WR1 in Jacksonville down the stretch. Brian Thomas Jr. definitely did not. And Travis Hunter? Well, is he going to play a ton at receiver? In other words: I see a ton of value here.
TE Chig Okonkwo, Washington Commanders
He's clearly got some talent -- we saw that in Tennessee. And there's the fact that as of publishing this, he's the No. 2 receiver with Terry McLaurin as WR1. That's intriguing as heck. Let's see if he keeps Ben Sinnott from getting too much volume.
TE Greg Dulcich, Miami Dolphins
Who's going to catch passes in Miami? Not Jaylen Waddle (he's a Bronco). Not Tyreek Hill (he's gone). Not Darren Waller (also gone). Dulcich might end up with a ton of volume.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Early fantasy football sleepers: 9 to consider in your 2026 draft prep
Continue reading...
