With the 2026 NFL regular season set to begin in eight days, fantasy football draft season has reached its busiest point. The preseason is complete, roster cuts have been made, and managers are searching for undervalued players who could outperform their average draft position.
Finding the right fantasy football sleepers can make a major difference in any league format. Drake Maye, Caleb Williams and Jaxon Smith-Njigba were among the players who significantly exceeded their ADP expectations last season.
SportsLine’s computer model has simulated the upcoming NFL season 10,000 times, producing updated 2026 fantasy football rankings, projections and draft recommendations.
SportsLine Model Correctly Projected De’Von Achane’s Breakout
Last year, the model predicted Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane would comfortably outperform his RB12 average draft position.
Achane finished the season with 1,838 yards from scrimmage, the sixth-highest total in the NFL, and scored 12 touchdowns. SportsLine ranked him as its RB6 before the season, matching his eventual finish as the sixth-highest-scoring running back in CBS Sports PPR leagues.
The model has also identified several notable fantasy performances in previous seasons. Its projections highlighted A.J. Brown as a sleeper in 2020 and anticipated Jonathan Taylor’s dominant 2021 campaign.
It also correctly projected that C.J. Stroud would regress in 2024 and identified Daniel Jones as a potential breakout player in 2025. Earlier successful sleeper calls included Derrick Henry in 2019, Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara in 2018, and Davante Adams in 2017.
Top Fantasy Football Sleepers for 2026
Isaiah Likely Could Thrive as Giants’ Top Tight End
New York Giants tight end Isaiah Likely is one of the model’s leading sleeper selections for 2026.
Likely followed head coach John Harbaugh from the Baltimore Ravens to the Giants during the offseason. He demonstrated big-play ability in Baltimore but competed with Mark Andrews for targets throughout his time with the Ravens.
In New York, Likely is positioned to become the team’s clear No. 1 tight end. He has reportedly emerged as one of quarterback Jaxson Dart’s preferred targets, particularly while wide receiver Malik Nabers has been limited in training camp because of a knee injury.
Likely recorded two receptions for 11 yards in the Giants’ preseason opener. Despite an average draft position around No. 94 overall, SportsLine projects him as the TE9, placing him ahead of established players such as Sam LaPorta and Travis Kelce.
Tony Pollard Remains an Undervalued Running Back
Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard is another player the model considers undervalued.
The 29-year-old has surpassed 1,000 rushing yards in four consecutive seasons, recording two of those campaigns with the Dallas Cowboys and two with Tennessee.
Running backs nearing age 30 often lose value in fantasy drafts because of concerns about workload and declining production. Pollard, however, finished the 2025 season strongly. He averaged 100 yards per game and scored three total touchdowns over the final five weeks.
Tennessee’s passing offense could improve in 2026, potentially preventing defenses from focusing as heavily on the running game. That development could create more favorable opportunities for Pollard.
He is being selected around No. 77 overall as the RB27. SportsLine’s rankings place him in the same tier as running backs with earlier ADPs, including TreVeyon Henderson and Rico Dowdle.
Model Projects a Surprise Top-10 Wide Receiver
SportsLine’s 2026 fantasy football rankings are also particularly high on an unnamed receiver typically selected in the third or fourth round.
The model projects that player as a top-10 fantasy wide receiver, ranking him ahead of prominent stars including CeeDee Lamb, Justin Jefferson and A.J. Brown. The player’s identity and complete positional rankings are available through SportsLine’s fantasy football draft materials.
Paramount+ Premium is also included with SportsLine memberships, providing access to NFL games on CBS, UFC events, Champions League coverage and a catalog of television episodes and movies.
With draft day approaching, managers looking for an advantage may want to target players whose projected roles and production exceed their current ADPs. Likely and Pollard stand out as two potential values who could deliver meaningful returns during the 2026 fantasy football season.
Herman Melville is a contributor at TechNewsInc, covering a diverse range of topics including news, politics, business, technology, sports, entertainment, and lifestyle. He focuses on clear, reliable reporting and useful information, helping readers stay informed about current affairs and developments through relevant, accessible, and engaging stories.
