SportsLine’s proprietary computer model has run 10,000 simulated NFL seasons to project the 2026 fantasy football landscape, delivering a data‑driven snapshot of sleepers and breakout candidates.
Key Sleepers for 2026
Among the running backs, De’Von Achane stands out after a 2025 season that eclipsed his average draft position, delivering 1,838 scrimmage yards and 12 touchdowns, which placed him at RB6 in fantasy points.
At tight end, Isaiah Likely, currently listed at an ADP of 98 with the Giants, is projected as TE9 thanks to an expected surge in targets from quarterback Jaxson Dart.
Wide receiver DeVonta Smith, an Eagles pass‑catcher with an ADP of 37, is expected to finish the season as a top‑15 fantasy option despite his team ranking in the bottom ten offensively.
The model also spots a veteran wideout who could outpace stars such as CeeDee Lamb and A.J. Brown, positioning him as a top‑10 fantasy selection.
This is not the first time the simulation has nailed a breakout player; it correctly forecast A.J. Brown’s rise in 2020, Jonathan Taylor’s breakout in 2021, and Daniel Jones’s surge in 2025.
Recent seasons have shown that athletes like Dak Prescott, Christian McCaffrey and Chris Olave can rebound from injury, reinforcing the model’s confidence in bounce‑back candidates.
Looking ahead, Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow and Malik Nabers are slated for similar recovery trajectories in 2026, offering value for savvy drafters who target injury‑prone talent with high upside.
The takeaway for fantasy enthusiasts is clear: prioritizing players with injury histories who possess the potential for a dramatic rebound can pay dividends in the 2026 draft.