The buzz around the upcoming NFL season is already reverberating through fantasy leagues, as analysts dissect rosters, target shares and injury histories to pinpoint the most compelling value opportunities.
Tyler Shough emerged as a surprise starter for the New Orleans Saints in Week 9 of 2025, and his subsequent performance has sparked optimism. In the games he started, he logged an average of 250.1 passing yards and 19.3 rushing yards per contest, numbers that suggest a dual‑threat skill set that could translate into a higher ceiling once the offense clicks.
The Saints have doubled down on that momentum by building their entire offensive scheme around Shough. The front office retained star receiver Chris Olave and added playmakers Jordyn Tyson and veteran running back Travis Etienne, creating a layered attack that should keep defenses guessing.
Wide Receiver Value
Among the pass‑catchers, Jaylen Waddle stands out as a textbook example of a value pick. Fantasy Life currently projects him as WR16, yet his average draft position sits at WR24, leaving a gap that savvy owners can exploit. Over the past five seasons he has averaged 75 receptions, 1,008 yards and 5.4 touchdowns, underscoring a consistency that belies the modest ADP.
At the tight end position, Chig Okonkwo is being whispered about as a sleeper with TE14 upside. Projections call for 85 targets, 64 receptions, 624 receiving yards and four touchdowns, a line that could easily outpace his current price tag, especially given his three‑year streak of ranking in the top 15 for yards after catch.
Quarterback play will be a decisive factor, and Jayden Daniels’ 78.2% on‑target throw rate in 2024 when fully healthy illustrates his precision. If Daniels stays healthy, his chemistry with the newly assembled receiving corps could elevate the entire unit, making any pass‑catcher linked to him a potential beneficiary.
Emeka Egbuka presents a polarizing case. He exploded for 20.5 fantasy points per game in the first five games of the 2025 season, but his production tapered to a WR23 ranking after Week 9, with only a single touchdown thereafter. Still, Fantasy Life forecasts 122 targets for him in 2026, a volume that could resurrect his high‑end upside if health permits.
The common thread across these storylines is the interplay of opportunity and health. Whether it’s Shough’s emerging dual‑threat role, Waddle’s proven track record at a discount, Okonkwo’s untapped target share, or Egbuka’s bounce‑back potential, the data points to a season where calculated risk can pay off handsomely. Savvy fantasy managers will watch training camp reports and early‑season snap counts closely, ready to pounce on the players whose metrics suggest they are undervalued.