15 Rookie SLEEPERS & RISERS You NEED to Know Before Your Draft (Fantasy 2026)

Randall is interesting in Baltimore if he can win the backup running back competition, with contingent upside as a handcuff.

Ashton Jeanty is the primary back with Mike Washington as a contingent backup option if Jeanty misses time.

Jeanty is the lead back in Denver under Kubiak, who doesn't necessarily want a 400-touch running back; there's contingent upside for his handcuff Mike Washington if he misses time.

Barion Brown is one of four pass-catchers drafted by New Orleans, part of a strategy that suggests the team may be preparing for life without Chris Olave.

Bryce Lance is a super athletic player who will be a big factor in the New Orleans offense, likely on the field in three-wide receiver sets with potential to be more than just an MVS-type cardio guy.

Saints WR rookie sleeper prospect featured in the source's 15 rookie sleepers and risers coverage for 2026 fantasy drafts.

Bryce Young is projected to be a starter for New Orleans in year one based on the team's draft strategy of adding speed and athleticism at receiver, though he fell in draft order and some analysts were higher on him pre-draft.

Caleb Douglas could have a large rookie role in Miami due to target competition from Chris Bell and others; he's a senior bowl participant and athletic Texas Tech receiver with Romeo Doubs-level production potential worth a fourth-round dynasty pick.

Chris Bell suffered a torn ACL which dropped his draft grade from first-round to second or third round in dynasty rookie drafts, though he's in a good long-term spot in Miami.

Chris Olave may be traded to the Las Vegas Raiders due to lack of contract extension and New Orleans' draft strategy of adding four pass-catchers, which would significantly impact his fantasy outlook.

San Francisco drafted Emari Demercado as a running back to take pressure off McCaffrey and potentially handle carries between the 20s, reflecting the team's strategy to manage his workload.

CJ Daniels is a day three receiver with elite body control comparable to Puka Nacua and Davante Adams that Sean McVay highly values; he's a favorite late-round dynasty pick or UDFA target with upside if injuries occur at WR.

Daniels has elite body control at the level of Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, which is the number one trait Sean McVay values at wide receiver, making him a galaxy brain sleeper.

Davante Adams is described as super old and faded a little bit down the stretch last year, creating depth chart opportunity for CJ Daniels.

49ers WR selected at Pick 33 in the 2026 draft; positioned as a rookie sleeper prospect with early draft capital and team context in San Francisco's passing offense.

Raridon is another really athletic tight end with size from Notre Dame who lands in a fantastic spot in New England where Hunter Henry is aging out, creating opportunity for him.

Serratt is a talented technician with competitive toughness who reminds Brett of Puka Nacua and Amon-Ra St. Brown; he's a coach's dream and Brett's wide receiver nine (or seven on film score alone), landing in Baltimore with a pathway to be the wide receiver two.

Serratt has viability to be the wide receiver two in Baltimore in two-receiver sets alongside Zay Flowers, with a trajectory similar to Ilik Ayamaner but in a better, higher-scoring offense.

Demercado was drafted by San Francisco in the second round, with the hosts noting disagreement on his fantasy value despite the landing spot with the 49ers.

Rookie handcuff back sleeper featured in the source's 15 rookie sleepers and risers coverage.

McMillan is a really functional player in Tampa Bay; Chris Godwin is aging and didn't play well last year, creating opportunity for McMillan to develop.

Jaylen Tolbert is part of the target competition in Miami that could limit Chris Bell's early role and create opportunity for Caleb Douglas.

Jordan Whittington was a day three Rams selection a few years ago, part of the team's track record of developing late-round receivers.

Jordan Tyson is one of four pass-catchers drafted by New Orleans, part of a strategy that suggests the team may be preparing for life without Chris Olave.

Allen is a very hard runner and all-time leading rusher at Penn State who falls to round six; he could be this year's Khalen Mond guy and compete for touches in Washington against Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Rashad White.

Allen is an early-down grinder and monster to tackle who could be the best early-down back Washington has right now; he should compete for touches and could be the new Chris Rodriguez, but as a more talented player.

Walker signed with the Chiefs but has missed time in his career; there's not enough proof of concept yet to justify needing a high-level handcuff given the team's past volume philosophy.

Shakir is a bit player in Buffalo's wide receiver room and has never played in two-receiver sets, creating opportunity for Skylar Bell to potentially replace him as a starter.

Kyren Williams was a day three selection who has performed well for the Rams, demonstrating the team's ability to develop late-round picks.

Malik Washington is part of the target competition in Miami that could limit Chris Bell's early role and create opportunity for Caleb Douglas.

Malik Willis has an underrated big arm that fits well with Caleb Douglas's skill set in the passing game.

Oscar Delp is one of four pass-catchers drafted by New Orleans, part of a strategy that suggests the team may be preparing for life without Chris Olave.

Delp has rare athleticism with a high 44s 40-time at his pro day, lacrosse background, and elite receiving chops; he's an every-down player who can line up in multiple positions and has a 10% chance of becoming the next George Kittle.

Brett Whitefield compared Delp to George Kittle before the draft, noting a 10% chance he becomes the next Kittle given his athletic profile and potential in an offense with Kellen Moore, who is the most mismatch-heavy play caller in the NFL.

Delp was taken at 2.01 in a non-superflex tight end premium league, which is early but justified given conviction on his talent and comparison to George Kittle; if he reaches 80% of Kittle's production, he'd be a top 12 dynasty tight end.

Puka Nacua is a day three selection who has performed well for the Rams, with CJ Daniels as a contingent backup option if Nacua is injured.

Romeo Doubs is used as a production comp for Caleb Douglas, suggesting fourth-round dynasty value if Douglas can match that output.

Bell is an inside-out player with elite athleticism, juice, and YAC ability who lands in Buffalo with a clear pathway to become a starter; he could legitimately be a starter by season's end and potentially replace Khalil Shakir in two-receiver sets.

Bell had over 100 receptions, over 1200 receiving yards, and 13 touchdown grabs at Yukon; he was one of only six Group of Five players selected in the draft and has a clear pathway in Buffalo's aging wide receiver room.

Hurst is a very athletic, very good-sized Georgia State player who lands in Tampa Bay with a pathway to be a starting wide receiver opposite Emeka Egbuka in 2027, with potential for moments in year one like Tez Johnson and Jalen McMillan.

Terrelle Pryor was used as a supplemental draft comp for Brandon Sorensen, selected with a third-round pick despite a five-game suspension.