We have officially reached fantasy football draft season in 2026! For some, that means summer is heading toward its end, but also HEY FOOTBALL IS COMING VERY SOON!
If you're starting your draft prep, now’s the time you’re starting to think about sleepers, some of whom we've seen in action as the NFL preseason gets underway.
That’s what this annual list is for: A look at the sleepers from around the NFL, with 32 of them to mark on your cheat sheet as you start your draft prep soon or later this month.
It's worth noting: Some of the names below may not end up being sleepers by the time you’re drafting. Still, you've got to start somewhere. Here's a look at the sleepers you should be thinking about this year:
Arizona Cardinals: RB Tyler Allgeier
How much do we believe in Jeremiyah Love as a rookie? The answer here is in Allgeier, who could steal some carries and red zone work. James Conner is still in Arizona (for now), so keep an eye out here. But I could see Allgeier having a role that goes beyond backup who could have a bigger role if Love goes down.
Atlanta Falcons: WR Zachariah Branch
Who's the WR2 in Atlanta? It might be the 2026 third-rounder out of Georgia who could carve out a role after a solid start to training camp.
Baltimore Ravens: WR Ja'kobi Lane
In 27 years of covering the Ravens, I’m not sure I’ve seen a rookie have a training camp quite like wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane.
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) August 8, 2026
Every day, Lane produces a highlight-making catch. And today, he has Derrick Henry leaping in the air in celebration. pic.twitter.com/o86oFdqfmj
Similar to Branch above: A wideout who went in the third round this past April and who has turned some heads in training camp.
Buffalo Bills: TE Dalton Kincaid
There's always been a lot of IFs with him. IF he could get more passes his way, he'd turn all that athleticism into big fantasy numbers. Maybe this is the year? Worth taking a flier and maybe pairing him with another tight end if you believe in that philosophy.
Carolina Panthers: WR Jalen Coker
We all loved what he did late last season. Can he carry that over into 2026? Isn't it worth finding out with a late pick?
Chicago Bears: RB Kyle Monangai
We know: D'Andre Swift is solid. But Monangai is a good bet in case Swift gets injured. Plus, he could have more of a role than we think with Ben Johnson's history in Detroit with leaning on two running backs.
Cincinnati Bengals: RB Tahj Brooks
He could end up as the RB2 behind Chase Brown if he can beat out Samaje Perine. There aren't a ton of sleepers from this team, so we label him a mega-deep sleeper.
Cleveland Browns: RB Dylan Sampson
Here's a thought: What if Quinshon Judkins isn't as good as we think he is? What if the Browns need to go through the air late in games? What if Todd Monken likes to have his running backs catch passes a lot? Hmmm.
Dallas Cowboys: RB Jaydon Blue or Phil Mafah
This is one battle to monitor this preseason. The winner gets the RB2 job behind Javonte Williams.
Denver Broncos: RB R.J. Harvey
We know he can catch passes. We also know that J.K. Dobbins is there ahead of him and that there are questions about his health. We ALSO know that Jonah Coleman was drafted earlier this year. He might be a draft-and-stash candidate.
Detroit Lions: QB Jared Goff
All this dude does is throw the football. Nothing wrong with that! Sure, he may not run, but he may end up on the fringes of top-12 QB. That's value!
Green Bay Packers: QB Jordan Love
Are we going to see the Packers let him cook? You'll draft him as your second quarterback, but maybe there's a world where he becomes a solid starter.
Houston Texans: WR Jayden Higgins
The Texans are looking for a second WR behind Nico Collins. And Year 2 wideouts are a thing worth investing in. Remember that he caught six TD passes last year.
Indianapolis Colts: WR Josh Downs
Let's see: Michael Pittman Jr. is gone. Alec Pierce doesn't seem healthy at the moment. I see a breakout coming based on volume even with Tyler Warren there as well.
Jacksonville Jaguars: WR Parker Washington
I don't care that everyone thinks he's going to be a sleeper candidate. He looked like the top receiver in Jacksonville -- the concerns about Brian Thomas Jr. and maybe Travis Hunter could be a thing for Washington's value, but I'm buying a later-draft swing at a player who finished WR4, WR16 and WR6 in Weeks 16-18 last year.
Las Vegas Raiders: RB Mike Washington Jr.
Obviously, Ashton Jeanty is the top name in Vegas, but Washington Jr. could have some serious upside if he gets to play. There was buzz out of the 2026 draft about him and he looked good in the first Raiders preseason game.
Los Angeles Chargers: RB Keaton Mitchell
You do have to wonder if Kimani Vidal will get some run as RB2 in L.A., but in a Mike McDaniel offense, he could elbow his way in to Omarion Hampton's workload and maybe into the FLEX spot conversation.
Los Angeles Rams: RB Blake Corum
It depends on how much you believe in Kyren Williams doing THAT for a third straight year. Williams has 36 TDs in the past three seasons to go along with at least 1,144 yards on the ground. But Corum could be used more in 2026 or could be a top-10 RB should Williams go down with an injury. A worthwhile sleeper either way.
Miami Dolphins: QB Malik Willis
He will run. We know that. But we could see him throwing more than we think, especially if Miami's defense struggles, and all of that paints an intriguing picture for him potentially piling up the points.
Minnesota Vikings: QB Kyler Murray
He won the battle against J.J. McCarthy and he's coached by Kevin O'Connell. Let's couple that with his history as a running QB and a pairing with Justin Jefferson. I'd bet he beats his ADP with ease.
New England Patriots: RB Rhamondre Stevenson
I'm not a believer in TreVeyon Henderson and Stevenson was really good last season. He won't be an RB1 by any stretch, but he's good enough to best where he's being drafted and be your solid FLEX.
New Orleans Saints: QB Tyler Shough
Another later-round quarterback who could break out given who he's throwing to and his underrated rushing volume.
New York Giants: RB Tyrone Tracy Jr.
Is Cam Skattebo completely healthy? If that's a question, you have to grab Tracy. He could also be on the field for passing downs for an emerging Giants offense.
New York Jets: TE Kenyon Sadiq
This is one for deep keeper leagues: The Jets spent a first-round pick on him earlier this year, so he could be a talent in the future. But with an injury setback in training camp and the presence of Mason Taylor, he may be a breakout candidate next year.
Philadelphia Eagles: WR Makai Lemon
It's possible he's WR2 right away, which means he could be in line for veteran's level work despite being a rookie.
Pittsburgh Steelers: RB Rico Dowdle
Jaylen Waddle has more of a certain role, but we saw Kenneth Gainwell carve out a spot last year on the Steelers and be productive. Don't sleeper on Dowdle.
San Francisco 49ers: WR De'Zhaun Stribling
He caught seven passes in the team's first preseason game. And the wide receiver position in the Bay Area is WIDE OPEN behind Mike Evans. Hmmm.
Seattle Seahawks: WR Rashid Shaheed
Drafting the big play threat is a bet on him having a full offseason in Seattle under his belt after the trade from New Orleans brought him to the eventual Super Bowl winners. Will he see more volume this year?
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: RB Kenneth Gainwell
Dude catches passes and was great on the ground in Pittsburgh. And it feels like Bucky Irving is getting less hype this year. I'd take a chance here in the hopes that he leapfrogs Irving.
Tennessee Titans: WR Wan'Dale Robinson
Carnell Tate has arrived to join Calvin Ridley, but it's the former Giant I'm most intrigued by. Former Giants head coach Brian Daboll is now coaching in Music City, and their familiarity could lead to Robinson getting the ball a lot more than you'd expect.
Washington Commanders: WR Stefon Diggs
Sometimes, a dependable vet can be a fantasy sleeper. He was surprisingly good in New England last year and as the man behind Terry McLaurin on the depth chart, Diggs could get enough work to be a WR3 type.
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This article originally appeared on For The Win: Fantasy football sleepers to target in 2026: 1 name from all 32 NFL teams