The start of the NFL preseason marks an exciting time for fantasy football enthusiasts, as the regular season is just around the corner. With fantasy football drafts approaching, identifying hidden gems, or sleepers, is crucial for success, regardless of the type of league you’re in. This involves taking chances on injury-prone players who may bounce back, as well as finding undervalued players who can provide a competitive edge.

In the past, players like Dak Prescott, Christian McCaffrey, and Puka Nacua have overcome injury setbacks to produce impressive performances, while others like Lamar Jackson, Alvin Kamara, and Sam LaPorta have shown promise despite injury-plagued seasons. This year, players like Jackson, Kamara, and LaPorta could experience a similar resurgence, making them steals in fantasy football drafts.

Proven Track Record

A computer model at SportsLine has a proven track record of accurately predicting fantasy football sleepers. Last year, the model correctly predicted that Dolphins running back De’Von Achane would outperform his ADP (RB12). Achane went on to produce 1,838 scrimmage yards, sixth most in the NFL, and 12 touchdowns, ranking sixth among RBs in fantasy points in CBS Sports PPR leagues. The model had slotted Achane as the RB6, demonstrating its accuracy.

The same model has also identified past fantasy football sleepers like A.J. Brown in 2020, Jonathan Taylor in 2021, C.J. Stroud in 2024, and Daniel Jones in 2025. Additionally, it has called past sleepers like Derrick Henry in 2019, Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara in 2018, and Davante Adams in 2017, making it a valuable resource for fantasy football enthusiasts.

Top 2026 Fantasy Football Sleepers

According to the computer model, one of the top 2026 fantasy football sleepers is New York Giants tight end Isaiah Likely. Likely has an ADP of 92 this year and has shown big-play capability in Baltimore. However, he has always battled for targets with Mark Andrews. Now, with Andrews limited, Likely has reportedly become a favorite target of quarterback Jaxson Dart. He had two catches for 11 yards in the preseason opener, and the model has him as TE9 in its fantasy football rankings, ahead of players like Sam LaPorta and George Kittle.

Another sleeper identified by the model is Titans running back Tony Pollard. Pollard has now cleared 1,000 rushing yards in four straight seasons, two of which were with the Cowboys and two with the Titans. Backs approaching age 30 often fall out of favor in fantasy, but Pollard has actually surged late in 2025, averaging 100 yards per game and scoring three total times in the last five weeks of the season. The Titans could take a big step forward in the passing game this year, possibly opening up more room for Pollard. He’s going off the board around pick No. 70, making him the RB27, but the model has him in the same tier as backs being picked earlier like TreVeyon Henderson and Rico Dowdle.

The model is also extremely high on a veteran wide receiver who could surprise with his production. The wideout is a shocking top-10 option ahead of stars like CeeDee Lamb and A.J. Brown. However, the identity of this wide receiver remains a mystery, and fans will have to visit SportsLine to find out more.

2026 Fantasy Football ADP

The current ADP for the top 12 players is as follows:

• Jahmyr Gibbs (1.34)
• Bijan Robinson (1.93)
• Ja’Marr Chase (4.02)
• Puka Nacua (5.08)
• Jonathan Taylor (5.52)
• Christian McCaffrey (6.59)
• Jaxon Smith-Njigba (6.90)
• Amon-Ra St. Brown (9.09)
• James Cook (11.34)
• De’Von Achane (11.78)
• Ashton Jeanty (12.80)
• Chase Brown (13.46)

It’s essential to note that ADP can fluctuate throughout the preseason and may change by the time the regular season begins.