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Sports 18 AUGUST, 2026

Fantasy Football Rankings 2026: Sleepers, Breakouts, Busts via Model That Predicted Daniel Jones’ Big Year

This article covers the top 2026 Fantasy football sleepers, breakouts, and busts, as well as the top players to target and avoid in your upcoming Fantasy football drafts.
NEWS DESK PUBLISHED: AUGUST 18, 2026
📖 5 MIN READ

Week 2 of the NFL preseason is just around the corner, and the Fantasy football ADP is beginning to solidify ahead of another big draft weekend. The players going off the board first on average are Jahmyr Gibbs, Bijan Robinson, Ja’Marr Chase, Puka Nacua, and Jonathan Taylor. However, there are several players who have been making waves in the latest ADP data, including Rome Odunze, Kyren Williams, and Dak Prescott, who have seen significant preseason risers. On the other hand, players like Luther Burden III, Jayden Daniels, and Jordyn Tyson, who will miss the start of the season with a hamstring injury, have been falling in drafts recently.

In an effort to help Fantasy football enthusiasts navigate the complex world of draft preparation, the proven computer model at SportsLine has released its latest 2026 Fantasy football rankings and cheat sheets. The model has a proven track record of providing accurate Fantasy football tips, nailing Jonathan Taylor’s monstrous season in 2021, calling Rachaad White’s breakout in 2023, and identifying Isiah Pacheco as a bust in 2025. Additionally, it has called past Fantasy football sleepers like A.J. Brown in 2020, Derrick Henry in 2019, Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara in 2018, and Davante Adams in 2017.

Before setting your 2026 Fantasy football draft strategy, it’s essential to check out the 2026 Fantasy football rankings and cheat sheets from the proven computer model at SportsLine. The model has simulated the entire NFL season 10,000 times and released its latest 2026 Fantasy football rankings for PPR and non-PPR leagues, along with plenty of sleepers, breakouts, and busts. Head to SportsLine now to see the latest 2026 Fantasy football rankings and cheat sheets for every player.

Top 2026 Fantasy Football Sleepers

One of the 2026 Fantasy football sleepers the model is predicting is Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce. He was one of the top big-play receivers in the league last year, finishing second in the league with an average of 21.3 yards per reception. He finished the year as a top-25 Fantasy WR with a 47-1003-6 receiving line, cashing in on a four-year, $114 million contract extension. Despite rehabbing an ankle injury in camp, Pierce has slipped to an ADP of around No. 75 overall, down five slots in recent days. With Michael Pittman gone, however, SportsLine’s model is extremely high on Pierce’s outlook, ranking him above receivers such as Maik Nabers and Justin Jefferson, both of whom are going much earlier in Fantasy drafts.

Another sleeper to keep an eye on is Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart, who is going off the board at pick No. 100. The second-year pro out of Ole Miss had a solid rookie season, throwing for 2,272 yards, 15 touchdowns, and five interceptions. He added 487 yards and nine scores on the ground. Although there’s certainly some ongoing injury risk, with an upgraded supporting cast and the return of Malk Nabers (ACL), Dart has a chance to be a steal at his current ADP. SportsLine’s model ranks him ahead of players like Patrick Mahomes, Matthew Stafford, and Justin Herbert, all QBs being drafted before him.

Top 2026 Fantasy Football Breakouts

For players to target in your 2026 Fantasy football drafts, the model identifies several breakouts, including Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart. As mentioned earlier, Dart is going off the board at pick No. 100, but SportsLine’s model is extremely high on his outlook, ranking him ahead of players like Patrick Mahomes, Matthew Stafford, and Justin Herbert. With an upgraded supporting cast and the return of Malk Nabers (ACL), Dart has a chance to be a steal at his current ADP.

Another breakout to keep an eye on is Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III. Walker’s Fantasy stock is sky high after he was dominant in the playoffs last year as a key piece of Seattle’s Super Bowl run. However, he joins a Kansas City backfield without a lot of competition, and he’s going off the board at pick No. 21 overall on average in Fantasy drafts. Andy Reid’s pass-first offense hasn’t been friendly to running backs, from a Fantasy standpoint, as no Kansas City back has cleared 1,000 yards on the ground since 2017. Walker also brings some injury risk after missing at least one game in 2022, 2023, and 2024. SportsLine’s model ranks backs such as Jeremiyah Love, D’Andre Swift, and Bucky Irving higher, making Walker a player to avoid in upcoming Fantasy drafts.

Top 2026 Fantasy Football Busts

On the other hand, players to avoid in your 2026 Fantasy football drafts are identified by the model as Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III. As mentioned earlier, Walker’s Fantasy stock is sky high after he was dominant in the playoffs last year, but he joins a Kansas City backfield without a lot of competition, and he’s going off the board at pick No. 21 overall on average in Fantasy drafts. With Andy Reid’s pass-first offense not being friendly to running backs, from a Fantasy standpoint, as no Kansas City back has cleared 1,000 yards on the ground since 2017, Walker also brings some injury risk after missing at least one game in 2022, 2023, and 2024. SportsLine’s model ranks backs such as Jeremiyah Love, D’Andre Swift, and Bucky Irving higher, making Walker a player to avoid in upcoming Fantasy drafts.

Another player to avoid is a surprising tight end you aren’t even thinking about being taken in the early rounds of 2026 Fantasy football drafts. This tight end is listed as a shocking top-8 option ahead of stars like Travis Kelce and Sam LaPorta. You can only see who it is and the 2026 Fantasy football rankings for every player at SportsLine.

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