As the 2026 fantasy football draft season heats up, finding those hidden gems, or sleepers, has become a must for any serious fantasy player. These are the players that others often overlook, but can end up being the difference between a league title and a disappointing finish. In 2025, players like Dak Prescott, Christian McCaffrey, and Puka Nacua shook off injury concerns to become top fantasy performers. This year, players like Lamar Jackson, Alvin Kamara, and Sam LaPorta may follow in their footsteps, offering incredible value relative to their average draft positions (ADPs).

Before finalizing your fantasy draft strategy, make sure to check out the 2026 fantasy football rankings and cheat sheets from the proven computer model at SportsLine. This model has a proven track record of identifying top fantasy sleepers, including A.J. Brown in 2020, Jonathan Taylor in 2021, C.J. Stroud in 2024, and Daniel Jones in 2025. It’s also called past fantasy sleepers like Derrick Henry in 2019, Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara in 2018, and Davante Adams in 2017.

The same model has accurately predicted top fantasy performers in recent years, including Dolphins running back De’Von Achane in 2025. SportsLine’s model slotted Achane as the RB6, and he finished the season ranked sixth among running backs in fantasy points in CBS Sports PPR leagues, producing 1,838 scrimmage yards and 12 touchdowns. The model’s accuracy has earned it a reputation as one of the top fantasy football resources available.

One of the top fantasy sleepers in 2026 is New York Giants tight end Isaiah Likely. Likely followed coach John Harbaugh from the Ravens to the Giants this offseason and has become the clear-cut No. 1 tight end on the team. He’s reportedly been a favorite target of quarterback Jaxson Dart, especially with Malik Nabers (knee) limited in camp. In the preseason opener, Likely had two catches for 11 yards, and SportsLine’s model has him as TE9 in its fantasy football rankings, ahead of players like Sam LaPorta and George Kittle, both of whom are being picked nearly two rounds earlier.

Another sleeper that SportsLine’s fantasy football rankings 2026 have identified is Titans running back Tony Pollard. The 29-year-old has now cleared 1,000 rushing yards in four straight seasons, two of those with the Cowboys and two with the Titans. Backs approaching age 30 often fall out of favor in fantasy, but Pollard 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. 74, making him the RB27, but SportsLine’s model has him in the same tier as backs being picked earlier like TreVeyon Henderson and Rico Dowdle.

Another player that SportsLine’s model is extremely high on is a veteran wide receiver who is expected to surprise with his production. The model says this wideout is a shocking top-10 option ahead of stars like CeeDee Lamb and A.J. Brown. You can see who it is, and the 2026 fantasy football rankings for every player, at SportsLine.

2026 Fantasy Football ADP (PPR, via CBS)

1. Jahmyr Gibbs (1.32)

2. Bijan Robinson (1.94)

3. Ja’Marr Chase (4.03)

4. Puka Nacua (5.10)

5. Jonathan Taylor (5.33)

6. Christian McCaffrey (6.86)

7. Jaxon Smith-Njigba (7.00)

8. Amon-Ra St. Brown (9.38)

9. James Cook (11.20)

10. De’Von Achane (11.56)

11. Ashton Jeanty (12.76)

12. Chase Brown (13.25)

Top 2026 Fantasy Football Sleepers

One of the top fantasy sleepers in 2026 is New York Giants tight end Isaiah Likely. Likely followed coach John Harbaugh from the Ravens to the Giants this offseason and has become the clear-cut No. 1 tight end on the team. He’s reportedly been a favorite target of quarterback Jaxson Dart, especially with Malik Nabers (knee) limited in camp. In the preseason opener, Likely had two catches for 11 yards, and SportsLine’s model has him as TE9 in its fantasy football rankings, ahead of players like Sam LaPorta and George Kittle, both of whom are being picked nearly two rounds earlier.

Another sleeper that SportsLine’s fantasy football rankings 2026 have identified is Titans running back Tony Pollard. The 29-year-old has now cleared 1,000 rushing yards in four straight seasons, two of those with the Cowboys and two with the Titans. Backs approaching age 30 often fall out of favor in fantasy, but Pollard 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. 74, making him the RB27, but SportsLine’s model has him in the same tier as backs being picked earlier like TreVeyon Henderson and Rico Dowdle.

How to Find Proven 2026 Fantasy Football Rankings

SportsLine is also extremely high on a veteran wide receiver to surprise with his production. The model says this wideout is a shocking top-10 option ahead of stars like CeeDee Lamb and A.J. Brown. You can see who it is, and the 2026 fantasy football rankings for every player, at SportsLine.