The 2026 NFL Draft lacks depth at many of the key positions, which will make it harder for fantasy managers to find meaningful contributors in the later rounds of their dynasty rookie drafts.
However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t some gems still waiting to be uncovered in this class. Let’s shine the spotlight on my favorite sleeper prospects at each position.
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These are players who will go off the board in the third round or later during dynasty rookie drafts. You can also keep their names on your watch list in redraft leagues, so you’re ready to pick them up when their opportunity arises.
QuarterbacksDiego Pavia, Vanderbilt
The path to Pavia becoming a starter in the pros is a narrow one, given his size (5-foot-10, 207 pounds) and expected draft capital (Day 3), but if he gets a chance, the tools are there to make some noise for fantasy. Pavia is a tough competitor who has shown a willingness to do whatever it takes to move the ball. That includes some notable rushing production, with over 800 yards and at least seven touchdowns in each of his last three seasons. The 24-year-old also has a strong enough arm to make the necessary throws and is creative looking downfield when he escapes the pocket. Though it will likely take an injury or two to get him on the field, if that day does arrive, fantasy managers should be ready for him to exceed expectations.
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Taylen Green, Arkansas
Green is a developmental dual-threat quarterback with the size (6-foot-6, 227 pounds) and skills to develop into a potential starter down the road. His big-play ability at Arkansas was undeniable, but he’ll need to work on his awareness in the pocket and decision-making if he’s going to take his game to the next level. The good news is that his sheer speed on the ground will turn him into a fantasy option the moment he gets under center. While combine metrics are often given too much attention, it’s impossible to overlook Green’s 4.36 time in the 40-yard dash, which put him in the 99th percentile — same with his vertical and broad jumps. If Green can speed up his processing, there’s a real chance he could eventually become an NFL starter.
Running BacksDemond Claiborne, Wake Forest
Claiborne is a smaller (5-foot-10, 188 pounds) speed back who profiles as an interesting change-of-pace option in an NFL backfield. His size will likely prevent him from ever being a true lead back in the pros, but quick feet and lightning-fast burst will make him a dangerous weapon. Think about what a dynamic back like Keaton Mitchell has flashed in his limited opportunities in the league. While Mitchell hasn’t carved out a major role yet, his ability to break longer runs has been on display whenever he’s healthy. The 22-year-old Claiborne also demonstrates excellent contact balance, given his lighter frame and showed enough as a pass-catcher to grow into a bigger contributor in that area.
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If he can get comfortable in his next offense and avoid some of the hesitancy in his decision making, there’s no reason why Claiborne can’t one day emerge as a fantasy RB3/flex with spike-week potential.
Adam Randall, Clemson
Taking chances on former receivers who converted to running back late in their college careers has produced some intriguing values for fantasy in recent years. Randall is a versatile threat who offers a blend of raw power mixed with quality pass-catching skills. He’s still young (turns 22 in July), but we have to be careful about projecting significant development for him. His size-speed combo is alluring with a big frame (6-foot-3, 232 pounds) and a strong showing at the combine that included a 4.5 40-time. Though he remains a long shot to attain fantasy relevance due to his incomplete profile and limited production as a running back, Randall is the type of unique prospect worth stashing to see if he can evolve into something more.
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Wide ReceiversTed Hurst, Georgia State
Hurst is a trendy sleeper who might outgrow that title if he gets high enough draft capital. For the time being, he’s still carrying an ADP in the third round of dynasty rookie drafts, which makes sense since he’s far from a sure thing at the next level. Hurst might take some time to build himself into a starter in the pros, given his age (22 in July), thin frame (6-foot-4, 206 pounds) and the massive jump in competition he’ll encounter going from Georgia State to the NFL. There are plenty of attributes to like in his profile, though, including outstanding ball skills and his ability to box out defenders, which will make him dangerous in the red zone. If Hurst gets drafted on Day 2, his ADP would likely rise to a range that makes him a more risky fantasy pick. However, at the moment, I’m scooping up as many dynasty shares as I can.
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Antonio Williams, Clemson
Williams might end up being a better real-life player than a needle-moving fantasy asset, but he’s a savvy slot receiver who might be unlocked in the right NFL offense. He enters the league as a strong route runner with reliable hands and plenty of short-area quickness. After posting a 4.41 40-yard dash at the combine, Williams proved he has the speed to threaten downfield as well. The 21-year-old (turns 22 in July) also comes down with more contested catches than you would expect for his size (6-foot, 187 pounds) and is adept at generating extra yards with the ball in his hands. In his last two years at Clemson, he showed versatility by adding 179 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries. Much like Hurst, we could see Williams’ stock blow up if he sneaks into Day 2 of the draft. But for now, you should be targeting him heavily in the third round of rookie drafts.
Tight EndsJoe Royer, Cincinnati
Royer was my fourth-round pick in our recent dynasty rookie mock draft, but as with most deep tight end prospects, it will likely take some time before we have a clear picture of what he’ll become in the pros. The 24-year-old can be used all over the formation and plays with a feistiness that makes him effective after the catch. Though he was productive in his final two seasons with Cincinnati (79 receptions, 937 yards, seven TDs), those aren’t numbers that jump off the page. However, it’s worth highlighting that his yards per reception did jump almost four yards in his final season. Whether it’s his competitiveness when the ball’s up for grabs, YAC ability or agile movement style, I’m captivated by Royer’s potential. He’s still only a late-round dart-throw, but it’s one I’ll be making often.
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Justin Joly, NC State
Joly lacks ideal size (6-foot-4, 241 pounds), but was a productive player across multiple seasons at Connecticut and NC State. He’s also a young prospect for a tight end (turns 22 in July), so there might be a lot more untapped potential here. While Joly appears to lack high-end speed and athleticism (didn’t test in the combine), he makes up for it with fluid movement, quality ball tracking and solid run-after-the-catch skills. When looking for a late-round tight end with the kind of upside that could make them a fantasy starter at some point, Joly doesn’t check all the boxes. But he’s a pass-catching tight end who will be a mismatch chess piece in the right offense. That’s intriguing enough for me to target him, even without knowing where he’ll end up in the draft.