
SportsLine's model identifies 2026 Fantasy football sleepers including New York Giants tight end Isaiah Likely, Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard, and an unnamed wide receiver projected as a top-10 option ahead of stars like CeeDee Lamb and Justin Jefferson, based on 10,000 season simulations and a proven track record of predicting breakout performances.
AI-generated summary
SportsLine's computer model has a proven track record in predicting Fantasy football performance, having accurately forecasted breakout seasons for players like De'Von Achane, A.J. Brown, Jonathan Taylor, and others in previous years.
The 2026 NFL regular season begins in three days with a Super Bowl rematch, so 2026 Fantasy football draft season has hit its peak on Labor Day weekend. Nailing a few 2026 Fantasy football sleepers is a must, no matter what type of league you're in, and that means finding those diamonds in the rough that others bypass with Fantasy football picks. Bo Nix, Alec Pierce and Javonte Williams are examples of players who significantly outperformed their ADP expectations last year.
Who will be the top 2026 Fantasy football sleepers who give Fantasy players a big edge this season? Before finalizing your 2026 Fantasy football draft strategy, be sure to check out the 2026 Fantasy football rankings and cheat sheets from the proven computer model at SportsLine.
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Last year, the model accurately predicted that Dolphins running back De'Von Achane would comfortably outperform his ADP (RB12). The result: Achane produced 1,838 scrimmage yards -- sixth most in the NFL -- to go along with 12 touchdowns. SportsLine's model slotted Achane as the RB6, and that's precisely what he finished as, ranking sixth among RBs in Fantasy points in CBS Sports PPR leagues.
The same model has a proven track record providing Fantasy football tips, identifying A.J. Brown as a sleeper in 2020, nailing Jonathan Taylor's monstrous season in 2021, correctly predicting C.J. Stroud would take a step back in 2024 and calling Daniel Jones' breakout season in 2025. Additionally, it's called past Fantasy football sleepers like Derrick Henry in 2019, Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara in 2018, and Davante Adams in 2017. Anybody who banked on players like those made a run at their league title.
Now, SportsLine has simulated the entire NFL season 10,000 times and released its latest Fantasy football rankings 2026, along with plenty of sleepers, breakouts and busts. Head to SportsLine now to see them.
Top 2026 Fantasy football sleepers
One of the 2026 Fantasy football sleepers the model is predicting: New York Giants tight end Isaiah Likely, who followed coach John Harbaugh from the Ravens to the Giants this offseason. Likely, who has an ADP of 92 this year, showed big-play capability in Baltimore, but always battled Mark Andrews for targets.
Now the clear-cut No. 1 tight end, Likely has reportedly been a favorite target of quarterback Jaxson Dart, especially with Nabers (knee) limited in camp. He had two catches for 11 yards in the preseason opener. SportsLine's model has Likely as TE9 in its Fantasy football rankings, ahead of players such as Sam LaPorta and Travis Kelce.
Another sleeper that SportsLine's Fantasy football rankings 2026 have identified: 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 actually surged late in 2025, averaging 100 yards per game and scoring three total times in the last five weeks of the season.
With upgraded receivers, the Titans could take a step forward in the passing game this year, possibly opening up more room for Pollard. He's going off the board around pick No. 77, but SportsLine's model has him in the same tier as backs being picked earlier like TreVeyon Henderson and Rico Dowdle. See which other Fantasy football sleepers 2026 to pick here.
How to find proven 2026 Fantasy football rankings
SportsLine is also extremely high on a receiver who is going off the board in the third or fourth round of most drafts. The model says this wideout is a shocking top-10 option ahead of stars like CeeDee Lamb, Justin Jefferson and A.J. Brown. You can only see who it is, and the 2026 Fantasy football rankings for every player, at SportsLine.
So which 2026 Fantasy Football sleepers should you target, and which wide receiver shocks the NFL with a top-10 performance? Visit SportsLine now to get 2026 Fantasy Football cheat sheets for every single position, all from the model that called De'Von Achane's huge season, and find out.
2026 Fantasy football ADP
(PPR, via CBS)
Get Fantasy football cheat sheets at SportsLine.
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Isaiah Likely will finish as a top-10 tight end in Fantasy points (TE9 or better) in 2026.
Likely · Within weeks
Tony Pollard will exceed his ADP (pick No. 77) and perform as a top-tier running back in Fantasy leagues in 2026.
Likely · Within weeks
An unnamed wide receiver will outperform ADP and finish as a top-10 Fantasy wide receiver in 2026, ahead of established stars like CeeDee Lamb, Justin Jefferson, and A.J. Brown.
Possible · Within weeks

Ole Miss opens the post-Lane Kiffin era with its high-powered offense against defense-first Louisville in a Week 1 college football matchup at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. Expert handicapper Zack Cimini leans Over on the 55.5-point total, citing Ole Miss' offensive firepower led by returning quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and running back Kewan Lacy, while noting Louisville's red-zone efficiency and the uncertainty around first-time starter Lincoln Kienholz. The Rebels are 6.5-point favorites.

NFL survivor pool expert R.J. White advises avoiding the Los Angeles Chargers despite their 10.5-point favoritism over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1, citing future matchup potential and offensive line concerns, and recommends taking early risks with a surprise team pick available only on SportsLine.

Notre Dame opens its 2026 season as a 21-point favorite against Wisconsin in a non-conference matchup at Lambeau Field, with expert Matthew Severance recommending the under on the 46.5-point total despite the Irish seeking to avoid early-season struggles after a 10-2 2025 campaign.

Week 1 college football features key matchups including No. 9 Ole Miss vs. No. 24 Louisville and Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin, with betting previews and promotions from DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, BetMGM, bet365, Hard Rock Bet, and Fanatics Sportsbook offering bonus bets and profit boosts for new users; the projection model favors the Over in Notre Dame-Wisconsin and the Under in Ole Miss-Louisville.

The ninth-ranked Ole Miss Rebels open their first full season without former coach Lane Kiffin against the No. 24 Louisville Cardinals at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, with Pete Golding now leading the team after guiding them to the College Football Playoff semifinals last year. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET, and Ole Miss is favored by 6.5 points.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates the Week 1 college football game between No. 9 Ole Miss and No. 24 Louisville 10,000 times, projecting an Under 55.5 points outcome as a top-rated pick. Ole Miss returns Heisman candidate QB Trinidad Chambliss under new coach Pete Golding, while Louisville relies on a strong defense led by NFL prospects. The model also favors one side of the spread at nearly 60% probability. Promotional content for DraftKings and Kalshi is embedded in the article.