We’ve got a long way to go until the 2026 NFL season and fantasy football. But now that the 2026 NFL Draft is complete, there’s plenty to discuss pertaining to the incoming rookie class. We’ve already discussed the rookies we’re most excited about; now, our Yahoo analysts Justin Boone, Joel Smyth, Matt Harmon and Scott Pianowski join the roundtable to share the rookie sleeper they’re most intrigued by for fantasy in 2026.
The valuable No. 2 job in San Fran is up for grabs
Kaelon Black, RB, San Francisco 49ers. I’m going to stay open-minded with Kaelon Black in San Francisco. The Niners liked him enough to use a third-round pick, and Black’s completion for the RB2 job is not intimidating — Jordan James, Isaac Guerendo. Black didn’t catch the ball much at Indiana but he had a decent receiving profile at James Madison; perhaps there’s more versatility to him than initially thought. And even if Black merely is a two-down man for the Niners, he’s a physical runner who runs downhill and moves the pile. He could be a nice fit here.
Advertisement
Christian McCaffrey was a touchdown monster last year but his YPC was merely 3.9, and now he heads into his age-30 season. It’s always important to scout who’s backing up CMC, and any plausible-upside back in a Kyle Shanahan offense deserves a spot on the stash-and-hope list. Get Black’s name in your late-round queue. — Scott Pianowski
A shot in the dark that could become something more
Chris Bell, WR, Miami Dolphins. Given that he’s coming back from a November ACL tear, Bell might not even be on the draftable radar come August, depending on how the reports unfold about his rehab and participation in the offseason activities. Yet, he has a chance to eventually grow into being a significant contributor for a team that lacks a real high-upside answer on the perimeter.
Advertisement
Bell wasn’t the first receiver the Dolphins drafted; that would be Caleb Douglas earlier in the same round. However, I like his fit as a run-after-catch option in a play-action-heavy offense with Malik Willis under center. Bell is someone to keep on waiver-wire speed dial for redraft if he’s destined to start the season slow after coming back from his ACL. In dynasty drafts, he’s someone to consider high in the second round to properly weigh the risk-versus-reward proposition. — Matt Harmon
Denver’s lead RB role ripe for the taking?
Jonah Coleman, RB, Denver Broncos. The running back talent in 2026 was narrow, with very few prospects being seen with three-down potential after Round 1. Jonah Coleman was one of those few. With 34 rushing touchdowns and 87 career receptions, the Husky RB is set up with a great landing spot in Denver, although there is lots of competition.
In the receiving game, Sean Payton uses his running backs heavily, with only San Francisco (for obvious reasons) having a higher RB target share since Payton became head coach in 2023. Coleman is also rumored to have an immediate short-yardage role, a valuable opportunity for a good offense with J.K. Dobbins returning from another injury.
Advertisement
The selection of RJ Harvey in Round 2 of 2025 is the biggest fork in the road, but after a bottom-tier season in efficiency, one or two strong weeks could place Coleman on par with the sophomore back. He won’t be valuable early in the season, but I wouldn’t be shocked if he’s sliding into fantasy managers’ FLEX positions come playoffs. — Joel Smyth
There’s work aplenty for a talented WR in Washington
Antonio Williams, WR, Washington Commanders. While fantasy managers wait to see if Brandon Aiyuk will end up in Washington or if one of the remaining free agents like Stefon Diggs finds their way to the nation’s capital, they might be overlooking the potential of the team’s third-round pick.
Williams is a savvy slot receiver who can also play outside thanks to his strong route running, reliable hands and short-area quickness. The 21-year-old (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.
Advertisement
Though everyone believes Aiyuk will eventually end up in Washington, for the time being, the WR depth chart is wide open behind Terry McLaurin. This is an ideal pairing of a promising prospect and a team that desperately needs playmakers in the passing game. I’ll be targeting him heavily as a late-round sleeper for 2026 and at the Round 1-2 turn in dynasty rookie drafts. — Justin Boone
Read the full article here