Model That Nailed Achane Names 2026 Fantasy Sleepers
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- SportsLine's model, after simulating the NFL season 10,000 times, flagged Giants TE Isaiah Likely — who followed John Harbaugh from Baltimore this offseason — as TE9 in its 2026 Fantasy rankings, ahead of Sam LaPorta and Travis Kelce, despite an ADP of 97.
- The model also named Tony Pollard a sleeper, noting the 29-year-old Titans RB has cleared 1,000 rushing yards in four straight seasons and averaged 100 yards per game over the final five weeks of 2025, with an ADP around pick 76 (RB27).
- De'Von Achane validated the model last season after being slotted at RB6 against an RB12 ADP, finishing with 1,838 scrimmage yards (sixth in the NFL) and 12 touchdowns — precisely RB6 in CBS PPR scoring.
- The model's past calls include A.J. Brown as a 2020 sleeper, Jonathan Taylor's 2021 monster season, Derrick Henry in 2019, Davante Adams in 2017, and correctly predicting C.J. Stroud's 2024 regression and Daniel Jones' 2025 breakout.
- A third sleeper — a wide receiver typically drafted in rounds 3-4 — is ranked top-10 by the model ahead of CeeDee Lamb, Justin Jefferson, and A.J. Brown, though the player's identity is gated behind SportsLine's paywall.
- The 2026 PPR ADP top 12 via CBS is led by Jahmyr Gibbs (1.19), Bijan Robinson (1.98), Ja'Marr Chase (4.21), Jonathan Taylor (5.07), and Puka Nacua (5.33).
Why it matters: Fantasy drafters have under two weeks before the 2026 regular season. SportsLine's model offers specific contrarian calls — Likely at TE9 despite an ADP of 97, Pollard as a top-tier RB at pick 76 — that could deliver late-round value, though its highest-profile call (a top-10 WR ahead of Lamb and Jefferson) is gated behind a paywall.
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