2026 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Model Nails Achane, Targets Likely
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- SportsLine's computer model accurately projected De'Von Achane as a top-6 running back in 2025, where he finished with 1,838 scrimmage yards and 12 touchdowns despite an RB12 ADP.
- Isaiah Likely, now with the New York Giants after following coach John Harbaugh from Baltimore, is ranked TE9 in SportsLine’s 2026 Fantasy football rankings despite an ADP of 98.
- DeVonta Smith assumes the Eagles’ No. 1 wide receiver role in 2026 after A.J. Brown’s departure and a new offensive coordinator, with the model projecting him as a top-15 WR despite an ADP outside the top 25.
- SportsLine's model has a track record of identifying high-upside players, including A.J. Brown (2020), Jonathan Taylor (2021), and Daniel Jones (2025), ahead of their breakout seasons.
- The model simulated the 2026 NFL season 10,000 times to generate updated Fantasy football rankings, highlighting sleepers, breakouts, and busts across all positions.
- Jahmyr Gibbs leads 2026 PPR Fantasy drafts with an average draft position (ADP) of 1.40, followed by Bijan Robinson (1.90) and Ja'Marr Chase (3.97).
Why it matters: Fantasy managers who rely on data-driven models gain an edge by targeting undervalued players like Likely and Smith, whose ADPs lag behind projections due to overlooked opportunity shifts—this gap between perception and modeled outcome creates actionable draft leverage in competitive leagues.
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