Model That Nailed McMillan Names 2026 Fantasy Breakouts — SkimNews
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- SportsLine's model simulated the NFL season 10,000 times and released 2026 Fantasy football rankings, breakouts, sleepers and busts just days before the Patriots–Seahawks opener kicks off the regular season
- Omarion Hampton headlines the model's breakout list — the Chargers RB has an ADP of No. 18 after finishing as the RB35 in PPR leagues as a rookie with 737 scrimmage yards and five TDs in just nine games, with the model ranking him ahead of Kyren Williams and Javonte Williams
- Malik Willis is flagged as another breakout — the Dolphins QB signed a three-year, $67.5 million deal in the offseason and carries an ADP of just No. 154, with the model slotting him above Sam Darnold, Kyler Murray and Bo Nix
- The model is high on a young tight end it ranks as a top-eight option ahead of Travis Kelce and George Kittle, though the player's identity is withheld behind SportsLine's paywall
- Tetairoa McMillan validated the model's 2025 track record — the Panthers WR was predicted to outperform his WR28 ADP and delivered 70 catches for 1,014 yards and seven TDs, earning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and finishing as WR17 in CBS Sports PPR leagues
Why it matters: Fantasy drafters working through final rosters before Thursday's Patriots–Seahawks opener get a contrarian edge: the model ranks Hampton (ADP 18) above players being picked ahead of him and Willis (ADP 154) above Sam Darnold, Kyler Murray and Bo Nix. The model's concrete 2025 McMillan call — predicting a WR28 rookie would become Offensive Rookie of the Year — gives the rankings a track record to point to.
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