Fantasy football rankings 2026: Sleepers from computer that nailed De'Von Achane's impressive year
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- Isaiah Likely, now with the Giants after following coach John Harbaugh from Baltimore, is the model's top 2026 tight-end sleeper at TE9 despite an ADP of 96 — ahead of Sam LaPorta and George Kittle, both drafted nearly two rounds earlier.
- Tony Pollard (29, Titans) is another sleeper at pick ~75 after clearing 1,000 rushing yards in four straight seasons, including a 100-yards-per-game surge over the final five weeks of 2025.
- De'Von Achane was correctly predicted by the model to crush his RB12 ADP last year — he finished RB6 in CBS PPR with 1,838 scrimmage yards and 12 touchdowns, matching the model's RB6 projection.
- The model's past calls include A.J. Brown (2020), Jonathan Taylor's 2021 monster season, C.J. Stroud's 2024 step-back, and Daniel Jones's 2025 breakout.
- Top 2026 CBS PPR ADPs: Jahmyr Gibbs (1.33), Bijan Robinson (1.96), Ja'Marr Chase (3.81), Puka Nacua (4.75), and Jonathan Taylor (5.52).
- The model has a veteran WR ranked top-10 ahead of CeeDee Lamb and A.J. Brown, though that identity is gated behind SportsLine's paywall.
Why it matters: Drafting sleepers like Likely (TE9 at pick 96) and Pollard (top RB tier at pick 75) two-plus rounds after comparable players creates concrete value — particularly given the model's 2025 Achane call turned an RB12 ADP into an RB6 finish with 1,838 yards, giving drafters who trust projections a measurable edge over league mates defaulting to ADP consensus.
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