Another Sunday, another gut punch. Our Hawks just took a 17-7 L to the Dallas Cowboys at Lumen Field. You know the feeling. But even when the boys in blue and green aren’t delivering on the field, the NFL train keeps rolling, and savvy fantasy managers in the Emerald City are already looking for the next big thing. Forget the big names everyone’s grabbing early, because a true fantasy football savant knows it is all about those late-round gems and waiver wire wonders. We are talking about quarterbacks who could absolutely pop off in 2026, and the data is screaming for two guys you probably are not thinking about.
Stroud’s Real Numbers Tell a Hidden Story
Let’s be real: C.J. Stroud’s full season fantasy numbers since his rookie year have not exactly set the world on fire. He was QB11 averaging 18.5 fantasy points per game in his rookie season. His sophomore campaign saw him as QB14 through the first six weeks, but then injuries decimated his receiving corps and he dropped to QB38 from Week 7 on in 2024. Last year, he was QB23 after missing three games with an injury. But full season stats? They are deceiving. If you ditch the game where he got hurt and only played part of the contest, and also cut the first game back where he clearly struggled, Stroud was averaging a solid 16.8 fppg in his other 11 contests. That kind of production would have tied him as QB15 with guys like Baker Mayfield, Jacoby Brissett, Joe Burrow, and Jayden Daniels.
Now, picture this for 2026: the Texans are actually building around him! He is getting a stronger supporting cast with Jayden Higgins as a breakout candidate and Jaylin Noel emerging alongside Nico Collins. Plus, Tank Dell is back on the practice field, hoping to contribute after a gruesome injury. They even added veteran back David Montgomery to balance the run game that suffered without Joe Mixon, and the front office is working on the offensive line. Stroud is locked in as the starter, and he has the ninth-friendliest fantasy QB schedule. This is a make-or-break year for the 24-year-old, and a return to rookie year stardom feels totally on the horizon.
Cam Ward: From Bust to Boom Candidate?
Then there is Cam Ward, who had a flat-out disappointing rookie season after being the first name called in the 2025 NFL Draft. He is practically a fantasy afterthought right now. But hold up, because his environment in Tennessee has changed big time for his second year. They have a new coaching staff, and that includes offensive coordinator Brian Daboll. Listen, you can have your feelings about Daboll’s time as a head coach, but you cannot deny he is a quality playcaller. This is the guy who helped Josh Allen and Jaxson Dart emerge as fantasy starters in his last two stops! That is a massive upgrade for Ward and gives the 24-year-old a real shot to excel in Year 2.
So, while everyone else is drafting the obvious names, you can be the smart one picking up Stroud or Ward in the late rounds or even off waivers. Finding these sleepers is how you win your fantasy league, and getting ahead of the curve is what it is all about as we look toward a wild NFL season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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