Seriously, if you thought the fantasy football conversation was all locked up for 2026, think again. While everyone else is focused on the big names, we’re talking about the deep sleepers, those guys with an average draft position outside the top 150 who could absolutely explode. Jacoby Brissett, for instance, was the QB9 in fantasy points per game once he took over as the starter in Week 6 last year. Yeah, you read that right.
The Cardinals’ Sneaky Quarterback Play
The Cardinals must have seen something special because Brissett got a re-worked, fully guaranteed one-year contract this offseason. That’s a clear signal they’re planning to start him again! At 33 years old, his actual play on the field last year was, let’s be honest, average. But what wasn’t average was his willingness to just air it out when his team was trailing. That led to immense volume and those inflated stats that fantasy managers absolutely love. Now, with a new offensive-minded head coach in Mike LaFleur and a healthy Marvin Harrison Jr. back on the field, this offense *could* be more efficient. It’s wild to think lighting could strike twice in Arizona, but Brissett could be a sneaky fantasy option. Keep him on your radar until they’re out of contention and turn to rookie Carson Beck later in the season. You don’t want to miss out if he does it again.
Penix’s Comeback Trail and Falcons Opportunity
Then there’s Michael Penix Jr. over in Atlanta, and man, what a tough road for that dude. He’s battling back from his third ACL tear, with two of those happening in college way back in 2018 and 2020. That recovery means Tua Tagovailoa is likely starting the season for the Falcons, but the reports from Atlanta hint that Tua’s spot might not be locked down for long. Once Penix is truly ready, he should get another shot to start. The good news for fantasy? He’s a pocket-passer, so we don’t need to stress about the ACL tear messing with his rushing production. We do need to watch his rehab and how he adjusts to new head coach Kevin Stefanski’s system and new play-caller Tommy Rees. But don’t forget, Penix was a top-12 fantasy QB three times last year, despite only playing half the season! Plus, he’s got talent around him like Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts Sr. to help him rack up those fantasy points.
Rookie RB Nicholas Singleton Could Be a Stash
Now, let’s talk about the rookie running back Nicholas Singleton from the Titans. This fifth-round pick unfortunately broke his foot during Senior Bowl week and missed a ton of the pre-draft process. That meant way less hype than he probably deserved from the fantasy community. His landing spot in Tennessee looks a bit crowded right now, with Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears already forming a nice one-two punch in the backfield. However, both players are entering…
So, what’s the play here? You might not draft these guys, but they are absolutely essential waiver wire watch list material. Keep Brissett and Penix in your peripheral vision heading into Week 1. Singleton might be more of a deep stash, but if things start to shift in Tennessee, you’ll want to be ready. Trust me, scooping up one of these guys when they hit could change your fantasy 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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