Our guy Jaxon Smith-Njigba is seeing his name called right alongside fantasy titans like Ja’Marr Chase and Puka Nacua in early 2026 Fantasy football drafts, making him one of the first pass catchers off the board. With training camps kicking off this week, these early average draft positions, including JSN’s, are getting serious attention, especially from a proven computer model that’s been simulating the upcoming NFL season like crazy.
The Machine That Knows
This isn’t just some shot in the dark, folks. We are talking about the SportsLine computer model, a system so dialed in it simulated the entire NFL season 10,000 times to get these 2026 Fantasy football rankings. This thing has a track record that demands respect. Last year, it accurately pegged Daniel Jones to fully realize his potential with the Colts, even slotting him as a top-15 Fantasy quarterback before he hit QB10 prior to a season-ending Week 14 injury. It also nailed Jonathan Taylor’s monstrous 2021 season, called Rachaad White’s breakout year in 2023, and even identified Isiah Pacheco as a bust in 2025. This isn’t just about the big names; the model also sniffed out past fantasy sleepers like A.J. Brown in 2020, Derrick Henry in 2019, Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara in 2018, and Davante Adams back in 2017. When this machine talks, you listen.
Sleeper Alert: Gainwell’s Big Move
Beyond the obvious early picks like Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Josh Allen (who’s QB1 in most drafts despite a No. 28 ADP), the SportsLine model is also dropping some serious sleeper intel. One name emerging is Buccaneers running back Kenneth Gainwell, currently going around No. 100 overall. Gainwell had a breakout 2025 season in Pittsburgh, setting career highs across the board with 1,023 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns. He then made the move to Tampa Bay as a free agent, stepping in after Rachaad White headed to Washington. The Bucs’ coach, Todd Bowles, isn’t holding back, calling Gainwell a “1B” to Bucky Irving’s “1A.” And considering Gainwell hauled in 73 catches last year, he is a huge target for a Bucs team that loves to hit their running backs in the passing game.
So, as training camps fire up, your early draft strategy is critical. These SportsLine simulations are giving us the early advantage on who to target and who to avoid. Make sure you’re locked in, because with Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s stock soaring and new sleepers emerging, every pick counts!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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