Lions tight end Sam LaPorta, who spiraled from a historic TE1 rookie season all the way down to a brutal TE26 last year, is one of the most surprising names on the 2026 fantasy football sleeper list, according to a proven computer model that nailed De’Von Achane’s elite season. Fantasy drafts for 2026 are already on the clock with August here and the NFL Hall of Fame Game, Cardinals versus Panthers, set for this upcoming Thursday. You need every edge in your league, and this model is dropping serious, must-have intel.
The Model That Keeps Delivering
You want proof this isn’t just a random hot take? SportsLine’s computer model simulated the entire NFL season 10,000 times to dig up these sleepers, and its track record is stacked. Last year, this exact same model called it perfectly on Dolphins running back De’Von Achane, predicting he’d blow past his RB12 ADP. What happened? Achane racked up an insane 1,838 scrimmage yards, sixth most in the NFL, and punched in 12 touchdowns. He didn’t just outperform his ADP, he finished precisely where the model slotted him: RB6 in fantasy points in CBS Sports PPR leagues.
But Achane wasn’t a fluke. This model has a consistent history of spotting the next big thing or looming regression. It identified A.J. Brown as a sleeper in 2020, nailed Jonathan Taylor’s monstrous 2021 season, and even foresaw C.J. Stroud taking a step back in 2024. Then, for 2025, it accurately called Daniel Jones’ breakout season. We’re talking about a predictive system that’s also pointed to past league-winners like Derrick Henry in 2019, the powerhouse duo of Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara in 2018, and Davante Adams back in 2017. Anybody who banked on players like those undoubtedly made a strong run at their league title.
Why Sam LaPorta Could Be Your League-Winner
Now, the model is practically shouting about Lions tight end Sam LaPorta, who currently carries an ADP of 71. We all remember his incredible 2023 rookie year, where he absolutely torched the record books for touchdowns by a first-year tight end, finishing as the TE1. But then came the noticeable slide: TE6 in 2024, and a brutal TE26 in 2025. What happened there? He missed half the season last year, a huge factor in that massive drop-off.
This is precisely the kind of situation where you find those hidden diamonds in the rough, the kind of undervalued player who can win you weeks. Remember how Dak Prescott, Christian McCaffrey, and Chris Olave all shook off the injury bug last year to become absolute fantasy goldmines for those who took the risk? Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, and Malik Nabers are also being eyed for similar bounce-back potential from their own injury-plagued seasons this year. Taking a chance on players like LaPorta, especially relative to his current ADP, could be the absolute steal that propels you right to victory.
With fantasy drafts kicking off right now, and the Hall of Fame Game signaling the start of the real football buzz, identifying these sleepers is non-negotiable for serious managers. Don’t let Sam LaPorta’s recent struggles blind you to what this proven model is seeing. Making these smart, informed picks is how you truly dominate your league and grab that championship trophy.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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