SportsLine just ran 10,000 simulations of the entire NFL season, and the results for 2026 Fantasy football drafts are dropping like a bombshell. With training camps kicking off this weekend and the Hall of Fame Game slated for August 6, it’s officially go-time for fantasy fanatics to start locking in their draft strategies. If you want to hoist that league trophy, finding those hidden gem sleepers is absolutely non-negotiable.
The Computer Model That Nailed Achane Is Back With More Secrets
Remember last year when everyone was sleeping on Dolphins running back De’Von Achane? Well, SportsLine’s computer model didn’t. It accurately tagged him to comfortably outproduce his RB12 ADP, and what happened? Achane exploded for a massive 1,838 scrimmage yards, which was the sixth-most in the entire NFL, plus he punched in 12 touchdowns! The model slotted him at RB6, and that’s exactly where he finished in Fantasy points in CBS Sports PPR leagues. This isn’t just a one-off fluke, either. This same model gave us A.J. Brown as a sleeper in 2020, called Jonathan Taylor’s monstrous 2021 season, correctly predicted C.J. Stroud’s step back in 2024, and even saw Daniel Jones’s breakout in 2025. We’re talking about a track record of identifying studs like Derrick Henry in 2019, Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara in 2018, and Davante Adams in 2017. If you listened then, you were probably making a run at your league title.
Sam LaPorta: From TE1 to TE26, Then Right Back to the Top?
Now, the same proven system is pointing directly at Lions tight end Sam LaPorta as a premier sleeper for 2026, even with his ADP sitting at a low 72. This is wild considering his rollercoaster ride. LaPorta had a historic rookie year in 2023, setting the positional record for touchdowns by a first-year player, finishing as the TE1! But then came the regression, dropping to TE6 in 2024 and a shocking TE26 last year in 2025. Missing half the season played a huge part in that drop-off, no doubt. The good news? He’s expected to be fully healthy for the upcoming season, and the model clearly sees a massive rebound in his future.
Taking chances on players coming back from injury is often where league titles are won. We saw it last year with Dak Prescott, Christian McCaffrey, and Chris Olave, who all shook off the injury bug to deliver huge fantasy seasons. This year, guys like Joe Burrow and Malik Nabers could absolutely be those bounce-back steals, especially relative to their 2026 Fantasy football ADPs.
So, what are you waiting for? With fantasy drafts about to go on the clock, you absolutely need to check out these rankings and sleepers before you finalize your strategy. The information is out there, and it’s time to cash in.
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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