As fantasy football draft season inches closer and closer, it's time for our annual predictions of sleepers, busts and breakout players. Interpretations of the terms can vary for each, but here are the definitions for our purposes:
• Sleeper: A player who is being overlooked and will outperform his average draft position (ADP) in 2026. • Bust: A highly regarded player who will underperform in 2026, relative to his ADP/ranking. • Breakout: A player who will put up career-best numbers in 2026 and make a huge impact.
Stephania Bell, Matt Bowen, Mike Clay, Tristan H. Cockcroft, Daniel Dopp, Tyler Fulghum, Eric Karabell, Liz Loza, Eric Moody and Field Yates each contributed a sleeper and a bust for the major offensive positions, as well as one breakout candidate. You can find their picks below, as well as their analysis and insights on a selection of players they felt most passionate about in each category.
Editor's note: This story will be updated throughout the preseason.
Jump to: Sleepers | Busts | Breakouts
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Sleepers
Bell: Tyler Shough gave us a hint of things to come when he closed out his rookie season with six straight games of 17 or more fantasy points. He now adds a year of experience plus two new weapons to boost offensive production: Rookie WR Jordyn Tyson to complement veteran fantasy star (yet oft-injured) Chris Olave and a capable pass-catching running back in Travis Etienne Jr.. And, like all fantasy-desirable quarterbacks, Shough adds value with his legs. Among all quarterbacks with at least 10 carries in 2025, Shough ranked second in percentage of carries (22.2%) from inside the 10-yard line, hinting at increased scoring opportunity.
Bowen: C.J. Stroud needs a running game -- and much more favorable third-down situations -- to play at a level comparable to his rookie season of 2023 (18.4 fantasy PPG). Houston upgraded the offensive line this offseason and traded for running back David Montgomery, critical pieces to creating more offensive tempo and rhythm with Stroud, who has the targets on the perimeter, led by Nico Collins, to throw with accuracy and produce explosive plays in the pass game. Stroud should be targeted in 2QB Superflex formats, and I expect him to post some QB1 weeks this season.
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