Tier 11: The “Mandela Effect” Tier (Continued)
You knew they were good, but it’s like they never existed.
201. Jalen Nailor, WR, LV (WR80)
Jalen Nailor signed with Las Vegas and has a chance to carve out a role in an offense soon to be led by Fernando Mendoza. Although Brock Bowers will serve as the de facto “WR1” in Vegas, there’s no true alpha in the receiver room.
202. Aaron Jones Sr., RB, MIN (RB67)
He’s 31 and has had his yards per carry drop in four straight seasons.
203. Cyrus Allen, WR, KC (WR81, NEW)
Cyrus Allen is an explosive rookie buried in a crowded Chiefs receiver room, but betting on speed and Patrick Mahomes is rarely the worst way to spend one of your final roster spots.
204. Jaylen Wright, RB, MIA (RB68)
If he earns the RB2 job ahead of Ollie Gordon, Jaylen Wright will be next in line for the Dolphins if De’Von Achane goes down.
205. Tank Dell, WR, HOU (WR82)
Tank Dell has continued working back from his 2024 injury, with recent reports indicating that his return timeline is becoming clearer. Even if/when he’s fully back, targets may be hard to come by alongside Nico Collins, Jayden Higgins, Jaylin Noel, and company.
206. Chris Brooks, RB, GB (RB69)
Chris Brooks made the 53 and has a path to touches while Josh Jacobs is away. But MarShawn Lloyd gets the first crack at leading the backfield, although he’s had issues staying healthy.
Tier 12: The Melatonin Tier
You’ve gotta take a few “night night” gummies to consider these guys sleepers.
207. Calvin Ridley, WR, TEN (WR83)
Calvin Ridley has become one of the biggest “what if” scenarios in recent memory. The hopes he’d become the Titans’ alpha and return to fantasy form fell flat last season, and with the additions of first-rounder Carnell Tate and free agent Wan’Dale Robinson, Ridley is more name than anything at this point in his career.
208. Gardner Minshew, QB, ARI (QB33)
209. Malik Washington, WR, MIA (WR84)
Malik Washington enters 2026 with an opportunity for targets in Miami’s reworked receiving corps. I was a fan heading into last year before the bottom fell out in Miami, and he’s worth keeping an eye on in case he can earn a stable snap share.
210. Christian Kirk, WR, SF (WR85, ▲9)
Christian Kirk signed an incentive-laden 1-year deal with San Francisco after the team picked up Mike Evans. I’m not going out of my way to draft him, but if he wins the starting slot job, he could bring some sneaky PPR value.
211. Ty Johnson, RB, BUF (RB70)
Would immediately become FLEX viable if there were an injury to James Cook or Ray Davis.
212. Corey Kiner, RB, NE (RB71, NEW)
New England traded for Corey Kiner at cuts and kept him over Jam Miller. He’s buried behind Stevenson and Hendo, but that’s exactly the type of backfield where one injury can turn a free.99 investment can return value.
213. Demond Claiborne, RB, MIN (RB72, NEW)
Demond Claiborn made the Vikings as the RB3 behind Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason. He’s not someone you’re drafting, but a name you want to remember with Jones turning 80 soon.
214. Malik Davis, RB, DAL (RB73)
He’ll have to hold off Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah, but Malik Davis is a very interesting backup to keep an eye on if he does earn the RB2 job in Dallas. He had three games over 10 points in his final five of last season, including a 20-carry, 103-yard game versus the Commanders.
215. Jack Bech, WR, LV (WR86)
Bech enters 2026 with an opportunity to compete for a significant role in Las Vegas’ receiving corps. His fantasy production will depend on how the Raiders divide snaps and targets among Bech, Jalen Nailor, and the other receivers.
216. Dontayvion Wicks, WR, PHI (WR87)
Yes, Philadelphia acquired Dontayvion Wicks in a trade with Green Bay. Yes, AJ Brown is gone. No, Wicks won’t become the stud many projected a few seasons ago. Yes, he’ll have a few spike weeks.
217. Pat Bryant, WR, DEN (WR88)
Remember the Pat Bryant hype?
218. Keon Coleman, WR, BUF (WR89)
Keon Coleman remains with Buffalo for now, but their offseason acquisition of DJ Moore all but shuts the casket on Coleman’s hopes and dreams of becoming the Bills’ WR1.
219. Elic Ayomanor, WR, TEN (WR90)
Elic Ayomanor was fantasy relevant for about 35 seconds at the start of last season, but with the additions of Carnell Tate and Wan’Dale Robinson, he’s nothing more than a desperation FLEX during byes.
220. Will Shipley, RB, PHI (RB75)
Will Shipley would need an injury to get on the fantasy radar, but if there was one, he would be slightly on the fantasy radar.
221. Rashod Bateman, WR, BAL (WR91)
I’m starting to warm to the idea of taking a flyer on Rashod Bateman. With the ole “Let’s target the WR1 90% of the time” offense out the door, Bateman could return some value if he can mix those beautiful splash plays with a little more consistency.
222. Chimere Dike, WR, TEN (WR92)
Chimere Dike caught a few touchdowns last season. That’s it. That’s the blurb. Oh, but if you’re in one of those leagues that counts return yards, bump this guy up into the top 20 or so. Dike broke the rookie all-purpose yards record in 2025 with 2,427 total yards, but about 80% of those were on returns. Still pretty cool!
223. Keenan Allen, WR, IND (WR93)
Still a free agent, Keenan Allen showed he can still be productive for a few weeks at the start of 2025. But it’s hard for an 83-year-old man to maintain long-term production in the NFL.
UPDATE (9/4/26): He’ll probably steal a touchdown or two.
224. Isaac Guerendo, RB, SF (RB76)
It’s a crowded backfield in San Fran, but any back with a pulse is worth watching in a Kyle Shanahan system.
UPDATE (9/4/26): Guerendo starts the season on the PUP and can’t return until Week 5 at the earliest. Only stash him if you have an open IR spot.
225. Tory Horton, WR, SEA (WR94)
I’m still a long-term fan of Tory Horton, but re-signing Rashid Shaheed makes Horton’s path to fantasy relevance much more difficult in the short term.
226. Devaughn Vele, WR, NO (WR95)
Sugar-free Rashod Bateman from the past few seasons. He’ll have a random spike week or two. Good luck guessing when.
227. Tahj Brooks, RB, CIN (RB77)
Was hoping for more out of his rookie season, but with old man Samaje Perine the only other back on the roster behind Chase Brown, one injury could be all Brooks needs to get a chance to shine.
228. Marvin Mims Jr., WR, DEN (WR96)
Something something Sean Payton loves this guy, wait, now he doesn’t, now he does, now he traded for another receiver. There are six ducks outside, and they all want Sun Chips. Mims needs multiple injuries ahead of him to be considered even a speculative pick.
229. Ryan Flournoy, WR, DAL (WR97, NEW)
Flournoy keeps hanging around because he keeps making plays, and in a Dallas offense that can support multiple receivers, there’s at least enough juice here to keep him on the fantasy radar.
230. Caleb Douglas, WR, MIA (WR98, NEW)
Douglas has the size and ball skills to quietly carve out a role in Miami, which makes him the exact kind of late-round dart throw I’ll talk myself into by August.
231. Odell Beckham Jr., WR, NYG (WR99)
Honestly, I just hope he makes the team so I can wear my #13 jersey again.
232. Kaleb Johnson, RB, GB (RB88)
Kaleb Johnson left Pittsburgh for Green Bay in the wake of the Josh Jacobs investigation, but we aren’t ready to assign any fantasy value to him just yet. A fine end-of-bench stash if you want to be ahead of the curve on a player with an extremely wide range of outcomes.
233. George Holani, RB, SEA (RB78)
George Holani is on this list because I heard my colleague Brett Ford talk about him once. Read more on why Brett loves Holani this season in his RB sleepers article!
234. Cooper Kupp, WR, SEA (WR100)
Cooper Kupp is a swell guy. He’ll catch a few tuddys, maybe be your best buddy. But he’s not someone you want on your fantasy team other than the bye-pocalypse.
235. Trevor Etienne, RB, CAR (RB79)
The fragility of the running backs ahead of him is the only reason why it’s worth watching Trevor Etienne.
236. Samaje Perine, RB, CIN (RB80)
Worth a stash as a handcuff early in the season as the backup to Chase Brown. Samaje Perine would only become a volume-based FLEX if he fell into the starting job due to injury.
237. Emanuel Wilson, RB, SEA (RB81)
I know some people are calling him a sleeper with Charbs’ injury and Walker gone. Yeah, I mean, he did rush for 1,000 yards in three seasons.
No, not three 1,000-yard seasons each. Three seasons to get 1,000.
238. Jerome Ford, RB, WAS (RB82)
On a team with no clear stud back, but Jerome Ford could be the odd man out if Austin Ekeler resigns with the Commanders.
239. Jordan Whittington, WR, LAR (WR101)
Jordan Whittington has shown some flashes, but would need an injury to Puka Nacua or Davante Adams to offer fantasy viability. If there was such a thing as a handcuff WR in fantasy, it’s him.
240. Isaiah Davis, RB, NYJ (RB83)
‘Member when Isaiah Davis was a league winner? I ‘member.
241. Hollywood Brown, WR, PHI (WR102)
Just….maybe????
242. Ted Hurst III, WR, TB (WR103)
The third round rookie made quite the impression in camp and has the size to become a red-zone threat, but there’s a ton of mouths to feed in Tampa. Ted Hurst III is a deep league stash, nothing more (for now).
243. Brandon Aiyuk, WR, SF (WR104)
I’m not ready to give up on Brandon Aiyuk. I have no idea what happened between him and San Francisco or why he didn’t report, but if he suits up in 2026, I am more than willing to take a shot on a 27-year-old who finished in the top 15 in his last two full seasons.
244. Seth McGowan, RB, IND (RB84)
The rookie out of Kentucky will battle DJ Giddens for the rights to be the backup to JT.
245. Houston Texans, DST, HOU
I’m generally not a fan of ranking a defense this high, but the Texans were on another level this season. Top 10 in sacks, top five in interceptions, fewest yards per game allowed, second-fewest points per game allowed, and I could keep going. They were one of the few set-it-and-forget-it DSTs and should remain so in 2026.
246. DJ Giddens, RB, IND (RB85)
DJ Giddens will battle the rookie out of Kentucky for the rights to be the backup to JT.
247. Najee Harris, RB, NYG (RB86)
Still just 27 years old, keep an eye on where Najee Harris eventually winds up signing. The upside isn’t too grand, but if he lands in a favorable situation, he’s worth the risk for Free.99.
248. Seattle Seahawks, DST, SEA
Fewest points allowed per game. Tied for most special teams touchdowns. Top 10 in takeaways and sacks. Yeah, the Seahawks are pretty much everything you could ask for in a fantasy defense.
249. Denver Broncos, DST, DEN
Led the league in sacks in back-to-back years, Jack. (Sorry for that.) One of the top defenses of the past few seasons, and that won’t change in 2026.
250. Ollie Gordon II, RB, MIA (RB87)
Even if he’s able to beat out Jaylen Wright for the job to sit behind De’Von Achane, the offense is going to be gross. Gordon hasn’t shown much of anything as a pro.
251. Devin Singletary, RB, NYG (RB89)
Devin Singletary had a stretch of five double-digit fantasy performances in the Giants’ final eight games of 2025. But with the healthy return of Cam Skattebo, Singletary is bumped back to third on the depth chart.
252. Los Angeles Rams, DST, LAR
Give me a defense that ranks top five in forced turnovers and top 10 in sacks.
253. Philadelphia Eagles, DST, PHI
Philadelphia finished as the DST7 in 2025 with 135 fantasy points, 42 sacks, 12 interceptions, and two special-teams touchdowns.
254. Devin Neal, RB, NO (RB90)
The hope that Devin Neal would become the heir to Kamara’s throne was cut off at the neck when Travis Etienne came to town. He’s still young enough to have hope, but don’t hold your breath.
Tier 13: The Endgame Tier
It’s Doomsday…wait… the war is infinite…no…AGE OF ULTRON WAS UNDERRATED!
255. Austin Ekeler, RB, FA (RB91)
Could offer some FLEX appeal if he returns to Washington.
256. Brandon Aubrey, K, DAL
I am legally obligated to include five kickers in my top 300. No more, no less.
257. Minnesota Vikings, DST, MIN
Minnesota finished as a top five DST with 49 sacks and a league-high 13 fumble recoveries.
258. Pittsburgh Steelers, DST, PIT
Pittsburgh finished as top 10 DST in 2025 with 48 sacks, 15 interceptions, 12 fumble recoveries, and three defensive touchdowns.
259. Brashard Smith, RB, KC (RB92)
Brashard Smith averaged fewer than four yards per carry and would need multiple injuries ahead of him to become fantasy viable. But any back in KC is worth keeping an eye on. Well, most of them…
260. Emari Demercado, RB, DAL (RB93)
Demerca-no.
UPDATE (9/4/26): Even in Dallas.
261. New England Patriots, DST, NE
New England’s DST scored five touchdowns last season, two defensive and three special-teams.
262. Jacksonville Jaguars, DST, JAC
Jacksonville DST had 22 interceptions, nine fumble recoveries, and two special-teams touchdowns in 2025.
263. Gunnar Helm, TE, TEN (TE24)
Gunnar Helm set a Titans franchise record for a rookie tight end with 44 receptions, adding 357 yards and two touchdowns. Chig Okonkwo’s move to Washington leaves Helm with a clearer path to production, but the former Giants who followed new OC Brian Daboll to town (Wan’Dale Robinson and Daniel Bellinger) muddy it up a bit.
264. Baltimore Ravens, DST, BAL
Baltimore had 30 sacks last season, as well as 11 interceptions, nine fumble recoveries, and two defensive touchdowns.
265. Eli Stowers, TE, PHI (TE25)
Eli Stowers is to Kenyon Sadiq as Coleston Loveland was to Tyler Warren in last year’s draft. Stowers is not too shabby of an athlete himself, running a 4.51 40-yard dash and breaking the all-time NFL Combine record for tight ends with a 45.5″ vertical jump. He, too, is a bit undersized and struggles against man coverage, but his athleticism and hands give the Mackey Award winner beaucoup upside. Another pick that doesn’t get me overly excited for fantasy, but it makes sense based on team makeup. He still possesses immense potential, but there are a lot of mouths to feed on a team that doesn’t pass enough to keep them all happy.
266. Dallas Cowboys, DST, DAL
267. Los Angeles Chargers, DST, LAC
The Chargers finished 2025 with 45 sacks and 19 interceptions, tied for the second-most interceptions in the league.
268. AJ Barner, TE, SEA (TE26)
AJ Barner started all 17 games in 2025, averaging 10 yards per reception on 52 catches and came down with six touchdowns. He’s not a bad late-round dart throw.
269. San Francisco 49ers, DST, SF
San Francisco recorded 20 sacks, 16 total takeaways, and one defensive touchdown in 2025, and get a healthy Joey Bosa back.
270. Detroit Lions, DST, DET
Detroit recorded 49 sacks and 13 interceptions in 2025.
271. Terrance Ferguson, TE, LAR (TE27)
The Rams drafted Terrance Ferguson in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and the rookie did ok. He started slow, but had 10 catches for 210 yards and three touchdowns over the final 10 games. The Rams have Ferguson, Colby Parkinson, Tyler Higbee, Ron Burgundy, Brian Fantana, Champ Kind, Brick Tamland, and 2026 2nd-round pick Max Klare on the roster. Even if the Rams continue using two and three tight-end sets at the league’s highest rate as they did in the second half of last season, it’s a bit crowded to realistically expect a Fergie breakout.
272. Green Bay Packers, DST, GB
Green Bay recorded 36 sacks and 14 total takeaways in 2025.
273. New York Jets, DST, NYJ
274. Hunter Henry, TE, NE (TE28)
Hunter Henry caught 60 passes for 768 yards and seven touchdowns, serving as one of Drake Maye’s favorite targets. The additions of Romeo Doubs and AJ Brown make Hunter “Meh”-nry even more “Meh”-nry, if that’s possible.
275. Kansas City Chiefs, DST, KC
Kansas City recorded 35 sacks and 14 total takeaways in 2025.
276. Buffalo Bills, DST, BUF
Buffalo had 36 sacks, 13 interceptions, and two defensive touchdowns in 2025.
277. David Njoku, TE, LAC (TE29)
David Njoku signed with the Chargers after nine seasons in Cleveland, joining a tight end room that also includes Oronde Gadsden II and Charlie Kolar. He’ll likely have a few spike games, but don’t expect a consistent target share.
278. Cleveland Browns, DST, CLE
Cleveland finished as a top 10 DST in 2025 with 53 sacks and four defensive touchdowns. Yeah, it hurts losing arguably the best defensive player in the league, Myles Garrett. But Jared Verse is no slouch.
279. Cade Otton, TE, TB (TE30)
Cade Otton re-signed with Tampa Bay and is a fine “I have nobody else, guess I start this guy” option at TE.
280. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, DST, TB
281. Theo Johnson, TE, NYG (TE31)
Theo Johnson and free-agent addition Isaiah Likely enter camp as the Giants’ top two tight ends. Their presence gives New York multiple talented receiving options at the position for Jaxson Dart, but toss a wet blanket on Johnson’s upside.
282. Mason Taylor, TE, NYJ (TE32)
The Mason Taylor dream died the second the Jets drafted Kenyon Sadiq.
283. New Orleans Saints, DST, NO
New Orleans finished 2025 with 45 sacks, 20 total takeaways, and three defensive touchdowns.
284. Pat Freiermuth, TE, PIT (TE33)
With the ‘Muth ever get ‘Luth? Pat Freiermuth remains alongside Darnell Washington in the Steelers’ tight end room, but is the tight end equivalent of a peanut butter sandwich. It’ll get the job done, but you’re not really excited to eat it.
285. Atlanta Falcons, DST, ATL
Atlanta racked up 57 sacks and 16 interceptions in 2025.
286. Chicago Bears, DST, CHI
Chicago led the NFL with 23 interceptions in 2025 and added 10 fumble recoveries and two defensive touchdowns.
287. Jason Myers, K, SEA
Two…
288. Mike Gesicki, TE, CIN (TE34)
Mike Gesicki is never going to happen. But please, just give me a few more horrendous griddys on touchdown scores this year, and I’ll be happy.
289. Evan Engram, TE, DEN (TE35)
Maybe the real joker is the friends we made along the way?
290. Cam Little, K, JAC
Three…
291. Indianapolis Colts, DST, IND
292. Cameron Dicker, K, LAC
Four…
293. Washington Commanders, DST, WAS
294. Ka’imi Fairbairn, K, HOU
Five.
295. Miami Dolphins, DST, MIA
296. Greg Dulcich, TE, MIA (TE36, NEW)
Dulcich has teased us before, but landing in Miami gives the athletic tight end one more chance. It won’t matter.
297. Jesse Katsopolis, QB, SF (QB34)
Have mer-cy if you pass on this guy. He can rip it.
298. Shedeur Sanders, QB, CLE (QB35)
See Watson, Deshaun.
299. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, ATL (QB36)
I’m not as excited for Tua Tagovailoa in Atlanta as I am for Kyler Murray in Minnesota, but it’s a best-case scenario for Tua. Atlanta has the weapons, the coach, and the system built around a left-handed quarterback that could lead to a career revival. There are so many questions around Michael Penix that give Tua multiple routes to taking over at quarterback. He’ll be a favorite late-round pick of mine.
300. Deshaun Watson, QB, CLE (QB37)
It looked as if Shedeur Sanders would head into 2026 as the starter for the Browns, but if you put your ear to the ground, you can faintly hear the drumbeat of Deshaun Watson back as QB1 for the Browns getting louder. As much of a dumpster fire as his career has become, he’s probably the more talented quarterback of the two. The Browns added two of the best receivers in this class with KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston, so my interest in whoever winds up the Browns starter has doubled… from 0.5% to 1%. I don’t have much interest in either, other than late-round lottery tickets in Superflex leagues.