As fantasy football drafts get into later rounds, it’s good to have a plan for which players you are targeting to fill out your roster. Our Featured Pros have their favorites for 2026.
Late-Round Fantasy Football Draft Steals
Which one RB outside the top 45 in half-PPR RB ADP do you plan to target in all drafts as a late-round steal and why?
Jordan James (RB – SF) | Ray Davis (RB – BUF)
“After the top-45 running backs, we are essentially looking at elite handcuffs. Both Jordan James and Ray Davis are tied to elite offenses and have flashed superior efficiency in their limited action so far. I am a bit biased as I loved their prospect profiles coming out of college, but they are in excellent situations this year. Both running backs ahead of them are coming off years where they had over 300 carries, which correlates to a high injury risk. Kyle Shanahan always ignores draft order for his favorite RB, and James had much higher production in college than Kaelen Black. For running backs going after RB60, there is no one else with more upside.”
– Justin Weigal (FantasySharks)
Emanuel Wilson (RB – SEA)
“Emanuel Wilson (RB58 ADP). The Seattle Seahawks signed Wilson to a super-cheap one-year deal (1-year $2.1 million) during free agency after letting Kenneth Walker depart in free agency. Zach Charbonnet is still rehabbing from his late-season torn ACL, meaning it will be Wilson duking it out with 2026 first-rounder Jadarian Price to lead this backfield to start the season. Wilson had 125 carries for 496 yards and 3 TDs last year, adding 15 catches for 99 yards. He started twice when Josh Jacobs was out and impressed. Totaled 28 carries for 107 yards and two touchdowns in the Packers’ Week 12 win over the Vikings, and he had 18 carries for 44 yards in a Week 18 loss to Minnesota. At 5-10, 226-pound Wilson figures to get significant carries early on after finishing 23rd in YAC/attempt in 2025. He was even better in 2024: Top-10 graded RB per PFF. And what might get him on the field beyond his rushing is that he does the dirty work that coaches LOVE (pass protection, consistency, etc.). He will be a thorn in the side of Price and could even out-produce him through the first month of the season. Wilson has finished as a top-50 fantasy RB in back-to-back seasons (RB49, RB45) with just two official starts in Green Bay.”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)
Kaytron Allen (RB – WSH)
“Kaytron Allen, Commanders: Allen is the only back in this range with a realistic path to lead his team in rushing. Washington’s backfield is crowded with Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Rachaad White, and Jerome Ford, but there’s no locked-in lead option. Allen – who outproduced Nick Singleton at Penn State – will have a chance to rise under first-year OC David Blough.”
– Kevin English (Draft Sharks)
Mike Washington Jr. (RB – LV)
“At a current RB ADP of 55, Mike Washington Jr. is the exact type of high-leverage late-round target that separates championship rosters from the pack. While Ashton Jeanty functions as the explosive, home-run-hitting starter who will likely dominate passing-down work, Washington provides the necessary “thunder” to keep the offense on schedule in high-leverage situations. Washington’s proven ability to catch passes out of the backfield from his collegiate career at Arkansas, paired with his 6-foot-2, 228-pound frame, makes him a uniquely versatile secondary back who will earn legitimate snaps to keep Jeanty fresh. By drafting Washington, you aren’t just banking on a handcuff; you are securing a player who brings a necessary, different skill set to a Raiders offense that desperately needs to leverage its ground game. He is the ultimate late-round pick with the structural logic to outperform his current ranking and demand a weekly rotation role.”
– Lawrence Iacona (The Architect’s War Room)
James Conner (RB – ARI)
“I’ll be drafting James Conner a ton at this cost (RB62). I think when it’s all said and done, James Conner won’t be an Arizona Cardinal before Week 1. Conner didn’t manage to stay healthy last year, but when he was on the field, he did post a 19% missed tackle rate (per Fantasy Points Data), which displays that he still has some gas left in the tank. I’ll take the late flier on Conner this year with the hopes that he is traded during camp when another team sustains an injury or the Josh Jacobs news is resolved.”
– Derek Brown (FantasyPros)
Demond Claiborne (RB – MIN)
“Demond Claiborne. Sixth-round rookie RBs aren’t high-percentage bets, but I like the pot odds on Claiborne based on his style and his competition in Minnesota. At 5-10, 188 pounds, Claiborne isn’t built for heavy-duty usage, but he has game-breaking 4.37 speed and makes sharp cuts. He’s also surprisingly hard to bring down. If Claiborne gets opportunities, he’s going to break off some big plays. And it’s reasonable to think Claiborne will have opportunities. Aaron Jones turns 32 before the end of the year and wasn’t very effective last year. Jordan Mason is an early-down battering ram with very little wiggle or pass-catching ability. Claiborne is a worthwhile late-round lottery ticket.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
MarShawn Lloyd (RB – GB)
“As of now (June 10th), I’d roll the dice on MarShawn Lloyd and Emanuel Wilson. Lloyd’s NFL career has been plagued by injuries. However, when he was on the field in college, MarShawn made some highlight-reel plays. Lloyd has tremendous burst and is a threat to score anytime he gets the ball. Josh Jacobs‘ legal issues hang over Green Bay like a dark cloud, which could force the next man up. I would also keep a close eye on former Packers RB Emanuel Wilson. If Wilson wins one of the starting gigs in Seattle, he’ll be in an RBBC, or if he gets cut, don’t be surprised if he resurfaces in Green Bay. Wilson knows the offense and could hit the ground running.”
– Mark Ringo (Sleepers and Busts)
Jaydon Blue (RB – DAL)
“Jaydon Blue, Dallas Cowboys – Despite a disappointing rookie season, Blue stands to be Javonte Williams‘ primary backup and change-of-pace option. With Williams’ substantial injury history, Blue stands to be a must-own handcuff with potential RB2 upside if anything were to happen to Williams. You can get him for free in most redraft leagues to stash on your bench.”
– Lee Wehry (FantasyPros)
Zach Charbonnet (RB – SEA)
“Zach Charbonnet (RB – SEA) | ADP RB47 (152 Overall) Drafting a potential difference-making player late that you can immediately stash in your Injured Reserve (IR) is never a bad idea. Seattle Seahawks RB Zach Charbonnet falls into that category and is reportedly already ahead of schedule, getting some “light work” in on the field at OTAs:
Zach Charbonnet getting some light on field work. #Seahawks pic.twitter.com/VhjZH1iG2Z
— Corbin K. Smith (@CorbinSmithNFL) June 9, 2026
His efficiency in 2025 didn’t blow anyone away – the stacked front carry rate of 11.4% (13th-most) didn’t allow it. However, his seventh-most carries inside the 10-yard line (28) indicates that this team, which rushed 29.6 plays per game (fourth-most), trusts him to get the ball across the pylon. That’s the type of touchdown equity I want invested in for a 13th-round pick, even if it’s only for part of the season.”
– Seth Woolcock (FantasyPros)
“It’s Zach Charbonnet at RB47 for me. Charbonnet is coming off an excellent season where he regularly cut into Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker‘s workload to earn himself 12 touchdowns on his way to an RB24 finish. With KW now in KC, Charbs has only an injury to overcome to receive the lion’s share of backfield touches in Seattle. I’m not concerned with competition from Jadarian Price, George Holani, and Emmanuel Wilson, even though someone will win out early in the season. With a favorable second-half schedule and the defending champs likely to slow-play their bellcow, I’ll take shots on Charbonnet a ton this summer at his current depressed cost.”
– Jeremy Shulman (Fantasy Football Universe)
Brian Robinson Jr. (RB – SF)
“If I am blessed with a top pick, and Bijan Robinson is the RB I end up with. Then Brian Robinson Jr. is a STEAL at RB52/ADP 162. If Bijan misses anytime, Brian Robinson Jr. would instantly slot in as an RB1 in all formats. While I do not see Brian getting those 8 TD’s that Allgeier was able to steal from Bijan a year ago, he certainly is capable of that total with his big, powerful frame and talent. When the deeper weeks of the season start to hit, Brian could be a desperation flex, but 90% of the season, he is your tank in reserve. Draft Brian Robinson Jr. was confident if you have Bijan Robinson Jr. on your team, just triple-check and make sure you draft Bijan first.”
– Muntradamus (Beast Dome)
Jonah Coleman (RB – DEN)
“Jonah Coleman is the RB54 right now in ADP. To start the season, he will be behind JK Dobbins and RJ Harvey, which will keep his ADP suppressed. We have seen JK Dobbins struggle to finish a season, his entire career. Coleman would be his direct handcuff, not Harvey. He has a three-down skill set and could easily find himself in a great situation.”
– David Heilman (Dynasty Trade Calculator)
Sean Tucker (RB – TB)
“Sean Tucker and his goal-line prowess could make him an intriguing late-round target in fantasy drafts. In a backfield with the newly signed Kenneth Gainwell and the returning Bucky Irving, Tucker stands to see opportunities in this backfield trio. Tucker’s mini-breakout came in Week 11 in 2025, when he posted three scores against the Buffalo Bills without Bucky Irving in the lineup for Tampa. Tucker should be the preferred handcuff option to Irving, and serve as a candidate to snipe touchdowns, while carrying RB2 upside if Irving were to go down.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)
Keaton Mitchell (RB – LAC)
“The move away from Greg Roman and into Mike McDaniel’s offense will be a positive for all positions, not just receivers. While Omarion Hampton is a strong three-down back, the Chargers will need to supplement his usage with a change-of-pace back, and Keaton Mitchell is a beautiful complement to Hampton’s style. McDaniel’s knows how to effectively utilize smaller explosive speed backs and get the most out of them without excessive touches. While health has been a concern for Mitchell, when he’s on the field, he’s a home-run-hitting back that could provide fantasy relevancy on limited touches. I don’t want to dismiss Kimani Vidal, who was an admirable fill-in when Hampton was injured last season, and he has the size to handle a larger workload if needed. I view Vidal as the direct handcuff whose meaningful work would come if Hampton were injured, while Mitchell is the more likely candidate to see snaps alongside Hampton.”
– Tera Roberts (OddsChecker)
Which one WR outside the top 55 in half-PPR WR ADP do you plan to target in all drafts as a late-round steal and why?
Darnell Mooney (WR – NYG)
“If we want to get into really deep sleepers, there is no one else with more upside than WR80 Darnell Mooney. While many of these late ADP receivers are trying their best to be the 3rd passing game option, Mooney could be starting the year as a 1b passing option with Nabers having setbacks with the ACL. Let us not forget he is a year away from 106 targets and 992 yards, but was injured starting in the preseason last year. He is currently a 28-year-old and is competing with four other receivers who don’t crack the top-100 in PFF receiving grades.”
– Justin Weigal (FantasySharks)
Antonio Williams (WR – WSH)
“The Washington Commanders’ third-round pick, WR Antonio Williams (WR63 ADP), is one of the premier sleepers among the WRs in this year’s class. Williams operated as Clemson’s slot receiver in 2025 (93% slot rate and 20% target share), but he hardly lived up to the expectations he set in 2024 (along with most of the 2025 Clemson team, which was a big disappointment). Although Williams was still highly efficient going back into the slot (career-high 2.27 yards per route run). From Weeks 4-14, Williams averaged over six receptions per game. The 5-foot-11-inch and 187-pound wide receiver spent all four years playing for the Tigers, but he broke out as a true freshman in 2022 at 19 years old. Led Clemson in catches/yards/targets from the slot. In 2023, he looked like he was en route to a full-fledged breakout, but he suffered multiple lower-body injuries. 2024, as alluded to, was Williams’ best season from a counting perspective (despite 8 drops). Injuries aside, Williams checks off a lot of boxes of a rookie WR sleeper with a high-volume slot role projection at the next level. Washington’s current No.1 WR is Terry McLaurin (who historically has never commanded an elite target share). Deebo Samuel and his 308 slot routes (8th-most in the NFL last season) are currently not on an NFL roster. The Commanders rank 3rd in the NFL in vacated targets from last season. Ergo, one of the tight ends, Chig Okonkwo or Williams (maybe Brandon Aiyuk TBD), is going to see a decent chunk of volume in the nation’s capital.”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)
“Antonio Williams finds himself in a sweet situation in Washington. One concern with him as a draft prospect was that he profiles as a slot-only WR. He is not a big dude, but this is not Tank Dell. Williams got great draft capital and slides in as the Day 1 slot. There are a lot of vacant targets without Deebo Samuel, Austin Ekeler, and Zach Ertz. Rookies that play out of the slot have a tendency to get a higher volume, and Williams has a path to fantasy success.”
– David Heilman (Dynasty Trade Calculator)
“Antonio Williams has all the things fantasy managers want when trying to find late-round targets to have on their squads. Williams has a pathway to immediate playtime in a Washington offense that needs to get younger and faster in 2026. Williams will be backed by great quarterback play with Jayden Daniels throwing balls his way, and that connection will be everything in terms of Williams’ fantasy prospects in 2026. It is very simple, get Antonio Williams on the field and let him make things happen for a Washington offense that is desperate for more playmakers next to Terry McLaurin.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)
Ryan Flournoy (WR – DAL)
“Ryan Flournoy is an absolute necessity for your late-round drafting strategy, especially given his solidified status as the WR3 in a Dallas offense with sky-high expectations for 2026. While he holds a WR ADP of 73, his role in 11 personnel ensures he will be on the field regularly, allowing him to capitalize on the defensive gravity created by CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. After a strong finish to last season, he has clearly earned the trust of the coaching staff, positioning him to be a prominent part of the attack. Even with Pickens commanding significant targets, Flournoy is primed to surprise the league, functioning as a high-floor asset who is already familiar with Dak Prescott‘s timing. Drafting him at this stage gives you a reliable, high-upside flex option who is ready to thrive in an offense expected to take a major step forward this year.”
– Lawrence Iacona (The Architect’s War Room)
Stefon Diggs (WR – FA)
“Stefon Diggs at WR56 is free money right now. I expect Diggs to sign with a team before Week 1, and if it’s someone like the Commanders, he’ll go zooming up the ranks. Last year, Diggs proved he still has plenty of juice left with a 25% target per route run rate, 2.53 yards per route run, and 0.127 first downs per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). He could easily be a WR2/3 again this season if he lands with a team devoid of wide receiver talent like Washington, Miami, or Las Vegas. ”
– Derek Brown (FantasyPros)
“Well, Stefon Diggs is sitting just outside the top 55 in ADP; it seems inevitable he’ll sign with a WR-needy team, and his ADP will climb as soon as he does. Diggs is 32, but he played exceptionally well for the Patriots last season in a managed role. He played only 55% of New England’s offensive snaps but still had 85 catches for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns. Diggs averaged 9.9 yards per target and 2.08 yards per route run – outstanding numbers. We won’t be able to get this sort of discount on Diggs in August unless he remains unsigned, but for now, he’s the obvious candidate outside the top 55.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
Darius Slayton (WR – NYG)
“Darius Slayton is currently recovering from surgery to fix a core muscle injury, but that’s a lot better than what his teammate, Malik Nabers, is rehabbing from: reconstructive knee surgery. There is zero chance Nabers will be 100% this year. In fact, the word on the street is that the Giants are worried Nabers won’t be ready for week one. The other WRs will have to pick up the slack, and one of the beneficiaries could be Slayton. With a current consensus ranking at WR 99, Slayton is practically free in drafts and might just be worthy of a late-round “dart throw”? I’m sorry I couldn’t resist, bad puns and Mark Ringo go together like peanut butter and jelly, haha!”
– Mark Ringo (Sleepers and Busts)
Malik Washington (WR – MIA)
“Malik Washington, Miami Dolphins – This is working off the assumption that ‘someone is going to have to catch the ball’ in Miami. Washington is a shifty WR who also offers upside in the running game. If his versatility makes him a focus of the Dolphins’ new offensive scheme, he’s going to be a steal at an ADP of 74.”
– Lee Wehry (FantasyPros)
Jack Bech (WR – LV)
“Jack Bech (WR – LV) | ADP WR93 (241 Overall) As the bar closes and your leaguemates are settling up their tabs, you have the chance to make the free steal of the draft by selecting second-year Las Vegas Raiders WR Jack Bech. General manager John Spytek had all the opportunities in the world to add another outside threat in the draft, including QB Fernando Mendoza‘s college teammate, WR Elijah Sarratt. Instead, they settled for Oregon Ducks WR Malik Benson in the sixth round. That keeps Bech as the team’s X receiver, and his versatility to win both inside and outside the numbers could be a match made in heaven for new head coach Klint Kubiak, who just helped Jaxon Smith-Njigba earn Offensive Player of the Year (OPOY) honors. Only seeing 29 total targets, there’s not much of a sample size to take from the former TCU Horned Frog’s rookie year. Still, in the one game where the second-round pick earned six targets, he came down with all six of them for 50 yards, totaling 11 Points Per Reception (PPR) fantasy points. It’s admittedly a total gamble, but a no-risk one with top-36 upside if you believe in Kubiak’s system and the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner as I do.”
– Seth Woolcock (FantasyPros)
Denzel Boston (WR – CLE)
“Let’s give some love to Denzel Boston! The Browns, much to our chagrin, drafted multiple high-end rookie receivers this year. While KC Concepcion had the higher draft capital, Boston was my preferred prospect, and his performance at the Browns’ OTAs shows exactly why that was the case. Concepcion has promise, but there are concerning aspects of his game – particularly his drops. Boston offers excellent hands, route versatility, and size as a true X-Receiver. Ultimately, the Browns’ quarterback issues must be resolved before we can truly trust any receiver in this offense. However, Boston is tracking to be a Week 1 starter, and the skepticism around the Browns’ offense means Boston will remain a late-round dart throw, low-risk, high-reward draft pick no matter how many hype videos we get out of training camp.”
– Tera Roberts (OddsChecker)
Jalen Nailor (WR – LV)
“Jalen Nailor walked into a nice payday this Spring considering his career production thus far, and he simultaneously walked into a room devoid of talent at the WR position. Of course, Brock Bowers is set to dominate targets in Vegas, but Nailor has a chance to carve out a fantasy-lucrative 2nd-fiddle role that could net him 100 targets in his first season in Sin City. At the cost of WR61, I’ll bet on Nailor to rekindle his relationship with Kirk Cousins and build rapport with number 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza to become the Robin to Bowers’ Batman in 2026.”
– Jeremy Shulman (Fantasy Football Universe)
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