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Brandon Murchison's fantasy football rookie sleepers for dynasty leagues at the 2026 NFL Combine. His NFL Combine preview and guide for rookies inn 2026.
The NFL Draft process is a high-stakes evaluation gauntlet where tape, production, and intangibles often define a prospect's initial positional ranking. Yet for many skill-position players -- wide receivers, running backs, and tight ends -- who fly under the radar due to smaller school backgrounds, inconsistent surrounding talent, or limited highlight reels, the scouting combine and pro days represent a transformative opportunity. These under-the-radar athletes arrive with modest predraft buzz, often buried in Day 3 projections or even undrafted free-agent consideration, but explosive testing numbers can instantly rewrite their narratives and propel them up draft boards.
Athletic testing at the combine -- particularly the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, broad jump, and shuttle drills -- provides objective, comparable data that teams crave for skill players, where burst, speed, and explosiveness translate directly to on-field separation and big-play potential. A sub-4.4 40 or elite jumps from an otherwise overlooked prospect can spark immediate reevaluation, as scouts weigh raw traits against film limitations. Recent cycles have repeatedly showcased this phenomenon: lesser-known running backs from non-Power 5 programs or wide receivers with solid but not spectacular college statistics have vaulted into mid-round conversations after posting elite metrics, transforming "sleeper" labels into legitimate draft capital.
This dynamic underscores a broader truth in the modern NFL Draft: while on-field production remains king, exceptional testing performances offer a shortcut to visibility in a crowded class. For under-the-radar skill-position talents, a strong showing in Indianapolis or at a pro day doesn't just confirm athleticism -- it creates momentum, generates buzz among decision-makers, and often elevates them from afterthoughts to priority targets, proving that in the draft landscape, raw explosiveness can sometimes outweigh everything else in reshaping positional hierarchies. In this article, I highlight the names of a few prospects who may be lesser known to the casual fantasy manager now, but in a couple of weeks could be players who you will find yourself ready to invest in during rookie draft season.
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Le'Veon Moss - RB, Texas A&M
Le'Veon Moss is an intriguing dynasty RB prospect who will be heading into the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine after a productive but injury-shortened senior year at Texas A&M. The 5'11", 210-pound back rushed for 404 yards and six TDs on 77 carries (5.2 YPC) in just seven games in 2025 before an ankle issue sidelined him.
He built on a strong 2024 junior campaign with 765 yards and 10 TDs on 121 carries (6.3 YPC), plus 10 receptions for 141 yards, earning All-SEC Second Team honors and showing three-down potential with solid vision, burst, and receiving chops out of the backfield.
His NFL Combine testing is expected to showcase good speed (low-4.4s 40-yard projections from his athletic background) and explosiveness, helping solidify his stock as a Day 2 or early Day 3 pick in a competitive RB class, despite durability concerns.
In dynasty formats, Moss profiles as a high-upside RB2/3 with RB1 flashes in the right situation -- think a physical, efficient early down grinder who can handle 15+ touches and contribute in PPR as a pass-catcher if he stays healthy. He's a strong mid-to-late second or early third-round rookie draft target for managers chasing workhorse traits and big-play ability -- especially if he lands in a run-heavy offense like Minnesota or a committee spot with volume upside.
Overall, Moss's All-SEC production, athletic profile, and three-down skills make him a worthwhile stash with real breakout potential beyond 2026, provided the injury history doesn't linger.
Robert Henry Jr. - RB, UTSA
Robert Henry Jr. is a compelling late-round dynasty rookie target out of UTSA, where he broke out in 2025 with 1,051 rushing yards and nine TDs on just 151 carries (6.9 YPC), plus 18 receptions for 114 yards and two scores despite missing a couple of games to injury.
At 5'9" and around 205 pounds, he's a compact, explosive back with serious big-play ability -- think home-run hits like his multiple 70+ yard runs and a 74-yard receiving TD -- making him a perfect fit for third-down or change-of-pace roles that can deliver fantasy-relevant bursts in PPR formats.
His strong showing at the East-West Shrine Bowl, coupled with a solid NFL Combine performance, should help elevate him from deep sleeper to a legitimate Day 3 prospect in a thinner 2026 RB class. In dynasty leagues, Henry's receiving upside and efficiency metrics (high breakaway rate, strong YPC) give him upside as a FLEX contributor or even RB2 potential if he lands in a creative offense that can draw up touches in space.
He's the kind of undervalued athletic profile that can pay off big if he sticks on a roster. Grab him in the late second or third round of rookie drafts if the landing spot screams opportunity, but don't sleep on him as a stash with RB handcuff or committee appeal right away.
Overall, Henry brings the juice and three-down traits to become a sneaky dynasty producer for patient managers hunting for 2026 hidden gems.
Reggie Virgil - WR, Texas Tech
Reggie Virgil is a sneaky dynasty WR prospect who is gaining somewhat of a groundswell heading into the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine after a productive transfer year at Texas Tech. The 6'3", 190-pound senior led the team with 57 receptions for 705 yards and six TDs in 2025 (12.4 YPR), adding two rushing scores and showing nice red-zone reliability.
He built on a breakout 2024 at Miami (OH) with 41 catches for 816 yards and nine TDs at nearly 20 YPR, proving he can stretch the field vertically while winning contested catches and adding some YAC.
His NFL Combine performance will be key as he is expected to show good speed (low-4.4s range projection) and athletic traits to boost his profile after earning buzz from Senior Bowl reps and positioning him as a likely Day 2 or early Day 3 pick in a competitive WR class.
In dynasty leagues, Virgil offers high-floor WR3/4 upside with potential WR2 flashes in PPR formats if he lands in an offense that targets him consistently -- think polished route runner with size for the boundary and intermediate areas. He's a strong mid-to-late second or third-round rookie draft target for managers seeking volume receivers with red-zone and alignment versatility --especially if his landing spot features a QB who spreads the ball.
Overall, Virgil's consistency, physical tools, and production make him a sneaky value stash with real contributor potential in the 2026 rookie class.
Skyler Bell - WR, UConn
Skyler Bell is an emerging dynasty WR prospect with true upside entering the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine after a massive breakout as a redshirt senior at UConn. He exploded for 101 receptions, 1,278 yards, and 13 TDs in 2025 -- setting program records and earning consensus All-American honors as a Biletnikoff finalist.
The 6'0", 185-190 pound slot/motion specialist transferred from Wisconsin, where he had modest production, but showed elite YAC ability, smooth route running, and big-play flashes (including long catches and strong hands in traffic) that made him one of the nation's top receivers.
His NFL Combine testing is expected to confirm solid speed (with projections in the low-4.4s range) and athleticism, which will boost his stock as a likely Day 2 pick (second to third round) in a loaded WR class, despite being an older prospect at 23.
In dynasty formats, Bell profiles as a potential immediate WR3/4 with WR2 upside in PPR leagues -- think high-volume target hog who thrives in the slot, creates after the catch, and piles up fantasy points in creative offenses. He's a strong second-round rookie draft target (or late first in deeper leagues) for managers chasing polished, productive receivers with real NFL buzz from his Senior Bowl standout performance -- especially if he lands with a pass-heavy team that schemes him open.
Overall, Bell's sudden emergence as an elite prospect and his impressive traits make him a sneaky high-floor stash with serious breakout potential in the 2026 rookie class.
Justin Joly - TE, NC State
Justin Joly is a promising dynasty TE prospect entering the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine after a strong senior season at NC State. The 6'3", 251-pound pass-catcher posted 49 receptions for 489 yards and seven TDs in 2025 -- showing reliable hands, a big catch radius, and red-zone prowess as a first-team All-ACC performer.
He built on a breakout 2024 campaign (43 catches, 661 yards, four TDs at 15.4 YPR) after transferring from UConn, where he was a volume target with consistent production during the 2023 campaign.
His NFL Combine testing should highlight excellent athleticism (projected mid-4.7s 40 range) for the position and route-running polish, positioning him as a late Day 2 pick (likely third round) in a solid but not elite TE class.
In dynasty formats, Joly profiles as a high-floor TE2/3 with TE1 upside in TE-premium leagues -- think a move tight end who excels in the slot or seam, piles up targets in favorable offenses, and offers immediate receiving value over pure blockers.
He's a strong mid-to-late second-round rookie draft target (or early third in shallower formats) for managers chasing versatile pass-catching TEs with red-zone appeal -- especially if he lands in a creative system like Miami, Cincinnati, or Denver that features multi-TE sets.
Overall, Joly's production, youth, and traits make him a sneaky value stash with real starter potential in the 2026 rookie class.
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