Dave recommends 7 dynasty fantasy football sleepers, buy-low trade targets for 2026. His undervalued dynasty picks include Tory Horton, Bhayshul Tuten, more.
The dynasty fantasy football offseason is already in full swing. And with some gamers checking out following the conclusion of the NFL regular season, now is a great time to pry undervalued players away from unsuspecting owners.
Finding a few diamonds in the rough can be a great way to give your dynasty fantasy football team an edge over the rest of your league. Most of the names listed below shouldn't cost too much to acquire in trades, and several could even be great throw-in pieces as part of a larger deal.
Let's take a look at some of my favorite buy-low fantasy football dynasty trade targets and sleepers. Make sure you’re following RotoBaller on X and download the RotoBaller app for all your dynasty fantasy football needs. Here are seven undervalued players you should consider acquiring in your 2026 dynasty football leagues.
Editor's Note: The FFPC Playoff Challenge #2 is back with a massive $100,000 grand prize and $203,250 total prize pool, paying down to 100th place. Here's the deal: no salary cap, no draft, no pickups, no subs. Choose 8 players, and as NFL teams get knocked out so will your players, so choose your team wisely. The entries will sell out quickly, and registrations will close on Saturday January 17th at 4:30 pm ET . Don't wait - get your team now and end your fantasy football season with a shot at $100,000! Sign Up Now!
Jonathon Brooks, RB, Carolina Panthers
Brooks is a completely forgotten name in some dynasty circles. He was seen as the top running back in the 2024 NFL Draft, but was slow recovering from a torn ACL he suffered during his senior season at Texas.
Unfortunately, when Brooks did finally see the field as a rookie in 2024, he re-tore his ACL.
Panthers RB Jonathon Brooks is down on the field with what appears to be a non-contact injury.
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) December 8, 2024
With Rico Dowdle set to hit free agency and being unhappy with his role close to the 2025 season, we can probably assume he won't return to Carolina in 2026. That leaves the door wide open for Brooks to potentially carve out a role in this backfield.
We know head coach Dave Canales prefers to use two backs in his offense, and the current regime had zero issues taking Brooks in Round 2 despite his original ACL injury. For all we know, Brooks could still be in the team's long-term plans.
Brooks is currently ranked as the dynasty RB53 on KeepTradeCut, and his estimated trade value is a 2026 third-round pick. Realistically, you might land him cheaper than that since he's coming off a second ACL tear in the same knee.
Who knows how Brooks will look when he returns to the field, but he's certainly worth a cheap flyer for running back-needy managers.
Kyle Williams, WR, New England Patriots
Williams only posted a 10-209-3 line during his rookie season. However, he did flash big-play ability.
Drake Maye TO KYLE WILLIAMS.
NEvsBAL on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/ToEf565k29— NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2025
Stefon Diggs, who functioned as New England's de facto WR1 this past year, is now 32-years old and averaged less than 12 yards per reception for the third straight year. New England has an out in Diggs' contract and can move off the veteran receiver while incurring just a $9.7 million dead cap hit. Diggs also has a pending legal case, which could also impact its status with the team. There is a path (albeit a narrow one) for Williams to emerge as New England's WR1 in 2026.
Williams is a good trade target since his rookie-year stats don't blow you away. That could lead to an inexperienced owner selling short on a talented player.
Kyle Williams turned the JETS ON 🏎️
📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/s1Krwc6jG3
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) November 9, 2025
There's some risk here, as New England may make a move for a wide receiver in the offseason. However, the risk in acquiring Williams is certainly worth the potential rewards.
Jalen Coker, WR, Carolina Panthers
I wrote about Coker multiple times last offseason and highlighted him as a player to buy in dynasty leagues. Unfortunately, he suffered a quad injury in training camp, and it caused him to miss the first six weeks of the season.
From there, he only posted a 33-394-3 line on 43 targets in 11 games. However, Coker stepped up in a big way in Carolina's Wild Card loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Coker posted a 9-134-1 line on 12 targets and looked like a bona fide stud.
YOUNG. COKER. @PANTHERS LEAD ONCE AGAIN!
LARvsCAR on FOX/FOX One
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/9V5X60bAJL— NFL (@NFL) January 11, 2026
The only bad part about that performance? It elevated Coker from relative obscurity to the national spotlight and increased his trade value.
That will make acquiring him in trades much more difficult than last offseason. However, it could be worth it. Coker once again showed he can be a valuable asset and is the real deal as an NFL receiver. He enters 2026 as a third-year breakout candidate and is primed for a career year.
Bryce Young as his quarterback will surely scare off some folks, but don't make that mistake. Coker is a talented player, and it's usually a good move to chase talent in dynasty football.
Tory Horton, WR, Seattle Seahawks
Horton was one of my favorite sleepers from the 2025 rookie class. While his rookie season was cut short due to injury, he flashed enough upside to show that he can emerge as a playmaker in 2026.
Tory Horton’s 1st career catch is a touchdown!
SEAvsPIT on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/rCS74Ca0gA
— NFL (@NFL) September 14, 2025
For whatever it's worth, offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak had an eye-popping comparison for the young receiver.
I asked Klint Kubiak if he’s coached a rookie WR that reminded him of Tory Horton. He initially declined to name the player, and then revealed who he was talking about:
Justin Jefferson pic.twitter.com/9VeTZTt14I
— Brian Nemhauser (@hawkblogger) September 23, 2025
Okay, so does this mean Horton will transform into Justin Jefferson? No.
But does this tell us a bit about his talent and theoretical upside? Absolutely.
Horton has not played since November, so his name may be flying under the radar in some leagues. If you're looking to move off an aging wide receiver, Horton is a great player to target in return, along with draft pick compensation.
With Cooper Kupp looking washed and Seattle being able to move from him for just $8 in dead cap money, there is a realistic scenario where Horton begins 2026 as Seattle's WR2.
When you're done reading this article, check in with the Horton manager and see if you can work a deal to get him on your team. Mark my words. When we get to redraft season in August, Horton will be a very popular sleeper for analysts everywhere. So get ahead of things now, and get Horton on your team.
Cole Kmet, TE, Chicago Bears
Colston Loveland's emergence has left Kmet as a forgotten man in Chicago's offense. It's funny how fast things can change. Not too long ago, Kmet signed a four-year, $50 million contract with the Bears and was locked in as the team's TE1. Now he's taken a backseat to a more explosive rookie.
Chicago has an out in Kmet's contract this offseason. The team can move on and eat just $3.2 million in dead money. That seems like a very likely scenario.
Kmet would be a nice get in free agency for a tight end-needy team. He already has two TE1 finishes to his name. If he gets a good landing spot, he could be a great asset in tight end premium leagues. If you're lacking depth at tight end, Kmet is a good player to acquire in the hopes he lands a starting job elsewhere this offseason.
Make your move now because if Chicago moves on from Kmet down the line, it'll be more expensive to acquire him then.
Kirk Cousins, QB, Atlanta Falcons
This next one applies exclusively to superflex dynasty leagues. While Cousins' name will surely send some people running to the closest toilet, he could very well land a job as a starter this offseason.
The incoming rookie quarterback class is very weak, and there are a number of teams looking for a starting quarterback. Cousins recently re-worked his contract with Atlanta, and that means he could be a viable trade candidate.
While Cousins's raw stats from 2025 won't blow you away, he did test well in several advanced metrics. Among 45 quarterbacks with 100+ dropbacks, Cousins ranked:
- 9th in highly accurate throw percentage per Fantasy Points Data Suite
- 14th in PFF passing grade
- 17th in catchable throw percentage per Fantasy Points Data Suite
The notion that Cousins is washed might be a tad premature. Even though he was benched in 2024, he was still recovering from a torn Achilles tendon, and it was well known that he was not fully comfortable in offensive coordinator Zac Robinson's offense.
If Cousins lands with the right team this offseason, he could surprise gamers in a big way. A reunion with Kevin O'Connell and the Minnesota Vikings could do the trick.
Cousins won't be too expensive to land in a trade, and is a great player to target as a potential cheap QB3.
Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Tuten only ran for 307 rushing yards as a rookie, but he displayed good power and tantalizing upside.
Bhayshul Tuten scores his first NFL TD!
JAXvsCIN on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/B4EmYon3L8
— NFL (@NFL) September 14, 2025
Among 55 running backs with 80+ attempts, Tuten ranked:
- 5th in rushing success rate per Fantasy Points Data Suite
- 11th in missed tackles forced per attempt per Fantasy Points Data Suite
- 14th in PFF's elusive rating
- 17th in yards after contact per attempt per Fantasy Points Data Suite
What's also noteworthy is that Tuten finished above Travis Etienne Jr. in every single one of these metrics. That is significant because Etienne is currently set to hit free agency this offseason, and it is unknown if Jacksonville will sign Etienne to a long-term contract.
Etienne ran for 1,107 yards this past season, but once again struggled with inefficiency and inconsistent play. Remember, Jaguars general manager James Gladstone specifically brought up Tuten's name during his initial general manager interviews as a player to target on Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Tuten clearly took a backseat to Etienne this past year. However, with Etienne turning 27 years old in a few days, it is unclear whether this regime is willing to offer an extension to an older back. The club selected Tuten for a reason, and while his 2025 wasn't anything special, he could still be a huge part of their long-term plans. That makes him worth gambling on in a trade.
Check in with the Tuten manager in your league and see where they stand. With a little luck, they might be unaware that Etienne is an upcoming free agent, or perhaps they soured on Tuten after a meh rookie season.
Either way, if you're willing to roll the dice, you might just land the RB1 in a Liam Coen offense. Traditionally, that's been a player you want on your dynasty team.
More Dynasty Fantasy Football Analysis
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!
RADIO




