5 Fantasy Football Sleepers To Target In Dynasty Rookie Drafts (2026)

February 17, 2026

Dan's five fantasy football sleeper targets in late rounds of dynasty rookie drafts to accelerate team rebuilds. His top rookie sleepers to target for 2026.

Now that the Super Bowl is over, we can fully shift our attention to the 2026 offseason. Things move quickly in the NFL when it comes to the offseason. Major showcase events like the Senior Bowl have already taken place, and the NFL Combine is two weeks away.

Some dynasty managers are already preparing for their rookie drafts even though we have two months until the NFL Draft. These leagues reward fantasy managers who can identify the under-the-radar rookies who can have an impact in dynasty leagues.

Below you will find five sleepers to target in your dynasty rookie drafts from the 2026 rookie class. Be sure to check out RotoBaller’s rookie rankings to get an even better feel for how the class stacks up.

Mike Washington Jr., RB, Arkansas

If you follow along with the NFL Draft process, you may disagree that Mike Washington Jr. qualifies as a “sleeper” after an impressive Senior Bowl. However, for those who aren’t as plugged in at this point, Washington will still be a player who is under the radar.

Washington started his career with the Buffalo Bulls from 2021 to 2023, producing modestly (263 carries for 1,119 yards and 10 touchdowns with 36 receptions for 170 yards and a touchdown). He transferred to New Mexico in 2024 and improved (157 carries for 725 yards and eight touchdowns and nine receptions for 74 yards and a touchdown) before landing with Arkansas in 2025.

His final year in the SEC firmly put him on the radar as an NFL prospect. Washington posted career highs in carries (167), rushing yards (1,070), yards per carry (6.4), receptions (28), and receiving yards (226) with nine total touchdowns.

The 6-foot-2, 228-pound running back is a punishing runner who consistently gets yards after contact. He also has impressive quickness and speed, which he proved during a strong Senior Bowl week that saw him average the top speed of any player at the event.

Mike Washington Jr. (#4) Arkansas

+ Great size at 6’1” 228 pounds
+ Lower body strength helps with his contact balance and ability to break through arm tackles
+ 6.4 yards per carry in 2025
+ Decisive, downhill runner
+ Burst through the hole
+ Improved as a receiver with 226… pic.twitter.com/nnwesjWq2Z

— Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) February 4, 2026

Washington is a passable pass-catcher, but he will not be more than a checkdown option to start his career. That may limit his upside to many teams. His draft capital will likely determine whether he stays a sleeper or not, but dynasty managers who have early rookie drafts should pounce on the value while it is there.

Roman Hemby, RB, Indiana

Roman Hemby’s decision to transfer to Indiana for his final season was a good one. Not only did Hemby win a national championship, but he also had his most impressive season as a rusher operating as the lead back in the Hoosiers' rushing attack while splitting duties with Kaelon Black.

Hemby handled 230 carries for 1,120 yards (4.9 per carry) and seven touchdowns while adding 17 receptions for 165 yards. That, combined with Hemby’s production during his final three seasons at Maryland (464 carries for 2,276 yards and 20 touchdowns, plus 111 receptions for 920 yards and five touchdowns), suggests that he can make an impact at the NFL level. He had three different college seasons with at least 1,000 all-purpose yards and had at least seven touchdowns in four of five seasons.

The veteran running back likely won’t hear his name called on the first two days of the draft. Hemby will be 24 as a rookie and isn’t an explosive runner. But he is a reliable “one cut and go” style running back who can move the chains and serve as a checkdown weapon in the passing attack.

Several Day 3 running backs made an impact as a rookie in 2025. Hemby can be a version of that in this draft class.

Skyler Bell, WR, Connecticut

The University of Connecticut’s Skyler Bell led the NCAA in receiving yards during his final college season, catching 102 of 141 targets for 1,282 yards and 13 touchdowns. Bell tied with projected first-round pick Makai Lemon for second among draft-eligible receivers in yards per route run (3.13) and led the nation in yards after the catch (835).

Bell is not a physical receiver, but he consistently showed an ability to win over the top with speed and generate big plays with quickness in space after the catch. He struggled with physical defenses due to his lack of size, but could definitely have an immediate impact at the NFL level as a slot player or off-ball receiver who can get a free release.

The knocks against Bell come in the form of his underwhelming college production during his first three seasons at Wisconsin and the fact that he didn't truly have strong statistical output until transferring to Connecticut and its lower level of competition. He is also 23 years old, heading into the NFL Draft.

Bell won’t likely hear his name called until the fourth round or later, which allows him to land on a team that will be able to utilize his playmaking ability. That would make him very intriguing in fantasy in 2026 and beyond.

Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State

Fantasy managers who are drawn to wide receivers who play outside and win in contested-catch situations need to target Georgia State’s Ted Hurst late in fantasy drafts.

Hurst transferred to Georgia State in 2024 from Valdosta State and immediately emerged as the focal point of the team’s passing attack. In his two years with the Panthers, he caught 127 passes for 1,965 yards (15.5 yards per catch) and 15 touchdowns.

The receiver has a large frame (6-foot-3, 195 pounds) and excellent body control to win downfield. He isn’t the fastest receiver, but he is quick enough to force defensive backs to play him honestly so he can break off routes.

Hurst is an above-average athlete for a player his size (he appeared on Bruce Feldman's "pre-season Freaks list") and flashed the ability to win off the line of scrimmage and down the field consistently at the Senior Bowl.

Hurst still has plenty of room to grow and could struggle with cornerbacks pressing him early in his NFL career, but his skill set and physical gifts will likely make him a third-round pick in the NFL Draft, even if he is a player who most collective fantasy managers aren't aware of in their rookie drafts.

Tanner Koziol, TE, Houston

Tanner Koziol was highly productive for his first three collegiate seasons at Ball State, catching 163 passes for 1,507 yards and 18 touchdowns. He decided to transfer to Houston for his final season to try to prove he could maintain or have more production against higher-level competition. That proved to be a smart decision.

Koziol caught 74 passes for 727 yards and six touchdowns in his lone season with Houston. He led the Big 12 in receptions and had the second-best yards per catch in his collegiate career (9.8).

Tanner Koziol is a DUDE.

.@tannerkoziol88 WITH THE 6-7 CELLY 🤯 pic.twitter.com/NO1ogJ3waT

— Houston Football (@UHCougarFB) December 28, 2025

He has an absolutely massive frame, measuring in at 6-foot-7, 250 pounds. He is an impressive mover as a route runner, moving much better than expected for his size. He also has strong hands that allow him to maximize his giant frame to create mismatches.

He isn’t a very physical player (surprisingly) and doesn’t generate much after the catch. But he will be an instant red-zone weapon in the NFL due to his size and route-running ability.

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