Three Sneaky Good Options for Your Fantasy Football Squad in 2026
One of the great joys of being a football fan is sitting down with your favorite beverage, a group of your best friends in a basement or outside in the garage, and drafting your fantasy squad. It’s a tradition that is getting older and more revered since it was first created in 1962 by Bill Winkenbach, a part-owner of the then-Oakland Raiders. With the proliferation of magazine media, the Fantasy Football Index became the first paperback copy to cover nothing but points and roster lineups in 1987. Tack on the digital age, and the game based on a game has become a huge cultural phenomenon that’s only going to get larger as gambling laws become less enforced.
However, fans don’t play just for the good vibes. Like the great Herman Edwards once said, you play to win the game. As all fantasy football savants know, you have to get crafty with your selections to win said game. Whether you’re in a league with your old uncle who still thinks J.J. Watt is playing instead of broadcasting, or your younger cousin who takes Caleb Williams with his first pick because he’s on the cover of Madden 27, there are plenty of ways to get ahead of the competition. Let’s take a look at three players who may not be the biggest names, but will be available in the later rounds and still produce like a high draft pick.
Tony Pollard-Tennessee Titans
Although Dallas Cowboys fans will remember Tony Pollard for his five-year stint in Arlington, the 29-year-old running back has been the victim of being a forgotten, solid player on a terrible team. However, I’m expecting the Tennessee Titans to make a major jump this season, with Robert Saleh and Brian Daboll revamping the coaching staff while Cam Ward makes the leap fans are expecting him to make. Although a share of the stats and scoring opportunities might go to first-round draft pick Carnell Tate, Pollard still finished 2025 in the top 25 of running back production despite playing for an anemic offense and a poor offensive line. With both of those areas projected to improve significantly over last season, Pollard could be a sneaky pick most won’t make and could fit perfectly into the flex position on your team.
DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles
With A.J. Brown headed to New England in a trade earlier this summer, DeVonta Smith will now get the lion’s share of targets and receiving touchdowns. Obviously, Philadelphia’s offense will always be run-heavy behind Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley, but with a shakeup at the offensive coordinator position from Kevin Patullo to Sean Mannion, the Eagles' offense may see a breath of fresh air. Despite all the things going for the 2020 Heisman Trophy winner, many still undervalue him, with ESPN’s Eric Karabell ranking him as the 18th-best receiving option for teams in 2026. Smith’s fantasy stats didn’t jump off the page last year, as he finished as the 20th-scoring receiver in the league. However, with a change in the depth chart and a shakeup in the offense, I think ‘Smitty’ could have a huge breakout season in 2026.
Colston Loveland, Chicago Bears
Those who are in the know about Colston Loveland will properly value him, and if you’re in a league with fantasy veterans, he might be the first tight end off the board. However, if you’re in a league with casual fans or newcomers, the opportunity to snag this Bears pass catcher might come in the later rounds, after you’ve already swindled the competition to the tune of an elite all-around team. Loveland finished 2025 as the 12th highest scoring tight end in all of football, and as the Bears offense led by Ben Johnson continues to grow, so will the former Michigan Wolverine’s role in it. I could easily see him becoming something akin to what Kyle Pitts or Brock Bowers is, something of a non-conventional tight end who can be used as an offensive chess piece that absorbs targets and scoring opportunities. The 22-year-old isn’t a marquee name yet, but after this season, he definitely will be-and you don’t want to be the one to miss out.
