Every dynasty rookie draft has a handful of league-winners who were never first-round picks. More often than not, those players announce themselves in Mobile. The Senior Bowl is where production, role clarity, and NFL trust start to form, especially for wide receivers and tight ends projected for Day 2 or Day 3. This year’s class has a strong group of under-the-radar pass catchers who are not consensus rookie draft priorities yet, but absolutely should be on dynasty radars. Below are six Senior Bowl participants who profile as classic dynasty rookie draft sleepers.
- 2026 NFL Draft Guide
- 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
- Best Fantasy Football Tools
- Dynasty Rookie Mock Drafts
Dynasty Rookie Draft Sleepers
Let’s dive into a few dynasty rookie draft sleepers to watch at the 2026 Senior Bowl.
Ted Hurst (WR – Georgia State)
Hurst is the purest sleeper in this group. Georgia State’s offense was a mess, but Hurst still dominated targets, producing nearly 2,000 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns over the last two seasons despite cycling through quarterbacks.
What stands out on film is how physical he plays for a leaner frame. He breaks tackles, plays through contact, and consistently wins downfield. His route tree is more developed than you’d expect from a Sun Belt receiver, and his ability to sink his hips at his size gives him real NFL appeal.
If Hurst holds his own against Power Five corners in Mobile, his draft capital floor rises quickly. That would put him firmly in play as a third-round dynasty rookie pick with real upside.
Kevin Coleman Jr. (WR – Missouri)
Coleman is the type of player dynasty managers often dismiss too quickly because he’s labeled “slot-only.” That label matters far less in today’s NFL.
Coleman thrives against zone coverage, forces missed tackles, and plays with the toughness of a running back after the catch. What separates him from many slot specialists is his ability to track the ball downfield and win vertically when given the opportunity.
At the Senior Bowl, expect Coleman to shine in one-on-ones and team drills. His skill set translates cleanly to PPR formats, and he profiles as a player who could return flex value early in his career if he earns a defined role.
Lane flew under the radar nationally because he shared the field with a true star at USC, but his role in Lincoln Riley’s offense matters. At 6-foot-4, Lane consistently won in the red zone and showed strong ball skills on contested targets.
He’s not a high-end separator, but he understands leverage, timing, and how to position his body at the catch point. That makes him a classic “late separator” who can still be productive in the NFL if paired with a quarterback willing to trust him.
From a dynasty perspective, Lane profiles as a touchdown-driven receiver who could outperform his rookie draft slot if he lands in the right situation.
Caleb Douglas (WR – Texas Tech)
Douglas is not flashy, and that’s exactly why he’s a sleeper. He’s a pro-ready wide receiver who understands spacing, route nuance, and how to win against zone coverage.
While his athletic ceiling is limited, Douglas can play both outside and as a big slot. He’s reliable at the catch point, capable of contributing after the catch, and versatile enough to stick on an NFL roster early.
In dynasty leagues with deep benches or taxi squads, Douglas is the type of player worth stashing late. He may never be a star, but he has a realistic path to snaps and usable weeks.
Koziol’s production profile is impossible to ignore. He piled up receptions at Ball State before transferring to Houston and immediately leading the Big 12 in catches.
Athletic limitations cap his fantasy ceiling, but Koziol’s blocking ability gives him a strong chance to see the field early in his NFL career. He’s reliable against zone coverage and offers positional versatility as an inline or slot tight end.
In tight end premium formats, players like Koziol often gain value simply by playing. He’s a smart late-round dynasty bet.
Joly plays with an edge that coaches love. He’s physical as a blocker, competitive at the catch point, and difficult to bring down once the ball is in his hands.
The concern is athleticism. Joly doesn’t threaten defenses vertically, and his lack of long speed limits his ceiling. Still, he does enough well to project as a reliable tight end two at the NFL level.
For dynasty managers, that makes him a deep sleeper in tight end premium leagues or a post-draft waiver add worth monitoring.
Dynasty Takeaways
- Ted Hurst is a priority sleeper who could leap into Day 2 draft capital with a strong Senior Bowl
- Kevin Coleman Jr. profiles as a PPR-friendly slot receiver with sneaky vertical ability
- Ja’Kobi Lane offers touchdown upside and could outperform his rookie draft slot
- Caleb Douglas is a classic taxi-squad stash with early-career snap potential
- Tanner Koziol and Justin Joly are tight end premium targets who gain value through playing time
- Senior Bowl performances often reshape rookie draft tiers, especially for Day 2 and Day 3 players
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