Every fantasy football season delivers a few players who go from “interesting sleeper” to “why didn’t I draft this guy everywhere?” Identifying those breakouts before the rest of your league catches on is one of the easiest ways to gain an edge on draft day.
We asked our Featured Pros to highlight early breakout candidates for 2026. Some of their answers are trendy names already climbing draft boards. Others might still be flying under the radar… for now.
Here are the players our experts believe could be this year’s “I swear I meant to draft him” stars.
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Early Fantasy Football Breakout Candidates
Bhayshul Tuten (RB – JAC)
“Travis Etienne‘s departure clears the path for a breakout for Jaguars RB Bhayshul Tuten. He was an exciting prospect, excelling in key metrics like yards after contact and missed tackles forced per attempt at Virginia Tech. And he flashed at times as a rookie last year. Most importantly, HC Liam Coen returns to lead Jacksonville’s offense. Over the past two seasons, he’s orchestrated a big rookie season from Bucky Irving in Tampa Bay and then a rebound season from Etienne. Tuten is next in line to benefit from Coen’s top-notch scheme.”
– Jared Smola (Draft Sharks)
“Bhayshul Tuten can have a breakout sophomore campaign. The Saints signed Travis Etienne to a hefty contract, and the Jaguars didn’t add any of the top free agents at the position. Instead, they made the modest addition of Chris Rodriguez, but Tuten is positioned to lead Jacksonville’s backfield. Tuten didn’t light up the NFL in his rookie season, but among 65 running backs with at least 50 rush attempts in the 2025 regular season and playoffs, Tuten was third in success rate (59.8%) and fifth in stuff rate (37.9%), per the Fantasy Points data suite. His short-yardage prowess bodes well for his goal-line and touchdown outlook, and he should see a sizable uptick in rushing work between the 20s after Etienne’s departure.”
– Josh Shepardson (FantasyPros)
“Bhayshul Tuten. The Jaguars let veteran RB Travis Etienne walk in free agency, and while they signed between-the-tackles grinder Chris Rodriguez on Tuesday and might add another RB in the draft, Tuten figures to play a larger role in 2026 after averaging 6.2 touches a game as a rookie. Tuten has 4.32 speed and doesn’t go down easily. He averaged 3.31 yards after contact per attempt last season, which ranked 13th among RBs with at least 70 carries. Liam Coen has been a rainmaker for RBs recently, presiding over a breakout season for Bucky Irving as the Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator in 2024 and helping orchestrate a big season for Etienne in 2025. Tuten could be the next RB to pop in Coen’s system.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
“Bhayshul Tuten is one of the running backs with a legitimate breakout path in 2026. Travis Etienne is now in New Orleans, and the only addition to the backfield has been Chris Rodriguez, a physical depth option who profiles more as a complementary runner than a workload threat. Tuten’s rookie efficiency was quietly strong despite heavy short-yardage usage, posting an 81% success rate in those situations while finishing 5th in rushing success rate, 11th in missed tackles forced per attempt, and 17th in yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasypoints data). We also saw the upside flash in the playoffs when he ripped off consecutive runs of 20, 14, and 13 yards. If his role expands in Year 2, the underlying efficiency profile suggests the explosive production could and should follow.”
– James Emrick-Wilson (The Armchair Sports Corner)
“The easy candidate here is Bhayshul Tuten. Last year, on a per-touch basis, he was amazing, ranking fifth in rushing success rate, 11th in missed tackles forced per attempt, and 17th in yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). Tuten will have to contend with Chris Rodriguez for early down work, but I still think he will see 60-65% of the opportunities in this backfield. If that happens, he is a top 15 back in 2026 with RB1 upside.”
– Derek Brown (FantasyPros)
Omarion Hampton (RB – LAC)
“Omarion Hampton was dominant in college and showed flashes throughout an injury-marred rookie season. Now healthy and without Najee Harris in town to steal touches (while still having a solid RB2 in Kimani Vidal to keep him fresh), he should see the lion’s share of touches all year. New OC Mike McDaniel made his name with run-game design, bringing the scheme into the new age. Alec Ingold, Charlie Kolar, and Tyler Biadasz boost the run game massively, bringing competence and more 12 personnel to the front. Hampton has legitimate RB1 potential next to Justin Herbert and Co.!”
– Joseph Harlow (Fantasy In Frames)
“It’s Omarion Hampton szn in 2026. This is quite possibly the easiest call in fantasy at the moment, and here’s why. First, Mike McDaniel is a run-scheme savant who successfully utilized not only De’Von Achane in Miami but also Ollie Gordon. We know John Harbaugh loves a run-first approach, and the Chargers have leaned into this during free agency, signing a top center in Tyler Biadasz and a guard from Miami in Cole Strange; re-signing swing tackle/guard Trevor Penning; and inking big bodies in TE Charlie Kolar and FB Alec Ingold. The focus is on blocking and the play-action passing game. But for Herbert to see success once again in this system, Hampton will be the focal point in the run game and earn a good portion of checkdown work. While he will split some of the backfield, he’ll be the 1A and goal line back on the offense most likely to bounce back from a year ago.”
– Jeremy Shulman (Fantasy Football Universe)
“Omarion Hampton was starting to pick up steam until a serious ankle injury in Week 5 forced him onto the IR for 7 weeks. He was also missing both of his left tackles and had one of the worst offensive lines in the league. The offensive line gets back huge pieces and has added more this offseason. The addition of Mike McDaniel, a fullback and a great blocking tight end. Love Hampton’s outlook for 2026.”
– David Heilman (Dynasty Trade Calculator)
“Omarion Hampton has one of the best chances for a Year 2 breakout with the Chargers. The addition of OC Mike McDaniel’s run scheme and a healthier offensive line could help propel Hampton into superstardom. As a rookie, he flashed efficiency with six double-digit fantasy games in just nine contests. With a larger workload expected, Hampton has a clear path to finishing as an RB1 in 2026.”
– Steven Pintado (QB List)
“Omarion Hampton finished his rookie season as RB16 in PPG in 9 games played, but he suffered from a tough situation. The Chargers were gutted by injuries on their offensive line and to their starting QB. The rookie RB dealt with his own injuries as well. But Hampton flashed enough upside to be worth buying into as a fantasy RB1 breakout behind a healthier/revamped OL in 2026 with Mike McDaniel stepping in as the Chargers’ new offensive coordinator. The former UNC product played four games with a 79% plus snap share, averaging 17.5 PPG. The Bolts RB received bell-cow level usage, averaging 17.3 touches per game (tied for top-12 at the position). Also played four games with five or more catches (7th in receptions per game at 3.6). PFF ranked him as the 8th-best graded rusher, finishing 11th in yards after contact per attempt (3.34).”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)
Ashton Jeanty (RB – LV)
“Ashton Jeanty every day of the week, and twice on Sunday. While Jeanty’s 2025 was disappointing, the signs are there that 2026 will be the year Jeanty comes good for Las Vegas. One, Klint Kubiak coming in to lead a new, dynamic offense, will help get Jeanty more opportunities to contribute. Two, the Raiders are addressing the glaring weaknesses of their offensive line this offseason, having spent record dollars to sign C Tyler Linderbaum from Baltimore. Three, the Raiders will be drafting Fernando Mendoza to be their next franchise quarterback, and the Raiders will have to lean on their run game to help get Mendoza comfortable. The combination of improved offensive line and quarterback play will surely give Jeanty the platform required to have a monster second season in 2026.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)
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