Every fantasy football manager is searching for the same thing on draft day. Not just good players. Not just starters. League winners.
The players who outperform their draft cost, become weekly lineup staples, and help separate championship rosters from the rest of the league.
In a recent FantasyPros discussion, Joey P, Derek Brown, and Pat Fitzmaurice highlighted a group of players they believe can deliver exactly that kind of impact in 2026. Some are established stars. Others are mid-round values or late-round lottery tickets. What they all have in common is a realistic path to dramatically outperforming expectations.
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12 Potential Fantasy Football League Winners for 2026 Drafts
Here are the biggest fantasy football league-winning candidates discussed on the show.
Brock Bowers (TE – LV)
It’s rare for a tight end to create a positional advantage large enough to swing leagues.
The panel believes Brock Bowers has that type of upside.
Pat Fitzmaurice compared Bowers’ potential fantasy edge to the advantage Travis Kelce provided during his peak seasons. The argument starts with production. Even as a rookie, Bowers posted elite receiving numbers and finished among the league leaders in targets, receptions, and receiving yards across all pass catchers.
The discussion emphasized that he accomplished that despite inconsistent quarterback play and an offense that struggled throughout the season.
Now the expectation is that improved offensive structure, better quarterback play, and a lack of established target competition could allow Bowers to push for another massive workload.
If that happens, he may once again create a meaningful scoring gap between himself and the rest of the tight end position.
Colston Loveland (TE – CHI)
If Bowers is the premium option, Colston Loveland may be the best value.
The enthusiasm throughout the discussion was impossible to miss.
Derek Brown highlighted Loveland’s production during the final stretch of last season, noting elite target share numbers, receiving efficiency, and first-read involvement. In several key metrics, Loveland’s late-season performance compared favorably to elite fantasy tight end campaigns.
The analysts repeatedly referenced his ability to function as Chicago’s true No. 1 receiving option.
That possibility is what makes him so appealing.
If Loveland continues building on his late-season breakout, his current draft cost could look like a bargain by midseason.
Omarion Hampton (RB – LAC)
Omarion Hampton generated some of the strongest support of any running back discussed.
The analysts pointed to a combination of talent, opportunity, and offensive environment.
While Hampton’s rookie season wasn’t flawless, he flashed both rushing and receiving upside while playing behind an offensive line that dealt with significant issues. The expectation is that a healthier supporting cast and a larger role could unlock another level of production.
The receiving component is particularly important.
The panel repeatedly mentioned Hampton’s pass-catching ability and the possibility that he becomes a true three-down back. If that happens, his fantasy ceiling could quickly rise into elite territory.
Several analysts indicated they would prioritize Hampton over more established running backs being drafted in a similar range.
A.J. Brown (WR – NE)
The analysts believe fantasy managers may be underestimating just how much upside exists in A.J. Brown‘s new situation.
The discussion focused heavily on projected passing volume and touchdown opportunities.
Brown has consistently produced at a high level throughout his career, but the belief is that increased passing volume could elevate him back into the elite fantasy receiver tier.
Derek Brown pointed to improvements in offensive philosophy and red-zone passing opportunities as reasons for optimism. There was also confidence that Brown remains one of the league’s premier target earners despite concerns about age or changing teams.
For a player with an already elite track record, additional volume creates an intriguing fantasy ceiling.
Jaylen Waddle (WR – DEN)
Jaylen Waddle may be one of the most polarizing names on this list.
Fantasy managers have been disappointed before.
The panel thinks that frustration is creating value.
The discussion centered around Denver’s willingness to throw the football and Waddle’s ability to earn targets at an elite rate. Derek Brown repeatedly emphasized that Waddle’s underlying efficiency metrics remained strong despite playing in a less favorable offensive environment previously.
The move to Denver could unlock substantially more volume.
That’s the key.
The analysts weren’t arguing that Waddle suddenly became a better player. They were arguing that fantasy managers may be overlooking how much opportunity can change production.
Jaylen Warren (RB – PIT)
Jaylen Warren doesn’t fit the traditional league-winner profile.
That’s exactly why he may be interesting.
Pat Fitzmaurice argued that Warren’s pass-catching ability, pass protection skills, and overall versatility make him a strong fit for Pittsburgh’s offense. The discussion repeatedly referenced the possibility that Warren becomes the primary receiving back and potentially the most trusted option in key situations.
If that role expands further, his current draft cost could become one of the better values at running back.
While questions remain about workload distribution, the analysts clearly preferred Warren’s profile over the alternatives in Pittsburgh’s backfield.
Christian Watson (WR – GB)
Few players embody the concept of risk versus reward better than Christian Watson.
The talent has never been the issue.
The health has.
The discussion highlighted Watson’s efficiency during the second half of last season, when he operated as Green Bay’s most productive receiver. Even with limited route participation, he produced elite efficiency metrics and consistently generated explosive plays.
The opportunity may be even greater now.
With target competition reduced, the analysts see a realistic path toward Watson operating as Green Bay’s primary receiving option.
If he stays healthy, the upside is significant.
Kyle Monangai (RB – CHI)
Kyle Monangai is one of the more interesting mid-round running back bets discussed on the show.
The appeal comes from role expansion.
While he already carved out meaningful work as a rookie, the panel believes there is a realistic chance Monangai earns a larger share of Chicago’s rushing workload.
Ben Johnson‘s offensive system was a recurring theme throughout the discussion. The analysts highlighted both the quality of the running game design and the possibility that Monangai eventually claims the most valuable rushing opportunities.
Even without a full takeover, additional goal-line and early-down work could dramatically increase his fantasy value.
Matthew Golden (WR – GB)
Matthew Golden represents a different type of league-winning target.
He’s a bet on opportunity.
The discussion focused on Green Bay’s changing receiver hierarchy and the possibility of greater target consolidation this season. While Golden’s rookie production was limited, the analysts pointed to encouraging efficiency metrics and an expanding path to playing time.
The biggest takeaway was simple.
Golden doesn’t need to become the Packers’ No. 1 receiver to outperform his draft position.
If his role grows as expected, fantasy managers could find themselves holding one of the better late-round receiver values.
Jonathon Brooks (RB – CAR)
Jonathon Brooks may be one of the most fascinating late-round running back targets in fantasy football.
The analysts repeatedly stressed patience.
After an extended recovery process and a cautious organizational approach, Brooks enters this season with a chance to finally establish himself within Carolina’s offense.
The discussion highlighted both his age and pedigree, while also emphasizing that the team appears committed to giving him opportunities.
If Brooks eventually earns lead-back duties, his current draft cost could become one of the biggest values on the board.
Demond Claiborne (RB – MIN)
Late-round running backs are often about contingency value.
That’s exactly what makes Demond Claiborne intriguing.
The panel discussed his speed, versatility, and fit within Minnesota’s offensive system. While his immediate role may be limited, there are several realistic scenarios where his opportunity grows over the course of the season.
The appeal isn’t immediate production.
It’s the possibility that Claiborne becomes far more valuable by November than he is on draft day.
Ricky Pearsall (WR – SF)
Ricky Pearsall might be the most polarizing player discussed.
The talent is evident.
The results simply haven’t fully arrived yet.
The analysts pointed to strong efficiency metrics, impressive route-running numbers, and multiple flashes of production when healthy. Injuries have complicated the evaluation, but there was widespread belief that fantasy managers may be overreacting to those setbacks.
That’s creating a buying opportunity.
At his current draft cost, Pearsall offers a level of upside that few receivers in his range can match.
If he finally puts together a healthy season, the breakout many have been waiting for could arrive.
Fantasy Football Takeaways
- Brock Bowers (TE – LV) has the potential to create a significant positional advantage at tight end.
- Colston Loveland (TE – CHI) was one of the most aggressively endorsed players discussed and could challenge for elite tight end production.
- Omarion Hampton (RB – LAC) offers three-down upside in an offense expected to maximize his receiving ability.
- A.J. Brown (WR – NE) could benefit from increased passing volume and touchdown opportunities.
- Jaylen Waddle (WR – DEN) may be one of the best bounce-back candidates based on projected offensive volume.
- Jaylen Warren (RB – PIT) has a path to outperform his draft cost through receiving work and versatility.
- Christian Watson (WR – GB) remains a high-upside swing if he can stay healthy.
- Kyle Monangai (RB – CHI) could see his role grow significantly in Chicago’s running game.
- Matthew Golden (WR – GB) benefits from increased opportunity and potential target consolidation.
- Jonathon Brooks (RB – CAR) remains an intriguing stash with long-term upside.
- Demond Claiborne (RB – MIN) is a late-round lottery ticket worth monitoring.
- Ricky Pearsall (WR – SF) offers substantial upside at his current draft cost if he stays healthy.
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