As we move toward the end of organized team activities (OTAs) and closer to mandatory minicamps, fantasy football values will continue to shift. Once minicamp wraps up, we’ll enter a slow period before training camp opens in late July.
Using CBS PPR average draft position (ADP), I have identified six players who stand out as values heading into the summer.
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Christian Watson (WR – GB) | ADP: 65
Don’t let Christian Watson’s injury history persuade you to fade him in 2026. He’s ranked as a WR3, but if he stays healthy, he has WR1 upside. Watson missed the first seven weeks last season, recovering from a torn ACL the prior season. In the final 10 games played, he scored 18+ PPR fantasy points four times.
With a minimum of 150 routes run in this span, Watson ranked fifth in yards per route run (2.67), third in average depth of target (18.0) and 10th in first down per route run (0.122), per the Fantasy Points Data Suite. We can only imagine what a full season would look like, but drafting Watson at his ADP is a bet I’m willing to make.
Josh Downs (WR – IND) | ADP: 95
I know the metrics from last season probably don’t excite you when selecting Josh Downs, but it’s a buy-before-the-hype selection. With Michael Pittman Jr. now in Pittsburgh, Downs can see more playing time, including in 2-WR sets. Last season, he saw only a 62.8% route share, so he should be on the field more alongside Alec Pierce.
Even still, there are encouraging signs if we look at the Fantasy Points Data Suite in the first 13 weeks of last season before Daniel Jones tore his Achilles. In that span, Downs tied Pittman for second on the team in targets inside the 20-yard line, finished third in receptions, and led the team in targets per route run.
If Downs sees a bump in routes, his usage would only improve, making him a really nice value in the middle-to-late rounds of drafts.
Kenneth Gainwell (RB – TB) | ADP: 99
After years of being in a limited role, Kenneth Gainwell finally broke out in Pittsburgh. He caught 73 passes and averaged 13 PPR fantasy points per game last season. He signed with the Buccaneers during the offseason and should fit in nicely with this offense. Since 2023, Baker Mayfield has ranked no worse than QB8 in pass attempts behind the line of scrimmage.
From Weeks 11-18, Gainwell ranked third among running backs in first-read share (15.3%) and second in receiving yards per game (45.4), per the Fantasy Points Data Suite. He also posted the third-highest yards per route run (2.10) among backs with at least 80 routes. If Gainwell earns a steady pass-catching role, his receiving upside is strong enough to outperform his ADP.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. (RB – JAX) | ADP: 103
As much as I love Bhayshul Tuten, it’s hard to ignore Chris Rodriguez Jr. He reunites with Liam Coen, his offensive coordinator at Kentucky in 2021. Rodriguez had a very productive season with nearly 1,300 rushing yards on 6.2 yards per carry. While he offers little upside in the passing game, Tuten hasn’t established himself as a high-volume receiving back either.
Rodriguez quietly produced down the stretch last season, averaging 60 rushing yards per game from Week 11 onward. During that span, he ranked 10th among running backs in missed tackles forced per attempt and ninth in yards after contact per attempt, while seeing a 45.5% snap share, according to Fantasy Points Data Suite.
If Coen continues to use multiple backs, Rodriguez could surprisingly finish as a back-end fantasy RB2.
Tyler Shough (QB – NO) | ADP: 129
The New Orleans Saints’ offense could quietly take a step forward in 2026. Chris Olave remains the top option in the receiving game, while they added Travis Etienne Jr. in free agency to give them another explosive option.
Tyler Shough will have an added weapon after the selection of Jordyn Tyson at No. 8 overall in the 2026 NFL draft. He closed last season red-hot, averaging 19.6 fantasy points per game over his final six contests.
Shough was in elite company, tying Joe Burrow for QB12 in fantasy points per dropback during the same six-game stretch, per the Fantasy Points Data Suite. He finished ahead of Justin Herbert and Caleb Williams. If that late-season momentum carries into 2026, Shough has a legitimate chance to finish as a back-end fantasy QB1.
Chig Okonkwo (TE – WSH) | ADP: 144
This is the definition of a late-round tight end, but the path to being at least second on the team in targets is real. Terry McLaurin will be the favorite, but the rest of the receiving corps is made up largely of unproven players.
The Commanders moved on from two of their top target-earners in Deebo Samuel and Zach Ertz, vacating 41% of the team’s targets. If Chig Okonkwo can match or even come close to Ertz’s 71.3% route participation rate, then sound the alarms for a potential breakout candidate.
From Weeks 11-18 last season, among tight ends with at least 150 routes run, Okonkwo ranked 10th in yards per route run, sixth in targets per route run and sixth in yards after the catch per reception, per the Fantasy Points Data Suite.
Going from Cam Ward to Jayden Daniels is a significant upgrade, especially with the receiver room being full of question marks.
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