Every fantasy football manager has a handful of players they keep targeting in every draft.
Sometimes it’s because the value is too good to ignore. Other times it’s because the situation points to a breakout season before the rest of the fantasy community catches up.
In a recent FantasyPros discussion, Jake Ciely and Andrew Erickson shared the players they find themselves drafting over and over again in 2026. From proven veterans to ascending stars, these are the names they believe can outperform their current draft cost.
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10 Fantasy Football Players Experts Refuse to Leave Drafts Without
David Montgomery (RB – HOU)
Jake Ciely’s favorite running back value starts with floor.
He views David Montgomery as an ideal RB2 because his current draft price already assumes a conservative workload. Looking back at Houston’s backfield production over the past two seasons, Ciely argued that even if Montgomery handled roughly 60 percent of the workload, he’d still return value at his current ADP.
The bigger reason for optimism is touchdown upside.
Houston’s running backs failed to capitalize near the goal line last season, while Montgomery has consistently shown an ability to finish drives throughout his career.
If his workload climbs beyond that baseline, Ciely believes Montgomery has a realistic path to finishing as a top-15 fantasy running back.
Trevor Lawrence (QB – JAC)
Andrew Erickson believes Trevor Lawrence offers league-winning upside at quarterback.
After diving into Jacksonville’s offense, Erickson came away convinced that Lawrence could finish as the overall QB1 in fantasy.
The case centers on what Lawrence accomplished after settling into Liam Coen’s system. From Week 5 forward, he produced at an elite fantasy level while ranking near the top of the league in expected fantasy points.
Erickson also emphasized Lawrence’s rushing production, noting that many of his rushing touchdowns came on designed plays rather than improvisation.
With another year in the offense and continued rushing involvement, Lawrence profiles as one of the best late-round quarterback targets available.
Devonta Smith (WR – PHI)
While much of the offseason conversation has focused elsewhere in Philadelphia’s receiving corps, Jake Ciely believes Devonta Smith continues to be undervalued.
Smith has already demonstrated that he can produce WR1 numbers whenever he’s asked to handle a featured role.
Even with other weapons in the offense, Ciely expects Philadelphia’s passing attack to remain heavily concentrated, giving Smith another opportunity to outperform his draft position.
He also pointed to anticipated schematic changes that could create more play-action and pre-snap motion, potentially increasing Smith’s efficiency without requiring a dramatic spike in volume.
Isaiah Likely (TE – NYG)
Andrew Erickson continues to pound the table for Isaiah Likely as one of this year’s premier late-round tight end targets.
The appeal comes down to upside.
Whenever Likely received extended opportunities earlier in his career, he consistently produced at an elite fantasy level. Erickson believes his new opportunity in New York creates the clearest path yet to sustained production.
With uncertainty surrounding the Giants’ receiving corps early in the season, Erickson expects Likely to play a major role immediately.
For fantasy managers waiting on tight end, he sees Likely as one of the best values on the board.
Jordan Addison (WR – MIN)
Jordan Addison‘s current draft price doesn’t match his previous production.
That’s Jake Ciely’s argument.
Despite quarterback instability last season, Addison’s underlying usage remained relatively consistent. Ciely believes improvements at quarterback should be enough to return Addison to the fantasy value managers saw during the first two years of his career.
At his current cost, Addison doesn’t need to become an elite fantasy receiver.
He simply needs to return to the production he’s already shown before.
Omarion Hampton (RB – LAC)
Few second-year players received stronger endorsements than Omarion Hampton.
Andrew Erickson expects a healthy Chargers offense and Mike McDaniel’s arrival as offensive coordinator to unlock Hampton’s ceiling.
He highlighted McDaniel’s history of involving running backs heavily in the passing game while also pointing to Justin Herbert‘s previous success targeting backs.
Combined with Hampton’s projected workload and favorable early schedule, Erickson believes he offers legitimate RB1 upside despite being drafted outside the first round.
A.J. Brown (WR – NE)
Andrew Erickson isn’t worried about A.J. Brown‘s “down” season.
He believes it created a buying opportunity.
Despite modest touchdown totals last year, Brown still produced at a high level while commanding an elite target share. Erickson expects Josh McDaniels to feature Brown as the unquestioned focal point of New England’s passing attack.
If that happens, Brown could easily return to top-three fantasy wide receiver production.
Derrick Henry (RB – BAL)
Every season fantasy managers wonder whether Derrick Henry is finally slowing down.
Jake Ciely isn’t buying it.
His reasoning is simple.
Henry’s draft cost continues to fall even though his production hasn’t.
Ciely also pointed out that Henry’s fantasy scoring remains remarkably consistent regardless of game script, making him one of the safest veteran running backs available.
At his current ADP, he’s comfortable betting on Henry one more time.
Zay Flowers (WR – BAL)
If Andrew Erickson has one true flag-plant player this season, it’s Zay Flowers.
Flowers has improved every year since entering the league, and Erickson believes another leap is coming.
He highlighted Flowers’ efficiency metrics, consistent target share, and growing role within Baltimore’s passing game as reasons to expect another breakout.
The biggest missing piece has been touchdowns.
If Baltimore’s offense improves in the red zone, Erickson believes Flowers has the talent to capitalize.
Ladd McConkey (WR – LAC)
Jake Ciely’s favorite wide receiver target closes the list.
Although Ladd McConkey disappointed many fantasy managers last season, Ciely believes the market has overcorrected.
With Mike McDaniel now running the Chargers offense, he expects McConkey to become the clear focal point of the passing game.
McDaniel’s offenses have consistently funneled targets to their top receiver, and Ciely believes McConkey is perfectly suited for that role thanks to his ability to create separation and generate yards after the catch.
If the offense performs as expected, McConkey has a realistic path back into WR1 territory.
Fantasy Football Takeaways
- David Montgomery (RB – HOU) offers one of the safest RB2 floors with legitimate top-15 upside.
- Trevor Lawrence (QB – JAC) is a prime late-round quarterback target with overall QB1 potential according to the panel.
- Devonta Smith (WR – PHI) remains undervalued in a passing offense expected to funnel targets to its top receivers.
- Isaiah Likely (TE – NYG) stands out as one of the strongest late-round tight end values.
- Jordan Addison (WR – MIN) is priced below the production he’s already demonstrated during his career.
- Omarion Hampton (RB – LAC) has the workload and offensive environment to emerge as a second-year breakout.
- A.J. Brown (WR – NE) could rebound into the elite fantasy WR1 conversation with increased volume.
- Derrick Henry (RB – BAL) continues to offer tremendous value despite yearly concerns about age.
- Zay Flowers (WR – BAL) is Andrew Erickson’s biggest breakout target entering the season.
- Ladd McConkey (WR – LAC) could thrive as the centerpiece of the Chargers’ passing attack under Mike McDaniel.
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Thanks for checking out today’s article. If you have any dynasty, devy or C2C-related questions, I can be reached on X @jim_DFF.