Finding players you like is easy. Finding players whose combination of talent, opportunity, and draft price makes you want them on nearly every roster is much more difficult. Every season, a handful of players stand out as values I consistently find myself targeting regardless of how the first several rounds of my draft unfold.
This year, that list includes options at every stage of the draft. Kyler Murray provides proven QB1 upside at a QB2 price, while De’Zhaun Stribling and Greg Dulcich are two of my favorite late-round breakout candidates. Rachaad White has an opportunity to regain a starting role in Washington, and Josh Downs could finally receive the route volume necessary to turn his target-earning ability into a breakout season. These are five players I don’t want to leave fantasy drafts without in 2026.
Kyler Murray, QB, Minnesota Vikings
Few quarterbacks are being discounted more aggressively than Kyler Murray this season. Murray has averaged at least 30 rushing yards per game in all seven years of his NFL career, giving him a fantasy floor that very few quarterbacks outside the elite tier can match. He has also finished outside the top 12 quarterbacks in fantasy points per game only once when making at least five starts. Last year’s injury-shortened season has pushed Murray all the way down to QB17 and outside the top 100 overall picks, creating a rare opportunity to draft a quarterback with an extensive history of QB1 production at a QB2 price.
Minnesota might also give Murray the best offensive environment of his career. Kevin O’Connell has consistently built quarterback-friendly passing attacks, and Murray now gets Justin Jefferson alongside Jordan Addison and Jauan Jennings instead of having to manufacture fantasy production in an inconsistent Arizona offense. The Vikings also have the second-easiest projected quarterback schedule, adding another advantage to an already appealing situation. Murray’s rushing ability means he doesn’t need career-best passing numbers to destroy his ADP. If he stays healthy in O’Connell’s offense, a return to the QB1 tier should be the expectation, with legitimate top-five upside at the position.
De’Zhaun Stribling, WR, San Francisco 49ers
De’Zhaun Stribling has quickly become one of my favorite late-round receivers after translating an intriguing college profile into immediate NFL production. The 6-foot-2 rookie averaged at least 2.15 yards per route run in each of his final two collegiate seasons before posting a 9.88 Relative Athletic Score highlighted by 4.36 speed. Stribling then caught seven of eight targets for 63 yards in his preseason debut before following it with another four receptions for 46 yards in his second appearance. His preseason production isn’t enough by itself to guarantee a breakout, but Stribling has consistently shown that he belongs on an NFL field throughout his first summer.
More importantly, San Francisco may need him much earlier than expected. Ricky Pearsall is already out for the season, while injuries have continued to impact an aging group of 49ers pass catchers. Stribling is now dealing with a shoulder injury of his own, but it has been described as day-to-day rather than a significant long-term concern. The return of Deebo Samuel makes the depth chart more competitive, but Stribling doesn’t need to immediately become San Francisco’s WR2 to return value at his price. His size, speed, and ability after the catch fit Kyle Shanahan’s offense extremely well, and we’ve already seen the 49ers trust him with significant preseason opportunities. I’m willing to use a late-round pick on the talent and wait for his opportunity to arrive.
Greg Dulcich, TE, Miami Dolphins
Greg Dulcich is one of my favorite late-round tight end targets because his 2025 box score doesn’t come close to telling the entire story. Dulcich finished with only 26 receptions for 335 yards and one touchdown across 10 games, but he was remarkably productive whenever Miami actually sent him into a route. He ranked fifth among tight ends in targets per route run and second in yards per route run while averaging 7.7 yards after the catch. Injuries have prevented Dulcich from establishing himself throughout his career, but the efficiency he displayed last season showed why he remains such an intriguing receiving talent when healthy.
This is also easily the best opportunity Dulcich has received since entering the NFL. Miami lost Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, leaving behind very little proven target competition and creating an opening for someone to emerge as a consistent option for Malik Willis. Dulcich sits atop the tight end depth chart and doesn’t need Miami to suddenly become one of the league’s best passing offenses to outperform his price. He simply needs a larger route share while maintaining some of the efficiency he displayed last season. The Dolphins also have the easiest projected schedule for fantasy tight ends. Durability remains the obvious risk, but at his current price, I’m willing to take that chance for a player with a legitimate path to a top-12 finish.
Rachaad White, RB, Washington Commanders
Rachaad White has never been one of the NFL’s most efficient runners, but fantasy football has consistently rewarded his ability to stay on the field and contribute in the passing game. White has averaged more than 50 receptions per season during his career and has caught at least 40 passes every year, helping him remain fantasy relevant even when his rushing efficiency has disappointed. We saw that again when he received an expanded role last season. From Weeks 5 through 12, White averaged 14.6 touches while playing 71% of the snaps and finished as the RB23 in fantasy points per game despite averaging only 60 total yards. He doesn’t need to suddenly become an explosive runner to provide fantasy value if Washington gives him enough opportunities.
That’s why his move to the Commanders is so intriguing. Washington’s backfield remains unsettled, with Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Kaytron Allen, and Jerome Ford all competing for opportunities, but White is easily the most accomplished receiving back of the group. That skill set gives him an immediate path onto the field and could eventually help him win the starting job outright. White has also missed only one game across four NFL seasons, an underrated advantage when betting on a late-round running back to emerge from an uncertain depth chart. Washington faces the sixth-easiest projected running back schedule, and White is cheap enough that fantasy managers don’t need him to dominate the backfield for the selection to work. If he does earn the lead role, his receiving ability gives him a clear path to becoming one of the better late-round running back values.
Josh Downs, WR, Indianapolis Colts
Josh Downs has already shown that earning targets isn’t going to be an issue. He led Indianapolis wide receivers and tight ends with a 24% target rate last season while finishing as PFF’s 20th-highest-graded receiver. Downs also ranked 20th in average separation, supporting what we’ve consistently seen throughout his career: when he’s running routes, quarterbacks want to throw him the football. The problem has been getting him onto the field consistently enough to turn that efficiency into high-end fantasy production. Downs has primarily operated from the slot, which has limited his route participation whenever Indianapolis uses heavier personnel.
That could finally change in 2026. Michael Pittman Jr.’s departure removes 111 targets from the offense and creates a much clearer path for Downs to expand beyond the role that has limited his ceiling. We already saw Indianapolis increase his route participation late last season, and a full-time role would give him an opportunity to emerge as the team’s leading receiver. Unlike many receivers being drafted in this range, Downs doesn’t require us to project that he’ll suddenly become good enough to command targets; he’s already proven he can do that. At approximately WR45, fantasy managers are essentially betting on whether Indianapolis will finally give one of its most productive receivers enough opportunities. If Downs becomes an every-down player, his current price could look significantly too low by the middle of the season.
