​In about six weeks, most fantasy football leagues will enter draft season, and anyone can chase the flashy, high-profile stars. But to truly contend for a championship, you’ll need a sleeper or two—the kind of pick that the rest of your league overlooks. With that in mind, one name to monitor is Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks, who has already been identified as a potential fantasy football sleeper for the 2026 season.
Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay highlights Brooks as a standout prospect. Carolina made him the first running back off the board in the 2024 draft, and he was the only back selected in the first two rounds that year. Kay emphasizes the athleticism and talent Brooks showcased during his time at Texas, noting that when he’s at his best, he can be a game-changing playmaker who can contribute in every facet of the offense.
Brooks carries undeniable physical gifts, and if he can stay healthy, he could emerge as the most dynamic rusher on Carolina’s roster. However, there’s a significant context that tempers that optimism. The Panthers’ offense as a whole has not been productive. Last season, Carolina ranked 27th in yards per game, 26th in passing, 19th in rushing, and 27th in scoring. Even if Brooks can deliver prime Bo Jackson-like flashes, his ceiling could be limited by the surrounding unit’s weaknesses.
The issues extend beyond Brooks himself. The Panthers have a below-average wide receiver corps and what is arguably the league’s worst pass-catching tight end group. Their quarterback situation last year was middling on several important metrics, finishing 21st in passing yards, 14th in passing touchdowns, and 19th in fantasy points scored. In short, even a talented runner like Brooks would have to contend with a less-than-ideal environment for widespread fantasy production.
Another obstacle is the backfield landscape behind Brooks. Chuba Hubbard, who has battled injuries and a couple of ACL tears, has not disappeared from the competition. After a down year in 2025, Hubbard remains projected as the Panthers’ starter, at least for now. That dynamic means Brooks is not a sure thing to command a large workload early in the season. The realistic takeaway is that Brooks should be viewed as a very deep sleeper at best.
For fantasy managers who chase upside, Brooks could still become a useful asset if circumstances align. If the Panthers’ offense improves around him and he earns a larger share of opportunities, he could develop into a welcome addition in the latter part of the season or even as a steady flex play for those willing to take a calculated risk. In the meantime, managers should temper expectations and monitor the situation closely, especially during the first month of the season when waivers and potential breakout opportunities often emerge.
If you’re looking for more Panthers content, you can follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for updates and analysis. This piece originally appeared on Panthers Wire, highlighting Brooks as one of the NFL’s potential fantasy football steals and reflecting on how his draft pedigree and athletic profile could translate into fantasy value in 2026. While his path is not crystal clear, the sleeper potential remains intriguing for those willing to take a calculated risk with a late-round pick or a waiver-wire target during the early season.