​Two Fantasy Football Sleepers at Every Position to Target in a 2026 PPR Draft originally appeared on The Sporting News.
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.While early rounds are crucial for fantasy football drafts, championship-winning rosters often separate themselves in the later rounds.Everyone is aware of the well-known stars. The true benefit lies in spotting players drafted beyond their expected opportunity and potential, where their actual chances and upside indicate they should be.I’m not seeking completely unknown players. In today’s fantasy scene, it’s nearly impossible to find a hidden gem no one has their eye on. I want players whose current draft price doesn’t fully reflect their potential role.These are the eight players I’d specifically look for in the middle to late rounds of my draft.MORE:Top 300 overall cheat sheet for PPR scoringQuarterback SleepersMalik Willis, DolphinsWhen searching for a quarterback in the later rounds, a simple strategy is to focus on those who can generate fantasy points with their rushing ability.As fantasy football has become more popular, drafters have become sharper when it comes to rushing quarterbacks and the floor they present, but why is it different with Willis?In his six career starts, he averages about 45 rushing yards per game and has scored four rushing touchdowns. Projected over a 17-game season, this would total approximately 760 rushing yards.SI notes that since 1972, over 70% of quarterbacks rushing for at least 700 yards have ranked as top-10 fantasy quarterbacks, and none have fallen below QB15.This is a no-brainer late-round pick that offers tremendous upside and a safe floor at the same time.Tyler Shough, SaintsI’m choosing Shough not for safety but because I believe his current price underestimates his possible role.As a rookie, he demonstrated useful rushing ability and performed on a per-game basis. Now, entering Year 2 in Kellen Moore’s offense, he benefits from an improved supporting cast.Kellen Moore offenses can create plenty of opportunities for quarterbacks, and Shough doesn’t need to become an elite passer to become fantasy relevant.If he throws for 3,800-plus yards, reaches the mid-20s in touchdowns and contributes meaningful rushing production, suddenly you’re looking at a quarterback who can sit inside the QB1 conversation.Running Back SleepersJ.K. Dobbins, BroncosFantasy drafters would not be unwise to avoid Dobbins; after all, when you hear his name, you immediately think of all the reasons to be cautious. He’s had a brutal injury history, which is enough to steer clear of the 27-year-old back. However, to put it very simply, when he plays, he’s not only good but also extremely efficient.He is playing alongside R.J. Harvey, who made a strong debut as a rookie, and Denver also selected Jonah Coleman in the draft. No offense to either player, but if the Broncos felt confident in them, they wouldn’t have brought back Dobbins.In