2026 NFL Draft: 5 sneaky players taken outside of Round 1 who have major fantasy football potential

Malik Nabers’ recovery from a torn ACL has left his Week 1 availability in doubt and even if the star wideout is cleared, he might not be 100% back to form in the opening month.

The Giants have made preparations for such an outcome, adding tight end Isaiah Likely, as well as wideouts Darnell Mooney and Calvin Austin III. They’ve also flirted with bringing back 33-year-old Odell Beckham Jr. as a stop gap.

However, Fields profiles as a strong No. 2 receiver in the NFL, who showcased enough Alpha traits to make me want to invest in him for dynasty. The Notre Dame product has an excellent size-speed combo, even though his true speed comes as a long strider when he opens it up downfield.

It’s impossible to deny his circus-catch abilities, stemming from him high pointing the ball and using his expert body control to adjust on the fly. He’s also surprisingly shifty after the catch, not going down easily and spinning off defenders.

Jaxson Dart is a difference-making QB who can elevate the players around him and Fields could turn into a nice running-mate for Nabers in this ascending Giants’ offense.

Chris Bell, WR, Dolphins (94th overall)

• Redraft value: Late-round dart throw
• Dynasty rookie value: 2nd round

Although the Dolphins waited longer than expected to address their WR depth chart, getting Bell near the end of the third round may go down as one of the best value picks in this draft.

Had it not been for a torn ACL suffered in late November, Bell would have been selected much higher. Miami wisely took advantage of the injury discount, which should work well with their current rebuild. The team isn’t going to be in playoff contention this season, so they can afford to be patient.

Whenever he returns, the Dolphins will be getting a physical possession receiver who isn’t afraid to mix it up over the middle of the field. While he might lack some of the elite skills you normally find in top wideouts, Bell is difficult to bring down and dangerous after the catch.

The 21-year-old (turns 22 in June) probably won’t develop into a true top receiver in the pros, but he can be a very productive No. 2 option once he’s back to full strength.

Fantasy managers who draft him just need to remember they’re playing the long-game and don’t panic sell before he has a chance to prove himself.

In the meantime, we’ll be sifting through the bargain bin that is the Dolphins’ current receiver room heading into 2026 and trying to find value among players like Malik Washington, Jalen Tolbert, Tutu Atwell and perhaps even the other rookie they surprisingly selected in the third-round Caleb Douglas.

Carson Beck, QB, Cardinals (65th overall)

• Redraft value: Waiver wire watchlist
• Dynasty rookie value: 2nd round

The Cardinals were rumored to be interested in Ty Simpson, but that dream died when the Rams took him in Round 1. This isn’t a deep quarterback class, so the remaining options were less than ideal, which led to Arizona waiting until the third round to take Beck.

The 23-year-old (turns 24 in November) is an effortless thrower who’s accurate and makes confident decisions. But he’s a limited quarterback prospect who had the benefit of outstanding protection and strong supporting cast last season, which maximized his output.

Regardless, opportunity is everything and Beck instantly enters a QB competition with a pair of journeymen in Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew. Brissett was a fantasy darling last season for the Cardinals, helping to unlock ceiling outcomes for Trey McBride and Michael Wilson. Unfortunately, in real life Brissett wasn’t as effective in the starting role, relying on volume to rack up fantasy points.

The new coaching staff in Arizona has no nostalgia for prior performances and will give all these passers a clean slate. While I still expect Brissett to open the season atop the depth chart, we will likely see Beck get starts as a rookie.

The offensive line is still a work in progress, but the skill position talent is hard to beat with McBride, Wilson, Marvin Harrison Jr. and this year’s third overall pick Jeremiyah Love. If Beck can get comfortable in Mike LaFleur’s system, he could emerge as a fantasy QB2 once he gets under center.

Zachariah Branch, WR, Falcons (79th overall)

• Redraft value: Late-round dart throw
• Dynasty rookie value: Late 2nd-early 3rd round

Branch is a polarizing prospect due to his size (5-foot-9, 177 pounds) and frequent deployment on manufactured touches at Georgia.

However, there are some shades of Zay Flowers in his game, as a dynamic athlete with high-end speed, soft hands and obvious playmaking ability. He’s the kind of receiver who can change direction without losing a step and is incredibly dangerous after the catch, capable of taking any pass to the house.

The reason he makes it onto this list though, is due to the Falcons lack of receiving talent behind Drake London. Branch will be competing for a starting job against the likes of Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus — not exactly major obstacles to overcome.

Let’s hope Atlanta’s new coaching staff is willing to feature Branch and not just use him as a gadget option and special teamer. If they have a plan for him, Branch will quickly emerge as a fantasy option in an offense that could use another capable threat.