Justin Boone flags deep fantasy football sleepers for 2026 NFL season
Analyst identifies late-round targets outside the top 150 average draft positions, including Jacoby Brissett, Michael Penix Jr. and Nicholas Singleton, as waiver wire options for league managers.
Fantasy football analyst Justin Boone has outlined a list of deep and super-deep sleeper candidates for the 2026 NFL season, focusing on players whose average draft positions fall outside the top 150. The analysis, published by Yahoo Sports, advises league managers to monitor these individuals on waiver wires rather than selecting them early in the draft, positioning them as potential high-value acquisitions if specific on-field conditions are met.
Among the quarterbacks identified, Jacoby Brissett of the Arizona Cardinals is highlighted as a deep sleeper. Brissett, who finished as the ninth-ranked fantasy quarterback in points per game last season after becoming the starter in Week 6, secured a re-worked, fully guaranteed one-year contract this offseason. The report notes that while his on-field performance was average, his high volume while trailing inflated his statistics. The Cardinals’ appointment of offensive-minded head coach Mike LaFleur and the return of a healthy Marvin Harrison Jr. are cited as factors that could improve offensive efficiency in 2026.
Michael Penix Jr. of the Atlanta Falcons is designated as a super-deep sleeper. Penix is currently recovering from his third ACL tear, with previous injuries occurring during his college career in 2018 and 2020. Although Tua Tagovailoa is expected to begin the season as the starter, reports suggest Penix’s time on the depth chart may be limited once he is ready to play. The analysis points to the installation of head coach Kevin Stefanski and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees as key developments, noting that Penix has finished as a top-12 fantasy quarterback three times despite playing only half of last season.
In the running back position, Nicholas Singleton of the Tennessee Titans is identified as a deep sleeper. Singleton, a fifth-round rookie, missed the majority of the pre-draft process after breaking his foot during Senior Bowl week, which dampened his hype within the fantasy community. Despite the presence of Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears in the Titans’ backfield, Singleton is viewed as a candidate who could emerge as a fantasy-relevant option if his opportunity arises.
The overarching strategy recommended by Boone is to treat these players as waiver wire targets. By monitoring their development and the specific circumstances surrounding their teams, managers can capitalise on opportunities that may not be reflected in their current draft rankings.
