Fantasy Football Today Express: Senior Bowl Sleepers & Diamonds in the Rough

Air Date: January 31, 2026
Host: Dave Richard (Reporting from Mobile, Alabama)

Episode Overview

In this special "FFT Express" episode, Dave Richard returns from the 2026 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama with key insights for fantasy football managers. Focusing on under-the-radar prospects and "diamonds in the rough," Dave evaluates which Senior Bowl standouts could have legitimate fantasy relevance, especially for dynasty formats. He reviews quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends—identifying those most likely to impact fantasy football rosters in the coming NFL season and beyond.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Reality Check on the 2026 Senior Bowl Class

• Defensive Talent Dominates: Dave opens with the frank observation that while the Senior Bowl was stacked with impressive defensive players, the offensive skill positions—those most important for standard fantasy—were a bit underwhelming.
  • "If you're in an IDP league, you're gonna love the prospects in the 2026 draft because there are some great defensive linemen, edge rushers, linebackers, corners, safeties that showed up at the Senior Bowl. But if you're in a typical fantasy league...I was kind of underwhelmed by what I saw." (03:00)
• Top Fantasy Talent Was Elsewhere: Several top prospects, particularly at wide receiver and tight end, were not present in Mobile, putting the spotlight firmly on sleeper picks.

2. Rookie Impact and Draft Trends

• Despite a so-so Senior Bowl class for fantasy, Dave predicts a strong presence of rookies in redraft leagues:
  • "Last year, first 12 rounds of redraft leagues on CBS, there were 17 rookies taken...I wouldn't be surprised if there were 17 rookies taken in the first 12 rounds again this year..." (04:04)
• However, he expects rookie picks to "trend to the back half"—not many day-one fantasy starters.

3. Quarterbacks to Watch

Cole Payton (North Dakota State)

• Profile: 6’3", 220 lbs; only one strong year at the FCS level
• Senior Bowl Review:
  • "He fit in in Mobile and playing with a bunch of guys from Power 4 schools. I thought he threw with accuracy and anticipation...this guy's better than a seventh-round pick." (05:00)
• Dynasty Upside: Dual-threat skills, showed poise. Not redraft-relevant yet, but intriguing for dynasty.

Talon Green (Arkansas)

• Profile: 6’6", 230 lbs; big arm, less accurate, more of a project QB
• Senior Bowl Review:
  • "Gonna be much more of a boomer bust type of thrower...but he'll run as well." (05:32)
• Fantasy Potential: High-upside, strong rusher; long-term dynasty prospect.

4. Tight End Outlook

• Dave is blunt here: "Not really a lot to love from the tight end position at the Senior Bowl." (06:14)

Tanner Cozio (Houston)

• "Probably made the most plays of any tight end. He was physical, high pointed a touchdown on the third day on a pass from Cole Payton. He’s good." (06:23)

Nate Borkarter (Texas A&M)

• "He made a couple plays at the Senior Bowl too...they’re gonna have to earn it in the NFL." (06:40)

Both tight ends are worth noting only for deep dynasty stashes if they land in an ideal situation.

5. Running Backs to Remember

Mike Washington Jr. (Arkansas)

• Standout Performance: "Head and shoulders better than anybody else at that position" (08:08)
• Strengths: Explosive acceleration, effective as a pass-catcher, determined to be a three-down back.
• Quote: "I think he's close to being there already. Really good pass catcher, obviously a really good runner." (08:12)
• Fantasy Impact: Possible mid-round pick with an outside chance to seize a primary role by season’s end.

Katron Allen & Nick Singleton (Penn State)

• Allen: "A one cut downhill runner...physical." (08:31)
• Singleton: "A little bit more physical...these are two running backs who I think could be the best of the complimentary running backs." (08:38)
• Potential Roles: Both could begin as 1B options or backups, with upside to take over as lead backs if the opportunity arises—a Blake Corum or Bashel Tootin rookie-year trajectory.
• Quote: "Allen and Singleton could end up being guys that work in tandem with a veteran and then overtake the veteran as the year goes on." (08:54)

6. Wide Receivers on the Rise

Malachi Fields (Notre Dame)

• Best WR at Senior Bowl: "Probably the best wide receiver there. Six foot four, about 200 pounds, sky high vertical...he moves pretty well for a 6 foot 4 wide receiver." (09:33)
• Attributes: Not a speedster, but has strong footwork, excels in contested catch scenarios.
• NFL Projection: "Could end up being a good outside receiver to complement a team that's already got somebody working well inside...He won't cost a first-round pick." (10:02)
• Fantasy Appeal: Strong candidate for a second or third-round NFL selection; worth attention for rookie drafts.

Other Notables:

• Caleb Douglas (Texas Tech): Tall receiver who "moved pretty well" (10:25)
• Tyron Montgomery (John Carroll) & Ted Hurst (Georgia State):
  • "At one point, Montgomery was making plays on cornerbacks like Colton Hood, who figures to be a first round pick." (10:49)
  • Both small-school WRs flashed impressive traits, making plays against top DB competition.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dave Richard on Fantasy Hype:
  "These are names for dynasty, not for redraft." (05:48)
• On Washington Jr.:
  "When you can get to your top speed faster than anybody else, that’s a trait teams love." (08:10)
• On the Importance of Opportunity:
  "It is a big part of the fantasy football process to know these rookies and then see where they get drafted. Consider the capital, consider the landing spot, consider the opportunities." (11:24)
• Closing Reminder:
  "When they do get those opportunities, those chances to put up points, fantasy managers have to jump at it. And that's what we're all about at Fantasy Football Today." (11:40)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:00 — Defensive vs. Offensive prospects at Senior Bowl
• 04:04 — Rookie draft trends & context for 2026 class
• 05:00 — Cole Payton evaluation
• 05:32 — Talon Green evaluation
• 06:14 — Tight end class (Cozio & Borkarter)
• 08:08 — Mike Washington Jr. as RB standout
• 08:38 — Katron Allen & Nick Singleton as possible 1B-complement backs
• 09:33 — Malachi Fields as top WR
• 10:25 — Notable flashes from Douglas, Montgomery, and Hurst
• 11:24 — Rookies’ opportunity analysis & actionable advice

Overall Takeaways

• The 2026 Senior Bowl was thin on marquee offensive prospects but delivered several intriguing sleepers for dynasty managers.
• Watch for Mike Washington Jr. at RB and Malachi Fields at WR as potential mid-round rookie draft gems.
• Cole Payton and Talon Green are high-upside QB projects for the patient dynasty player.
• Tight end remains shallow, but Cozio (Houston) and Borkarter (Texas A&M) merit deep-league monitoring based on college performance and flashes at Mobile.
• Draft capital and landing spots will define these players’ redraft value—track their off-season progress and be ready to pounce if they earn opportunity!