Fantasy Football Today Express – "Hidden Gems for 2026 Fantasy Drafts"
Date: February 27, 2026
Hosts: Adam Aizer & Jamie Eisenberg
Episode Overview
This episode of Fantasy Football Today Express dives into early sleeper picks and overlooked prospects—those "hidden gems"—for the 2026 fantasy football season. Hosts Adam Aizer and Jamie Eisenberg methodically discuss undervalued players at every position, offering actionable draft advice for managers eager to gain an edge in their leagues. The episode is upbeat and loaded with practical insights for late-round draft success.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Quarterback Sleepers & Hidden Gems
Timestamps: 01:59–03:49
- Veteran Overlook: Jamie and Adam note that veteran QBs often get snubbed in favor of "next big thing" prospects.
- Value in Late Picks:
- Jared Goff: Continues to slip to late rounds despite steady production.
"It seems like Jared Goff is that guy every year. I think he'll be another guy this year as well." — Jamie Eisenberg (02:55)
- Baker Mayfield & Brock Purdy: Reliable, overlooked options in solid offenses.
- Jordan Love: Coming off a strong season and "someone I'll be looking to draft a lot of." — Jamie (03:10)
- Cam Ward: Flashed potential late last season, making him a sneaky late pick.
- Jared Goff: Continues to slip to late rounds despite steady production.
- Draft Room Dynamics:
"Quarterback's always going to be a good position for late round steals and gems." — Jamie Eisenberg (03:51)
2. Running Back Sleepers
Timestamps: 04:04–05:54
- Emergence of Sophomores:
- Devin Neal (Saints): Poised to step up as Kamara ages and Kendre Miller recovers from injury.
- Tyler Stuck: Another late-round option, especially after last year’s performance.
- Smart Handcuffs & Situation Watches:
- Taije Spears (Titans): Not productive last year, but might carve out a pass-catching role under Brian Daboll.
- 49ers’ No. 2 Back: With McCaffrey aging, backup could emerge as a major late-round value.
"That's a team I'll be looking at in terms of who's the number two running back there." — Adam (04:49)
- Sean Tucker (Bucs): Opportunity increasing with Rashad White’s likely departure.
- Deep Flyers:
- Chris Rodriguez (Commanders): Won the job late last season; undervalued in most drafts.
3. Wide Receiver Sleepers
Timestamps: 06:40–09:05
- Attachment to Good Offenses:
- Jack Besh (Raiders): Under-the-radar prospect in a thin receiving corps.
"I like Besh coming out of college. I thought he had an opportunity to be a playmaker for the Raiders right away." — Adam Aizer (06:55)
- Jerry Jeudy: Poor recent performance but a bounce back candidate due to talent and likely opportunity.
- Jack Besh (Raiders): Under-the-radar prospect in a thin receiving corps.
- Sophomore Surges and Upside:
- Chimary DK (Titans): Showed "flashes" and is a potential big-play threat.
- Trey Harris (Chargers): Could become the WR3 if Keenan Allen isn’t retained, especially under Mike McDaniel.
- Other Intriguing Names:
- Jalen Coker (Bears?): Has upside if he keeps a major role.
- Devon Valley (Saints): May seize more opportunity opposite Chris Olave.
- Tory Horton (Rams): Good setup with potential departures and a depleted room.
- Monitor 49ers Situation:
"Whoever is the second receiver there for San Francisco... that's a position to look at for sure." — Adam (08:55)
4. Tight End Sleepers
Timestamps: 09:05–10:07
- Invest in Youth & Opportunity:
- Mason Taylor (Jets): Showed flashes when healthy and faces light competition.
- Gunner Helm (Titans?): Could step into a bigger role if the team moves on from Chig Okonkwo.
"Gunner Helm showed some flashes last year... but a guy I think that Cam Ward can lean on." — Adam (09:18)
- Ben Sinnott (Commanders): Athletic, could benefit from a weak WR group and expanded snaps.
- Important Situational Watch:
- Jake Tonjas (49ers): If Kittle starts season on IR, Tonjas could become a must-draft tight end.
"I think Tonjas will be someone that's probably getting drafted in most drafts… he was really good while Kittle was out." — Jamie (10:07)
- Jake Tonjas (49ers): If Kittle starts season on IR, Tonjas could become a must-draft tight end.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Veteran Quarterbacks:
"We're all chasing the Jackson Darts, the next Jayden Daniels... I think we're going to forget about the Jared Goffs." — Jamie Eisenberg (02:15)
- On RB Handcuffs:
"I'm going to be very interested in the number two running back for the San Francisco 49ers just because of Christian McCaffrey, all the work that he had this past season and he'll be 30 in June." — Adam Aizer (04:44)
- On WR Depth & Opportunity:
"I like Besh coming out of college. I thought he had an opportunity to be a playmaker for the Raiders right away." — Adam Aizer (06:55)
- On Monitoring TE Depth Charts:
"If he's back and Kittle starts the year on IR... I think Tonjas will be someone that's probably getting drafted in most drafts." — Jamie Eisenberg (10:07)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 01:59–03:49: Quarterbacks – hidden gems & philosophy
- 04:04–05:54: Running backs – targeting understudies and sophomores
- 06:40–09:05: Wide receivers – attaching to good offenses & overlooked talent
- 09:05–10:07: Tight ends – youth, injuries, and depth-chart watches
Episode Tone
Practical, enthusiastic, and strategy-focused. Jamie and Adam keep the discussion light but informed, encouraging listeners to look beyond the obvious names and to leverage last-round picks for maximum upside.
Summary
This express episode is a must-listen for fantasy football managers targeting hidden value in 2026 drafts. Adam and Jamie break down overlooked veterans, sophomore risers, and players positioned for breakout in each position group. Smart managers can leverage these insights to nab league-winning talent late, with special attention to players in strong offenses or those set to benefit from shifting roster situations.
Missed the episode? This summary arms you with the strategic highlights to find your league’s next big sleeper.
