A fantasy draft is all about obtaining the most value with each selection. Value is available throughout a draft, and grabbing it is one of the most important keys to a successful fantasy team. To highlight this value, we asked our staff to review highly rated players who should still outperform their draft position.
DON'T MISS OUT: Sign up for our free, daily newsletter here.
Here are the players who received votes.
Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
Jason Wood: Justin Herbert is the ultimate "post-hype sleeper" for 2026. Right now, his ADP is sitting toward the bottom of the QB1 tier, which isn't exactly cratering, but it's still far too low and represents a massive value. This price tag is a direct reaction to a 2025 campaign defined by a gross 9.5% sack rate and a career-high interception percentage. On paper, it looks like a collapse; in reality, he was playing behind a "porous" offensive line that spent more time in the medical tent than on the field.
The reason Herbert is a steal today is the aggressive reconstruction of that unit. The Chargers aren't just getting foundational tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt back at 100%; they've completely overhauled the interior to kill the pressure that derailed Herbert last fall. Signing veterans Tyler Biadasz and Cole Strange provides immediate stability, while the addition of rookie Jake Slaughter adds the high-ceiling depth this roster lacked.
Furthermore, the arrival of Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator provides a critical schematic shift. By replacing Greg Roman's stagnant, predictable scheme with McDaniel's creative play-action and modern philosophy, the Chargers are finally maximizing Herbert's arm talent. With an actual wall and a genius play-caller, top-five upside is back.
Dave Kluge: When things are clicking for Herbert, he's one of fantasy football's best quarterbacks. After averaging nearly 4,700 passing yards per season through his first three years, injuries to him and teammates have kept him from logging another difference-making campaign.
But the path to a bounce-back campaign is clear. This season will be Herbert's second with Jim Harbaugh, and Mike McDaniel will join as offensive coordinator. McDaniel's offense has proven successful, and could be unlocked with the biggest arm he's ever coached. This young corps of pass-catchers has flashed plenty of upside. Ladd McConkey showed legitimate WR1 abilities as a rookie. Quentin Johnston can flip the field on a single play. And Tre' Harris quietly moved into a larger role last year as Keenan Allen wore down.
In 2025, Herbert played through a broken hand while his bookend tackles sat on season-ending IR. It was a disaster scenario. He still finished as a top-ten quarterback. Herbert has set career highs in rushing attempts in back-to-back seasons, showing greater comfort as a runner while raising both his floor and ceiling projections. Considering his much-improved situation heading into 2026, it would be foolish to let him fall further than that.
Jeff Bell: There has never been a 5,000-yard passing, 500-yard rushing season in NFL history. There have been 15 5,000-yard seasons, accomplished by nine different players. Herbert is one. Of those nine players, Herbert is the only one to come close to 500 rushing yards, hitting a career high of 498 in 2025. Based on physical ability alone, Herbert is on the shortest list of quarterbacks capable of producing historic outlier performances.
With new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, healthy offensive tackles, and a deep receiving group, the environment is set to allow for an outlier season. Herbert sat as the overall QB2 through nine weeks of 2025, until attrition cost his support system. He dropped to QB16 over the second half. McDaniel is the intriguing change. In 2023, his offense pushed Tua Tagovailoa to a league-leading 4,624 passing yards.
The quarterbacks who offer the fantasy upside of Herbert, still on the board at his ADP, are either working through injury, facing uncertain quarterback rooms, or young and unproven. In leagues that start one quarterback, managers should take chances on players capable of finishing as the overall top player. Herbert is that shot.