We’re making our way toward the kick-off of the 2026 NFL Season. That probably leaves you evaluating late-round draft picks for players who might contribute in 2026. It’s a long season, and you never know how far down the roster you’ll need to go. Below are two options from each of the four major fantasy positions of late-round picks that could see the field if things break right. That makes these players interesting stashes at the end of your bench or on a Practice Squad.
Quarterbacks
Carson Beck, Arizona Cardinals
About: It wasn’t a great quarterback draft, but there were a few situations where a rookie could see playing time. One of those is Arizona. The Cardinals moved on from Kyler Murray and have seemingly turned over the reins to Jacoby Brissett. Brissett finished as QB16 in 2025, playing most of the season in place of Murray. But he’s currently holding out for a new contract, and the Cardinals have a new coaching staff. The team also brought in veteran Gardner Minshew to add to the room before taking Beck in the Third Round.
If Brissett settles his contract, as expected, he could start the whole season. But with the Cardinals not projected to be a playoff contender and a new staff in place, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the coaching staff look at other options. That could mean putting Beck in to see what the rookie has to offer, which could leave him as an option later in the season.
Cade Klubnik, New York Jets
About: This is 100 percent about opportunity. The New York Jets made a move this offseason to acquire Geno Smith. Smith will start Week 1 and could be the starter all season. But the Jets have a very shallow room. In fact, it’s possible Klubnik—a Fourth Round pick—will be the QB2 to start the season. That makes him an interesting stash. Smith is an older player, and if he were to miss time, that would put Klubnik in a position to play.
Running Backs
Demond Claiborne, Minnesota Vikings
About: When it comes to running backs, it’s all about potential opportunity. The Vikings have veteran Aaron Jones, who has struggled to stay on the field, and Jordan Mason. But it’s a relatively open room. Claiborne was just a Sixth-Round pick, so he doesn’t have much draft capital. He’ll have to fight for a roster spot, but if he makes the squad, I like the potential of having a path to see the field. That gives him an edge over many of the late-round running back options.
Kaytron Allen, Washington Commanders
About: The Commanders don’t have a lead back; they have a committee to choose from. The team brought back Jacory Croskey-Merritt, a Seventh-Round pick from a year ago. The Commanders also added veterans Rachaad White and Jerome Ford on one-year deals. Then they took Allen in the Sixth-Round. It’s hard to tell who rises to the top. I suspect White and Croskey-Merritt will be atop the depth chart to start the season. But I like Allen’s potential to play himself into a role, especially in a position group that’s unsettled. That makes him an intriguing stash at this point.
Wide Receivers
Malachi Fields, New York Giants
About: Fields went in the Third-Round for the Giants, who are remaking their offense around Jaxson Dart under new coach John Harbaugh. The team has Malik Nabers atop the depth chart, but he’s still recovering from injury and is likely to be unavailable to start the season. The team lost Wan’Dale Robinson to the Tennessee Titans, too, meaning their receiving group could be thin to start the season. The Giants have veteran Darius Slayton back and have added Calvin Austin, Darnell Mooney, Juju Smith-Schuster, and Odell Beckham Jr., among others. So, it could be a crowded room.
But Fields has a chance to play himself into a meaningful role. While I have questions about Dart and the offense in general, given the coaching hires, I like the potential for Fields to have a shot at meaningful snaps, especially as Nabers remains out.
Brenen Thompson, Los Angeles Chargers
About: Thompson was a Fourth-Round selection by the Chargers. The team still has Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, and second-year man Tre Harris. But Thompson is an intriguing selection as he’s a receiver that new Offensive Coordinator Mike McDaniel was eager to select. That makes him an interesting deep stash going into the preseason. The Chargers’ lack depth and defined production at receiver. The team’s best receiver from 2025, Keenan Allen, remains a free agent. That, combined with a new scheme and approach, provides an opening, and Thompson, being a prospect selected by McDaniel, could give him an edge.
Tight Ends
Justin Joly, Denver Broncos
About: It’s no secret the Broncos want to get more out of the tight end position. They acquired Evan Engram before last season, and he finished TE29. While the Broncos appear to have addressed some of their passing game needs with the acquisition of Jaylen Waddle, the team also snagged Joly in the draft. Given the potential cap savings of releasing Engram, it’s possible that the Broncos make a change heading into the season. Joly is a sleeper I like to potentially have a big role during the 2026 NFL Season.
Eli Raridon, New England Patriots
About: The Patriots have a solid, veteran starter locked in with Hunter Henry. But the Patriots have a young offense that is remaking itself. Raridon is a later pick in drafts who could make an impact at tight end. We’ve seen Josh McDaniels use more than one tight end in the past, and that could be the case again. Given the depth chart, he should have a clear path to being TE2 and could even have a bigger role if Henry misses time.
Matthew Fox is a die-hard NFL fan and Broncos’ homer. He’s a member of the FSWA. You can find more from him on Twitter @knighthawk7734 or as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast, a part of the Campus2Canton Network.
