Michael F. Florio Aug 25, 2026, 06:53 AM ET Puka Nacua, Cam Skattebo, Bucky Irving, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jacory Croskey-Merritt: all were later-round rookie picks that hit for fantasy football purposes in recent years. Not all in this year's class will reach the heights those players did, but there are plenty of rookies worth taking a shot on in the later rounds or keeping an eye on as they potentially bloom into waiver wire targets.

Jump ahead10-team leagues | 12-team leagues14-team and dynasty leagues | Superflex leagues10-team league options Jonah Coleman, RB, Denver Broncos: Coleman played behind RJ Harvey in the preseason opener but looked good when he got opportunities. He brings a lot of college experience and was a team captain with the Washington Huskies. He is a three-down back that is effective in pass protection. He lacks the home run-hitting speed Harvey possesses, but he brings more power. J.K. Dobbins is projected to be the lead runner, with Harvey playing that change-of-pace role. If anything were to happen to Dobbins, it would be Coleman who takes over his role.

Mike Washington Jr., RB, Las Vegas Raiders: Washington was a personal favorite of mine heading into the NFL draft, when he ended up falling to the Raiders in the fourth round. He combines power with speed and has the capability to be a three-down back. Typically, Ashton Jeanty will see so much volume that it will be hard for Washington to have standalone value. However, Jeanty is dealing with an ankle injury, and Washington could see some added volume if Jeanty misses time. He is one of the top insurance backs who would fall in the RB2 range with more weekly upside.

Emmett Johnson, RB, Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs' fifth-round pick is the likely RB2 entering the season. He is a physical north-south runner but lacks the game-breaking speed of Kenneth Walker III. It is possible we see Johnson used in short-yardage situations, similar to how the Chiefs used Kareem Hunt in past years. He is a strong insurance pick for Walker managers. Caleb Douglas, WR, Miami Dolphins: Douglas has had a lot of buzz as of late. He made a spectacular one-handed grab in the Dolphins' preseason opener, but what really impressed me was that he played every snap starting QB Malik Willis played. It seems like Douglas and Malik Washington will be running in two-WR sets. Douglas currently looks like the top option on a Dolphins team that could be trailing and having to throw a lot.