15 High-Value Players to Target 2026-27

Erik

Erik

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15 High-Value Players to Target 2026-27

To win your fantasy leagues this season, target players who can outperform their Yahoo! pre-ranks and average draft positions (ADP).

I've identified 15 players whom I believe the market is undervaluing for different reasons. Some have breakout potential, others are being discounted because of injury concerns, and a few are simply being overlooked. In my view, these are players worth targeting aggressively, provided the price is right.

You don't have to wait for them to fall to your draft position. If you believe in the upside, be willing to reach within reason. Use their ADP as a guide, so you can target them aggressively, but don't let it dictate your draft.

*Special thanks go out to Dan Besbris, whose FREE Google Sheet I used for the Yahoo! Rankings and ADP data. ADP Data and Yahoo! rankings are as of October 10, 2026

For a complete list of my personal targets this season, check out Erik’s Elite 80.

Breakouts

Breakouts are players poised to take a significant step forward in fantasy production this season, whether through individual development, an expanded role, or a change in circumstances. These aren’t rookies, but second-year players are fair game. The goal is to identify players whose production could jump enough to make them valuable targets at their current draft positions.

  1. Ausar Thompson, Y! Pre-Rank: 73  | ADP: 85.2
  2. Kel’el Ware, Y! Pre-Rank: 74 | ADP: 75.3
  3. Dylan Harper, Y! Pre-Rank: 85 | ADP: 83
  4. Day’Ron Sharpe, Y! Pre-Rank: 90 | ADP: 94.6
  5. Collin Murray-Boyles, Y! Pre-Rank: 102 | ADP: 115
  6. Egor Demin, Y! Pre-Rank: 143 | ADP: N/A (outside 120)

Honorable mentions: Matas Buzelis, Ajay Mitchell, Reed Sheppard

Distressed-Asset Discounts

Distressed-asset discounts are players whose fantasy value has been pushed down by injuries, durability concerns, or a history of missed games. The risk is real, but so is the potential reward: if these players stay healthy and return to form, they could significantly outperform their draft positions. The trick is balancing injury risk with upside, buying the discount without paying full price for a best-case scenario.

  1. Zach Edey, Y! Pre-Rank: 66 | ADP: 75.8
  2. Damian Lillard, Y! Pre-Rank: 67 | ADP: 67.5 
  3. Paul George, Y! Pre-Rank: 76 | ADP: 80.3
  4. Jalen Suggs, Y! Pre-Rank: 95 | ADP: 108.5
  5. Zach LaVine, Y! Pre-Rank: 103 | ADP: 101.7

Honorable mentions: Kyrie Irving, Jalen Williams

True Sleepers 

True sleepers are players being drafted later than their projected fantasy production warrants. Unlike obvious breakout candidates or established players discounted by injury concerns, the market may simply be overlooking these names. The goal is to identify players whose per-game value could significantly exceed their draft position, giving you a chance to land quality production without paying a premium. For example, Darius Garland could finish in the 20-30 range, but is being drafted after 60. That’s 30 spots of value left on the table if he’s picked that late. 

  1. Darius Garland, Y! Pre-Rank: 53 | ADP: 64.2
  2. Ryan Rollins, Y! Pre-Rank: 60 | ADP: 77.2
  3. Ty Jerome, Y! Pre-Rank: 88 | ADP: 114.2 
  4. Jaden McDaniels, Y! Pre-Rank: 92 | ADP: 91.1

Honorable Mentions: Kyshawn George, Tari Eason, Sandro Mamukelashvili

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