Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson was much more effective as a pass-catcher than as a traditional RB in his first year in the NFL in 2025. Sampson played in 15 games (two starts) and had 175 carries and no touchdowns on 65 rushing attempts (2.7 yards per carry). As a pass-catcher, he caught 33 of 40 targets for 271 yards and two touchdowns. The 21-year-old fourth-round selection out of the University of Tennessee figures to have a similar role in 2026 as a pass-catching specialist behind starter Quinshon Judkins. Sampson should have a slightly bigger role as well with Jerome Ford out of town, but in a Browns offense that could once again struggle given their less-than-ideal situation at quarterback, Sampson will mostly be a late-round handcuff option for Judkins' managers in single-year PPR leagues. Sampson is a bit more attractive in dynasty/keeper leagues as a hold for depth purposes.

Houston Texans wide receiver Jaylin Noel's production didn't jump off the page in his first year in the NFL in 2025, but he was versatile for the Texans and should enter Year 2 with a bigger role on offense. The 23-year-old third-round pick last year out of Iowa State mostly operated as Houston's No. 5 wideout and finished with 26 receptions on 35 targets for 292 yards and two touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (three starts). He also carried the ball six times for 12 yards. On special teams, Noel returned 29 kickoffs for 799 yards and 31 punts for 335 yards. His dynasty value in fantasy football leagues is on the rise as he gets ready for his second season in the NFL, and Noel should have a bigger role in the passing attack with Christian Kirk leaving in free agency. How big a role Noel has could be directly affected by whether Tank Dell (knee) makes a successful recovery from a career-threatening knee injury he suffered in 2024. With Dell likely being eased back into the fold, Noel could be the Texans' No. 3 pass-catcher behind Nico Collins and Jayden Higgins.

In his 13th NFL season in 2025 with the Los Angeles Chargers, wide receiver Keenan Allen caught 81 of his 122 targets for 777 yards and four touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (three starts). Allen finished second on the team in receiving yards, behind only second-year wideout Ladd McConkey. The 33-year-old six-time Pro Bowler spent the first 11 years of his NFL career with the Chargers before spending the 2024 campaign with the Chicago Bears. He returned to L.A. last year and caught touchdown passes in the first three games before tailing off and going over 50 receiving yards just once in his final 10 regular-season games. Now a free agent, it's currently unclear whether Allen will even continue his career in the NFL. If he does, he won't be much more than a touchdown-dependent WR4/flex option for fantasy managers, depending on his landing spot. If Allen doesn't re-sign with the Bolts, he could decide to hang up his cleats.

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London played in a career-low 12 games in 2025 due to a knee injury, but he still managed to catch 68 passes for 919 yards and seven touchdowns on 112 targets in his fourth year in the NFL. That was good enough for him to finish as the WR17 in half-PPR scoring. Had the 24-year-old not been injured, he was on track for a career-best season while working with both quarterbacks Michael Penix Jr. (knee) and Kirk Cousins. The former eighth overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft out of USC has had at least 866 receiving yards in his four NFL seasons and will enter the 2026 campaign as Atlanta's clear WR1 in a new offense run by head coach Kevin Stefanski. On talent alone, London has clear WR1 upside in fantasy, but he could make for more of a volatile No. 2 given the uncertainty as to whether Penix will be ready for the start of the season. London's fantasy stock will surely take a hit if it's Tua Tagovailoa under center for the Falcons in Week 1 this fall.