Rounds 4 and 5 can still offer some good fantasy players for dynasty. Usually, this is where tight ends can provide sneaky upside as they head into Year 2 or 3, especially if they land in strong developmental situations.
Round 5 also tends to be a range where you can find valuable wide receivers and running backs who outperform their draft capital. These players may not have immediate fantasy relevance, but they can become strong depth pieces or future breakout candidates.
Here is a breakdown of each Day 3 pick in rounds 4 & 5 and where they could be projected to go in rookie drafts.
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Round 4 Selections
Los Angeles Chargers – Brenen Thompson WR (105th Pick)
Our first fantasy player to start Day 3 was Brenen Thompson, a receiver selected by the Chargers. Thompson is a blazing-fast receiver who ran the fastest 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. Usually, elite-speed receivers don’t translate well to fantasy football. Thompson will likely be a special teams player as a rookie and could develop as a deep threat. His long-term dynasty value is cloudy at best.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: 3.12- 4.08
Denver Broncos – Jonah Coleman RB (108th Pick)
Fantasy managers are hurting watching Jonah Coleman land with the Denver Broncos. Coleman was, at times, regarded as the second-best back in the class, but now he will compete with JK Dobbins and RJ Harvey in the backfield.
It will be interesting to see what type of role Coleman can carve out in the Broncos’ backfield. Harvey is the pass-catching option, while Dobbins is the early-down player. Coleman will likely split time, but how much work he sees as a rookie remains to be seen. Fourth-round running backs don’t usually have strong hit rates, so Coleman landing in a tricky situation pushes him lower for me.
If Dobbins continues to have injury issues, Coleman could get work. He likely has back-half-of-the-season upside at best.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: 2.09 – 3.04
New York Jets – Cade Klubnik QB (110th Pick)
This seemed obvious that the New York Jets would take a shot at a quarterback. Cade Klubnik is an interesting QB prospect and someone I was higher on overall. While he may be inconsistent, he has some high-level touch, timing, and accuracy to his game.
I think with a good core around him, he could be a decent fantasy option as a low-end QB2. He’ll likely end up as the backup to Geno Smith. If Smith struggles to produce, Klubnik could end up starting games as a rookie. He is a decent dart throw for a contending team, as the Jets are likely to end up with a new QB in 2027.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: 3.08 – 4.08
Baltimore Ravens – Elijah Sarratt WR (115th Pick)
The Ravens decided they needed to revamp their receiver room with Ja’Kobi Lane on Day 2, but they doubled down in Round 4 with Elijah Sarratt. The Ravens got a steal in Round 4 with Sarratt, who is a good route runner and someone who can be a reliable target for any quarterback. He can also go up and catch the ball on deep shots.
In terms of his fantasy value, Sarratt will likely compete with Lane for targets behind Zay Flowers and Mark Andrews. Sarratt finishing as a top-50 fantasy player as a rookie seems low. He’ll likely be a better player for the Ravens than he will be for fantasy early on.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: 3.04 – 3.11
Pittsburgh Steelers – Kaden Wetjen WR (121st Pick)
The Steelers ended up taking Kaden Wetjen, a receiver who can be a solid return specialist. He likely won’t provide any fantasy value. He’ll be the team’s WR4/5 at best and their return man.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: Undrafted
Las Vegas Raiders – Mike Washington Jr. RB (122nd Pick)
Fantasy managers are screaming again after seeing Mike Washington Jr. land with the Las Vegas Raiders. Washington Jr. was getting hyped up all offseason after doing well at the Senior Bowl and dominating at the NFL Combine. He fell in the draft after being considered a late Round 2 pick in some mocks.
He lands behind Ashton Jeanty, who will likely still command a big workload in the Raiders’ backfield. Washington can be a change-of-pace runner for the Raiders and should be better than Raheem Mostert was last year. We saw Zach Charbonnet split backfield work in Seattle, but that would be the best-case scenario for Washington and is unlikely to happen. He is probably more of a high-upside backup depth piece than a usable flex option.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: 3.02 – 3.10
Buffalo Bills – Skyler Bell WR (125th Pick)
The Buffalo Bills got a solid player late in Round 4 with wide receiver Skyler Bell. Bell is a versatile receiver who improved in 2025 as he showed the ability to work both inside and outside. He is a savvy route runner who should fit nicely into the Bills’ offense.
Bell’s talent could easily get him into three-receiver sets as a rookie. While he likely won’t be a consistent fantasy option right away, with DJ Moore already nearing 30 and a lack of strong depth behind him, Bell could be a Year 2 breakout player.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: 2.10 – 3.05
Baltimore Ravens – Matthew Hibner TE (133rd Pick)
The Ravens grabbed themselves a new backup tight end in Matthew Hibner. He tested well at the NFL Combine and is a natural pass catcher. He is a solid versatile TE who can come in and fill an Isaiah Likely-type role in the Ravens’ offense.
For fantasy purposes, he is more of a long-term taxi squad player in dynasty leagues rather than someone expected to contribute right away.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: 4.10 – Undrafted
New Orleans Saints – Bryce Lance WR (136th Pick)
The New Orleans Saints continue building around Tyler Shough after already adding Jordyn Tyson by selecting Bryce Lance. While Lance is already an older prospect at 25 years old, he has talent. He offers a great combination of size and speed that gives him unique upside as a receiver.
However, he still needs to grow into becoming a true NFL receiver, especially with his route running. At best, he could compete for the team’s WR3 role if he can outperform some of the veteran receivers on the roster. With the Saints already having two young receivers in place, Lance is more of an upside depth stash in dynasty.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: 3.05 – 3.12
Cincinnati Bengals – Colbie Young WR (140th Pick)
The final pick of Round 4 was wide receiver Colbie Young to the Bengals. Young wasn’t someone I expected to receive fourth-round draft capital. He is likely more of a situational receiver, especially in the red zone, where his 6’5” frame gives him value.
He offers more red-zone flashes than true athletic upside as a fantasy receiver. I don’t expect much fantasy value from him early on, and he projects more as a taxi squad player at best.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: 4.06 – Undrafted
Round 5 Selections
Arizona Cardinals – Reggie Virgil WR (143rd Pick)
To start Round 5, the Cardinals added depth to their receiving group with Reggie Virgil. The former Texas Tech receiver is a long, lean target who had a solid final few years in college. He lacks top-end speed but has strong high-point ability and was a reliable contested-catch receiver over the last few seasons.
He projects more as a situational receiver at the NFL level and is likely just a taxi squad stash in dynasty at best.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: 4.06 – Undrafted
Denver Broncos – Justin Joly TE (152nd Pick)
The Broncos finally get their tight end of the future in Justin Joly, who received high praise from many as a prospect. Joly is a great pass-catching TE with short-area quickness and the ability to separate from defenders.
He is a bit of a smaller tight end, and his blocking could keep him off the field early. With Evan Engram over 30 and coming off a disappointing season, Joly could challenge for playing time sooner than expected. He likely won’t provide strong rookie production, but he is a great Year 2 or 3 dynasty target.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: 2.12 – 3.06
Minnesota Vikings – Max Bredeson TE (159th Pick)
Max Bredeson was more of an H-back tight end at Michigan. He lacks the size to be a true pass-catching tight end option and has limited experience as a receiving threat.
I don’t see much fantasy relevance in his NFL career.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: Undrafted
Kansas City Chiefs – Emmett Johnson RB (161st Pick)
The Chiefs drafted a very interesting running back in Round 5 with Emmett Johnson. He is likely going to be a highly drafted rookie now that he landed in Kansas City. We’ve learned from years past that getting drafted by the Chiefs doesn’t automatically mean fantasy stardom, but Johnson is someone worth taking a shot on in Round 2 of rookie drafts.
He reminds me a bit of Aaron Jones as a shifty pass-catching back. Johnson posted over 35 receptions in back-to-back seasons and can be a weapon on passing downs. He’ll battle for the backup role behind Ken Walker and could see immediate involvement. He still needs work as a blocker, but Johnson could finish as a top-50 RB in PPR leagues as a rookie. We also know Walker has dealt with injuries, which adds to Johnson’s upside.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: 2.04 – 2.12
Jacksonville Jaguars – Tanner Koziol TE (163rd Pick)
The Jaguars once again added another tight end, this time selecting pass-catching TE Tanner Koziol. Koziol was a reception machine over the last two seasons, posting over 70 catches and showing a massive catch radius.
He can be a mismatch for the Jaguars’ offense, but with Brenton Strange still the starter in Jacksonville, Koziol will likely begin as the TE3. He is a solid taxi squad stash in TE premium leagues.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: 3.10 – 4.08
Tennessee Titans – Nicholas Singleton RB (165th Pick)
We get another running back landing in the fifth round with Nicholas Singleton, who lands in a good spot for future playing time. Singleton is coming off a broken foot, so his rookie season could be quieter than expected.
He is a one-cut runner with big-play ability and was once a highly regarded college prospect. Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears are both free agents after the 2026 season, so Singleton could be on track to be the Titans’ starter in 2027. He is a better rebuilder target than a contender pick.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: 2.06 – 3.05
Detroit Lions – Kendrick Law WR (168th Pick)
The Lions drafted an explosive receiver in Kendrick Law. He is dangerous after the catch and can create big plays with the ball in his hands.
He never truly produced at a high level in college and likely projects more as a gadget player. Law will probably contribute most on special teams early and is not much of a fantasy option.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: Undrafted
Pittsburgh Steelers – Riley Nowakowski TE (169th Pick)
The Steelers landed Riley Nowakowski in the fifth round. He didn’t see much college production until transferring to Indiana.
He may end up being used more in a fullback-type role similar to Connor Heyward. He likely won’t have much fantasy value.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: Undrafted
Cleveland Browns – Joe Royer TE (170th Pick)
The Browns bring in a new backup tight end with Joe Royer. He is a sure-handed TE who could serve as the TE2 for the team.
His blocking still needs work if he is going to truly carve out a role in the offense. He is mostly a stash player in TE premium leagues.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: 4.10 – Undrafted
Baltimore Ravens – Josh Cuevas TE (173rd Pick)
The Ravens doubled down at tight end after drafting Matthew Hibner earlier, now adding Josh Cuevas. He is a hybrid TE who can be used in multiple ways in the offense.
He isn’t a major threat as a pass catcher but can be a reliable option underneath. He’ll likely compete with Hibner for playing time behind Mark Andrews.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: Undrafted
Baltimore Ravens – Adam Randall RB (174th Pick)
The Ravens continue adding depth by selecting running back Adam Randall. Randall is a big-bodied back at 6’3”, 232 pounds and is still new to the position after converting from wide receiver during his senior season.
He is a tough, physical runner who is difficult to bring down and offers solid receiving upside because of his WR background. Randall lands in a strong situation with Baltimore and will battle Justice Hill for playing time.
He has a real chance to produce as a rookie, especially in PPR leagues. With Derrick Henry nearing the end of his career, Randall could have a path to starting work by 2027 if things break right.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: 2.11 – 3.09
Kansas City Chiefs – Cyrus Allen WR (176th Pick)
The Chiefs selected Cyrus Allen, a solid route-running receiver, late in the fifth round. He creates separation well and has strong ball skills.
He’ll likely be fighting for the WR4 role at best. Allen has real sleeper potential, but it may take a few years to develop. He likely won’t make much of an impact as a rookie.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: 4.01 – 4.12
Miami Dolphins – Kevin Coleman Jr. WR (177th Pick)
The Dolphins took their third receiver of the draft by selecting Kevin Coleman Jr. He is a smaller slot receiver who navigates well through defensive coverage and creates separation with quickness.
Coleman Jr. will likely serve more as a return man as a rookie while battling for a final roster spot. There is some upside, but it is an uphill battle for fantasy relevance.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: Undrafted
Philadelphia Eagles – Cole Payton QB (178th Pick)
The Eagles decided to go with a quarterback in Round 5 by selecting Cole Payton. Payton is an interesting QB prospect who only had one full year as a starter, but he showed upside as a passer and has the athleticism to make plays with his legs.
He will battle for the backup job behind Jalen Hurts and could be used in gadget packages similar to Taysom Hill. He offers some appeal as a deep dynasty stash, especially for Hurts managers, but don’t expect much fantasy value in Year 1 or even Year 2.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: 4.01 – 4.12
Miami Dolphins – Seydou Traore TE (180th Pick)
Miami continues to add tough, physical players by selecting tight end Seydou Traore. He is more of a positional blocking tight end with some receiving traits.
He projects more as a depth piece for Miami rather than a fantasy-relevant player.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: Undrafted
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