It’s that time of year in the middle of the summer when startup drafts begin to pop up, especially dynasty best ball startups. For those managers who have the summer itch to join a new dynasty league but don’t want to completely manage another team, they will usually join a best ball league in hopes of just drafting—that’s it. At Dynasty Nerds, we figured we’d throw out some sleepers who can help you win a championship or provide long-term value in your league.
🔗 Start Building Your Dynasty
Dynasty Best Ball Sleepers
Christian Watson | Wide Receiver
Our first sleeper target in dynasty best ball startups is Christian Watson. Watson appears to be on the rise heading into 2026 and beyond after signing a four-year, $92 million deal this offseason.
The Packers made notable changes to their receiving corps, opening up opportunity for Watson to take on a larger role. With the departures of Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks, there are 130+ targets up for grabs in this offense. There is also optimism that Jordan Love and the passing game can rebound closer to 500 attempts after finishing with just 439 this past season.
Watson has always been a boom-or-bust receiver since entering the league, and injuries have been the biggest factor limiting his overall production. Prior to 2025, he would flash with a few explosive performances but struggle to maintain consistent output week to week. However, that type of volatility is exactly what you want in best ball formats.
In 2025, Watson showed that upside again. In just 10 games, he posted 4 performances of 16+ fantasy points. While the consistency still isn’t there, the ceiling remains extremely appealing.
Watson currently profiles as a WR3 with legitimate WR2 upside if things break right in Green Bay. With long-term stability tied to both Matt LaFleur and Jordan Love, he is a strong dynasty asset to target in best ball formats.
Xavier Worthy | Wide Receiver
Our next receiver is Xavier Worthy. He is another excellent target in dynasty best ball leagues because of his boom-or-bust profile. There are plenty of reasons to believe Worthy can bounce back and regain some of the upside he flashed during the 2024 season.
First, Worthy should be fully healthy heading into 2026 after suffering an injury in Week 1 last season that clearly impacted his production. It’s also important to remember what he showed when healthy. Over his final 7 games of the 2024 season, Worthy averaged 56 receiving yards per game.
The return of Eric Bieniemy as offensive coordinator could also provide a boost to the Chiefs passing attack. There are still question marks surrounding Rashee Rice, while Travis Kelce continues to get older. Those factors could create an opportunity for Worthy to earn a larger role and take advantage of his elite speed as a downfield weapon.
Expect Patrick Mahomes to see an increase in yards per attempt with Bieniemy back calling plays after the offense failed to finish among the league leaders in that category following his departure. Worthy has the skill set to become Bieniemy’s version of Tyreek Hill. During Hill’s final season under Bieniemy in Kansas City, he finished among the league leaders in both air yards and deep targets. If developed and utilized correctly, Worthy could fill a similar field-stretching role in the offense.
Jalen Nailor | Wide Receiver
The Raiders signed Jalen Nailor to a three-year, $50 million contract this offseason. Whether that ends up being an overpay or a savvy acquisition remains to be seen, but it certainly suggests the organization has plans for him. Nailor was a reliable WR3 for the Vikings over the last two seasons, totaling 57 receptions, 858 receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns. In eight career games where he saw at least five targets, he produced double-digit fantasy points in five of them. He may not be a superstar, but with an expanded role, he could become a valuable WR3 for dynasty best ball rosters.
The opportunity is certainly there in Las Vegas. Outside of star tight end Brock Bowers, the Raiders lack proven pass-catching options. Tre Tucker has been the most consistent receiver on the roster, but he has primarily operated in a short-area role throughout his career. The team also has young receivers Jack Bech and D’Onte Thornton Jr., but neither has shown enough yet to confidently project a breakout in 2026.
Under the new regime, the Raiders made a significant investment in Nailor, which could signal a larger role moving forward. The quarterback situation should also be an upgrade from what Nailor worked with at times in Minnesota. He has a realistic path to earning the WR1 or WR2 role in an offense that could be forced to throw often while playing from behind.
In the later rounds of dynasty best ball drafts, Nailor is the type of player who can provide spike-week production. Those occasional big games can be extremely valuable in best ball formats, making him an intriguing late-round target for managers looking to add upside to their roster.
Chigoziem Okonkwo | Tight End
New Commanders tight end Chig Okonkwo is a sleeper in dynasty best ball formats at the tight end position. While his value has been trending upward throughout the offseason, he still qualifies as a sleeper in many leagues. Okonkwo has dealt with poor quarterback play and inconsistent offensive coaching during his time in Tennessee, but he has continued to flash upside. Last season, he set career highs in both receptions and receiving yards. According to PlayerProfiler, he ranked ninth among tight ends in yards after the catch and eighth in target separation.
Okonkwo is an athletic tight end joining a Commanders offense that could use additional playmakers around young star quarterback Jayden Daniels. During Daniels’ healthy rookie season, the tight end position was heavily involved in the passing game, with 34-year-old Zach Ertz finishing as the team’s second-most targeted receiving option while posting over 600 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.
Okonkwo brings more athleticism and big-play ability than Ertz at this stage of their careers, giving him the opportunity to thrive in Washington’s offense. Outside of Terry McLaurin, the Commanders are relying on a mix of young receivers and veteran journeymen, which could create a significant role for a tight end entering the prime years of his career.
From a best ball perspective, Okonkwo offers the type of boom-or-bust profile fantasy managers should target. His upside in the later rounds as a TE2 for a team, makes him an intriguing sleeper for both the 2026 season and his long-term outlook in the Commanders offense.
Mike Washington Jr. | Running Back
Our final sleeper pick is Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. Washington has plenty of appeal in dynasty best ball formats due to the elite upside he offers. Let’s not forget that he was a fourth-round selection who weighs 223 pounds and ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash. He possesses the type of big-play ability that makes for an ideal sleeper pick and bench stash, as he only needs a few touches to end up being in your best ball lineup (especially during bye weeks). Last season, he recorded runs of 25-plus yards in three different games, showing that the explosive-play potential is already there despite a limited workload.
The Raiders’ offense could feature Washington more than many dynasty managers expect. Head coach Klint Kubiak comes over from Seattle, where he was part of an offense that supported two running backs with 180 or more carries. While Ashton Jeanty is on a different level than Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet, there may still be enough rushing volume to go around. Last season, backup Raheem Mostert logged only 22 carries, but Washington could realistically push for 50 to 60 carries while still allowing Jeanty to surpass 220 attempts.
That workload, combined with his explosive athletic profile, creates intriguing upside for dynasty best ball managers. Washington Jr. is the type of player you should target in Round 12 or later as a depth running back with week-winning potential if given an opportunity.
🔥 Take Control of Your Dynasty Today
Want to see where your lineup stacks up? Start building like the pros with our most powerful tools and resources:
👉 It’s time to take control of your dynasty and see where your lineups truly rank.
