Movin’ On Up | Players Who will Gain Dynasty Value in 2026

by Wyatt Bertolone · Featured
Gain Dynasty Value in 2026

We dynasty fantasy football managers are always looking for value in a buy-low opportunity. The best way to stay ahead of your leaguemates and keep a high-value team is to find players before they rise in value consistently.

Well, you’re in luck. I’ve already done the work for you, so let’s dive right in.

PlayerProfiler is home to award-winning dynasty rankings and tools. Our Dynasty Deluxe package includes complete Dynasty Rankings, Rookie Rankings, Trade Analyzer, Draft Planner, Mock Drafts, and more. Check it out.

Buy-In on These Players Before They Gain Dynasty Value in 2026

Tyler Shough | Quarterback, New Orleans Saints

What an incredible year and a half it’s been for Tyler Shough. During the 2024 college football season, Shough was hardly seen as a good NFL quarterback prospect. However, his physical skills had him rapidly rising on draft boards. Selected in the second round last year by the Saints, he was still expected little from.

After playing in college for six years, it’s hard to see how any prospect could develop more in the pros. Getting his chance to start in Week 8, Shough soon proved the haters wrong. The collegiate “journeyman” got his feet under himself, and from Week 10 on, Shough averaged 18.6 fantasy PPG with three outings over 20.

This offseason, the Saints worked to make things even better for their QB. They bolstered the offensive line, signed Travis Etienne, and drafted wide receiver Jordyn Tyson and tight end Oscar Delp. The Saints now have the right surroundings for Shough to make a second-year jump.

Most will tell you he can’t improve from where he is because of his advanced age, but those same people underestimated him as a rookie as well. Buy Shough by tiering down from Cameron Ward or Baker Mayfield.

Bhayshul Tuten | Running Back, Jacksonville Jaguars

Bhayshul Tuten was everyone’s favorite sleeper running back in the 2025 draft class. He’s a dynamic athlete who was highly productive in college and comes with pass-catching skills. Tuten’s rookie season was one that everyone on either side of the fence could look at and dig into further. Tuten “bulls” saw him earn a short-yardage role and perform when called upon. His “bears” saw him fail to make a big dent in Travis Etienne‘s workload, likely due to his own ball security issues from college. Tuten averaged only 5.9 PPR PPG for the season.

This offseason, however, Tuten got great news. The Jaguars let Etienne walk in free agency and only brought in Chris Rodriguez. Many point to Rodriguez playing for Jaguars’ head coach Liam Coen in college as a reason to worry about Tuten. But Rodriguez could barely stay on the Commanders’ roster over his three-year career there, and he has only six receptions. You heard that right, six. In three years.

Tuten has every chance to earn a large role for the Jaguars and will be the main receiving back. Tier down with Javonte Williams or Bucky Irving to Tuten.

Christian Watson | Wide Receiver, Green Bay Packers

It’s been a frustrating four years being a Christian Watson fan. Any time he’s been healthy, he’s shown to be one of the most efficient wide receivers in fantasy football. As a rookie, Watson was 1st among all wide receivers in Fantasy Points per Target. In 2025, while returning from an ACL in the same calendar year, he averaged 13.2 PPR PPG. An absolutely incredible feat, and one that doesn’t get talked about enough. For his career, he catches a touchdown on 8.8% of his targets, a top-notch mark. Unfortunately, over these four years, Watson has missed a total of 20 games.

Despite his injury history, the Packers rewarded the North Dakota product for his healthy play this offseason by signing him to a contract extension worth up to $92 million. A contract like that shows plenty of confidence. Additionally, the Packers let Romeo Doubs leave via free agency and traded away Dontayvion Wicks. Neither was truly battling Watson for targets, but it opens up more snaps.

Head coach Matt LaFleur had a habit of rotating his wide receivers; however, it looks like that time is up. Watson is lined up for another WR2 season. Try buying Watson by sending a future second-round rookie pick.

Jayden Higgins | Wide Receiver, Houston Texans

Jayden Higgins‘ rookie season flew a little under the radar. Higgins was an exciting prospect coming out of Iowa State, an impressive size/speed freak who produced at a high level in college. The Texans drafted him with the second pick of the second round in the 2025 NFL Draft, which is notable draft capital.

He averaged only 7.6 PPR PPG for the season, but that’s primarily because the Texans brought him along slowly. Higgins had only a 58.8% Snap Share for the season. The one good signal we can point to is that he was 26th among wide receivers in Fantasy Points per Target.

If Higgins is going to break out as a sophomore, he’ll need a larger role. The good news is that his role is guaranteed to grow in 2026. The opportunity is right in front of him, and the Texans have talked this offseason about expecting growth from him. Add in the possibility that C.J. Stroud and the offense as a whole bounce back, and Higgins should be in line for a big season. I like using DJ Moore, Michael Wilson, or Matthew Golden to tier down to Higgins while getting another asset added.

Chigoziem Okonkwo | Tight End, Washington Commanders

We saw glimpses of greatness from Chigoziem Okonkwo as a rookie. His opportunities didn’t come until the second half of the season, but he produced when he got them. In his final six games, Okonkwo averaged 10.0 PPR PPG, and for the entire season, he had an impressive 3.26 Yards per Route Run. Over the next three seasons on his rookie deal, we waited for him to break out, but he never did. Okonkwo averaged 6.7, 6.7, and 7.3 PPR PPG over that time. This offseason, though, he found a new home with the Commanders.

With Washington, Okonkwo has an opportunity to have a larger role than he ever did with the Titans. After Terry McLaurin, the pass-catching depth is lacking. Newly acquired third-round pick Antonio Williams has potential but is unproven. After that, it’s only perennial disappointment Treylon Burks and wish-he-was-his-older-brother Luke McCaffrey.

Okonkwo has the inside track to being the second target on the team after McLaurin, which is exactly what we want for our fantasy tight ends. Tier down to him with Jake Ferguson or Brenton Strange.


For more articles from PlayerProfiler, check out the fantasy home page – NFL Fantasy | PlayerProfiler – Fantasy Football News & Media