Football
Rachaad White, Romeo Doubs and T.J. Hockenson are three players I keep coming back to at their current price. There is risk with all three, but that risk is already built into the cost. Each has a realistic way to become more valuable than the round where they are being drafted.
Featured Expert Picks
FantasyPros included all three selections in its 2026 high-upside player roundup.
FantasyPros asked featured experts to name one running back, wide receiver and tight end with the best upside at current half-PPR ADP. These were my three choices. Read the complete FantasyPros expert roundup.
| Player | Team | Position | Why the Price Can Be Beaten | Higher-Priced Player I Prefer to Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rachaad White | Washington Commanders | RB | Open backfield, receiving ability and familiarity with Jayden Daniels | Cam Skattebo |
| Romeo Doubs | New England Patriots | WR | Drake Maye, a big-play offense and coverage attention on A.J. Brown | Mike Evans |
| T.J. Hockenson | Minnesota Vikings | TE | A discounted price, Kevin O’Connell and a quarterback who has fed tight ends | Travis Kelce |
The price matters: A value pick stops being a value once the price climbs too high. I like all three where they are going now, not several rounds earlier.
Football Rachaad White Has the Best Path to a Bigger Role
Running Back Value
Rachaad White, Washington Commanders
Upside Bet
White is the easiest of the three to buy into. Washington does not have a clear lead back, and White already has familiarity with Jayden Daniels. He does not need 20 carries every week to beat his current price.
White’s receiving ability gives him a chance to matter right away. Daniels can extend plays and attack downfield but he still needs an answer when pressure wins or the first read is covered. White can stay useful even if Washington never hands him the entire rushing load.
PFM ranks Washington No. 11 in QB Stability, which is a good setup for a back who can help in the passing game. Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs will pull coverage outside. White can find work underneath and around the goal line.
Best Case
Wins the lead role and keeps the passing-down work
Useful Floor
Receiving back with weekly flex value
Main Risk
Never separates from the rest of the backfield
Why I Prefer White to Cam Skattebo
Skattebo may end up with more carries. I am still taking White at the cheaper price. Both players have role risk, but White is tied to Daniels and has a receiving role that can keep him productive even if he never owns the backfield.
White does not need to become a workhorse for the pick to hit. Give him enough early-down work to go with the passing-game role, and he can beat where he is being drafted.
Football Romeo Doubs Does Not Have to Be New England’s No. 1
Wide Receiver Value
Romeo Doubs, New England Patriots
Big-Play Bet
A.J. Brown will be the first name defenses worry about in New England. That can help Doubs. Drake Maye now has two outside receivers who can threaten a defense at different levels, and the coverage cannot lean toward both on every snap.
PFM ranks New England No. 4 in Explosiveness, and Doubs fits that offense. Maye is willing to push the ball downfield. Doubs can turn a smaller target share into meaningful fantasy production if the big plays and touchdowns are there.
I am not drafting Doubs because I expect him to out-target Brown. He does not need to. At this price, enough downfield work and red-zone chances can make him a strong bench receiver with a real shot to become more than that.
Best Case
Finishes close to Brown in yards and touchdowns
Useful Floor
Bench receiver with real spike-week potential
Main Risk
The target order leaves him too dependent on big plays
Why I Prefer Doubs to Mike Evans
Evans still carries the bigger name and the higher draft cost, but he is already dealing with injuries. Doubs gives me a cheaper way into an ascending offense led by a young quarterback who wants to attack downfield.
Evans has had the better career. That is not the decision fantasy managers are making. The decision is whether to pay the higher 2026 price for Evans or take the cheaper shot on Doubs. I prefer Doubs.
Football T.J. Hockenson Is the Tight End Discount
Tight End Value
T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings
Volume Bet
Tight ends get expensive quickly once fantasy managers start paying for a familiar name. Hockenson gives me a cheaper option with a real route to targets.
Kyler Murray is the current leader in Minnesota’s quarterback competition. In 2025, 47.4% of his targets went to tight ends, with Trey McBride handling most of that work. Hockenson does not need that same volume. He needs Murray to keep looking inside when Justin Jefferson pulls coverage outside.
Kevin O’Connell is another reason I am willing to take the chance. PFM ranks Minnesota No. 13 in Coaching Direction but No. 24 in both QB Stability and offense. I am not betting on the Vikings becoming a great offense. I am betting Hockenson can be a bigger part of a shaky one.
Best Case
Becomes Murray’s main target between the numbers
Useful Floor
Low-cost starter with steady target weeks
Main Risk
The quarterback competition keeps the passing game uneven
Why I Prefer Hockenson to Travis Kelce
Kelce can still help a fantasy team, but I cannot justify paying the current price for the name. Hockenson gives me a cheaper path to targets without forcing the rest of the draft around an early tight end pick.
Waiting at tight end only works when the later option has a real route to volume. Hockenson has one. Murray’s history with tight ends, Jefferson’s coverage pull and O’Connell’s offense give me enough reason to make the bet.
Football What Are the Downsides to These Picks?
Every value pick has a flipside. White misses if Washington names another back the clear early-down and goal-line option. Doubs misses if he settles well behind Brown and another receiver in the target order. Hockenson misses if Murray does not win the job or Minnesota’s tight ends remain a small part of the passing game.
That is why I am not reaching for any of them. The upside comes from taking on some uncertainty at a discount. Once the discount disappears, so does the value.
How I would handle all three:
- Draft White as running back depth with a real path to flex value.
- Draft Doubs as a bench receiver who can become a weekly matchup play.
- Draft Hockenson as a discounted starter or a strong option when waiting at tight end.
- Do not move any of them several rounds above ADP just because the upside case is appealing.
- Re-check roles and injuries before the final week of drafts.
Which value do you trust most: Rachaad White, Romeo Doubs or T.J. Hockenson?
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