We are a handful of days away from the start of the 2026 NFL Season, and betting on Pro Football Moneylines for those of you who dabble. And, boy, I think we deserve it. No more rumours. No more camp clips. No more rookie hype. It’s time. Now, any diligent dynasty manager would have completed his business a long time ago. But, like an English Premier League Club on Transfer Deadline Day, it’s not too late to get some last-minute deals over the line. Here are some of my favorite buy-low candidates heading into the season:
Lamar Jackson
Build: Contender
Lamar Jackson owners went through it last season. Jackson got off to a flying start and looked set to be in the conversation for a third MVP. He was the QB1 through four weeks, averaging 23.8 fantasy points per game plus 40 rushing yards per game. Then injuries took hold, followed by a rushed return to help a playoff push in an effort to save Harbaugh’s job. He never looked himself.
Through weeks 11-16, Lamar Jackson averaged just 11.5 fantasy PPG, which was good enough to be the QB35 in fantasy. You can’t not start him; he’s Lamar Jackson. Lamar recorded career lows in rushing yards, rush attempts per game, and tied his lowest rushing TDs. He was also sacked the second-most times in his career.
There’s a real age cliff when it comes to mobile quarterbacks. Jackson is 29 and approaching the marker where conventional wisdom catches up with rushing quarterbacks. But I just don’t think Lamar Jackson has reached it just yet. In 2024, Jackson set the record for most fantasy points ever as a quarterback and threw for a league-high 41 TDs. Jackson is still the second-best quarterback to own in Dynasty Leagues, and he will show that again this season.
Brian Thomas Jr.
Build: Any
Owning Brian Thomas Jr. last season was like owning a Ferrari that you lost the keys to. BTJ set the NFL on fire in his rookie season, logging over 1,200 yards to finish as the WR5 overall.
Injuries, drops, and lack of chemistry with Trevor Lawrence made for an incredibly frustrating season for BTJ owners. The second-year wide receiver finished as the WR47, logging just 707 yards on an offense that averaged over 30 PPG from Week 9. BTJ picked up a wrist sprain, a shoulder injury, and missed three games with an ankle sprain.
The good news is this. Since 1999, 17 rookie wide receivers have logged 1,000+-yard seasons. Of those 17, 14 went on to record another 1,000-yard season within the next three seasons.
Bucky Irving
Build: Contender
Bucky Irving saw his stock rise inexorably over the course of his rookie season. He ranked as the RB13 after logging 1,122 rushing yards, 392 receiving yards, and eight TDs. Irving’s rushing efficiency stood out; he averaged a huge 5.42 yards per carry, which put him alongside the elite. Irving’s second season was underwhelming, missing considerable time with a shoulder injury that he never really looked like he was able to recover from.
Irving logged just 588 rushing yards, 277 receiving yards, and four TDs across 10 games. His efficiency dropped to 3.4 yards per carry.
That played out in the numbers:
- EPA per play: -0.206 in 2025 vs 0.101 in 2024. Only Ashton Jeanty had more carries and a lower EPA per rush.
- Success rate: 34.7% in 2025 vs 44.9% in 2024. Only Quinshon Judkins and Ashton Jeanty had more carries and a lower success rate.
- YPC: 3.4 in 2025 vs 5.42 in 2024.
- Red zone efficiency: 5.6% in 2025 vs 21.1% in 2024.
Irving had off-season shoulder surgery and has been generating a lot of buzz from new OC Zac Robinson, who labelled the third year back a ‘stud’. Plus, the Buccaneers offensive line enters the year considerably healthier.
Marvin Harrison Jr.
Build: Rebuilder
Heading into his rookie season, Marvin Harrison Jr. was billed as the best wide receiver since sliced bread. Marv was the consensus 1.01 in rookie drafts in 2024, a class that also included the likes of Malik Nabers, Brock Bowers, Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Jayden Daniels.
Marvin Harrison Jr.’s NFL career has been a litany of underachievement. In Redraft, during his rookie season, MHJ was drafted in the second round. He mustered up a WR30 finish despite playing every game. Last season, Harrison led the Cardinals in target share before injuries prevented him from fully participating in Jacoby Brissett’s Garbage Time Buffet. Again, like many on the list, Harrison didn’t look right when he returned.
It is easy to forget that Marvin Harrison Jr has an elite collegiate profile. Harrison led all WRs in his class in career YPRR, touchdowns per route run, first downs per route run, and PFF Grade. Heading into this season, Marvin Harrison Jr. is on one of the most prolific passing offenses that is likely to be facing negative game scripts.
Michael Pittman Jr.
Build: Contender
I don’t think there’s been a team as underdiscussed as the Pittsburgh Steelers this off-season. To summarize: Mike Tomlin is out, Mike McCarthy is in, and Aaron Rodgers is retiring. One of the under-the-radar acquisitions has been Michael Pittman Jr from the Colts. Last season, Michael Pittman Jr was the WR9 before Daniel Jones got injured.
Pittman joins a Steelers team that has undergone an offensive facelift. The Steelers have a huge 223 vacated targets from last season, the third most in the NFL. Pittman is exactly the type of receiver Rodgers needs at this point in his career, operating best in short and intermediate areas of the field as a chain mover and big body in the end zone.
Although Aaron Rodgers’ age and lack of mobility appear to be the biggest obstacle in PIT, Mike McCarthy has a history of delivering top-10 offenses, ironically with Rodgers as the QB.
Hey, you made it to the end! Good job by you. Thanks for taking the time to read my article; you can hit me up on X to talk ball any time @StartSitEmFF.
