Auction Fantasy Football Values: Underpriced Players To Target In 2026

Auction fantasy football values are similar to the clearance section.

If you don’t at least attempt to make your way toward the clearance section at your local department store, what are you even doing there in the first place?

“Always check the clearance section”, my mom would utter while we were still in the parking lot. “You will always find a good deal.”

See, I brought you a real-life scenario, and the correlation to fantasy football is simple: If you’re in an auction fantasy football league, always make sure you have some money left for the later rounds. When everyone else’s money is spent, their bellies are full of wings and Mike’s Hard Lemonade, and they can barely afford a $3 bid—that’s when you cash in.

Because you played the smart game and saved some of your budget, you can scoop up late-round targets for less than their projected value. Everyone loves a good clearance-rack find. In an auction draft, make sure you have enough money left to go shopping.

Let’s shop. You spent big early, maintained your budget through the middle rounds, and now we’re heading toward the final stretch.

Clearance-rack time—Use the $200 Budgets wisely!

Underpriced Auction Fantasy Football Values To Target For 2026

Javonte Williams | RB | DAL | $24 Value

Look, wow, what a find!

Williams needed some minor repairs earlier in his career, but those days appear to be behind him. Over the last three seasons, he's averaged 16 games played, putting those durability concerns firmly in the rearview mirror.

The Cowboys must've liked what they saw. They ponied up some serious cash this offseason, making it clear they view Williams as the lead option coming out of the backfield. He rewarded that faith by setting career highs across the board while dominating the backfield with 252 carries. The next closest Cowboy in rushing attempts? Dak Prescott, with just 53.

Don't overthink this one. Dallas isn't suddenly going to abandon what made them successful. Expect another run-heavy offense that finishes comfortably inside the top 10, with a legitimate shot to crack the top five for a second straight season.

The clearance rack was full of players, and everyone else walked right past. Javonte Williams isn't damaged goods anymore; he's just discounted. Grab him before someone else realizes the price tag doesn't match the value.

Other values to target around Williams: Travis Etienne Jr. ($22), Jaylen Warren ($19), Bhayshul Tuten ($18).

Dylan Sampson | RB | CLE | $7 Value

Damn, I really wanted to talk about Brandon Aiyuk here, but after his recent antics, I wouldn't spend a quarter of a penny on him.

So instead, I'm sending you to the Browns' clearance rack. But hear me out ...

It might not look like much sitting on the shelf, but neither did that air fryer your significant other made you buy. Now you use it every day, and Dylan Sampson could be that same kind of addition to your fantasy roster.

Quinshon Judkins is the unquestioned lead back, but Todd Monken has always found ways to get an explosive pass-catching back involved. Sampson has the speed to fill that role. You're not drafting him to replace Judkins—you're drafting the role and the value that comes with it.

Last season, Sampson saw at least nine touches in only four games. In Week 1 against Cincinnati, he handled 20 total touches and caught all eight of his targets for 64 receiving yards. When the Browns gave him opportunities, he flashed.

The best part? He'll probably cost you only a couple of auction bucks.

Don't be surprised if Sampson finishes with double-digit games of at least nine touches.

Once he's on your roster, you'll be glad you drafted him. When bye weeks hit, a versatile back like Sampson could be exactly what your team needs and an exceptional bargain. Here are some other good values near Sampson’s value:

Other values to target around Sampson: Nicholas Singleton ($6), Brian Robinson Jr. ($6), Kaytron Allen ($6)

Jalen McMillan | WR | TB | $6 Value

After Jalen McMillan helped fantasy managers down the stretch in 2024, a freak preseason hit against the Steelers fractured three vertebrae and put his sophomore season on ice until Week 15. Naturally, he couldn't recapture the magic from his rookie season's finish, but he also wasn't forgotten in Tampa Bay's offense. Unfortunately, many fantasy managers forgot about him.

They shouldn't have.

Based on what McMillan recently told reporters, Zac Robinson plans to open up the offense even more this season.

Yes, the Buccaneers' wide receiver room is crowded, but opportunity still exists. McMillan has already shown chemistry with Baker Mayfield, and that's something fantasy managers shouldn't overlook. During his late-season breakout in 2024, Mayfield repeatedly looked McMillan's way in key situations, building the kind of trust that often carries over into future seasons.

Robinson has already made it clear he wants this offense to be even more aggressive through the air. Unlike his time in Atlanta, he'll be calling plays for Baker Mayfield, who is far superior to any quarterback Robinson coached there. With Tampa Bay's defense still a work in progress, don't be surprised if Mayfield pushes closer to 35 pass attempts per game.

More passing attempts don't guarantee McMillan breaks out, but they do create more opportunities. Pair that with the chemistry he already has with Mayfield, and it's easy to see why he could pick up right where he left off before the injury. If that chemistry carries over into 2026, don't be surprised if one of last year's forgotten receivers becomes one of this year's biggest values.

Other values to target around Sampson: Antonio Williams ($6), Tre Tucker ($5), Adonai Mitchell ($5)

Players Mentioned in this Article

JavonteWilliams
RBDAL
PPG
14.1
Proj
210.9
DylanSampson
RBCLE
PPG
4.7
Proj
89.4
JalenMcMillan
WRTB
PPG
6.0
Proj
71.3
BakerMayfield
QBTB
PPG
15.5
Proj
280.7

Published Jul 29, 2026, 4:00 AM ETUpdated Jul 29, 2026, 9:11 AM ET