Fantasy football draft season is right around the corner, which means it is time for managers to identify the rookies who could provide value without a significant draft investment. 

While several of the players are already creating a significant buzz and coming off the draft boards early, many rookies are still being selected much later. 

Instead, the focus here is on the players who could still be available in the late rounds and offer intriguing upside for fantasy managers. 

With that in mind, here are the 10 NFL rookies including Denzel Boston who can still be worthy of a late-round draft pick according to the list put out by Dan Parr of NFL, who wrote on August 19.

10 . De’Zhaun Stribling 

The San Francisco 49ers wide receiver has been turning heads since training camp. He backed up the hype with a strong preseason debut as he reeled in seven catches on eight targets for 63 yards, including a 32-yard sideline grab.

Despite a few missed practices due to hamstring tightness, Stribling hasn’t slowed down since his rise in training camp. 

9.  Denzel Boston 

The Cleveland Browns wide receiver made his preseason debut against the Chicago Bears. During the match, he helped set up a scoring drive with a 15-yard reception from quarterback Deshaun Watson. 

At training camp, Boston was promoted to the Browns’ first-team offense and has opened the door for him to become the Cleveland Browns’ WR1. 

8 .  Ja’Kobi Lane

The Baltimore Ravens wide receiver has already generated a lot of chatter around him since training camp after the Ravens reporter Jamison  Hensley put out a tweet about Lane’s “highlight-making catch”.

To add to his hype further, Lane also scored a touchdown during the preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles. However, it will be worth watching if he can live up to the hype as the season progresses. 

7. Caleb Douglas

The Miami Dolphins wide receiver has the rare opportunity to become the WR1 for day one. He is yet again one of the players who has been creating a lot of buzz in training camp. 

To add to this buzz, Douglas hauled in a viral, one-handed 28-yard back-shoulder pass from Malik Willis against the Washington Commanders during the August 15th preseason game. 

6. Fernando Mendoza

The Las Vegas Raiders’ quarterback had a strong preseason debut against the Arizona Cardinals. He went 10-for-16 with 97 yards passing and a touchdown. 

Mendoza is expected to eventually take over for Kirk Cousins. However, as of now, head coach Klint Kubiak named Cousins the Week 1 starter, though Mendoza (the No. 1 overall pick) is pushing for the job. 

According to Dan Parr, Mendoza has the tools to be a low-end fantasy QB2 by midseason.

5. Ted Hurst 

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver has been creating a lot of buzz around him in training camp. He backed up the hype with six targets on 21 snaps against the Jets in Week 1 of the preseason and showed an ability to win off the line of scrimmage in the red zone. 

4. Mike Washington Jr. 

The Las Vegas Raiders running back was selected in the fourth round of the NFL 2026 draft. It was his performance during the Week 1 preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals that caught everyone’s attention. 

Washington gave the Raiders a crucial game-tying touchdown. Per the reports put out by Pro Football Focus, “Washington powered through defenders for 63 yards on just six carries, with 52 of those yards coming after contact.” 

3. Germie Bernard

The Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver caught a lot of attention during the preseason game against the Green Bay Packers. 

During the match, he broke away from two tacklers en route to a 25-yard gain on his first catch of the night. 

2. Malachi Fields

The New York Giants Wide receiver has been making a name for himself since training camp. During the preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings on August 15, he caught a 15-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jaxson Dart early in the second quarter. 

 With this touchdown, he has now put himself in the mix for the team’s WR2. 

1. Cyrus Allen 

The Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver might not start in the Week 1 regular-season lineup, but he has been building a strong case to make the starting team immediately. 

During the Chiefs’ preseason match against the Los Angeles Rams, Allen secured an 18-yard grab. As to when he makes the starting lineup is something worth keeping an eye on. 

Who would you pick for your 2026 NFL Fantasy draft? Let us know in the comments. 

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