The End of the Fantasy Football Season: Reflections and Insights
As the fantasy football season comes to a close, emotions are all over the place. For some, winning the championship brings pure joy, while for others, it’s all about the sting of defeat. And then, there are those of us, honestly a bit indifferent towards the teams that didn’t make it this far. But one thing unites us all: a deep passion for the sport and a strong desire to return next season ready to claim victory. Already, you might be pondering your draft strategy and, most crucially, who your sleeper pick for 2026 might be. To do that effectively, let’s explore which sleepers have emerged this season and whether there’s a trend to consider.
This preseason, there were quite a few anticipated players, but the standout was undoubtedly Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Sure, you can’t overlook MVP candidate Drake Maye, but many expected him to shine. In contrast, Lawrence wasn’t even a blip on most people’s draft radar. He was often seen merely as a backup option. Yet, if you’re a believer in Liam Cohen, you could tap into some serious benefits throughout the season, playoffs included.
Cohen, who’s made a name for himself as the “quarterback whisperer” by revitalizing the careers of guys like Matthew Stafford and Baker Mayfield, has done wonders. He transformed the Jaguars into Super Bowl contenders and turned Lawrence into a top-five fantasy quarterback. After what felt like years of unfulfilled potential, Lawrence finished seventh in passing yards, fifth in passing touchdowns, 10th in rushing yards among quarterbacks, second in rushing touchdowns, and ultimately third in total fantasy points. His playoff performance was particularly striking, averaging 36.5 points during Weeks 15 through 17, propelling many to championship glory.
Not to downplay other players, though. While they might not have made as much of a splash as Lawrence in the fantasy playoffs, running backs Zach Charbonnet and Javonte Williams certainly made their mark. Both started as ninth-round picks but rose to become key fantasy contributors. In Seattle, coordinator Clint Kubiak shifted to a run-first outside zone scheme, which really helped Charbonnet explode in the absence of lead back Kenneth Walker. Similarly, Dallas offensive coordinator Clayton Adams shifted focus to running plays under head coach Brian Schottenheimer, giving Williams a significant boost. Fullbacks have also played pivotal roles in many successful fantasy campaigns.
The wide receiver and tight end positions had their fair share of late-round surprises as well. Players like Deebo Samuel, Jauan Jennings, and Quentin Johnston joined the ranks of emerging stars like Harold Fannin and AJ Varner. It’s fascinating to see how fresh coaching approaches and new roles have influenced their performances. Perhaps this is a crucial takeaway from the 2025 season that we can all apply as we head into the next one.
If you’re on the hunt for a sleeper pick for 2026, keep an eye on coaching changes. Each year seems to bring a wave of head coaches and coordinators reshuffling and implementing their own schemes. Familiarizing yourself with their past successes can really guide your choices. Looking ahead, it’ll be interesting to see what players Liam Cohen will target next year and how he’ll help them flourish. Following these coaching trends may just give you the edge you need.
