While most rookies fail to be impact options for fantasy managers in their debut seasons, that does not mean that managers can’t find value. Beyond the few at the top of a draft class who are must-draft players, many tend to be specialists, offering value in a handful of categories. And that isn’t limited to first-rounders, either.
Within the 2026 draft class, there are some second-round picks who are in situations where they have the potential to achieve fantasy relevance as rookies. Below are a few players who may be worth rostering in deeper leagues next season.
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Many expected Evans to hear his name called during the first round, and that likely includes the NBA, which invited him to the Green Room for Tuesday’s portion of the draft. Instead, he went 33rd overall to the Timberwolves, and the former Duke wing is in a position to contribute immediately. With the Timberwolves adding LaMelo Ball but losing two key contributors in Julius Randle and Naz Reid, there will be a need for production beyond Ball, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels and Ayo Dosunmu.
Evans shot 36.1 percent from three on 7.4 attempts per game as a sophomore, and the free-throw percentage (86.0) suggests that he can be a capable perimeter shooter at the NBA level. Add in Ball’s injury history, and there should be opportunities for Evans to offer value, even if he and the Timberwolves’ newest point guard don’t play the same position.
The Thunder are among a few contenders with significant decisions to make in free agency, as Luguentz Dort and Isaiah Hartenstein have sizable team options for 2026-27. Dort’s future in Oklahoma City is most significant when assessing Oweh’s value; if the Thunder decide to move on from the veteran wing defender, the 41st overall pick out of Kentucky has the physical build needed to potentially help fill the void. Also, while Oweh does need to improve his perimeter shot, he brings a bit more to the table offensively than Dort did as a rookie.
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Like Evans, there was no shortage of draft evaluators who projected the 7-foot Veesaar to go in the first round. Shockingly, he remained on the board until pick No. 52, when the Hawks took him off the board. Atlanta may still look to add a more experienced center in free agency, but between Veesaar and first-round pick Zuby Ejiofor, the franchise added much-needed depth to the frontcourt. During his lone season at North Carolina, Veesaar was much-improved as a rebounder and scorer, and he’s able to provide some value as a stretch big.
Brazile is not a traditional center, but the defensive effort and athleticism give him an opportunity to fight for minutes as a rookie. It’s unknown what the Nuggets will do with Jonas Valančiūnas, whose contract for next season is partially guaranteed, and Zeke Nnaji is once again the subject of trade rumors. Given Brazile’s tools, he can be used at the four or the five, depending on the situation. He’s unlikely to be a player who should be selected in most drafts, but it would be unsurprising if Brazile had streaming value at some point next season.
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The Pistons’ decision to move on from Isaiah Stewart means that Paul Reed ascends into the backup center role, a change that was unsurprising given how the postseason went. And that opens up the third center spot within the rotation, and Onyenso’s defensive ability makes him a worthy candidate for that role. In his lone season at Virginia, the 6-foot-11 center led the ACC with 2.9 blocks per game, and he totaled 21 rejections over the course of three games at the ACC tournament.
The Kings are rebuilding; how much the younger players get to play depends in part on which veterans the team can move. In a wise approach, Sacramento used its draft picks on players from winning college programs: first-rounders Darius Acuff Jr. (Arkansas) and Alex Karaban (UConn), and second-round pick Sharp (Houston). Sharp is a capable defender who can also knock down shots, as he was nearly a 38 percent shooter from three and 87 percent from the foul line for his college career. Given how strong the West once again projects to be, Sharp is someone who could be a “silly season” standout if his name isn’t called early in the season by head coach Doug Christie.
