Commanders' Chig Okonkwo is a fantasy football sleeper in 2026
· Yahoo Sports
The Washington Commanders needed to make some changes in 2026. The defense needed the most help, but GM Adam Peters was still tasked with adding some weapons on offense for quarterback Jayden Daniels.
One of the weapons Peters brought in was free agent tight end Chig Okonkwo. Okonkwo was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, but he didn't show much production or progress in his game due to coaching turnover, among other factors. The Titans didn't seem to understand how to use Okonkwo.
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Okonkwo thrives at getting open and providing an additional target for his quarterback. This year, that quarterback is Jayden Daniels, who could really use a guy like Okonkwo. And with Zach Ertz no longer with the Commanders, Okonkwo is likely to be used frequently. He's also excellent after the catch.
This is part of what leads ESPN fantasy football analyst Eric Moody to name Okonkwo a fantasy sleeper in 2026.
Okonkwo has a clear path to targets as the likely replacement for Zach Ertz, who caught 50 of 72 targets in 13 games for the Commanders last season. Okonkwo is one of just six TEs with at least 50 receptions in each of the past three seasons. The Commanders also don't have many proven pass catchers behind WR Terry McLaurin, giving Okonkwo a real path to sleeper value.
Okonkwo had a breakout season in 2025, mostly because the Titans lost Calvin Ridley, Tyler Lockett requested a trade, Van Jefferson was subpar, and that left Cam Ward with two rookie receivers and Okonkwo. His drop rate is among the lowest across tight ends, and while his blocking leaves a little to be desired, that part doesn't actually matter in fantasy.
He recorded 560 receiving yards, an average of 10 yards per reception, and two touchdowns. With a coach who knows how to use him, it won't be long before he replaces Zach Ertz's production. And with minimal changes to the wide receivers' room, Jayden Daniels may need to lean on his tight end to give Terry McLaurin some help this season.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: ESPN fantasy analyst names Commanders' Chig Okonkwo a fantasy sleeper