button in SafariPokerNews Staff Pick Their Favorite 25k Fantasy Draft Picks
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While Daniel Negreanu earned the honor of being very first pick in this year's 25k Fantasy Draft, it was reigning WSOP Player of the Year Shaun Deeb who commanded the most staggering price tag of the night, drawing a massive $133 bid.
But as any fantasy veteran knows, winning the league isn't just about blowing their bankroll on the heavy hitters, it's about finding the hidden gems down the board.
We caught up with the PokerNews editorial and media team on the draft floor to get their inside tracks on five value picks who could easily outperform their price tags and anchored your path to fantasy glory
David Coleman ($26)
A familiar face already tipped for success, but at $26 David Coleman could be a steal
"He's on fire," says PokerNews PR & Media Manager Chad Holloway. "He's coming off back-to-back career years, winning $5.2 million in 2024 and $8.3 million in 2025. He's already won almost $1.1 million this year alone.
"Prize money is one thing, but consistency at the highest level — like he's shown on the PokerGO Tour — is another thing."
Isaac Haxton ($19)
Another High Roller regular, could Isaac Haxton notch the second bracelet win of his career?
"He's hard to ignore," says PokerNews Managing Editor Will Shillibier. "Whether it's Triton, EPT or PokerGO Tour he just has a knack to show up with a score on the big stage. And there's no bigger stage than the WSOP.
"You're buying him for his High Roller results. Four cashes for 276 points last year is a decent return, and he narrowly missed out on a bracelet in the $50,000 PLO. And 100th in the Main Event shows he can turn it on in the big field events as well.
Brandon Wilson ($15)
The first pick for Team Moncek, this is the first time Brandon Wilson has been selected in the 25k Fantasy Draft
"He's one of the best No-Limit Hold'em players in the world," says PokerNews Editor and Digital Media Executive Tyler Boyer. "He already has two massive scores from Triton Jeju: second in the $50k for $948,000 and second again in the $150,000 Triton Anniversary for $2.2 million.
"They're both massive events with even bigger names competing in them. Not to mention two wins at EPT Paris and a whole host of results at the PokerGO Tour. He crushes in the PokerGO Studio, and I've watched him a bunch."
Tyler Moncek ($7)
While Michael Moncek went for a monstrous $130, his brother Tyler joined him for just $7
"Really cheap doesn't always pay off," says PokerNews US Senior Editor Connor Richards. "But if it does, then this could be an incredible investment. Whether or not poker skill is genetic, he has the same temperament to go on the same sort of run as his brother.
"Plus, being on the same team could help. They're both going to play everything and try to win as much as possible."
Brock Wilson ($20)
Another whose strong 2026 could continue under the bright lights of the WSOP
"Man, Brock Wilson...that dude wins every single time," says PokerNews Videographer Adam Peiken. "Every time I watch him play he ends up winning. We'll ahve to see how he gets on outside of the PokerGO Studio.
"But it's been his year. I can't imagine that changing just because he's over the road at the WSOP."
