What is a sleeper in fantasy football? Although there is no firm definition, you should learn to know when you see one ahead of your 2025 drafts.
Every NFL team has at least one undervalued player to target in the mid-to-late rounds this season. These are offensive skill players, from quarterbacks to tight ends and rookies to veterans alike that can return more value than their average draft positions (ADP).
For Sporting News’ list of 32, we’re sticking to players who are expert-ranked or have an ADP for the sixth round or later in 12-team, half-point PPR leagues (after 72) overall. Here’s plucking our best such pick from each team.
Fantasy football 2025: 32 NFL teams, 32 draft sleepers
Arizona Cardinals: RB Trey Benson
Benson is one of the better young handcuff lottery tickets as the Cardinals’ clear No. 2 in Year 2.
James Conner is 30 and has plenty of mileage and the door could open for some key Benson touches with a good chance to thrive.
MORE: RB Handcuff Rankings & Depth Chart
Atlanta Falcons: TE Kyle Pitts
The thought of Pitts makes fantasy managers groan after he’s done nothing but disappoint after his rookie season. But now he’s slipped past the 10th round into around TE16-18 on the board, he becomes a well post-hype sleeper with some hope the connection with Michael Penix Jr. will rejuvenate his receiving usage.
Baltimore Ravens: WR Rashod Bateman
Bateman had a 45-756-9 line last season with his TDs helping him just finish outside WR3 (the Top 36).
While Zay Flowers is getting too expensive for his return, this is a cheap flyer for decent matchup-based depth streaming.
Buffalo Bills: WR Keon Coleman
Coleman was disappointing reality-wise as a rookie, giving him almost no fantasy value. His speed as an new outside threat for Josh Allen didn’t manifest early, despite a favorable opportunity in the receiving corps.
Coleman has had a much better run in camp ahead of his second season and can execute with a more trusted role with WR3 potential.
Carolina Panthers: QB Bryce Young
Young remains buried near the end of the QB2 names (top 24) despite his sizzling finish to last season where the light went fully on in Dave Canales’ passing game.
Now he has a bona fide No. 1 receiver in first-round rookie Tetairoa McMillan plus a variety of returning targets led by Adam Thielen. He’s one of our top QB sleepers to draft.
Chicago Bears: WR Rome Odunze
The Bears will be using a lot of 12-personnel (two tight ends), which means Odunze will be on the field as the only other wide receiver with D.J. Moore. He can line up either inside or outside for Caleb Williams.
Don’t be shocked if Odunze often looks like another Amon-Ra St. Brown for new head coach and former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.
Cincinnati Bengals: RB Tahj Brooks
With Zack Moss gone, Brooks has a clear path to the No. 2 job behind Chase Brown.
At 5-foot-9, 214 pounds, the Texas Tech alum represents a capable physical complement for Brown and a worthy rookie lottery ticket as a handcuff.
Cleveland Browns: RB Quinshon Judkins
Judkins’ off-field issue is a concern, but this Browns backfield has JAG Jerome Ford leading it, and fellow rookie Dylan Sampson can’t be more than a change of pace yet.
The former Ohio State standout has turned into a value pick as a deep RB4.
Dallas Cowboys: TE Jake Ferguson
Ferguson has crept right into the top 12 at the position after signing his big new contract in Dallas.
With a healthy Dak Prescott under center and now playing off two dangerous wide receivers in CeeDee Lamb and new arrival George Pickens, Ferguson can bump back up a few more notches after a disappointing 2024.
MORE: TOP 2025 SLEEPERS – QB | RB | WR | TE | DST
Denver Broncos: TE Evan Engram
Engram was picked up after his Jaguars release to help clean up tight end with a legitimate new intermediate target for Bo Nix.
Engram is line to see familiar massive target volume playing off Courtland Sutton as a possible Joker positional favorite in Sean Payton’s offensive scheme.
Detroit Lions: QB Jared Goff
Goff came through big time as a top-10 starter last season with his favorable schedule. But he’s been dropped to QB15 or QB16 after finishing QB6 in 2024.
He still has top weapons, and the new John Morton offense can call for even more passing than Ben Johnson’s system.
PPR RANKINGS: TOP 300 Cheat Sheet | QB | RB | WR | TE | DST
Green Bay Packers: WR Matthew Golden
Jayden Reed is dealing with a concerning foot injury that clouds his Week 1 availability. Christian Watson likely needs time on PUP after tearing the ACL in his right knee late last season.
Golden has a silver opportunity to work into a primary receiving role right away for Jordan Love to stretch the field with his first-round speed.
Houston Texans: RB Nick Chubb
Joe Mixon has mileage and battling a new injury to his foot. Chubb is now a year removed from the torn ACL that killed his 2024 season in Cleveland.
Though rookie Woody Marks may also have a say in backfield touches, the wily veteran power back can’t be ruled out for familiar TD-heavy duties soon.
Indianapolis Colts: TE Tyler Warren
The rookie first-rounder’s hype train has pulled out of the station with a fine preseason debut. He’s going around TE11-12 in the 10th round.
With some down feelings on the wide receiver corps during the QB competition, Warren can be this year’s Brock Bowers in leading the Colts in targets.
(Corey Perrine)
Jacksonville Jaguars: WR Travis Hunter
Hunter was busy with targets during his limited offensive snaps (11) in his preseason debut, indicating he should play more at receiver than cornerback.
With Dyami Brown or Brenton Strange as the third-best target for Trevor Lawrence, Hunter has potential WR2 impact playing off second-year stud Brian Thomas Jr.
READ: Travis Hunter could break fantasy football
Kansas City Chiefs: RB Kareem Hunt
Hunt, once the NFL’s rushing champion as a Chief, returned as a strong sub last season for Isiah Pacheco.
The team might need to lean on him again in high-leverage situations should Pacheco’s durability issues linger.
Las Vegas Raiders: WR Jakobi Meyers
Meyers is going just outside the WR3s (Top 36) despite being the team’s second-best target to Bowers.
He was a top-30 fantasy WR last season and will remain key for new QB Geno Smith this season as the No. 1 wideout ahead of youngsters with Davante Adams long gone.
Los Angeles Chargers: QB Justin Herbert
Herbert’s late surge last put him on the cusp of QB1 status (top 12). He’s back right outside that realm as QB13-15 in rankings for this season.
With Keenan Allen back, he becomes a better value with top-10 upside. The key will be the Chargers giving him enough aerial volume vs. the running game and getting him more involved scrambling.
Los Angeles Rams: QB Matthew Stafford
Stafford’s back injury isn’t so concerning, but he’s still buried in the 14th round, just barely cracking the top 24 at QB. He was QB19 last season and now has another key TD-scoring wide receiver in Adams to boost Puka Nacua and others.
Assuming health and availability, the veteran can wind up a top-15 QB for streaming consideration and sneaky for 2QB and superflex.
Miami Dolphins: RB Jaylen Wright
De’Von Achane is a red-hot early pick for his expanded receiving role to go with his speedy, explosive running.
Wright can be a dynamic plug-and-play as a handcuff when needed — if not take over as the lead back in any Achane absence.
Minnesota Vikings: QB J.J. McCarthy
Jordan Mason, the No. 2 running back, is becoming too obvious a draft target behind Aaron Jones. So let’s go with McCarthy, in the same system that made seasoned Kirk Cousins and Sam Darnold as QB1s.
Even with Jordan Addison unavailable early with his three-game suspension, Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson are exceptional targets to have for a young passer. McCarthy has some sneaky top-12 upside in the 11th or 12th round.
New England Patriots: QB Drake Maye
Maye is going a little earlier than fellow second-year QB McCarthy, in the 9th round.
The North Carolina alum has the athleticism to push his rushing into cheat-code status and should be much more effective and prolific of a passer under Josh McDaniels.
READ: Avoid these fantasy draft busts
New Orleans Saints: WR Rashid Shaheed
Chris Olave is much riskier much earlier, but Shaheed is a fine flyer coming off a season lost to a knee injury.
The early fearless deep arm of Tyler Shough says Shaheed can get some cheap deep shot scores to go with busy targets opposite Olave.
New York Giants: RB Cam Skattebo
Skattebo’s versatility in blocking, running and receiving makes him at first the third-down back for the Giants.
However, as long as his injury won’t hinder him too long, the Arizona State alum can expand should Tyrone Tracy Jr. slump with his sophomore rushing. Skattebo could be a great “lightning” to Tracy’s “thunder” if nothing else.
New York Jets: TE Mason Taylor
The Jets are a bit starved for reliable pass-catchers after Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall. Justin Fields has taken to Taylor, the pedigreed son of one Dolphins Hall of Fame defender (Jason Taylor) and the nephew of another (Zach Thomas).
Taylor might be needed or a big role early a la a younger Sam LaPorta in a Lions-adjacent offense.
© Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Philadelphia Eagles: RB Will Shipley
Saquon Barkley handled a massive workload through the playoffs and Super Bowl last season and is due for some additional attrition.
Should he miss time, Shipley is in line to lead the backfield as a top backup, holding off newcomer AJ Dillon.
Pittsburgh Steelers: QB Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers is well into the QB3s beyond the top 24, despite his QB17 finish for the Jets last season.
Between DK Metcalf, two viable tight ends, and some flashy extra receivers, Rodgers has enough skill position help with the Steelers to crack the top 20 to be a value in 2QB and superflex leagues.
San Francisco 49ers: WR Ricky Pearsall
Pearsall is tabbed for a key role with Deebo Samuel gone and Brandon Aiyuk (knee) still needing time to return from his knee injuries.
The Florida standout has the talent to break out as at least a fantasy WR3 and finish well ahead of his 40ish positional ranking.
Seattle Seahawks: WR Cooper Kupp
Injury concerns keep Kupp cheap. Still, don’t forget about him working with Sam Darnold, now playing off Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
He still cracked WR3 status in his final Rams season and can finish several spots better than his WR4/WR5 rank for his new team.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: WR Emeka Egbuka
Egubka looks ready for a big role right away as the first-round pick playing off Mike Evans with Chris Godwin still on a slow timetable for return fro his ankle injury.
The former Ohio State star can line up anywhere on the field, giving him plenty of avenues to become a weekly contributor as at least a WR3, with a higher ceiling thanks to his pedigree.
Tennessee Titans: RB Tyjae Spears
Going deeper, rookie No. 1 overall QB Cam Ward gets a mention, but consider Spears, who can produce big-time as a receiver and runner should Tony Pollard miss time and lose effectiveness.
Washington Commanders: TE Zach Ertz
Ertz has been written off with Curtis Samuel coming and Terry McLaurin not likely going anywhere. But Ertz was key to Jayden Daniels’ rookie success last season and earned more targets for Kliff Kingsbury with Ben Sinnott not ready to be a thing yet.
Ertz is the rare 34-year-old to target as a sleeper. The veteran’s TE19-20 rank is too harsh of a dropoff from his TE7 work in 2024.
