In a league where hitting on a few under-the-radar picks can make the difference between victory and heartbreak, identifying true sleepers is essential. A "sleeper" is a player whose expected production far exceeds his average draft position (ADP), making him a potential league-winner if he breaks out. Below, we dive into quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end sleepers - each with the upside to outperform their draft slot in 2025.
Quarterback Sleepers
Justin Fields (NYJ)
After signing with the Jets, Fields steps into a full‑time starting role surrounded by playmakers Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall. Though his passing stats have been modest - just over 1,100 yards and five TDs in six starts last year - Fields' rushing prowess (a QB‑best five rushing TDs through Week 6) vaulted him to an average of 18.9 fantasy points per game. Draft him as late as Round 9 in one‑QB formats, and you'll secure a dual‑threat floor with top‑five QB ceiling if he stays healthy.
Drake Maye (NE)
Maye's cannon arm and 7.8 yards per carry in 2024 hint at a high ceiling, even if his interception rate (3%) needs improvement. With Stefon Diggs (once healthy) and emerging backs Kyle Williams and TreVeyon Henderson, he boasts more weapons than many mid‑round signal‑callers. He averaged 16.4 PPG over ten starts - good for a fringe QB1 projection - making him a strong late‑round flier in the teens.
J.J. McCarthy (MIN)
Although he missed his rookie year with a knee injury, McCarthy lands in a Kevin O'Connell offense tailor‑made for quarterbacks, featuring Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson. His mobility adds intrigue on the ground, and even a conservative passing line would outpace most back‑end starters. Stash him as a high‑upside QB2 and watch for rookie spark in a pass‑heavy scheme.
Michael Penix Jr. (ATL)
Penix showed promise in three full starts, throwing for 200+ yards each time and sharing a rushing TD. He inherits an offensive group led by Bijan Robinson and Drake London, yet remains under the radar due to Atlanta's run‑heavy bias. Treat him as a late‑round lottery ticket - if the Falcons lean more on the pass, his upside is significant.
Running Back Sleepers
Jordan Mason (MIN)
Traded to Minnesota to form a committee with Aaron Jones, Mason flashed elite efficiency in San Francisco (5.31 YPC, best YAC among RBs with 200+ carries). While Jones handles passing downs, Mason's knack for hard yards makes him a top handcuff. In the event of injury, he has top‑12 RB potential - grab him in Round 9 for peace of mind and upside.
Kaleb Johnson (PIT)
Pittsburgh used a third‑round pick on Johnson in April, banking on his power rather than breakaway speed - his 4.57‑second 40‑yard dash and 1.62‑second 10‑yard split aren't eye‑popping. At Iowa, only about a third of his carries went for five yards or more, and although he flashed some pass‑catching chops (38 college targets), his blocking still needs refinement. With Jaylen Warren locked in for roughly one‑third of the workloads and most passing‑down duties, Johnson looks more like a flex option or Najee Harris insurance policy than a bell‑cow back, likely maxing out as a fringe RB2. Still, PFF's tracking data ranks him among the 25 fastest FBS backs over the past eight seasons despite that so‑so combine time. In Arthur Smith's ultra–run‑heavy offense - where the coordinator's run‑rate over expectation has been +13.0%, +7.9%, and +6.2% the past three years - Johnson should see plenty of early-down snaps, but don't count on him in passing situations given his 6.9 receiving yards per game in college and Warren's prowess catching the ball.
Cam Skattebo (NYG)
A fourth‑round rookie with three‑down skills, Skattebo led his class in forced missed tackles and posted an 11.1 yards per target rate at Arizona State. Despite New York's shaky offensive line, his play on non‑perfectly blocked runs should translate immediately. Expect a mid‑round flier in best‑ball formats, especially if he carves out 40–50% of early-down work.
Zach Charbonnet (SEA)
In six games as Seattle's lead back, Charbonnet averaged 19.2 PPG on 18.3 touches, proving he can deliver in Kenneth Walker III's absence. Once Walker returns, Charbonnet's role shrinks - but a new scheme under Klint Kubiak could yield more opportunities. He's an elite insurance pick for your bench starting in Round 9, with standalone upside during Walker's missed time.
Tyjae Spears (TEN)
Spears managed four games of 11.9+ PPR points in 2024, even while playing behind Tony Pollard. Coach Brian Callahan's hope for a more balanced backfield split bodes well for his volume. Draft him as a mid‑to‑late‑round flex target - if he inherits more work, his two‑way ability could push him into weekly starting consideration.
Ray Davis (BUF)
As James Cook's primary backup, Davis exploded for 152 total yards and 18.2 PPR points in Week 6. Though he averaged just 7.6 touches per game as a rookie, his 25% snap share suggests the Bills trust him in change‑of‑pace duties. A late‑round handcuff, Davis could become a league‑winner if Cook misses time.
Wide Receiver Sleepers
Ricky Pearsall (SF)
After a strong finish to 2024 (18.4 PPR PPG over final eight games), Pearsall inherits a clear path to targets with Deebo Samuel sidelined and Brandon Aiyuk rehabbing. His blend of speed, physicality, and route complexity makes him a prime Round 7 breakout candidate. Expect a flex‑worthy role from Week 1.
Keon Coleman (BUF)
Despite only 29 catches as a rookie, Coleman ranked third in yards per catch among 50+ target receivers. A wrist injury masked his late‑season momentum, but he finished with back‑to‑back 16.5+ PPR outings. In an Allen‑centric offense lacking new wideout competition, Coleman is a strong Round 10 dart throw with genuine big‑play upside.
Matthew Golden (GB)
A first‑rounder with a 4.29 40‑yard dash, Golden posted a 58‑987‑9 line in his lone Texas season. With Christian Watson injured and primary targets occupied, Golden could emerge as Jordan Love's top weapon. View him as a WR3 lottery ticket - especially appealing in formats that reward speed and YAC upside.
Marvin Mims (DEN)
In Weeks 10–18 of 2024, Mims averaged 17.5 PPR points on 5.2 targets, despite limited snap share. At 6'1" with dynamic playmaking ability, he's poised for a Year 3 expansion role behind Courtland Sutton. A late‑round flier, Mims could reward patience with WR3 weekly upside.
Tight End Sleepers
Kyle Pitts (ATL)
Is this the year? Entering 2025 with expectations tempered, Pitts flashed 29–419–3 through Week 8 last season before fading down the stretch. His athletic profile and rapport with Michael Penix Jr. suggest a rebound is possible, but he's best rostered as a late‑round lottery ticket given his boom‑bust history.
Zach Ertz (WAS)
At 34, Ertz remains a reliable red‑zone target, finishing as a back‑end TE1 with under 6 targets per game. The arrival of Deebo Samuel and Ben Sinnott could cap his volume, yet his knack for end‑zone chances keeps his floor high. Draft him in the final rounds as a safety net with occasional top‑12 upside.
Evan Engram (DEN)
Signed by Denver after his release from Jacksonville, Engram should be second in targets behind Courtland Sutton. Under Sean Payton - who's elevated tight ends like Jimmy Graham - Engram has the pedigree for a back‑end TE1 finish. He's worth a late‑round dart in all formats if he stays healthy.
Brenton Strange (JAC)
With Evan Engram gone, Strange is Jacksonville's new starter and posted multiple 9.2+ PPR outings in 2024. Competing with Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter, he still commands enough looks to be a waiver‑wire target or late‑round pick. He profiles as a low‑ceiling TE1 in deeper formats.
By targeting these under-the-radar players, savvy managers can unlock significant value late in drafts. Whether it's dual-threat quarterbacks, handcuff running backs, or breakout skill-position players, these sleepers have the profiles to outperform their ADP and propel your team toward a championship.
