You’re here for fantasy football sleepers, but as we all know, true “sleepers” went the way of the dodo. Someone, somewhere, is talking about every player. So, we’re focusing more on the best current values in fantasy football drafts. Sure, you can call them sleepers because it’s more fun than “undervalued discount picks” … and far less wordy, but either way, our staff likes the following players in early drafts.
QuarterbackJ.J. McCarthy, QB, MIN
There are five quarterbacks this year who have earned the right to be targeted in the first few rounds of 1-QB leagues, and then there is everyone else. If you’re drafting from the also-rans in a 1-QB league, you might as well play the lottery, which is what McCarthy represents. He’s next in line behind center for head coach Kevin O’Connell, who has directed offenses to Top 6 finishes in passing yards and passing TDs in each of the past four seasons.
That feat looks even better when you consider the past two seasons included a half-season of Nick Mullens, Joshua Dobbs and Jaren Hall filling in for an injured Kirk Cousins, followed by Sam Darnold playing at an MVP level, filling in for an injured McCarthy. Embrace the camp reports about McCarthy’s struggles, as it only helps ensure you can land McCarthy at the very end of your drafts. In fact, you can even take a “safer” QB like Justin Herbert a round or two earlier and take McCarthy as your backup. But the QB with the better chance to finish as a mid-level QB1 will be McCarthy. — Brandon Funston
Running BackWill Shipley, RB, PHI
Shipley is an elite athlete and capable receiver who’s set to see more work with Kenneth Gainwell gone from Philadelphia. He must still beat out AJ Dillon for the Eagles’ RB2 role, but camp reports have him comfortably winning the job. Of course, it would take a Saquon Barkley injury for Shipley to possess fantasy value, but Barkley is coming off a historical (and long) season in which he accumulated 482 touches. Shipley would be a true fantasy difference maker with the help of the NFL’s best offensive line, should he get the opportunity. — Dalton Del Don
Tony Pollard, RB, TEN
Two short seasons ago, Tony Pollard was flying off draft boards in the middle of the first round with real expectations for an overall RB1 finish. Unfortunately for the former Cowboy, ankle surgery derailed the 2023 season from an efficiency standpoint, before a move to a historically bad offense ruined the next.
Now at 28 years old, Pollard’s coming off a healthy campaign featuring 301 touches — good for a Top 10 finish in positional workload. Sure, the veteran’s yards per carry didn’t quite rebound with the move to Music City. What would you realistically project for a running back playing for a team ranking bottom-three in EPA/Play (-0.12) and net point differential (-8.8)? Tennessee cleaned up the trenches by adding three new starters to the O-line to go with a No. 1 overall pick under center. Priced all the way down at RB24, Pollard’s sheer projectable volume makes him a fantasy value, with a real upside case to fulfill the prophecy from seasons ago. — John Laghezza
Tank Bigsby, RB, JAX
At the time of writing, Tank Bigsby is being drafted behind Travis Etienne and Bhayshul Tuten. Why? Bigbsy was far and away the more productive runner despite virtually splitting carries with Etienne (168-150), topping him in rushing yards, yards per carry, touchdowns, yards per reception, goal line carries, yards after contact … I could go on and on. Among running backs with at least 150 carries, Bigsby ranked in the Top 10 in multiple efficiency metrics: avoided tackle rate (third), explosive run rate (ninth), juke rate (sixth), and yards after contact (third). I understand the hesitation with the crowded backfield, but as we saw last season in Tampa, new Jags head coach Liam Coen feeds the most effective player. Bigsby’s lack of usage in the passing game may scare some away, and it does cap his ceiling, but don’t pass up value on a productive running back just because he doesn’t have RB1 overall upside. — Jay Felicio
Jaydon Blue, RB, DAL
Blue’s average overall rank on Fantasy Pros is 127.5. He’s already seen first-team reps in training camp. If he can supplant Javonte Williams on the depth chart, Blue would be featured in an offense capable of high-scoring games and a lot of opportunity with George Pickens, CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott. In 2024, Williams had only 3.7 yards per carry, four rushing TDs and two fumbles; his longest run went for 20 yards. In Week 2, he averaged 1.5 YPC on 11 carries; in Week 8, he had eight rushes for -2.0 yards. I’m taking Blue near (often at) the end of drafts, and I expect him to either win the starting role or at least enter a timeshare. — Jess Bryant
Wide ReceiverMarvin Mims, WR, DEN
Marvin Mims’ second season ended with an eight-game binge that vaulted him into the fantasy conversation and helped drag his team into the playoffs. His best moments were among the signature plays of Denver’s season. He was nearly flawless over the final five weeks, catching 23 balls for 341 yards and five spikes on 26 targets. It’s difficult to imagine the Broncos simply putting a weapon like Mims back in storage. He’ll clearly have some variance to his game, but his big weeks will be matchup-winning eruptions. — Andy Behrens
Ricky Pearsall, WR, SF
With Deebo Samuel gone and Brandon Aiyuk slated to miss much of the 2025 season, Pearsall has a path to be Brock Purdy’s go-to wide receiver this year. Pearsall showed what he’s capable of in Weeks 17-18 last year, racking up 47.6 PPR points. He also has the most favorable cornerback coverage schedule of any wide receiver. Add it up, and he’s a WR3 with a borderline WR4/WR5 ADP. — KC Joyner
Roman Wilson, WR, PIT
The Steelers front office moved to acquire DK Metcalf in the offseason, but did not replace George Pickens after trading him. That signals they might be comfortable with who they have in-house to slot in as the second WR. And it’s not going to be Calvin Austin. A healthy Wilson has the opportunity to emerge as a complementary playmaker to Metcalf and can be targeted as a final-round pick. — Scott Engel
DeMario Douglas, WR, NE
With the arrival of Stefon Diggs in New England, DeMario Douglas has been relegated to the Island of Misfit Toys. His ADP is non-existent. The 24-year-old is free in most drafts. Douglas’ 66/621/3 stat line last year isn’t giving anyone the vapors, but the third-year pro has reportedly had an excellent camp and appears locked into a starting role in the slot. Douglas has been a Top 20 receiver in target separation in both of his NFL seasons, and the players in front of him on the depth chart are an aging Diggs coming off a major injury and (maybe) an unproven rookie in Kyle Williams. — Gary Davenport
Quentin Johnston, WR, LAC
I didn’t move Quentin Johnston from my WR43 after the signing of Keenan Allen, but you can take him now with your last pick for sure. Both Allen and Ladd McConkey had a majority of snaps in the slot. Johnston will remain the team’s main guy outside the numbers and in the red zone. He had eight TDs despite missing two games. The former first-round pick scored on four of 11 targets in the red zone. He dropped 7.7% of his targets (average for a WR is 4.7%). But drops are not predictive. He’s big and fast, no doubt, with a top radar speed of nearly 21 mph (67th percentile). So he can use his 6-foot-4 height close and score from a distance. I’m on an island in thinking the Chargers will be a heavy passing team with a three-WR base offense; the last 11 games of 2024 — the Chargers had the sixth-highest passing rate over expected (given the game situation). — Michael Salfino
Tight EndBrenton Strange, TE, JAX
The Jaguars were willing to cut Evan Engram thanks to the emergence of Strange, who totaled 15 receptions for 97 yards across the two games in which he played more than 80% of snaps last season. Why does that matter? The 24-year-old is the top tight end in a Liam Coen offense that consistently gives its TE1 at least 80% of snaps; the Buccaneers’ Cade Otton was the beneficiary in 2024, posting 600 yards and four touchdowns in 14 games. Don’t be surprised if Strange approaches 800 yards and finishes as a Top 10 tight end this season. An ADP of TE23 and ECR of 197 makes Strange an easy pick to end your draft. — Jacob Robinson
My Short List
For more of my thoughts, check out the players I’ve drafted the most … so far.
C.J. Stroud, QB, HOU
Remember how Stroud was flirting with Top 5 ADP at quarterback last year? It was a pretty miserable 2024 season for all Texans, including Stroud, but there is hope for a rebound season. While the offensive line is still a question, Stroud was markedly better throwing to Nico Collins while pressured. Collins being healthy with a new No. 2 in Jayden Higgins (more on him shortly), Christian Kirk in the slot, and Jaylin Noel’s ability to step up if something happens to Kirk gives Stroud a great collection of receivers. Add in a questionable backfield (also more on that shortly) and a schedule with several games where they likely need to be aggressive offensively, and there’s a real chance for Stroud to blow past 4,000 passing yards and hit a new career-high in touchdowns.
Woody Marks, RB, HOU
Joe Mixon is questionable to start the season, and Nick Chubb looks to be running on fumes. Marks has some Tyjae Spears feel to his game and fantasy potential. While that might mean he never sees 70% of the work, Marks could lead this backfield with his ability — or heck, nearly by default — and carry RB2/3 value in a Jaylen Warren-range of production (1,000-1,200 combined yards). Marks is a deeper flier, but both running backs ahead of him are aging and have injury concerns.
Jayden Higgins, WR, HOU
Stroud and Higgins were going to “make the list!” I added Marks over a few other sleeper running backs because it turned out to be a fun Texans-themed list. Higgins is stepping into the No. 2 role for the Texans and draws similarities to Nico Collins (per Dane Brugler) and Marvin Jones (per … me). Even if Higgins is just Marvin Jones, that’s a Top 30 wideout with enormous value late in drafts. Christian Kirk has been productive when healthy, but 1) he’s the slot option, and 2) the healthy part has been a major issue. Higgins is a lesser version of “this year’s Brian Thomas” — an overlooked rookie wideout who deserves way more respect.
Dalton … nah, I can’t … Theo Johnson, TE, NYG
Yeah, I couldn’t do all of the Texans players because we’re not wasting time with Schultz. Like Marks, though, I’m going deep. You likely don’t need to be told about gambling on Kyle Pitts (because he’s now free), the rookies (Tyler Warren, Colston Loveland) or Jake Ferguson’s potential for a breakout season. And Jacob took Brenton Strange. So, let me remind everyone how Johnson was the intriguing, athletic tight end from Penn State before Warren. Johnson drew comparisons to Tyler Eifert by many, which gives you an idea of his potential — a 700-to-800-yard, high-TD ceiling — without the fun flatulent fantasy team name potential.
(Photo of Tank Bigsby: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)