Many fantasy football managers focus heavily on their first two or three picks in drafts. That makes sense, those players are the foundation of your roster and should carry you through the season. Usually, you’re taking a wide receiver or running back early, and missing on those picks can sink your team before the season even begins.
But here’s the truth: your early-round selections do not win you championships. Being able to find those late-round gems or even off the waiver wire can turn a good roster into a great one.
For this exercise, deep sleepers are defined as players going at ADP 200 or later who have the potential to be difference-makers. They aren’t likely to become top five options at their positions, but they’re underrated and if things break their way, they’ll be valuable additions to your team.
2025 POSITION RANKINGS: QB | RB | WR | TE | K | D/ST | Overall
Here are a few examples from last season with ADPs of 200 or later:
Tyrone Tracy, RB16 from Week 5 on
Jauan Jennings, WR24
Sam Darnold, QB9
Jonnu Smith, TE4
Zach Ertz, TE7
Now, if this article had come out a couple weeks ago, Jacory Croskey-Merritt would have been at the top of the list. But after the Commanders traded away Brian Robinson, his ADP jumped to 121, making him ineligible. Let’s get to the players who still qualify.
2025 fantasy football deep sleepers
Ollie Gordon II, RB, Miami Dolphins
Ollie Gordon has put together an impressive camp and even impressed coach Mike McDaniel in preseason action. Reports suggest he has leapfrogged Jaylen Wright on the depth chart, thanks to Gordon’s strong play and Wright’s struggles.
Injuries to both De’Von Achane and Wright could also open the door for Gordon to begin the season as Miami’s lead back. Even if he doesn’t, the Dolphins reportedly want a different back handling goal-line duties, which gives Gordon immediate touchdown potential.
Achane will eventually retake control once healthy, but given his injury history, Gordon could carve out a more meaningful role than expected. That upside makes him a potential draft-day steal.
Dont’e Thornton, WR, Las Vegas Raiders
Jack Bech is drawing more attention in fantasy drafts because of his second-round draft capital, but Thornton is projected to be a starter in Las Vegas. He has consistently run with the starters in camp and preseason, and at 6-foot-5 with 4.3 speed, his upside is enormous.
His preseason performance has been a bit underwhelming, catching just three of seven targets, but he did come down with a nice back-shoulder grab for a touchdown in the last preseason game.
His athletic tools are impossible to ignore, making Thornton worth a late-round flyer, especially with the hopes that coach Pete Carroll uses him similar to the way he did with DK Metcalf.
Tory Horton, WR, Seattle Seahawks
Horton would have been drafted earlier if not for a 2024 knee injury, but he slipped and the Seahawks grabbed him in the fifth round. Before that injury, he posted back-to-back 1,100-yard seasons in college.
He has drawn plenty of preseason buzz and is projected to open the year as Seattle’s WR3, likely replacing Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Consistency could be an issue for Horton with Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp ahead of him, but Kupp is declining and always a health risk. That means Horton could see a larger role sooner than expected.
Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Carolina Panthers
The second-year tight end showed up to camp 15 pounds lighter at 238 and noticeably quicker than he looked in 2024. Reports out of Panthers practices say he has been heavily involved, especially in the red zone.
While he is technically listed as the No. 2 TE behind Tommy Tremble, that distinction does not matter. Sanders is the receiving option, while Tremble is the blocker. Plus, Tremble spent most of camp on the PUP list following May back surgery. His slow recovery could give Sanders the early-season opportunity to establish himself as a reliable weapon for Bryce Young, who badly needs one behind Tetairoa McMillan.
Honorable Mention
DJ Giddens, RB, Indianapolis Colts
Isaac TeSlaa, WR, Detroit Lions
Woody Marks, RB, Houston Texans
Mason Taylor, TE, New York Jets