My first chance at finding late sleepers comes with a revelation: There aren’t many exciting running backs or wide receivers out there in the double-digit rounds.
That is a problem. Going into Round 10-plus, you want to have a short list of rushers and wideouts to turn to. You’ll find plenty of backup running backs and unproven or elite receivers, but none offer a ton of flashy power that we’re looking for so much.
But there are tight ends and quarterbacks. That’s normal — we’ve seen both of those positions get thrown down draft boards once special-class guys are taken. It sounds like this season, though, we’re getting some really interesting numbers in those positions in particular.
It may be enough to pass them early in the draft unless he got himself a steal. Such moves will allow you to stock up on RBs and WRs, and capture good value at other positions.
Everyone on my sleeper list goes 120 or later in at least one FantasyPros or CBS Sports Offseason Average Draft Position. Everyone on my list was ranked higher than those places.
CBS Sports Offseason ADP: 92.1
FantasyPros ADP: 122.0
You are a sleeper because… He may be healthier, catching more passes for the Giants this season. Granted, that sounds strange and stressful given what we’ve seen before from stud Malik Nabers, but with Nabers slow to recover from his ACL and meniscus injuries, the door is open for him to potentially have a meaningful role. Giants rookie Matt Nagy has a strong track record of using tight ends in his offenses. Second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart threw to his tight end last year at a rate of 22.8%, which is above average. And while he may have seen six or more points in only nine career games, he’s at least had a 12.5 PPR in eight of them. Six targets per game should be a record for him in New York. We are waiting until then to probably get an opportunity like this; the cost of using the benefit is not prohibitive at all.
I will write him: Round 8
CBS Sports Offseason ADP: 118.9
FantasyPros ADP: 130.0
You are a sleeper because… He has a real chance to be Cleveland’s top receiver as a rookie. Concepcion’s versatility allows him to win at all three levels (and on handoffs), but it’s his quickness and toughness that can make him comfortable as a YAC weapon for the Browns. And boy, could they use that in their frustration over the lack of unique talent behind second-year tight end Harold Fannin Jr. Drops will likely be a minor issue — that’s something he’s been working on all offseason — but as long as he doesn’t have them every week, his playing time shouldn’t be affected. This figures to be a Browns offense that won’t have many tough game scripts this season, and won’t face many shutouts for the balance of the season. I think there is a way for Concepcion to lead all rookie receivers in targets and catches.
I will write him: Round 9, about 100 in total
CBS Sports Offseason ADP: 123.1
FantasyPros ADP: 102.0
In a way, you are a sleeper because… His ADP is heavily weighted by his injuries, not his ability. Before the injury, Mahomes averaged a legendary 23.6 points per game over 14 games in 2025 in six-point leagues, including a ridiculous 28.1 points per game in his first six starts without Rashee Rice. Adding Kenneth Walker III to the offense should take the pressure off Mahomes to do it all, but Walker will also make the Chiefs’ passing game more dangerous, and Walker has received praise this offseason for finding skills that were rare in Seattle. Of particular note is that Kansas City’s O-line looks better this year than last, and the receiving corps will enter the year healthy and available — and Mahomes looks the same even after tearing his left ACL and LCL in December. There is no easy high-floor, high-ceiling pick in Round 9-plus in Fantasy this year than Mahomes.
I will write him: Round 9/10, around 110th overall
CBS Sports Offseason ADP: 122.5
FantasyPros ADP: 124.0
You are a sleeper because… He’s healthy, he can’t afford to lose a target in Mhlawmbe, and Ravens rookie Declan Doyle was brought up as a tight end coach, but the real reason to like Andrews is because he’s always been Mr. Baltimore appears to be moving from RB-heavy in favor of TE-heavy, and Andrews is the only Ravens tight end with one year of experience with the team. Everyone else on the team is young, and none of Durham Smythe, Matt Hibner or Josh Cuevas have the receiving chops of Andrews. His schedule allows him to start the year.
I will write him: Round 10
CBS Sports Offseason ADP: 144.3
FantasyPros ADP: 144.3
You are a sleeper because… The Commanders shelled out $17 million in guaranteed money for Okonkwo without offering a contract to any other pass catchers. He is expected to replace Zach Ertz in Washington’s offense, which is a big deal since Ertz has been the safety blanket for Jayden Daniels for most of the past two seasons. The 17.2% run rate Ertz had with Daniels on the field was fine, but Okonkwo should produce a higher number given his athleticism and the lack of alternatives Daniels will have outside of Terry McLaurin. It’s also worth remembering Okonkwo’s yards after the catch and shunned tackle rate over his last three seasons what Ertz did in his last two years in D.C. The door is open for Okonkwo to make a decent splash in Washington’s young offense not just because of the modest targets he will command but because of what he can do with the ball in his hands after the catch.
I will write him: Round 11, about 125th overall
CBS Sports Offseason ADP: 154.0
FantasyPros ADP: 137.0
You are a sleeper because… His small sample size as a starter for the Packers shouldn’t be overlooked, especially with a late-round dart. Willis scored at least 27 Fantasy points in two starts in which he threw at least 15 passes (15 in one start with 14 pass attempts). His completion rate in each of his three starts never dropped below 68.5%, his yards per attempt never dropped below 8.7, his TD rate never dropped below 4.8%, he never threw a single interception, his interception rate never dropped below 92.9% and his QB rating never dropped below 120.9. Best of all, he had at least six rushes and 41 yards per game. I’m not saying Willis will put up these kinds of numbers as Miami’s starter, but even if he’s in the amazing range of these metrics, he’ll put up some pretty good Fantasy numbers.
I will write him: Round 12, about 140th overall
CBS Sports Offseason ADP: 150.0
FantasyPros ADP: 152.3
You are a sleeper because… He should play a small role right away and step up if JK Dobbins misses more games. Last year, Broncos rookie running back RJ Harvey wanted attention, but ended up making an impact as he caught 12 touchdowns and caught 47 passes. That was a fun combination, but Coleman was a short-yardage monster in Washington (he converted 21 of 25 one-yard downs to go, including 5 of 6 from the one-yard line) and an excellent pass protector. There’s a lot of camp left to find out if Coleman can handle both of those roles, but if he can, he’ll keep Harvey (and Dobbins) off the field for potential Fantasy points. It’s rare when three running backs from the same team are selected in a Fantasy draft, and it’s even rarer when the last one taken goes up as the top pick, but there’s a possibility here that 12-plus rushing touchdowns affect a game when (if?) Dobbins misses time.
I will write him: Cycle 12/13
CBS Sports Offseason ADP: 156.2
FantasyPros ADP: 177.5
You are a sleeper because… He has a chance to be one of the best players in Miami. The Dolphins’ house cleaning at wide receiver has left their locker empty. Jalen Tolbert has experience and Malik Washington has some quickness, but it’s Dulcich who could be different against linebackers and safeties. It doesn’t hurt that Willis had a field goal percentage of 18.2% through his tight ends in Green Bay and 33.3% in Tennessee. I wish I had something to say, but I really don’t. Dulcich represents one of the best TE values you can grab late in the draft, and if he stinks against the Raiders in Week 1, you can move on from him without a second thought.
I will write him: Round 13, about 150 in total
Fast fire extinguishers
Jalen Nailor: There may be a good opportunity targeted in Las Vegas. Good hands, good balance, can win in tight spots, but may need a lot of planning. Round 10.
Jordan James, Kaelon Black: Christian McCaffrey is coming off a career high of 450, which is 33 more than his previous high. McCaffrey missed the most playing time after the last two years with 400 or more touches (2019, 2023). And he is 30 years old. James and Black figure to split reps if McCaffrey is sidelined — both are behind physically without good profiles. Cycle 11+.
Ray Davis: James Cook is off an all-time high of 385, 60 more than his previous high. Davis would see more playing time if Cook misses action. Davis scored at least 13.7 PPR points in 4 of 5 career games with at least 10 touches. Cycle 13+.
Jaylin Noel: He is expected to be the new receiver for the Texans. A versatile receiver with an understated quickness. They may benefit from any limitations their running backs have in the passing game. It could see target shares up 20 percent even with a healthy Nico Collins. Cycle 13+.
