Winning your fantasy draft comes down to selecting the guys who end up returning a positive ROI relative to their draft cost. What’s great is that once you get to the middle and late rounds, you don’t need to hit on every player (or even half of them) to wind up with a league-winning squad. You just need to be right enough so that the value your picks provide is greater than that of your competition. That’s where targeting the right fantasy football sleepers becomes important.
Part of the difficulty built into this game we love is that no two sleepers are created equally. You can’t just nab a bunch of upside players in the late rounds and expect to dominate your draft. You need to know which sleepers are the most undervalued and offer the most upside compared to their price. To help you figure out which mid-to-late rounders stand out from the pack, we have polled 25+ experts on who the best sleepers are at every position in half-PPR heading into the new season. Check out who they chose below.
- 2024 Fantasy Football Draft Kit
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Check out more Fantasy Football Sleepers
Top Consensus Fantasy Football Sleepers
PLAYER | POS | TEAM | VOTES |
Pat Freiermuth | TE | PIT | 6 |
Diontae Johnson | WR | CAR | 4 |
Gus Edwards | RB | LAC | 4 |
Tyler Conklin | TE | NYJ | 3 |
Jonnu Smith | TE | MIA | 3 |
Javonte Williams | RB | DEN | 3 |
Chase Brown | RB | CIN | 3 |
Jaylen Wright | RB | MIA | 3 |
Kirk Cousins | QB | ATL | 3 |
Matthew Stafford | QB | LAR | 3 |
Trevor Lawrence | QB | JAC | 3 |
Jonathon Brooks | RB | CAR | 3 |
Keon Coleman | WR | BUF | 2 |
Ladd McConkey | WR | LAC | 2 |
Rashee Rice | WR | KC | 2 |
Brandin Cooks | WR | DAL | 2 |
Dontayvion Wicks | WR | GB | 2 |
Devin Singletary | RB | NYG | 2 |
Brian Robinson Jr. | RB | WAS | 2 |
Aaron Rodgers | QB | NYJ | 2 |
Sam Darnold | QB | MIN | 2 |
Justin Herbert | QB | LAC | 2 |
Justin Fields | QB | PIT | 2 |
Deshaun Watson | QB | CLE | 2 |
Running Back Sleepers
Player | Appearances |
Gus Edwards | 4 |
Javonte Williams | 3 |
Chase Brown | 3 |
Jonathon Brooks | 3 |
Devin Singletary | 2 |
Brian Robinson Jr. | 2 |
Jaylen Wright | 3 |
Rhamondre Stevenson | 1 |
Ezekiel Elliott | 1 |
Jerome Ford | 1 |
J.K. Dobbins | 1 |
Trey Benson | 1 |
Chase Brown (RB – CIN)
“Chase Brown – Coming from Illinois, he isn’t as hyped as most RBs coming off 1,600+yds in the B1G with a 4.43 40 time. Mixon’s 309 vacated touches that produced a half-PPR RB5 season is exactly the formula for a sleeper running back. No brainer outside of RB30.”
– Billy Whitt (Belly Up Sports)
“Second-year RB Chase Brown is primed for a breakout in 2024. He showcased his abilities as a rookie, demonstrating his versatility as both a rusher and a receiver alongside a healthy Joe Mixon. Even with a hamstring injury sidelining him in October 2023, he proved his worth and earned opportunities on the field. He was also running routes, which we love for RBs in PPR formats. One notable aspect in Brown’s favor is his explosiveness, which is evident in his impressive ball carrier speed on a 54-yard touchdown reception, as documented by the NFL’s Next Gen Stats. During training camp and throughout the preseason, Brown has drawn rave reviews from his QB/HC with his pass-catching prowess and improved pass-blocking responsibilities. I think he wins the Bengals RB1 job over journeyman RB Zack Moss. Chase has more juice than Moss and showed during his final year at Illinois that he could carry the load with 355 touches for nearly 1,900 total yards and 13 rushing/receiving touchdowns.”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)
Javonte Williams (RB – DEN)
“Javonte Williams is one of my favorite sleepers for 2024. There isn’t anyone who can push him for major playing time, as Samaje Perine is just a solid backup who may end up being a cap casualty, and Jaleel McLaughlin is exciting but can’t take significant carries. It’s his 2nd year back from ACL surgery, and that is when agility and burst tend to come back. Plus, we’ve already seen Javonte be a great RB at the NFL level, even while splitting the backfield as a rookie. ”
– Brandon ‘B_Don’ Myers (Razzball)
Brian Robinson Jr. (RB – WAS)
“Brian Robinson Jr. has been just under 200 fantasy points two years in a row. This year, we get to see him in this Kliff Kingsbury offense. We have seen James Conner, Kenyan Drake, and other backs thrive in this offense. He ranked in the top 10 in yards created per touch last year. This offense will be fast-paced and will target the running back in the passing game. Austin Ekeler is a threat, but that is baked into the cost. A great zero-RB target or a value RB in the mid-rounds.”
– David Heilman (Sports Gambling Podcast Network)
Jerome Ford (RB – CLE)
“Jerome Ford is going off the board as RB37 and is a steal. He is slated to be the backup running back in Cleveland behind veteran Nick Chubb, but Chubb is 28 years old and recovering from a season-ending knee injury in 2023. Even if Chubb can make a recovery in time to play in Week 1, it’s unlikely he will resemble anything of his past self. The Browns would be wise to manage Chubb’s workload when he takes the field, and this should provide Ford with a job that will be a reliable fantasy asset. In the event Chubb isn’t ready to play full speed as I expect, Ford is a potential league-winner.”
– Aaron St Denis (Fantasy Football Universe)
Jonathon Brooks (RB – CAR)
“According to head coach Dave Canales, Jonathon Brooks likely won’t make his NFL debut until Week 3 or Week 4. However, the former Texas star could be a league winner. He averaged 6.1 rushing yards per attempt and 113.9 yards per game last season. Brooks had the 11th-most missed tackles forced (63) in 2023 despite missing the final four games with a torn ACL (per PFF). Canales made Rachaad White an RB1 despite averaging only 3.6 yards per rushing attempt and a 14% missed tackle forced per attempt rate last year (per Fantasy Football Data). Meanwhile, Odell Beckham Jr. was a top-seven wide receiver as a rookie after missing the first four weeks with an injury. Don’t be surprised if Brooks has a similar rookie season in Canales’ running back-friendly offense.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
“He won’t be available for your fantasy team to start the season, but you’re drafting Jonathon Brooks for the upside he will offer down the stretch once he’s fully healthy. Whenever you combine Dave Canales running back usage tendencies as a play caller with the talent that Brooks possesses, that’s fantasy football magic waiting to happen. If you can weather the storm for your RB2 spot to start the year, Brooks will be a league winner heading into the fantasy playoffs.”
– Andrew Scott (Fantasy In Frames)
Jaylen Wright (RB – MIA)
“Jaylen Wright could easily become this year’s biggest fantasy football sleeper. We all love Achane because of his speed & what he showcased while on the field last season. Mostert seems to have found his groove after playing in more than 14 games in back-to-back seasons with Miami. (A feat he has only done one other time in his career). My point is the weapons ahead of Wright look great when on the field, but they have had injury concerns before. Insert Wright. He has the speed and prototypical size to be a standout RB for the Dolphins. Plus, with head coach McDaniel knowing how to utilize his playmakers it is possible that we see Wright outperform his RB57 rank by a large margin. He can break out big plays with his speed or use his size to gain carries at the goal line. Mark him up as my biggest fantasy sleeper of 2024.”
– Miguel ‘SC’ Romero (Fantasy Football Universe)
Gus Edwards (RB – LAC)
“Gus Edwards was a rock-solid fantasy RB2 in Baltimore last season on the heels of double-digit touchdowns, and he’s now coached by John Harbaugh’s brother Jim in what is expected to be a very run-heavy offense. Initial reports aren’t great on rookie Kimani Vidal, and J.K. Dobbins is coming off a serious Achilles injury. I expect Edwards to be the lead back for the Chargers, and with the expected volume could eclipse 1000 rushing yards while finding the endzone 10+ times again. We could be looking at this year’s Raheem Mostert (albeit a much slower version), and he’s currently being drafted as the RB36. ”
– Bart Wheeler (Hail to Fantasy Football)
Jaleel McLaughlin (RB – DEN)
“Jaleel McLaughlin. I’m very much in on Broncos RB Javonte Williams, but Sean Payton’s offenses typically gave us two or more fantasy-relevant running backs during his tenure with the Saints. Javonte is Batman; McLaughlin is Robin. Denver had a league-high 153 RB targets last year, and rookie QB Bo Nix was a checkdown and screen machine in college. There’s going to be a ton of pass-catching value in the Denver backfield this year. McLaughlin is also a speedy and elusive runner who averaged 5.4 yards per carry last year and could be effective in a change-of-pace role in 2024.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
Wide Receiver Sleepers
Player | Appearances |
Diontae Johnson | 4 |
Keon Coleman | 2 |
Ladd McConkey | 2 |
Rashee Rice | 2 |
Brandin Cooks | 2 |
Dontayvion Wicks | 2 |
Romeo Doubs | 1 |
Michael Pittman | 1 |
Christian Watson | 1 |
Khalil Shakir | 1 |
Ja’Lynn Polk | 1 |
Jameson Williams | 1 |
Javon Baker | 1 |
Terry McLaurin | 1 |
Jaxon Smith-Njigba | 1 |
Chris Godwin | 1 |
Courtland Sutton (WR – DEN)
“Courtland Sutton. Clear WR1 on an offense that will be improved (can’t be worse). Bo Nix looks great and is showing chemistry right away with Sutton. Juedy is gone, and targets will be up for him. An ADP of 44 is absurd; top 20 upside easy.”
– Cal Schultz (ASA Wins)
Christian Watson (WR – GB)
“Packers WR Christian Watson has averaged 15 yards per catch in his first two seasons. He had a four-game, seven-TD stretch as a rookie. He scored four touchdowns from Week 11 to 13 last year. He has to stay healthy, but Watson offers WR1 upside at WR4 prices.”
– Bob Harris (Football Diehards)
Khalil Shakir (WR – BUF)
“Khalil Shakir has the opportunity to be one of the best sleepers this year at the WR position. With Diggs and Davis now gone, Shakir will come into a lot of vacant targets. Shakir is the only remaining starting receiver from last year and earned the trust of QB Josh Allen near the end of last season. Shakir should look to build off the success from last year and lead Buffalo in receptions as Allen’s go-to target. Shakir should be a consistent WR3 for the entire season.”
– Brett Tomlinson (FantasyPros)
Jameson Williams (WR – DET)
“Jameson Williams currently has a consensus ranking of WR 45, but he has star potential, in my opinion. Williams torched SEC defenses, including the National Champion Georgia Bulldogs, who had one of the best defenses in college history. And with Josh Reynolds now in Denver, Williams should get more playing time and take a huge step forward this season. Finally, NFL Senior Writer Nick Baumgardner (who is based in Michigan) reported during the NFL combine that, “Something I heard this week more than a few times: Detroit believes Jameson Williams is going to be a dude next year. And uh, to be clear: That’s the first time I’ve heard that type of firm optimism about Williams from Lions people in honest moments since he got there.” Ringo’s comp- Jameson Williams reminds me a little of Randy Moss.”
– Mark Ringo (Sleepers and Busts)
Dontayvion Wicks (WR – GB)
“Dontayvion Wicks will reward owners who draft him for the 2024 season by WAY outperforming his WR63 ranking. Wicks is in an ascending Green Bay Packers offense led by Jordan Love, who is looking for a wide receiver to take the next step and be WR1 for the team. During the off-season, coaches have compared Wick’s work ethic to Davante Adams. He is not Adams (yet), but his off-season work will be reflected in a sophomore season that will make Dontavyion Wicks a household name by the end of the season!”
– Adam Dove (The Fantasy Couriers)
“Dontayvion Wicks is someone who has major sleeper potential in 2024. The Packers receiver room is crowded, but talent and consistency will win. Wicks, as the WR4, was able to put up 500 yards and four touchdowns a year ago. I don’t think this offense has a lock at the starting three receiver spots. They will be used all over the place, and if someone gets hurt, Wicks has the potential to be great in this offense. ”
– Steven Pintado (The Fantasy Coaches)
Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR – SEA)
“Jaxon Smith-Njigba is currently the WR40 in half-ppr, yet few are factoring in the changes in Seattle and how they will impact this team. First, new OC Ryan Grubb will be implementing a pass-first, spread offense predicated on its strong WRs. Next, the connection is growing between Smith-Njigba and QB Geno Smith while others are taking notice, like Tennessee’s head coach Brian Callahan, who called JSN “one of the better young slots in the league.” And finally, this defense lost some juice, especially at LB, this offseason. It should be another year of shootouts in Seattle, and this time, the O should be able to keep up.”
– Jeremy Shulman (Fantasy Football Universe)
Diontae Johnson (WR – CAR)
“Diontae Johnson should immediately slot in as the WR1 on a Carolina Panthers offense that has enjoyed one of the twilight years of Adam Thielen‘s career (he’ll be 34 at season start) in 2023. Although Thielen performed admirably last year and chalked up 100+ receptions and 1000+ yards over the course of the season, he will likely cede the majority of that work to Johnson starting in Week 1. No. 32 overall pick Xavier Legette will stretch the field for the Panthers early & often, but not the stat book, resulting in a banner year for Johnson. I predict a similar stat line as in 2021, where he landed just inside the top 10 WRs at the season’s end.”
– David Biggs (Drink Five)
Quarterback Sleepers
Player | Votes |
Kirk Cousins | 3 |
Matthew Stafford | 3 |
Trevor Lawrence | 3 |
Aaron Rodgers | 2 |
Sam Darnold | 2 |
Justin Herbert | 2 |
Justin Fields | 2 |
Deshaun Watson | 2 |
Baker Mayfield | 1 |
Jared Goff | 1 |
Will Levis | 1 |
Geno Smith | 1 |
Bo Nix | 1 |
Sam Darnold (QB – MIN)
“By default, Sam Darnold is going to have a great year from a fantasy perspective. With JJ McCarthy out for the year and currently no other competition in the QB room, Darnold is the QB1 for an offense that made even Josh Dobbs and Nick Mullens fantasy relevant for a few weeks last season. He’ll have plenty of weapons around him, and head coach Mitch O’Connell is one of the better offensive minds in the league who will set Darnold up for success.”
– Joey Meinerding (Fantasy Dink)
Kirk Cousins (QB – ATL)
“Kirk Cousins is the perfect late-round quarterback. The Falcons offense has a stockpile of elite receiving weapons and should operate like the high-scoring, pass-heavy Rams offense of the past few years. Cousins has been a consistent Top 12 quarterback with the Vikings, and there’s no reason he can’t replicate that in Atlanta with an equivalent cast of pass catchers.”
– Ben Wasley (The Fantasy First Down)
Justin Herbert (QB – LAC)
“There comes a point where talent must win out, and how the fantasy community as a whole is still sound asleep on Justin Herbert is mind-bending. I get it. The Chargers have a lot of holes to fill. No more Austin Ekeler, Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Gerald Everett too, for that matter. But if we believe Justin Herbert is a great quarterback, which I hope the majority do, then talent must win out. Also, consider the Chargers’ schedule. Six games in their division against teams that have questions on the back end (KC, LV, DEN), and other great matchups including Tennessee, Arizona, and New England, Herbert has a chance to return massive value for those drafting him as the QB17 in current ADP data. ”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)
Aaron Rodgers (QB – NYJ)
“What do you call a man that has 1 Super Bowl ring, 1 Super Bowl MVP, 4x NFL MVPs, 4x First-team All-Pros, 1x Second-team All-Pro, 10x Pro Bowl appearances, 4x NFL passer rating leader, 2x NFL passing touchdowns leader, 1x NFL completion percentage leader, 1x, NFL 2010s All-Decade Team, 1x Bart Starr Award, 1x Associated Press Athlete of the Year, 1x Bert Bell Award, and holder of 3 NFL records (career passer rating, single-season passer rating, and lowest interception percentage in a season)? Future first-ballot HoF: Aaron Rodgers. Yes, he’s old, and yes, he’s returning from an Achilles injury, but he’s also had an entire season and off-season to recover (let’s not forget, he almost came back at the end of the 2023 season). He’s surrounded by the best offensive weaponry he’s had in his career, with Breece Hall, Garrett Wilson, Mike Williams, Malachi Corley, and others, with two of these men drafted in the first round. I’ve seen Rodgers go undrafted in standard leagues, and after Sam Darnold in best ball – completely mind-boggling for a player of his caliber at the helm of an offense, we’re expecting to produce two top 12 players; sleep on him if you dare.”
– Avery Thrasher (The Branded Sports)
Tight End Sleepers
Player | Appearances |
Pat Freiermuth | 6 |
Tyler Conklin | 3 |
Jonnu Smith | 3 |
Brock Bowers | 2 |
Hunter Henry | 2 |
Ben Sinnott | 1 |
Colby Parkinson | 1 |
Kylen Granson | 1 |
Luke Musgrave | 1 |
Taysom Hill | 1 |
Tyler Conklin | 1 |
Greg Dulcich | 1 |
Isaiah Likely | 1 |
Ben Sinnott (TE – WAS)
“Ben Sinnott is my favorite sleeper of the year, and he’s effectively going undrafted at the moment. Jayden Daniels is looking the part, and with limited options in the Commanders’ passing game, he will look to the most sure-handed players. Sinnott might be a rookie, but his connection with Daniels has been instant, and he could cause some damage down the stretch. Sinnott could easily be a top-10 tight end this season, with a ceiling to creep into the top 5. ”
– Andrew Elmquist (Club Fantasy FFL)
Pat Freiermuth (TE – PIT)
“I am all in on Pat Freiermuth at his TE13 price tag this year. I know the narrative around him is that Arthur Smith is his Offensive Coordinator now. Smith wrecked Kyle Pitts‘ value in Atlanta, but Smith isn’t the head coach in Pittsburgh. I can’t imagine a world where Mike Tomlin lets Smith do anything to hurt his team, which includes Freiermuth. He can easily return on his TE13 value this year.”
– Andrew Hall (FantasyPros)
Isaiah Likely (TE – BAL)
“It feels like the only people who know that Isaiah Likely is being wildly undervalued are those fantasy managers who had him last season. The 24-year-old had 40 targets and five touchdowns in 2023, and he finished as a TE1 in four of the last five weeks of the season after Mark Andrews went down with an injury. Baltimore likes to run, but when Lamar Jackson decides to throw, Likely is – at worst – the third option after Andrews and Zay Flowers. If Andrews misses ANY time, I think Likely can end up a TE1, and even with Andrews, I would draft him over more than half the league’s starting tight ends.”
– Kelly Kirby (FantasyPros)
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