Fantasy football managers have the benefit of experiencing wall-to-wall coverage of the league for the entire year, thanks in large part to the way that commissioner Roger Goodell structured offseason deadlines. Between free agency, the NFL Draft and training camps, there isn’t much “downtime” for people with this hobby.
For analysts, the ability to keep the league constantly in mind is a benefit that allows us to make recommendations in the form of value plays or “sleeper” candidates. Players with statistical data showing they should outproduce their projections and average draft position (ADP) for the following season, and who can be drafted at a perceived discount.
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Post-Hype Fantasy Football Sleepers
The good news for managers is that most of the time, sleeper picks pan out. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Drake Maye and D’Andre Swift headlined plenty of our pre-draft featured columns last year, and they all exploded — they were hardly alone. Occasionally, however, analysts are just one season too early with their predicted breakouts.
Players may have been hyped entering 2025 for all the right reasons, only to run into bad luck, coaching changes or an injury that cost them their opportunity to shine. The statistics were correct, and the rationale was sound, but things just didn’t pan out.
Enter the post-hype sleepers. Players who received hype last year but were unable to meet the lofty expectations that managers had, and who could now possibly be acquired at a discount. Here are a few of my favorites to draft, heading into the middle of August.
Rome Odunze (WR – CHI)
Rome Odunze began 2025 on a total tear, scoring five touchdowns over the first four weeks of the season, and was well on his way to becoming a WR1 with “set-it-and-forget-it” potential.
Unfortunately, the rise of rookie Luther Burden III, coupled with a foot fracture/turf toe he sustained in late October, proved to be his undoing, and he was forced to miss the final five games of the season. Even though he played in just 12 games, Odunze still finished as the WR40. When he was on the field, his target share (22.4%) and ability to create first downs were notable.
A recent groin injury to Burden, coupled with his healthy return, makes me hopeful that Odunze comes out of the gate strong again this year, and I hope he can stay on the field for the entire season. Head coach Ben Johnson recently stated that he wants this to be a historically prolific offense, and Odunze would be the centerpiece of that occurring.
Currently ranked as the WR29 in expert consensus rankings (ECR), I see plenty of value at that spot and would be thrilled to have him on my team as a WR3.
Kyler Murray (QB – MIN)
Drafted as the top overall selection in the 2019 NFL Draft, Kyler Murray was fantastic his first three years in the NFL, finishing as the QB7, QB2 and QB10 in fantasy points during that stretch. Since 2022, he has dealt with a myriad of injuries that have kept him off the field, culminating in last season’s foot sprain last season that cost him the final 12 games of the year.
Understanding that they were in a rebuilding phase and confident that journeyman Jacoby Brissett could carry them through one more season, the Cardinals released Murray in early March. Minnesota was quick to pounce and signed him to a one-year “prove it” contract, hoping he could regain his prior form.
Recently announced as the starting option for the Vikings over J.J. McCarthy earlier this week, Murray falls into a terrific situation for immediate production in a friendly Kevin O’Connell scheme. Despite this, the market remains gun-shy on Murray over his injuries, even though he has arguably the best trio of wideouts at his disposal in the NFL.
I understand the justification for his QB17 ranking, but I’ll be quick to remind managers that “scared money don’t make no money.” He is worth the risk.
Malik Willis (QB – MIA)
Originally selected by Tennessee in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft as a developmental piece with massive upside, Malik Willis spent two years with the organization before eventually finding a cushy job as a backup in Green Bay behind Jordan Love.
When afforded an opportunity to take the field over the past two years, Willis shined, and his efforts clearly caught the eyes of the Miami Dolphins, who were content with moving on from Tua Tagovailoa. A total wild card, analysts seem confused about how to rank Willis in 2026.
Willis’ athleticism and running potential are elite, but the receiving options surrounding him are largely unproven and cause for concern. So why does he make this list? Given his current price point as the QB21, Willis is the ideal backup quarterback for managers to draft, especially those who waited to snag their presumptive starter.
Don’t get me wrong, Willis’s desire to scramble could lead to disaster, but his propensity to look downfield when he passes (he averaged 10.9 yards per attempt the last two seasons) coupled with his rushing upside could have him threatening QB1 status quickly. For a low-risk, high-reward play, look no further.
Greg Dulcich (TE – MIA)
I was extremely high on Greg Dulcich out of college, as his tape was one of my favorites to watch back in 2021. A walk-on who earned a scholarship and worked his way into All-Pac-12 nods at tight end, Dulcich was selected by Denver in the third round during the 2022 NFL Draft as a “move” difference-maker capable of stretching the seam.
Unfortunately, hamstring injuries limited Dulcich to just 12 games in his first two seasons, and he has become a journeyman since. Able to latch on with Miami last year, Dulcich currently tops the Dolphins’ depth chart at the position and should be peppered with targets in an offense bereft of proven talent.
Currently playing on a one-year deal, Dulcich is looking to cash in for a payday on a team that desperately needs help. All reports out of training camp from Miami’s beat writers have been glowing with their praise for Dulcich and the connection he was able to establish with quarterback Malik Willis out of the gate. I’m buying the hype on his ability to break out.
Jonathon Brooks (RB – CAR)
Whenever I write about Jonathon Brooks, the “Jaws” theme plays in the back of my mind, with him chomping at the bit to prove his doubters wrong. Able to play in just three games since being drafted in 2024, Brooks has dealt with multiple rehab stints from two ACL tears in the same knee.
I’ve written about him extensively this preseason as a mid-round investment I’m incredibly high on, fully expecting that he usurps Chuba Hubbard as the lead back for Carolina in short order. Yes, the same Hubbard who royally flopped last year and lost his job to Rico Dowdle.
Managers will get a taste of Brooks in the preseason, with head coach Dave Canales confirming that he and Hubbard will both handle snaps in Saturday’s Week 1 preseason game against Buffalo.
I honestly couldn’t be more excited to watch and cheer him on. Brooks is an elite talent who just needs to stay healthy — the sky is the limit for his potential.
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