We all love to write or talk about the flashy early selections in fantasy football — the sexy picks, if you will. As important as these darlings are, the players buried deep in the rankings could potentially turn lemons into lemonade.
Nearly every sleeper on this list carries an average draft position (ADP) around pick 200 or later, with all nine available after pick 165. Even if you don’t play in deeper leagues, add these players to your watchlist. Some could quickly become priority waiver wire pickups this season.
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Fantasy Football Deep League Sleepers
Here are nine players to target late in deep leagues, all of whom should be monitored before the season begins. Hop in. It’s time to go deep-sea fishing.
Dylan Sampson (RB – CLE) | ADP: 206 (RB61)
It’s fair to assume the Browns’ offense will struggle to put up points in 2026. Dylan Sampson showed off legitimate receiving skills behind Quinshon Judkins last season.
According to the Fantasy Points Data Suite, Sampson averaged 2.01 yards per route run, 9.82 yards after the catch per reception and 0.28 targets per route run. He should remain involved under new head coach Todd Monken, giving him standalone value in deep PPR leagues.
Emmett Johnson (RB – KC) | ADP: 167 (RB57)
Why not take a shot on the fifth-round rookie with bell-cow experience out of Nebraska?
Emmett Johnson carried the rock 251 times last season for 1,450 yards and 12 touchdowns while gaining three yards after contact per attempt, per Pro Football Focus (PFF).
Johnson would be the handcuff to Kenneth Walker III, who has struggled with health issues. It’s hard to pass on a running back with a path to passing-down work in an Andy Reid-led offense.
Kaytron Allen (RB – WSH) | ADP: 247 (RB68)
The Washington backfield is a muddy one with Rachaad White and Jacory Croskey-Merritt. Kaytron Allen is overshadowed, but he offers something the other two don’t. Power.
The offensive line already looks vulnerable, so Allen’s ability to break tackles and consistently fall forward makes him valuable. He offers a potential goal-line role as early as Week 1, and his role could expand as the season progresses.
Allen is a draft-and-stash type of player in leagues where you have bench spots available.
Kaleb Johnson (RB – GB) | ADP: 258 (RB69)
This is geared towards leagues that are extremely deep, like 16 teams or more. Kaleb Johnson has risen from the darkness after being traded to Green Bay.
With Josh Jacobs placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt List, MarShawn Lloyd looks to be the starter now. However, he has a history of injuries and hasn’t really lived up to expectations either. The running back room isn’t threatening, so Johnson is worth a speculative add.
Isaac TeSlaa (WR – DET) | ADP: 209 (WR67)
Full disclosure: Isaac TeSlaa has not had a good camp leading up to the regular season. Reports indicate he’s struggled to create separation, has dealt with dropped passes and appears to be going through a sophomore slump.
You should buy the dip and wait for the rebound. It’s hard to ignore his 11 red-zone targets and six touchdowns as a rookie last season while seeing just 43.5% of the team’s routes.
With Kalif Raymond now in Chicago, TeSlaa should be on the field more after sharing time with him last season.
Kayshon Boutte (WR – HOU) | ADP: 199 (WR66)
After Jayden Higgins tore his ACL, there were widespread rumors that Kayshon Boutte would be traded from New England to Houston. Since that happened, he’s an intriguing pick in deeper leagues.
Boutte should emerge as the Texans’ No. 2 receiver, lining up primarily on the perimeter. Nico Collins will continue to lead the team in targets, but the pecking order behind him remains foggy.
Still, in the latter stages of drafts, it’s hard to dismiss Boutte, who has a path to be on the field in 2-WR sets.
Calvin Ridley (WR – TEN) | ADP: 230 (WR81)
Perhaps we can chalk up last year as an injury-riddled season. Before that, Calvin Ridley recorded back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. He now enters a new offense under Brian Daboll, which should be improved over the last few years.
As the proven veteran in the wide receiver room, Ridley could be someone Cam Ward relies on, especially on third down. He’s worth a deep shot, as he could bounce back from a shortened season.
Dalton Schultz (TE – HOU) | ADP: 182 (TE24)
To my surprise, Dalton Schultz’s value didn’t spike as much as I would have thought when Jayden Higgins went down with a season-ending ACL injury.
Newly acquired Kayshon Boutte shouldn’t impact Schultz, who was second on the team in targets last year. He’s in a strong position to do just that again in 2026.
C.J. Stroud‘s struggles have been a bit overblown by what we saw from him in an ugly postseason. From Week 10 on last season, he averaged 15.1 fantasy points per game and ranked QB19.
At TE24, Schultz has the starting role locked down, and considering the cost and opportunity for target share, he’s an easy click at his current ADP.
Greg Dulcich (TE – MIA) | ADP: 215 (TE28)
The Miami Dolphins pass-catchers are probably the least exciting in the league. Still, as we often say in fantasy, “someone has to catch the ball” in Miami.
Greg Dulcich is the most proven option outside of De’Von Achane, who is obviously capable of catching passes.
From Week 9 on, among 45 tight ends with at least 100 routes run, Dulcich ranked first in yards per route run, tied for third in targets per route run and fifth in yards after catch per reception, per the Fantasy Points Data Suite.
These numbers show that he can produce when given the opportunity and should command a solid target share with a clear path to finishing second on the team in targets.
Dulcich is a sneaky late-round tight end selection.
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