As fantasy football managers gear up for the 2025 season, finding undervalued players—also known as sleepers—can be the key to dominating your league. These players often fly under the radar but have the potential to deliver significant fantasy production at a fraction of the cost. Here are the top fantasy football sleepers for 2025 that you should keep an eye on during your draft.
Quarterbacks
1. Drake Maye (New England Patriots)
Maye enters his rookie season with high expectations, and the Patriots have bolstered their offense with new weapons. If he wins the starting job, his dual-threat ability could make him a fantasy steal.
2. J.J. McCarthy (Minnesota Vikings)
A talented rookie, McCarthy has the tools to develop into a strong fantasy option. With Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and more. McCarthy has plenty of high powered weapons to excel in his first year.
Running Backs
3. Tyjae Spears (Tennessee Titans)
With Derrick Henry potentially moving on, Spears is in line to take over lead duties in the Titans’ backfield. His explosiveness and receiving ability make him a valuable late-round target.
4. Tank Bigsby (Jacksonville Jaguars)
Bigsby has shown flashes of brilliance and could see an increased workload alongside Travis Etienne. If injuries hit or Jacksonville leans on a two-back system, Bigsby could be a major fantasy asset.
Wide Receivers
5. Khalil Shakir (Buffalo Bills)
Shakir has flashed potential in limited opportunities and could take on a larger role in Buffalo’s high-powered offense. With a strong training camp, he could emerge as a reliable fantasy WR2 maybe even WR1. Josh Allen just signed a record deal giving Shakir his MVP Quarterback for years to come.
6. Jahan Dotson (Washington Commanders)
Dotson has been overshadowed by Terry McLaurin but has quietly built a strong rapport with his quarterbacks. Expect his target share to rise in 2025.
Tight Ends
7. Cade Otton (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Otton has steadily improved and could see an expanded role in the Buccaneers’ offense. With tight end being a shallow position, he’s a worthy sleeper pick.
8. Jelani Woods (Indianapolis Colts)
A massive red-zone target, Woods could develop into a top fantasy tight end with the right quarterback situation in Indianapolis.
Defense/Special Teams (DST)
9. Green Bay Packers DST
With a young, improving defense and playmakers in the secondary, the Packers could be a sneaky good late-round DST pick.
10. New York Jets DST
If their offense improves, the Jets’ defense won’t be forced into bad situations as often, making them an elite streaming option.
Final Thoughts
Fantasy football success often hinges on identifying sleepers before your competition does. Whether it’s a rookie quarterback with upside, a second-year running back primed for a bigger role, or a forgotten wide receiver poised for a breakout, these players could be the key to a championship-winning roster. Keep an eye on training camp reports and depth chart battles, and be ready to pounce on these hidden gems in your 2025 fantasy draft!