The term Fantasy Sleepers is a loaded one. In the information age of Fantasy Football, there are no secrets and certainly no names that fall completely under the radar. Even a player like Puka Nacua was well-known throughout dynasty circles. In redraft, young players can sometimes be somewhat unknown. But in dynasty, the buildup to the NFL Draft is so well covered that no skill position stone is left unturned—especially fifth-round NFL draft picks like Nacua.
It is not uncommon for active Dynasty Managers to have knowledge of every drafted skill position player and an opinion on them. The competitive nature of dynasty rookie drafts has made these players way more well-known than in years past. Even information on players who are undrafted free agents will spread like wildfire.
There is no one on this list that you will read and say, “Thank you, Theo, for alerting me to this name that I have literally never heard of.” That is not what this list of Fantasy Sleepers is. These are Fantasy Sleepers in a value sense. Last year, players like Sam LaPorta, De’Von Achane, Nico Collins, Tank Dell, and Puka Nacua gained an incredible amount of dynasty value. They broke through multiple tiers of players and established themselves as much-improved assets. Their cost to acquire vs current trade equity is massively disproportionate.
Dynasty Disruptors
Think of these Fantasy Sleepers (Dynasty Sleepers) as Dynamic Disruptors—players with specific traits and potential opportunities that could vault them into disrupting the current Dynasty Rankings ecosystem. These players are potential rule-breakers. The current rankings can quickly be turned on their heads when the right player with the right attributes is in the right situation. These Fantasy Sleepers can be fantasy cheat codes.
In this article, I will identify candidates who can accomplish just that.
None of these players are sure things, but if a few things can go their way, they could rise ten spots in positional KTC rankings value- or more- and do so very quickly.
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Keon Coleman – WR Buffalo Bills | KTC Value: WR32
Here is a quick mental exercise: What Dynasty WR could gain 15 spots of positional ADP value by Week 8 of the season? Look no further than Coleman. Coleman’s usage and production have a wide range of outcomes, but if he hits, he could really hit. Coleman is a 6-3, 215-pound, 21-year-old attached to the most productive fantasy QB in the game. He can quickly establish himself as a red zone threat or more. Coleman is not cheap, but his current price could be laughable in a few months.
J.J. McCarthy – QB Minnesota Vikings | KTC Value: QB19
The Minnesota offense is shrouded with uncertainty and question marks. After old reliable Kirk Cousins moved on, the Vikings drafted McCarthy with the No. 10 overall pick. The dynasty marketplace, early redraft, and best ball leagues have quickly adjusted. We could see Sam Darnold early in the season, but the McCarthy takeover will happen quickly.
What if McCarthy gets off to a fast start to his career? McCarthy has the mobility and big arm to put up strong passing numbers, but that alone will not drive his value up that much. His mobility is the big X factor for McCarthy to vault up the dynasty rankings. He ran a 4.51 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. The Minnesota coaching staff could create more opportunities for McCarthy to use his legs than anticipated. He also can rip off the occasional long run as an opportunistic scrambler. Few QBs in the league have McCarthy’s testing speed. By this time next year, he could be a locked-in QB1 in Dynasty.
Jayden Reed – WR Green Bay Packers | KTC Price: WR30
Reed falls into the category of, “hey what kind of Fantasy Sleepers article is this I want my money back!” Reed was simply sensational over the second half of last season. He was WR10 overall from Week 10 on. Reed scored in a variety of ways and finished with 10 TDs. He was utilized as a runner when Aaron Jones was out-rushing for two TDs and over 100 rushing yards. Reed was a second-round draft pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Despite his profile and production, Reed is “only” WR30 in KTC’s rankings. While this is still expensive, there is an easy out for Reed to not only exceed expectations but smash them. Snap share. Even the biggest Reed enthusiasts have to worry slightly about him only playing 56.8-percent of snaps. But what if Green Bay self-scouts and makes Reed an every-down player? Reed’s current price would be looked at as a steal.
Ricky Pearsall – WR San Francisco 49ers | KTC Price: WR37
Pearsall is a next-level athlete who was selected in the late first round of the NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers. Where have I heard this before? Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel (early 2nd Rounder) were selected in a similar range to Pearsall. There is some recent steam with Pearsall’s path to 2024 viability as a contingent play if Aiyuk is traded. But there is a chance his ascension could be rapid. Not only is Samuel 28 years old, but the 49ers offense also features a 30-year-old George Kittle. Pearsall brings much-needed youth to one of the league’s top offenses. He has multiple pathways to viability in 2024 and beyond.
Marshawn Lloyd – RB Green Bay Packers | KTC Price: RB33
The tales of the dynasty community ignoring the 2024 RB draft class were largely exaggerated. Jonathon Brooks, Trey Benson, and Blake Corum are all top 22 in the RB rankings at KTC. The dynasty community has steamed up their prices and is embracing them early and often. But there is still a player at an attractive discount: Marshawn Lloyd. Lloyd could be the most valuable dynasty value of them all one year from today. Josh Jacobs‘s presence will hold Lloyd’s immediate volume, but Green Bay is synonymous with using multiple backs. Lloyd will immediately be a handcuff plus in one of the league’s ascending offenses.
With Lloyds’ two-way ability, he will have some big games. He can be utilized stylistically like Aaron Jones was. If Josh Jacobs were to miss any time, Lloyd would immediately be a top 12 option on the week. There is also a chance that Jacobs will not be as effective as he was in Las Vegas, which will create further opportunities for Lloyd. Jacobs is not guaranteed to be a Packer in 2025. If Green Bay moves on from him and hands the keys to Lloyd, this RB33 price could be one of the best bargains in Dynasty this summer.
Jameson Williams – WR Detroit Lions | KTC Price: WR49
Williams has been a frustrating dynasty asset for many. He was a first-round rookie pick in 2022, and the returns on investment have been frustrating to say the least. But like Nico Collins last season, Williams could be this year’s Year 3 breakout. If Williams can absorb the Josh Reynolds targets (65) that would put him at 107. A target total like that in one of the league top scoring offenses (No. 5 in PPG for back-to-back seasons) would be more than enough for a player as explosive as Williams to take a massive step forward in production.
At only 23 years old, Williams is similar in age to some rookies in this class. There is still a lot left to his story. With his speed and big-play ability, Williams has the potential to put up spike weeks. Defenses will also benefit from having to account for Sam LaPorta, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Jahmyr Gibbs. Williams is also a threat to receive manufactured rushing attempts.
Ben Sinnott – TE Washington Commanders | KTC Price: TE15
The Washington Commanders selected Sinnott as the first skill position player drafted in the Jayden Daniels era. They clearly believe that his skill set will complement their new franchise quarterback. Washington used a second-round draft pick on him—the earliest TE selection by the franchise since 2008. Sinnott is a plus athlete and fits the mold of the type of TEs that have been rising up dynasty rankings.
His 6-4, 247-pound frame is similar to Sam LaPorta, Dalton Kincaid, and Trey McBride. These types of “move” TEs have been climbing up dynasty rankings and are being featured in NFL offenses. Kincaid is the favorite to lead Buffalo in targets in only his second season in the league. Sinnott could see that sort of Year 2 ascent. Year 1 could also be a lot of fun for dynasty managers rostering the talented rookie. Despite the impediment of Zach Ertz, Sinnott should become one of Daniels’ preferred targets. If the ascension is quicker than anticipated, Sinnott could become a top 10 Dynasty TE asset by mid-season.
Jermaine Burton – WR Cincinnati Bengals | KTC Price: WR57
Burton is the lowest-ranked player on this list in the KTC rankings. He presents a massive 2025 opportunity with some sneaky 2024 upside. His 2024 outlook is not as strong as it was when there was a lack of clarity with Tee Higgins, but he still has plenty of upside. Burton fell to Round 3 in the NFL Draft, but there were many talent evaluators who viewed his profile as a player who should have been picked in the top 40. There were rumors some teams were not interested and red flagged him.
While his draft capital was not ideal, the landing spot is terrific. He will step right into the vacated Tyler Boyd WR3 role and advantageous matchups, as defenses have to account for both Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase. There is no TE who will be a huge target earner, and this passing game should be WR-centric. Get ahead of the market and add Burton now as one of the key fantasy sleepers. His 2025 price is going to be too expensive.
For more from Theo Gremminger, check out this article – Best Handcuff RBs | Handcuff Running Back Rankings for 2024 (playerprofiler.com)
