Finding late-round gems is how you can turn your fantasy team into a league winner. We already covered 10 breakout players who should outperform their draft position and seven potential busts to avoid, so it's time to move further down the draft board.
Here are 10 sleepers currently being drafted outside the top 100 picks who could become difference-makers this year.
More from this series:
- 10 breakout players to target (Updated)
- 7 potential busts to avoid (Updated)
- 5 players we love to draft
Consensus ADP source: FantasyPros.
Although it's been a while since we've seen it, Murray has proven numerous times throughout his career that he has the potential to be a top-five fantasy quarterback. He has his flaws, but - when healthy - his mobility gives him a floor that many at the position can't provide.
Murray received a much-needed change of scenery this offseason, and there may not have been a better landing spot for the No. 1 overall pick of 2019. His top pass-catcher is Justin Jefferson, and head coach Kevin O'Connell has turned water into wine with past Vikings quarterbacks; the only one O'Connell hasn't found success with is J.J. McCarthy.
Murray is being drafted as the 17th quarterback, according to FantasyPros' average draft position (ADP). It doesn't cost any significant draft capital to take a chance on Murray, who, ideally, you'd pair with another late-round quarterback and try to strike gold.
Despite having only six starts under his belt, Willis signed a three-year, $67.5-million contract to be the Dolphins' starter in 2026. As a Packer, Willis flashed his ceiling last year in Week 17 against the Ravens, throwing for 288 yards and a touchdown while adding 60 yards and two scores on the ground. That outing clearly sold Miami on the 2022 third-round pick's potential.
Willis' mobility could make him a viable fantasy starter this year, similar to what Justin Fields provided in 2022 as a member of the Bears. There aren't many quarterbacks who are a threat to rush for 50 yards and a touchdown every game, which makes Willis an intriguing value pick at the end of your draft.
He's the 21st quarterback off the board, which means he's going undrafted in most standard leagues. Willis is a zero-risk pick with a decent amount of upside as the second quarterback on your roster, and if he doesn't pan out, you can drop him without losing much investment.
Lloyd has received rave reviews from his coaches throughout training camp, with many highlighting the explosive element of his game - something an aging Josh Jacobs no longer has. At 28, Jacobs has a ton of wear on his tires, averaging 263 carries per season across his seven-year career. He's also already dealing with a groin injury and could face discipline for his arrest in May.
But even if Jacobs plays every game, Lloyd has a path to carve out a complementary role rather than be a clear handcuff. Though injuries have hampered the third-year back's career, Lloyd is a capable pass-catcher who can run between the tackles to pick up tough yards. Jacobs is going as RB15 in drafts, while Lloyd is available much later at RB51. Still, Lloyd outscoring Jacobs this season is within the range of outcomes.
Omarion Hampton was highlighted as a potential breakout, but that shouldn't diminish the likelihood that the Chargers could have two startable running backs.
New offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel loves speed, so he went out and got arguably the fastest running back available in free agency. Mitchell showcased his big-play ability when healthy in Baltimore, ranking third in explosive rate last year among running backs with at least 50 carries, per SumerSports. He now gets to be a part of McDaniel's scheme, which turned De'Von Achane into a fantasy star.
Mitchell is being drafted as the RB46, but the other backs being selected in his range aren't members of what could be the league's highest-scoring offense.
We're fading Bucky Irving, so naturally there should be an undervalued running back on the Buccaneers' roster. The Bucs signed Kenneth Gainwell in the offseason, but he's a passing-down back who offers very little between the tackles. Tampa Bay also re-signed Tucker, who's capitalized on limited opportunities throughout his career.
Despite never having a clear starting role, Tucker has recorded two weeks as the top-scoring running back since 2024. Not many players drafted outside the top 200 picks can make that claim.
Tucker's path to the starting job isn't straightforward. Irving will have to remain inefficient while Tucker produces in the limited work he'll get early in the season, but that's not entirely unlikely. If that's the case, you could find yourself a startable running back who's currently the 65th RB coming off the board.
Stribling has been one of the biggest winners this preseason. The second-round rookie has not only benefited from Ricky Pearsall's season-ending injury, but he's already shown why the 49ers drafted him so high. In two preseason games, Stribling's caught 11 passes for 109 yards on 13 targets while playing with the starters.
The 49ers' offense is notably old, with nearly every player on the unit having a history of injuries. Stribling appears to be the safest option among the pass-catchers to play all 17 games, and he'll get more targets if Mike Evans, Christian McCaffrey, or George Kittle miss time.
Stribling has been soaring up draft boards throughout August and may become one of the trendiest sleepers by the time you're drafting. However, some members of your league may be unaware of Stribling's rise, allowing you to take a player who could lead his team in receiving at WR40.
McMillan was hurt most of last season, though he was effective in limited playing time. He ranked 18th in YPRR among receivers with at least 50 routes and caught 80% of his targets. Evans is no longer in Tampa Bay, meaning 23% of Baker Mayfield's targets are up for grabs.
Emeka Egbuka will be Mayfield's top option, but with Chris Godwin aging and primarily playing out of the slot, the door is open for McMillan to play a key role in an offense that should throw the ball a lot.
McMillan is being picked as the 64th receiver in drafts, yet he could easily finish the season as a weekly starter if he can stay on the field.
I've been down on most of the Browns' skill-position players for obvious reasons. Deshaun Watson may be the NFL's worst starting quarterback, and things shouldn't get much better when Cleveland turns the keys over to Shedeur Sanders.
However, Concepcion is the Browns' lone exception. Neither Watson nor Sanders has elite arm strength, but that shouldn't matter with the routes Concepcion is expected to run. The first-round rookie is projected to line up all over the field and primarily operate in short-yardage areas. Cleveland also showed that it's willing to give Concepcion carries - one of which he scored for a touchdown during preseason.
The Browns will likely be trailing in most games, forcing them to throw late and allowing Concepcion to rack up catches in garbage time. It won't be pretty, but he should outscore his WR49 ADP.
The Texans had a glaring need at wide receiver opposite Nico Collins once Jayden Higgins tore his ACL, and they did a great job filling the void with Boutte.
Considered a deep threat in New England, Boutte finished as a top-10 receiver in two of the three weeks that he earned five or more targets last season. He can produce when given the opportunity, and now he'll work in an offense that has a clear No. 1 option, which should open up space for Boutte.
If C.J. Stroud can recapture some rookie-year magic, the Texans' offense can support two fantasy-relevant wide receivers. Boutte is going as WR78, but that'll rise following his change of scenery.
Ferguson had an interesting rookie season. He caught only 11 passes on 25 targets, but he turned those limited opportunities into 231 yards and three touchdowns. He displayed his big-play ability in Year 1, and a larger role in his sophomore campaign could drastically change his fantasy outlook.
The Rams frequently use multiple tight ends, a trend that shouldn't change this season. However, Ferguson is expected to play all over the field, according to The Athletic's Nate Atkins. Acting as the de facto WR3 on the Rams will only boost his floor, and his ceiling is already apparent from his rookie season. Going as TE23 in drafts means there's little risk in taking a swing on a potential starting tight end in 12-team leagues.
More from this series:
- 10 breakout players to target (Updated)
- 7 potential busts to avoid (Updated)
- 5 players we love to draft
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