Fantasy Football 2025 Sleepers to Target from Chargers vs. Lions Hall of Fame Game

The Los Angeles Chargers and Detroit Lions kicked off the 2025 NFL preseason on Thursday night in the league's annual Hall of Fame Game.

Los Angeles won the game 34-7, but fantasy enthusiasts are likely far more interested in what transpired than the final score.

Like most early preseason contests, Thursday's game didn't feature an all-star cast of starters, and most of the players who saw extensive action are battling for a roster spot.

If Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Trey Lance becomes a fantasy star this season, something has gone wrong.

Still, a few notable players were on the field who could potentially emerge as legitimate fantasy sleepers this season. And with both teams choosing to play a few highly-drafted rookies, the 2025 edition of the Hall of Fame Game was a bit more fantasy-relevant than most.

Keandre Lambert-Smith, WR, Los Angeles Chargers

AP Photo/Eric Thayer

Chargers running back Omarion Hampton isn't a sleeper, though he was likely one of the biggest reasons why fans tuned into the Hall of Fame Game.

Los Angeles drafted the North Carolina product 22nd overall, and he's generated a fair bit of excitement ahead of fantasy drafts. He had an average draft position (ADP) of 42 heading into Thursday's game.

Hampton did see a couple of carries early, though he didn't exactly create a highlight reel.

Rookie fifth-round pick Keandre Lambert-Smith, on the other hand, did impress for Los Angeles. The Auburn product repeatedly flashed chemistry with Lance while finding space in the Lions secondary.

Lambert Smith caught a pair of passes from Lance for 43 yards and a touchdown, and his bright night shouldn't be seen as a fluke. He's made plenty of noise in training camp as well.

Hampton and second-round receiver Tre Harris—who didn't catch a pass on Thursday—are already likely to command attention in fantasy drafts. Lambert-Smith is a sleeper worth keeping tabs on through the remainder of the preseason.

Will Dissly, TE, Los Angeles Chargers

AP Photo/Kyusung Gong

Lambert-Smith wasn't the only Chargers pass-catcher to make his presence felt early on Thursday. Tight end Will Dissly quickly reminded fans why he was such an integral part of the offense last season.

Dissly ranked fourth on the team with 50 catches for 481 yards and two touchdowns. Yet, he hasn't generated a ton of fantasy interest heading into the 2025 season.

According to FantasyPros, Dissly was the 40th-ranked tight end for point-per-reception (PPR) scoring formats heading into Thursday night. That lack of interest is likely a product of L.A. drafting Harris, Lambert-Smith and fifth-round tight end Oronde Gadsden II after signing tight end Tyler Conklin.

Dissly's 2024 production wasn't completely due to the Chargers' lack of pass-catchers. Dissly's two-catch, 14-yard, one-touchdown outing on Thursday showed just what he can do in Jim Harbaugh's offense.

The 29-year-old should still be viewed as a very deep sleeper, and he could lose that status if Gadsden and/or Conklin start to gain momentum before the start of the regular season. If Dissly stays atop the depth chart, though, he should have backup or streamer value worthy of draft consideration.

Isaac TeSlaa and Dominic Lovett, WRs, Detroit Lions

AP Photo/David Dermer

Lions WR Dominic Lov

While the Chargers largely controlled the action on Thursday, they weren't the only team with an exciting rookie making waves. Third-round pick Isaac TeSlaa didn't take long to show fans why the Lions drafted another receiver despite having Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Tim Patrick on the roster.

The Arkansas product was arguably the brightest spot of Detroit's night. While he only caught two passes for 43 yards, he flashed the sort of skills that will make him valuable in the Lions offense.

TeSlaa is a big (6'4", 214 lbs), physical pass-catcher who moves well in space, can catch on the run and will finish through contact.

TeSlaa should be worth a late-round flier in season-long drafts, though he'll likely see sporadic playing time behind St. Brown, Williams and Patrick early. He's a player to keep an eye on in dynasty drafts too.

Rookie seventh-round pick Dominic Lovett is an even deeper sleeper, but he's worth tracking through the rest of the preseason. He and TeSlaa have both caught the attention of head coach Dan Campbell in training camp.

"Campbell said Lions rookie wide receivers Dominic Lovett and Isaac TeSlaa are doing really well mentally, and they're both impressing," Brad Galli of WXYZ Detroit posted on X.

Lovett (5 catches, 31 yards) also had some bright moments on Thursday.

Players who might carve out a role in an offense as potent as Detroit's are usually worth considering late in drafts. Lovett isn't there just yet, but that could change after a few more weeks of preseason action.

Backup Running Backs

AP Photo/Ryan Sun

Lions RB Craig Reynolds

Lions running back Craig Reynolds won't have much fantasy value as long as Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery are healthy. When Montgomery missed time with an MCL injury last season, Detroit largely gave Gibbs a larger workload to compensate.

Reynolds, the Lions' No. 3 back, finished with just 179 scrimmage yards despite appearing in all 17 games.

However, the 29-year-old could have some handcuff value or spot-start potential—should Gibbs or Montgomery be ruled out for a game or two—in very deep leagues. He's been a part of Detroit's offense for four seasons and showed again on Thursday that he isn't out of place carrying the ball for Detroit.

Reynolds finished with 38 rushing yards, one catch for 10 yards and a touchdown.

Fantasy managers might find more sleeper value in Los Angeles' running back room, though a crowded depth chart makes it tricky to settle on any single player. Assuming Harris recovers in time to see significant playing time this season, backs like Kimani Vidal and Nyheim Miller-Hines may struggle to see the field offensively.

However, Vidal and Miller-Hines both had bright moments for the Lions on Thursday. Miller-Hines returned punts and logged eight carries for 34 yards, while Vidal rushed for 37 yards and two scores.

Right now, Vidal would seem like the logical back for L.A. if Harris exits the equation for any reason. The 2024 sixth-round pick appeared in 10 games for the Chargers as a rookie. However, neither back is worth more than mild consideration until more is known about Harris' status.