Fantasy Football 2025 Deep Sleepers Based on Latest Rankings

The NFL preseason is over, initial 53-player rosters have been set and the opening of the regular season is only a week away. It's an exciting time to be a football fan, but a potentially stressful one for some fantasy enthusiasts.

Managers who have waited until now to begin draft prep have some cramming to do.

Fortunately, the internet is loaded with useful fantasy resources like rankings. Even novice managers can identify top players to target by using rankings as a draft board. The challenge lies in finding those late-round gems who are jumbled in with other nondescript late-round players.

We're here to help with that, too. We'll dive into the latest consensus rankings from FantasyPros and examine some deep sleepers who fall well outside of the top 50.

Consensus Top 50

AP Photo/Matt Rourke

Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase

1. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
2. Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons
3. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys
4. Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
5. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions
6. Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants
7. Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants
8. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Detroit Lions
9. Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans
10. Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams
11. Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers
12. Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
13. Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons
14. Ashton Jeanty, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
15. A.J. Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
16. De'Von Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins
17. Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas Raiders
18. Ladd McConkey, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
19. Trey McBride, TE, Arizona Cardinals
20. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle Seahawks
21. Derrick Henry, RB, Baltimore Ravens
22. Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
23. Chase Brown, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
24. Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills
25. Bucky Irving, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
26. Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens
27. Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets
28. Josh Jacobs, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
29. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts
30. Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins
31. George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers
32. Davante Adams, Los Angeles Rams
33. Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
34. Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders
35. Kyren Williams, RB, Los Angeles Rams
36. Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Arizona Cardinals
37. Jalen Hurts, QB, Philadelphia Eagles
38. Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Commanders
39. D.J. Moore, WR, Chicago Bears
40. Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints
41. James Cook, RB, Buffalo Bills
42. Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks
43. Omarion Hampton, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
44. Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets
45. Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos
46. DK Metcalf, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
47. Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals
48. DeVonta Smith, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
49. Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Carolina Panthers
50. James Conner, RB, Arizona Cardinals

*Rankings based on point-per-reception scoring, as of 8/27

Ollie Gordon II, RB, Miami Dolphins

AP Photo/Doug Murray

Miami Dolphins rookie Ollie Gordon II has a consensus ranking closer to 200 than 100. However, he could be a top-100 scorer this season, depending on how the rest of Miami's backfield shakes out.

Starter De'Von Achane is dealing with a calf injury and may not be at 100 percent early in the season—though he is expected to play Week 1.

Second-year back Jaylen Wright (leg) is not expected to play in Week 1, meaning Gordon could see a big initial role. There's no guarantee he'll relinquish it, and as a physical back, he could get the majority of Miami's goal-line and short-yardage work throughout the season.

Touchdown vultures make serviceable flex options, and Gordon is shaping up to be one in Miami.

Chris Rodriguez Jr., RB, Washington Commanders

AP Photo/Nick Wass

Washington Commanders rookie Bill Croskey-Merritt has become the fantasy sleeper of 2025. In fact, he can't really even be considered a sleeper following the trade of Brian Robinson Jr. to the San Francisco 49ers.

Most seem to expect the rookie to be Washington's primary ball-carrier. There's reason to buy into that theory, as Croskey-Merritt sat out the preseason finale along with many of the starters from last season.

However, it's important to remember that offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury is likely to use a committee approach that also involves Austin Ekeler, Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez Jr.

Rodriguez, who rushed for 4.9 yards per carry in limited action last season, shouldn't be ignored. The 5'11", 224-pound back could get a lot of Washington's goal-line work and may ultimately see just as many touches as his rookie counterpart. With a consensus ranking well over 200, he can be had with a late-round flier.

Troy Horton, WR, Seattle Seahawks

AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson

Seattle Seahawks rookie receiver Tory Horton is ranked lower than either Gordon or Croskey-Merritt. However, the Colorado State product could be even more valuable, especially in PPR leagues.

A lot will depend on the play of new Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold this season. If he can replicate the success he had with the Minnesota Vikings last season, Horton could end up being a league-winner.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba will be Darnold's top target at receiver. However, Horton may have already established himself as the No. 2. The Seahawks did add Cooper Kupp to the slot, but Horton has impressed enough that Seattle decided to cut free-agent addition Marquez Valdes-Scantling.

Given Kupp's injury history, there's a very real chance that Horton will finish the season behind only Smith-Njigba in terms of statistical production. If Darnold plays well, that could put Horton on track for numbers similar to Jordan Addison's 2024 totals (63 catches, 875 yards, 9 TDs in 15 games).