The 7 BEST late-round sleepers in fantasy football

Ian Hartitz defends the efficiency of running backs like Ashton Jeanty, arguing that low yards-per-carry stats should not be used to slander players who play behind poor offensive lines. However, Jeanty is currently dealing with an ankle injury, which increases the immediate fantasy appeal of his teammate, Mike Washington.

Bucky Irving is used as an ADP benchmark for MarShawn Lloyd, placing him in the late-round draft range.

Ian Hartitz expresses skepticism regarding Cade Otton's fantasy upside, noting that he lacks the downfield usage required for high-ceiling production. Hartitz states that Otton is not expected to receive a high volume of 20-plus-yard targets, limiting his overall fantasy ceiling.

Colby Parkinson is mentioned as a competitor for snaps at tight end alongside Tyler Higbee and Davis Allen, creating a potential committee situation for Terrance Ferguson.

Davante Adams' absence from the lineup previously correlated with a spike in Terrance Ferguson's snap count, highlighting Ferguson's potential role in the offense.

Davis Allen is mentioned as a competitor for snaps at tight end alongside Tyler Higbee and Colby Parkinson, creating a potential committee situation for Terrance Ferguson.

Jadarian Price is used as an ADP benchmark for MarShawn Lloyd, placing him in the late-round draft range.

Ian Hartitz notes that Jalen Hurts' heavy usage at the 1-yard line limits the goal-line touchdown potential for Eagles running backs, though he argues this concern is sometimes overstated for opportunities between the 2 and 5-yard lines.

Ian Hartitz references Joe Mixon's absence from the Houston backfield as a factor that allowed Woody Marks to earn a three-down role last season.

Ian Hartitz advises against drafting Josh Jacobs at his current ADP. Concerns include potential placement on the commissioner's exempt list, declining efficiency, a poor offensive line, and the risk of a backfield split with a healthy MarShawn Lloyd.

JJ Zachariason ranks KC Concepcion as his WR42 and a top-100 player, projecting a 2021 Jaylen Waddle-esque role. The outlook is driven by his potential for high-volume, designed underneath targets and screen usage. Concepcion's versatility, including his history of rushing usage at NC State, makes him a strong late-round value outside the top 50 wide receivers on major platforms.

JJ Zachariason and Ian Hartitz are fading MarShawn Lloyd at his current price point, preferring to let others draft him. While he is technically going outside the top 120 picks, his ADP is expected to rise due to the Josh Jacobs situation. He is considered a less attractive value compared to other late-round options like Bucky Irving or Jadarian Price.

Mike Washington is a priority late-round target for Ian Hartitz. Despite playing in a poor offense, Washington is athletic, healthy, and could see standalone value in a run scheme upgrade under Clint Kubiak. His appeal is further boosted by the current ankle injury to teammate Ashton Jeanty.

Puka Nacua is noted as a primary target in the Rams offense, with the lack of depth behind him and Davante Adams providing a path for Terrance Ferguson to earn targets.

JJ Zachariason ranks Ray Davis as his RB4 among backups and RB50 overall, noting he is significantly undervalued with an ADP often in the 13th or 14th round. Davis saw 23 touches on 58-64% snap rates in games where James Cook was absent. While Ty Johnson remains involved, Davis offers significant upside in a high-scoring Bills offense.

Barkley is the clear starter for the Eagles, though Ian Hartitz notes his only flaw is a lack of success rate due to a tendency to hunt for home runs rather than taking available short gains.

Ian Hartitz ranks Bigsby as his RB49, noting he is consistently priced outside the top 50 running backs. Bigsby is a high-upside handcuff behind Saquon Barkley, supported by elite efficiency metrics from 2024: first in yards after contact per carry, eighth in yards per carry, second in tackles avoided per carry, and fifth in explosive rush rate among 44 backs with 200+ carries. JJ Zachariason also uses Bigsby as a benchmark for his RB2 rankings, and Hartitz includes him as a target in the final five to six rounds of fantasy drafts.

Terrance Ferguson is Ian Hartitz's top tight end sleeper, currently undervalued with an ADP outside the top 160 on ESPN and top 200 on Sleeper. He led all tight ends with 21 yards per reception and a 52% deep target rate last year. Hartitz projects him as the de facto WR3 and TE1 in a Rams offense lacking depth behind Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. While there is competition for snaps from Tyler Higbee, Colby Parkinson, and Davis Allen, Hartitz notes that Ferguson's snaps previously spiked when Adams was out, and if he secures a 70%+ route rate, he could emerge as a top-10 tight end by week two.

Tyler Higbee is mentioned as a competitor for snaps at tight end alongside Colby Parkinson and Davis Allen, creating a potential committee situation for Terrance Ferguson.

Ian Hartitz highlights that Tank Bigsby significantly out-touched Will Shipley 61 to 23 last season, confirming Bigsby's status as the clear backup to Saquon Barkley.

Ian Hartitz ranks Woody Marks as his RB45, while JJ Zachariason highlights him as a high-upside late-round sleeper due to his elite college pass-catching profile (261 career receptions). Marks is expected to handle pass-down work in the Houston backfield and could function as a three-down back if David Montgomery were to miss time. He is a target in the final five to six rounds of drafts.