What is a fantasy football sleeper? It’s the question often asked since the invention of fantasy football, whose answer has fluctuated over the years.
To me, a fantasy football sleeper is simply a player who outperforms his average draft position (ADP).
And because of this simple definition, I always say there are different levels of sleepers. In this post, we’ll analyze a number of sleepers from different levels of slumber.
Owner’s Note: If you are in a standard redraft league, I’d advise against spending draft capital for backup quarterbacks. In most of these types of leagues, you can just pick up a backup off the Waiver Wire if your starter gets hurt. However, if you’re in deeper leagues with a lot of teams or roster spots to fill, you can take a flyer on backups.
The Young Guns
These quarterbacks are young and hungry and could be ready to surprise owners this year.
Bryce Young (Carolina Panthers): Young demonstrated significant growth late in his second season, including a five-total-touchdown performance in Week 18, hinting at his potential. With offensive line upgrades and additional weapons at his disposal — including rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan, he could capitalize on that late-season momentum and finally deliver on his No. 1 overall pick pedigree.
J.J. McCarthy (Minnesota Vikings): McCarthy enters a highly favorable situation in Minnesota, inheriting a pass-happy offense with elite weapons like Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and a healthy T.J. Hockenson. The Vikings’ consistent high ranking in passing yards and touchdowns under Kevin O’Connell suggests McCarthy has a strong offensive scheme and supporting cast to thrive.
Cam Ward (Tennessee Titans): As the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Ward is the new face of the Titans’ franchise and has already shown a strong connection with Calvin Ridley in training camp. His “gunslinging” and fearless style, combined with the draft capital invested in him, indicates a high ceiling if he can quickly adjust to the NFL.
Michael Penix Jr. (Atlanta Falcons): Penix Jr. is set to be the Falcons’ starter in 2025 and demonstrated his high-upside passing ability with an impressive PFF passing grade in a three-game sample last season. With a strong run game and talented pass-catchers like Drake London, Penix could be a surprising fantasy producer if the Falcons’ offense opens up.
The Old(er) Farts
These quarterbacks are veteran starters who don’t offer tremendous ceilings, but will provide stable floors.
Aaron Rodgers (Pittsburgh Steelers): While an Achilles injury sidelined him for all of 2023, Rodgers bounced back with a moderate level of production last year. He has demonstrated the ability to be a top-tier fantasy quarterback even in his late 30s. Rodgers enters a fresh new situation in Pittsburgh where he arguably has a better system in place to produce than he did with the Jets.
Geno Smith (Las Vegas Raiders): Smith has shown he can be a reliable fantasy QB, finishing as QB12 in total points last season. Now with the Raiders and reunited with Pete Carroll, if he can maintain his accuracy and benefit from a potentially run-heavy scheme under Chip Kelly that opens up play-action, he could outperform his draft position as a solid QB2 with streaming upside.
Russell Wilson (New York Giants): Wilson is the Giants’ confirmed starter for 2025, and despite his age, he still offers a decent fantasy floor with his downfield passing and weapons like Malik Nabers and Darius Slayton at his disposal. If the Giants’ offense can create more scoring opportunities, Wilson’s experience and occasional big plays could lead to valuable fantasy weeks.
Joe Flacco (Cleveland Browns): Despite his age, Flacco proved in spot duty the past two seasons that he can still deliver high-volume passing and fantasy-relevant performances when given the opportunity. If he wins the Browns’ starting job, as I expect him to, his willingness to air it out to talented pass-catchers like Jerry Jeudy and David Njoku could make him a surprisingly effective fantasy option, especially in Superflex leagues.
An Injury Away
These are quarterbacks who are backups for now, but if the starters ahead of them get hurt, they could provide solid value.
Jalen Milroe (Seattle Seahawks): Milroe possesses elite rushing upside, a “cheat code” for fantasy quarterbacks, making him an immediate fantasy contributor if he sees the field. Currently behind Sam Darnold, if Darnold struggles or is injured, Milroe’s athletic profile and potential for high-volume rushing attempts could lead to significant fantasy production, even as a raw passer.
Joe Milton (Dallas Cowboys): With Dak Prescott’s history of injuries, Joe Milton could be thrust into a starting role, and he’s reportedly getting plenty of reps with the first-team offense in training camp to prepare for such an eventuality. While still a project, his powerful arm and the Cowboys’ strong offensive weapons could make him a surprising fantasy asset if Prescott were to miss time.
Jaxson Dart (New York Giants): Dart was a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, indicating the Giants’ long-term commitment to him, though Russell Wilson is currently the starter. If Wilson were to get injured or struggle, Dart’s dual-threat ability and the opportunity to throw to a talent like Malik Nabers could unlock significant fantasy upside for the rookie.
Shedeur Sanders (Cleveland Browns): Despite a slow start to training camp, Shedeur Sanders has demonstrated flashes of improvement and possesses a strong college resume. If Joe Flacco or Kenny Pickett were to be sidelined, Sanders could get his chance to prove himself in an offense with strong receiving options, offering a high-upside play as a deep sleeper.
Contingent Competition
These are quarterbacks who are mired in competition in training camp but could offer late-round value if they win the starting job.
Anthony Richardson (Indianapolis Colts): Richardson possesses elite rushing upside, which provides a high fantasy floor and ceiling, making him a true cheat code if he can stay healthy. Despite battling Daniel Jones for the starting role and some shoulder discomfort, if he maintains the starting job, his dual-threat ability in Shane Steichen’s offense could lead to massive fantasy weeks.
Daniel Jones (Indianapolis Colts): If Daniel Jones wins the starting job for the Colts, he could offer surprising fantasy value due to his proven rushing ability, which was a significant factor in his strong 2022 season. While his passing has been inconsistent, a fresh start and a new offensive scheme could allow him to recapture some of that fantasy relevance.
Tyler Shough (New Orleans Saints): Shough was a relatively high draft pick for the Saints, suggesting they see him as a potential long-term starter. If he beats out Spencer Rattler for the starting job, he’ll be in an offense with talented skill players like Chris Olave and Alvin Kamara, giving him a decent environment to produce fantasy points.
Spencer Rattler (New Orleans Saints): Rattler has shown flashes of his talent in the offseason and is directly competing with Tyler Shough for the Saints’ starting role. If he earns the job, he could leverage the Saints’ solid offensive weapons and new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore’s system to exceed expectations, making him a deep sleeper with upside.
