11 Deep Dynasty League Sleepers for Fantasy Football: Undervalued Trade and Draft Targets (2025)

Mike Fanelli's deep-league dynasty fantasy football sleepers, trade targets, and draft targets. Read the dynasty fantasy football outlook and expert advice for 2025.

Dynasty is the best form of fantasy football. Not only is it a year-round game, but it also allows fantasy players to act like an NFL general manager.

While trading and rookie drafts are the best part of dynasty fantasy football, finding deep sleepers is the next enjoyable part of the game.

Therefore, let’s look at 12 deep-league dynasty league sleepers that should be on fantasy players’ radar.

Deep-League Sleeper Quarterbacks

Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers

While everyone has grown tired of Rodgers’ desire for attention and the dramatic flair, the future Hall of Famer can still play. Last year, he was the QB15, averaging 15.1 fantasy points per game despite coming off a torn Achilles on the wrong side of 40. Furthermore, Rodgers ranked among the league leaders in passing touchdowns.

The veteran quarterback had 28 passing touchdowns last season, finishing seventh in the NFL. Rodgers had more passing touchdowns than Patrick Mahomes (26) and Justin Herbert (23). While he will play in Arthur Smith’s less-than-ideal offense for fantasy players in 2025, don’t be surprised if Rodgers has another mid-range QB2 finish despite turning 42 in December.

FREE PLAY KING AARON RODGERS 👑

📺: #NYJvsSF on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/enHPibM0Cq

— NFL (@NFL) September 10, 2024

Joe Milton III, Dallas Cowboys

Some in the football community thought the world of Milton earlier this offseason, claiming he would be the first or second quarterback picked if he were in the 2025 NFL Draft. Instead, the former sixth-round quarterback got traded from the New England Patriots to the Cowboys in exchange for a Day 3 pick swap. Yet, he has value in Dallas.

Unfortunately, Dak Prescott has suffered a significant season-ending injury twice in the past five years, including in 2024. Milton is now the Cowboys’ clear-cut backup after the team moved on from Cooper Rush and Trey Lance this offseason. While he only played in one game as a rookie, Milton had 241 passing yards, two total touchdowns, and 19.2 fantasy points in that contest.

Sam Howell, Minnesota Vikings

I am a massive believer in J.J. McCarthy and believe the former Michigan star could have a breakout year in 2025 after missing his rookie season with a knee injury. However, the fantasy world has only seen him play in one preseason game due to the injury, meaning he is the ultimate boom-or-bust pick this year. Meanwhile, Howell is his backup and is in an appealing situation.

Minnesota traded for Howell during the NFL Draft after letting Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones leave in free agency. The former North Carolina star was a solid fantasy quarterback in his lone season as the starter, ranking as the QB13 in 2023, averaging 15.1 fantasy points per game despite leading the NFL in interceptions. Howell would thrive in Kevin O’Connell’s offense if forced into the starting role.

Deep-League Sleeper Running Backs

Will Shipley, Philadelphia Eagles

Last year, Saquon Barkley was the top running back in the NFL and fantasy football, totaling over 2,000 rushing yards during the regular season. Furthermore, he accounted for 76.2% of the rushing attempts and 74.7% of the total touches out of the Eagles’ backfield. Unfortunately, the workload has led many to worry about his health for 2025 and potentially beyond after his performance last year.

Yet, Philadelphia didn’t make any meaningful additions to the backfield despite losing Kenneth Gainwell in free agency. Therefore, Shipley is likely the next man up if Barkley misses time with an injury. The former Clemson star had a limited role as a rookie. However, he was productive when given a chance, totaling 13.7 half-point PPR fantasy points in the playoff win over the Washington Commanders despite having only four rushing attempts.

Kyle Monangai, Chicago Bears

Nearly every mock draft leading up to the NFL Draft had the Bears taking Ashton Jeanty in the first round or one of the former Ohio State running backs in the second round. Instead, Chicago ended up waiting until the seventh round to select Monangai. Yet, he has a chance to have fantasy value as a rookie.

The former Rutgers star is a physical runner with significant college production. Monangai had 498 rushing attempts for 2,541 yards and 21 touchdowns over the past two seasons, averaging 5.1 yards per attempt. More importantly, no one would be surprised if Ben Johnson made the rookie his new David Montgomery, giving Monangai the chance to score double-digit touchdowns in 2025.

Got our Monangai 😤 pic.twitter.com/PGdSDI2dC4

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) April 26, 2025

Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Washington Commanders

Many thought the Commanders would select a running back early in the NFL Draft after not adding anyone significant in free agency. Instead, the team waited until their final pick to draft Croskey-Merritt. Unfortunately, he only played in one game last season at Arizona because of eligibility issues.

However, the rookie was outstanding in 2023, averaging 6.3 yards per rushing attempt and 17 touchdowns. More importantly, Croskey-Merritt could have an immediate impact in Washington. Last year, Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler weren’t difference makers, as Jayden Daniels led the team with 891 rushing yards. There is a chance Croskey-Merritt could win the starting role as a rookie.

Deep-League Sleeper Wide Receivers

Tory Horton, Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks underwent massive changes at the wide receiver position this offseason. DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett are gone after years with the team. Meanwhile, Seattle signed Cooper Kupp and Marquez Valdes-Scantling in free agency as veteran replacements for the starting lineup. However, both veterans could be off the roster starting in 2026.

Despite many mock drafts having the Seahawks use an early-round pick on a wide receiver, the team waited until the fifth round to select Horton. Unfortunately, the former Colorado State star missed time last season. Yet, he had over 1,100 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in his previous two years in college. Don’t be surprised if he takes Valdes-Scantling’s starting role by midseason, if not sooner.

Xavier Restrepo, Tennessee Titans

While Restrepo was an undrafted free-agent rookie, don’t be surprised when he makes the Titans’ final roster. Cam Ward lobbied for Tennessee to sign his former Miami teammate after the NFL Draft. Unfortunately, Restrepo ruined his chances of getting drafted with a poor pre-draft process. However, he was productive in college with Ward under center.

Restrepo led the ACC with 1,127 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns on 69 receptions last season. More importantly, Calvin Ridley is the only Titans wide receiver guaranteed a starting role this year. Don’t be surprised when Restrepo earns the starting slot role for Week 1 and quickly becomes a go-to target for Ward in Brian Callahan’s offense.

Another Saturday, another Cam Ward to Xavier Restrepo touchdown pass 🙌🎯

📺: ACC Network#GoCanes pic.twitter.com/LeqvpxYGpZ

— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) September 14, 2024

Deep-League Sleeper Tight Ends

Ja'Tavion Sanders, Carolina Panthers

The Panthers spent their first-round pick in the NFL Draft on Tetairoa McMillan, giving Bryce Young a legit go-to No. 1 wide receiver. However, they waited until the fifth round to select Evan Mitchell, meaning Sanders has no significant competition for the starting tight end role this season.

Last year, the former Texas star averaged 3.5 half-point PPR fantasy points, totaling one receiving touchdown. Yet, Sanders flashed upside as a rookie, ranking as the TE15 from Week 6 through Week 10, averaging 7.2 fantasy points per game. Don’t be surprised if he has a breakout sophomore season with Young developing as a passer.

Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders

Ertz was the TE9 in his first year with Washington, averaging 8.5 half-point PPR fantasy points per game as a reliable go-to target in the middle of the field for Jayden Daniels. The veteran had a bounce-back season after a couple of down years with the Arizona Cardinals, totaling 66 receptions on 91 targets for 654 receiving yards.

More importantly, Ertz had seven receiving touchdowns, the second-highest total of his career, despite being on the wrong side of 30. While the Commanders added Deebo Samuel Sr. this offseason, the veteran tight end should remain a critical part of Washington’s passing attack. Therefore, Ertz is an excellent discounted TE2 that fantasy players can start this year.

15-play drive ends with an Ertz TD! @Commanders tighten the gap 👀

📺: #ATLvsWAS on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/bWWYViBfpG

— NFL (@NFL) December 30, 2024

Oronde Gadsden II, Los Angeles Chargers

While many in the fantasy football community hoped that the Chargers would trade up in the NFL Draft for Tyler Warren or Colston Loveland, the team didn’t prioritize adding a big-name tight end. Instead, they waited until the fifth round to draft Gadsden. Yet, the former Syracuse star has a pathway to fantasy success early in his career.

Los Angeles signed Tyler Conklin in free agency before the NFL Draft, pairing him with last year’s addition, Will Dissly. However, neither veteran tight end has been a difference-maker in their careers. Meanwhile, Gadsden struggled with injuries in college. Yet, he was productive when healthy, totaling 134 receptions for 1,909 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns in his two healthy seasons at Syracuse.

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