X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

5 Fantasy Football Draft Sleepers: Undervalued Players to Target (2025)

Darnell Mooney - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, Waiver Wire Pickups

Adam's fantasy football sleepers and under-the-radar draft picks. Read his undervalued draft targets for 2025 fantasy football, including Darnell Mooney, Josh Downs, and more.

A handful of players are undervalued by the fantasy football community every year. Every year, those players help carry managers to a fantasy football championship. Or at least help them get very close to winning it all.

Last season, it was guys like Brock Bowers, Brian Thomas Jr., Ladd McConkey, Bucky Irving, and Chase Brown. They all blew their average draft position (ADP) out of the water! None of these guys had an ADP inside the top 95 players in 2024.

So, who will it be this season? I present to you my top 5 most undervalued players in 2025.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Darnell Mooney, WR, Atlanta Falcons

Underdog ADP - 86.9 (WR47)

After a down year with the Bears in 2023, Mooney signed a three-year, $39 million deal last offseason with the Falcons. Eager to write off his doubters, Mooney posted some solid numbers in his debut season in Atlanta.

Per PlayerProfiler, he posted a target share and target rate of 21.3% in 2024. He also had a yards per route run average of 1.97, good for 33rd among wide receivers. While not elite (like Drake London's 2.45 yards per route run), it's still a very good mark.

The Falcons deployed Mooney a bit differently than he was utilized in Chicago. He had a career-high 12.4 average depth of target (aDOT) and a career-high 15.5 yards per reception. His 24 deep targets were the 10th-most among wide receivers.

We've heard Kyle Pitts has a lot of developing to do, and the Falcons didn't take a pass-catcher in the 2025 NFL Draft. So it's London, Mooney, Ray-Ray McCloud III, and Pitts at Michael Penix Jr.'s disposal this season.

Mooney dealt with a plethora of changes last season. A new team, a new coaching staff, a new quarterback, poor quarterback play, a quarterback change, and a change in role. Despite all of that, he finished the 2024 season as the WR31.

This offseason, everything is already in place, and Penix is likely to be an upgrade over the 2024 edition of Kirk Cousins. At his current ADP of WR47, Mooney is one of the most undervalued players in 2025 fantasy football drafts.

 

Josh Downs, WR, Indianapolis Colts

Underdog ADP - 92.2 (WR49)

I bet you didn't know that Downs (85.1) had a higher PFF receiving grade than Ja'Marr Chase (84.9) in 2024. Pretty crazy. But when you dive into his underlying metrics, it doesn't seem so crazy.

Downs improved in many key metrics from his rookie season to his sophomore season. Per PlayerProfiler, his target share increased from 17.9% to 25.6%, his target rate increased from 20.2% to 29.6%, and his yards per route run increased from 1.59 to 2.22.

He was also fifth among all receivers in route win rate (55%), and it's easy to see why:

"But Adam, we can't possibly trust Downs if Anthony Richardson is throwing him the football." Who said Richardson is the starter? Daniel Jones could easily win the starting job in Indy.

If that happens, we could see Downs, who played 72.5% of his snaps from the slot in 2024, be peppered with targets much like Wan'Dale Robinson was with Danny Dimes last season. Robinson saw a whopping 8.4 targets per game over that 10-game stretch.

If Downs gets that kind of volume, it could be wheels up for one of, if not the most, undervalued wide receivers in the NFL. It could still happen even with Richardson; he just needs to take a step forward as a pocket passer for Downs to pop in 2025.

 

Jaylen Warren, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Underdog ADP - 104.4 (RB33)

Here, we have a starting running back going after pick 100. All Warren has to do is fend off Iowa product Kaleb Johnson, the 83rd overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Johnson, however, has an ADP of 76.2, or RB25. Some way, somehow, he's already usurped the job from Warren in many people's minds. But not so fast! The undrafted back out of Oklahoma State has done nothing but produce efficiently for the Steelers in his three-year NFL career.

In his first year playing for offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, Warren was ninth among running backs in yards created per touch (4.17), 13th in yards per touch (5.2), and sixth in yards per route run (2.5). And that was with a hamstring injury to start the season and a back injury later in the year.

In theory, it would make sense for Johnson to take over the "Najee Harris role" in the Steelers' offense. But he's just a rookie, and his third-round draft capital doesn't exactly scream "immediate starter."

Remember, Bijan Robinson was the eighth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and had just a 52.5% opportunity share as a rookie playing for Smith in Atlanta. If he's unwilling to give the eighth overall pick a big workload, chances are the 83rd overall pick isn't overtaking Warren right away either.

Warren is Tomlin's guy, and he's ready to bulldoze dudes in 2025.

 

Travis Etienne, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

Underdog ADP - 120.2 (RB38)

I fear we're writing off Etienne prematurely. Yes, it's true that new head coach Liam Coen drafted Bhayshul Tuten in the fourth round, much like his former team drafted Bucky Irving in the fourth round a year ago.

But Tuten, who had a fumbling problem in college, put the ball on the ground on his very first carry in a live NFL setting. Here's Coen sounding off on that moment:

Meanwhile, Irving only lost one fumble on 475 career rushing attempts in college. Let's pump the brakes on Tuten taking over this backfield, which leads us back to Etienne and Tank Bigsby.

Bigsby was the better pure rusher in 2024, but Etienne dealt with shoulder and hamstring injuries last season. It's possible the injuries, along with limited playing time in multiple games, slowed him down and prevented him from getting into a good rhythm.

But remember, Etienne is a former first-round pick and just two years removed from a top-5 season at the running back position. He's more than capable of shouldering a heavy workload.

He's also most likely going to be the guy who handles the majority of the pass-catching work. Last season, despite the injuries, Etienne received a PFF receiving grade of 70.7, while Bigsby was graded as the very worst receiving back among guys who played over 100 receiving snaps.

I want to be invested in a Liam Coen-run offense, and Etienne has the highest ceiling of any running back on the roster in 2025.

He's extremely undervalued and an easy click at pick 120 after having an ADP of 17 (RB8) going into last season.

 

Kyle Williams, WR, New England Patriots

Underdog ADP - 121.1 (WR59)

We don't yet know what Williams will be like in the NFL, but we should be willing to pay to find out. And the best part: You don't have to pay much at all.

The rookie wideout from Washington State has an ADP of 121.1. He can be had after guys like Keon Coleman, Rashod Bateman, and Marvin Mims Jr.

The thing about those three guys is that they are highly unlikely to become the WR1 on their respective teams. Williams, however, definitely has a shot to become the WR1 on his.

The Patriots signed Stefon Diggs to a three-year, $63.5 million contract this offseason, including $25 million guaranteed. The 31-year-old is recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in Week 8 last season.

Diggs, who was already showing some signs of decline before the injury last season, might not be the same guy we've become accustomed to seeing. That's where Williams comes into the picture.

He was the first wide receiver drafted by the new regime of Mike Vrabel and Josh McDaniels and should get plenty of opportunities to prove himself early on.

Not only does he pass the eye test, but he also gets the stamp of approval from Matt Harmon's Reception Perception.

Drake Maye is an ascending quarterback, McDaniels has a long history as a great offensive coordinator, and Williams has a shot to be the WR1. Yeah, I'd say he's undervalued at pick 121.

Think McConkey and Thomas Jr. from a year ago.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More Fantasy Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Corbin Carroll

Injures Hand on Wednesday, X-Rays Come Back Negative
Michael King

Likely Out Through All-Star Break
Tyrese Haliburton

Officially Questionable for Game 6
Bucky Irving

Not Resting on Laurels Ahead of Second Season
Denver Broncos

Mario Goodrich Signs with Denver
Maverick McNealy

May Need To Be Avoided at TPC River Highlands
MLB

Brewers-Cubs Postponed on Wednesday
Shedeur Sanders

Issued Citation for Excessive Speeding
MLB

Cardinals-White Sox Postponed on Wednesday
Wyndham Clark

Avoid Wyndham Clark at the Travelers Championship
Rickie Fowler

a Very Risky Option at TPC River Highlands
Russell Henley

Has Elite Value at TPC River Highlands
Ben Griffin

Once Again a Solid Option for Travelers Championship
Jason Day

an Intriguing Option at TPC River Highlands
MLB

Pirates-Tigers Postponed on Wednesday
PGA

Sungjae Im Still Totally Useless For DFS Ahead of Travelers Championship
Patrick Cantlay

Looking to Bounce Back After Messy U.S. Open
Ryan Fox

Looks to Continue Hot Run at TPC River Highlands
Jordan Spieth

Makes a Strong Case at Travelers Championship
Tyjae Spears

Has Impressed this Offseason
Cam Skattebo

Agrees to Terms on Rookie Deal
Beaux Collins

Working with Giants Starters
Marquise Brown

Feels 100% Healthy
Houston Texans

Texans Signing Damon Arnette
Jaire Alexander

Inks One-Year Deal with Ravens
Jared Wiley

Wearing Knee Brace at Minicamp
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Looks to Continue Momentum Into Travelers Championship
Anders Carlson

Jets Release Anders Carlson
Malik Nabers

Will be Ready for Training Camp
TreVeyon Henderson

Unclear if TreVeyon Henderson is a Future Bell-Cow Back
Hideki Matsuyama

Searching for Consistency at Travelers Championship
Justin Thomas

Looks to Bounce Back at Travelers Championship
Travis Hunter

More Comfortable on Defense?
Adam Scott

Looks to Rebound After Disappointing U.S. Open Finish
Collin Morikawa

Eyeing Another Strong Performance at Travelers
Shane Lowry

a High-Upside Play at Travelers
Tommy Fleetwood

Looks to Rebound at Travelers
Corey Conners

Withdraws from Travelers with Wrist Injury
Keegan Bradley

in Solid Form Ahead of Travelers Championship
Gary Woodland

Hit-or-Miss at the Travelers
Sepp Straka

Expected to Contend at Travelers Championship
Tyrese Haliburton

to Be a Game-Time Call Thursday
Roman Josi

Expects to Return for 2025-26 Campaign
Sam Bennett

Wins Conn Smythe Trophy
Matthew Tkachuk

Reveals Multiple Injuries
Aleksander Barkov

Posts Two Assists in Cup-Clinching Win
Carter Verhaeghe

Collects Hat Trick of Assists in Tuesday's Win
Sam Reinhart

Scores Four Goals in Cup-Clincher
Cal Raleigh

Homers, Drives in Six on Tuesday
Andy Pages

Homers Twice in Win Over Padres
Cam Smith

Launches Two Home Runs in Victory
Salvador Perez

Homers Twice, Plates Four Tuesday
Michael Toglia

Homers Twice, Plates Three Tuesday
Javier Báez

Javier Baez Collects Three Hits, Homers Twice Tuesday
Las Vegas Raiders

Jeremy Chinn Will Continue to Play Multiple Roles With Raiders
Christian Wilkins

Absent at Minicamp
Las Vegas Raiders

Raiders to Add Cornerback Help?
Rafael Devers

Expected to Play First Base in San Francisco
Will Warren

Strikes Out 11 in Quality Start
Elijah Ellis

Signs with Chargers
Jashaun Corbin

Heading to Atlanta
Kyren Williams

Rams Progressing Toward Extension
Jaxson Dart

Showing Well Early
Max Scherzer

Could Rejoin Blue Jays Next Week
John Klingberg

Rejoins Oilers Lineup Tuesday
Tylor Megill

Placed on 15-Day Injured List, Out 4-5 Weeks With Elbow Sprain
Kasperi Kapanen

Returns to Oilers Lineup for Game 6
Stuart Skinner

Back in Oilers Crease Tuesday
Gabriel Moreno

Scratched on Tuesday With Sore Hand
Jurickson Profar

Starting Rehab Assignment on Tuesday
Will Vest

Likely to Avoid Injured List
Rafael Devers

Expected to Make Giants Debut on Tuesday
Chet Holmgren

Has Tough Shooting Night in Game 5 Against Pacers
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Outstanding at Both Ends Monday
Jalen Williams

Erupts for 40 Points in Game 5 Win
Pascal Siakam

Has Best Game of Finals Monday
Tyrese Haliburton

Determined to Battle Through Calf Injury
LeBron James

Progressing Well From Knee Injury
Lucas Giolito

Strikes Out Season-High 10 in Monday's Win
Logan Gilbert

Fans 10 in Return on Monday
Stephen Curry

"Not Even Close" to Retirement
Jonathan Kuminga

Linked to Bulls, Heat
Kevin Durant

Has "No Desire" to be Traded to Minnesota
Jarace Walker

Remains Sidelined for Game 5
Kamaru Usman

Gets Back In The Win Column
Joaquin Buckley

Winning Streak Comes To An End
Miranda Maverick

Drops Decision At UFC Atlanta
Rose Namajunas

Wins Decision At UFC Atlanta
Andre Petroski

Suffers Unanimous-Decision Loss
Edmen Shahbazyan

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Raoni Barcelos

Wins Third Fight In A Row
Chase Elliott

Ends Mexico City with A Great Finish of Third
Christopher Bell

has A Strong Runner-Up Performance At Mexico City
Chase Briscoe

Wild Day Ends with A Top-10 Finish
Michael McDowell

Leaves Mexico City with A Top-Five Finish
Cody Garbrandt

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Cody Brundage

Defeated After Accidental Clash Of Heads
Cody Brundage

Mansur Abdul-Malik Defeats Cody Brundage By Technical Decision
Oumar Sy

Suffers His First Loss
Alonzo Menifield

Scores Upset Win
Alex Bowman

Delivers Bravura Performance After Michigan Injury
Tyler Reddick

Inexplicably Mediocre on his Once-Best Track Type
John Hunter Nemechek

Canny Strategy Gives John Hunter Nemechek Best Career Road-Course Finish
Cole Custer

Earns Best Finish Since Cup-Series Comeback at Mexico City
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

on the Move to Memphis
Cole Anthony

Dealt to the Grizzlies
Desmond Bane

Traded to Orlando
Steven Adams

Rockets Agree to Three-Year Contract Extension
Ty Dillon

Is a Respectable Cap Flexiblity-Focused DFS Option For Mexico City
Corey Perry

Produces 10th Postseason Goal
Connor McDavid

Scores First Finals Goal
John Hunter Nemechek

Is John Hunter Nemechek Worth Rostering In Mexico City DFS Lineups?
Sam Bennett

Nets Another Road Goal in Game 5 Win
Eetu Luostarinen

Earns Two Points Saturday
Brad Marchand

Pots Two Goals in Game 5 Victory
Sergei Bobrovsky

Ties NHL Record with 10th Road Win
Ross Chastain

Trackhouse Racing's Mexico Focus Makes Ross Chastain a Leading Contender for the Win
Kyle Busch

One of Two Past Mexico City Winners in the Field
Ryan Preece

Earns Surprising Front-Row Start
Austin Cindric

Not as Strong of a Road Racer as People Think
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Stronger on Infield Road Courses Than Purpose-Built Ones
Joey Logano

Seemingly Alternating Between Good and Mediocre Races
Brad Keselowski

One of the Few Drivers with Mexico City Experience
Denny Hamlin

Ryan Truex Makes First Cup Series Start Since 2014
Erik Jones

Mexico City Will Likely be a Struggle for Erik Jones
Noah Gragson

Front Row Motorsports' Speed May Make Noah Gragson a Decent DFS Option
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Road Courses Are Ricky Stenhouse Jr.'s Worst Track Type
Evander Kane

Drops to Fourth Line Saturday
Kasperi Kapanen

Won't Play on Saturday
Calvin Pickard

Starts Game 5 for Oilers
Tyrese Haliburton

Struggles in Friday's Loss to OKC
Chet Holmgren

Dominates the Glass in Game 4
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Leads the Way in Game 4
Jalen Williams

Has a Quality Showing on Friday Night
Russell Westbrook

to Decline Player Option
Joaquin Buckley

Set For Main Event
Kamaru Usman

An Underdog At UFC Atlanta
Miranda Maverick

Set For Co-Main Event
Rose Namajunas

Looks To Bounce Back
Andre Petroski

Looks To Extend His Win Streak To Four
Edmen Shahbazyan

A Favorite At UFC Atlanta
Raoni Barcelos

Set To Take On Former Champion
Cody Garbrandt

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Mansur Abdul-Malik

Looks For His Third UFC Win
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF