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With the NFL Combine in the books, we are smack in the middle of the NFL offseason. For experienced dynasty football players, now is one of the busiest times of the year. Rookie fever is on the rise as managers anxiously await their upcoming rookie drafts.
While scouting incoming rookies and watching NFL Combine highlights is thrilling, identifying sleepers and undervalued players is key to gaining an edge over your league mates. If you can correctly identify who to target, it might just lead you to the long-awaited title that’s eluded your grasp.
It’s fun to play scout, but never forget why we play dynasty football in the first place. To win titles. There’s no award for drafting good players. Make sure you keep up to date with all your fantasy football needs by following RotoBaller on X and checking out RotoBaller.com. With that said, here are five dynasty fantasy football sleepers heading into 2024.
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2024 Dynasty Fantasy Football Sleepers
Michael Mayer, TE, Las Vegas Raiders
Despite a disappointing debut season, there is still hope for Michael Mayer. Many tight end prospects are slow to start their careers. It’s important to remember that we are just a year removed from Mayer being one of the top TE prospects entering the league.
Former Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer scored his first career NFL touchdown tonight. More to come. pic.twitter.com/HZeor1RAuf
— Tyler Horka (@tbhorka) November 13, 2023
He still faces major target competition with Davante Adams in the mix. However, Austin Hooper, Mayer’s main competition for playing time in 2023, is no longer under contract. This will lead to a bump in playing time, and thus an increase in targets in 2024.
Mayer checked in with just an 8 percent target share last year. It would stand to reason this would increase with Hooper out of the picture, though Aidan O’Connell under center is not ideal. Should the Raiders upgrade the quarterback position, it will only help Mayer. We also have to keep in mind that Mayer is just an Adams or Jakobi Meyers injury away from becoming the No. 2 target in this offense.
The bottom line: this is your best shot to acquire a potentially elite TE at a depressed cost. After witnessing a second-year breakout from Trey McBride (who suffered through a similar rookie year), we should not be surprised if Mayer takes a Year 2 leap.
Darnell Mooney, WR, Free Agent
The last two seasons have not been kind to Darnell Mooney. Following his breakout 2021 season where he produced an 81-1055-4 stat line on a near 26% target share, Mooney became more of an afterthought for the Bears. He failed to eclipse 40 receptions and 500 yards each of the last two years and now finds himself entering free agency.
While Mooney has endured consecutive poor seasons, he is not a player devoid of talent.
Darnell Mooney with the 🔥 route and catch @Darnell_M1 @ChicagoBears pic.twitter.com/r735MosgHC
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) October 4, 2020
At the time of this writing, Mooney is still a free agent. He offers game-changing speed to an offense. In the right circumstances, he can return flex or even WR2 value. A lot will depend on where he lands in free agency.
Mooney has, however, previously shown an ability to draw targets and produce for fantasy football. Currently ranked as WR94 in our dynasty rankings, he’s an ideal buy-low trade target and a great late-round pick in startup drafts.
Dontayvion Wicks, WR, Green Bay Packers
A fifth-round draft pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Dontayvion Wicks flashed potential in his debut season. He certainly looked the part as his route-running acumen turned heads.
Dontayvion Wicks:
Route technician ✔️
Reliable hands ✔️
Great after the catch ✔️ pic.twitter.com/NAuPsPj39O— Eli Berkovits (@BookOfEli_NFL) January 31, 2024
In limited action, Wicks posted some impressive advanced metrics. He checked in with a .23 targets per route run (TPRR) as well as a 2.31 yards per route run (YPRR), per Fantasy Points Data Suite. This is the kind of data you love seeing from a rookie.
Yes, Green Bay’s receiving room is crowded. It’s unclear who will eventually emerge as the top option. If he continues to develop, who’s to say it can’t be Wicks?
Currently ranked as WR60 in our dynasty rankings, Wicks makes for a good flier in startups. He can easily become the team's No. 2 option. With a little luck, maybe he becomes Jordan Love’s top guy. Either way, it’s not a bad idea to gamble on a young receiver tied to an up-and-coming quarterback.
Chase Brown, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
Chase Brown’s 2023 got off to a rocky start. Missing time with a hamstring injury, he only received five touches during the season’s first 10 weeks.
Starting Week 13 against the Jaguars, Brown started to gain steam. His snap share increased, and he began receiving more touches. From Week 13 on, he was getting the ball at a 150-touch pace. That would be enough to provide flex value in leagues.
While Brown’s stats underwhelmed, he displayed great ability with the ball in his hands.
CHASE BROWN TOUCHDOWN 😤
pic.twitter.com/ZmlMAufDku— Barstool Illini (@BarstoolILL) December 10, 2023
There's talk that Brown could be more involved in 2024. This would give him sleeper appeal. Joe Mixon’s status with the team is in flux. There are rumors Cincinnati may part ways. This would open a path for Brown to receive more touches. Should Mixon return, Brown can still carve out a more prominent role in the offense and offer stand-alone value.
Ranked as our dynasty RB43, Brown can emerge as a reliable flex play in dynasty leagues with the potential for more down the line.
Jaleel McLaughlin, RB, Denver Broncos
The undrafted rookie out of Youngstown State immediately turned heads when he signed with the Broncos in the spring. Jaleel McLaughlin displayed impressive bursts and quickness whenever he touched the football.
Broncos rookie Jaleel McLaughlin opens the scoring vs the Bears.
pic.twitter.com/RRhXnaXVLA— Arye Pulli (@AryePulli) October 1, 2023
He graded out very well across several metrics. Pro Football Focus graded McLaughlin as their 16th-highest rusher in 2023. He also finished seventh in PFF’s signature Elusive Rating among all rushers.
Running backs have always been heavily involved in Sean Payton’s offense. After disappointing seasons from Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine, McLaughlin may work his way further up the depth chart.
Listed at 5-foot-7 and 180 pounds, it’s unlikely McLaughlin ever becomes a featured back. However, he can be a useful asset in PPR leagues if he can carve out a Reggie Bush-type role.
If McLaughlin can add a little more bulk to his frame, we could be looking at a future fantasy football star. He is currently our dynasty RB49. At this cost, McLaughlin is the type of pick who can help win your league if he hits. If he doesn’t, just kick him to the curb.
It’s a no-lose prospect.
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