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Kacey looks at 2024 fantasy football draft sleepers picks for the later rounds of drafts. These players are hidden gems who could help you win a championship.
The late rounds can provide hidden gems as you move through your fantasy football draft. Early picks shape your fantasy team. Later picks can win you a championship.
In these late rounds, you want to draft players who offer great value for where they are being drafted. Each player's NFFC Average Draft Position (ADP) is listed to give you an idea of how late they are being taken.
Getting a bargain on certain players can be a game-changer for fantasy rosters. These are five must-have late-round picks who offer plenty of value.
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Antonio Gibson, RB, New England Patriots
NFFC ADP: 147.71
The New England Patriots agreed to a three-year, $11.25M deal with running back Antonio Gibson this offseason. At 26, Gibson is younger than former Patriots back Ezekiel Elliott. The former third-round pick should assume the Zeke role this season. Elliott's departure leaves 235 touches unaccounted for.
Gibson should be New England's third-down back this season. He will complement RB1 Rhamondre Stevenson. Signing a four-year, $36M extension solidifies Stevenson as the clear No. 1 back in the offense. In new offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt's system, Gibson should fill a role similar to Kareem Hunt's in the Browns offense.
Van Pelt comes from Cleveland and often utilized multiple runners. Look for Gibson to be primarily a passing-down back.
Antonio Gibson is the RB46 in ESPN's live draft trends.
Last season with the Commanders, Gibson set career highs in targets (59) and receiving yards (389).
Gibson might play a bigger role in the Patriots' RBBC than fantasy managers expect:pic.twitter.com/K56Yr9kAwq
— Moody (@EricNMoody) July 2, 2024
Last season with the Commanders, Gibson averaged 12.1 rush attempts per game. The Memphis product has only one season with over 1,000 yards when he rushed for 1,037 yards in 2021. Do not expect that kind of output from the running back this season. He will have a larger role in the Patriots offense than he did with Washington last year.
Gibson makes for an ideal late-round grab, as he is the perfect handcuff for Stevenson. While the Patriots offense isn't expected to be strong this season, the running back's pass-catching abilities should make him a valuable asset.
Adam Thielen, WR, Carolina Panthers
NFFC ADP: 170.1
Adam Thielen is one player taken in the later rounds of fantasy drafts, partly due to his age. The soon-to-be 34-year-old recorded his third 1,000-yard season in 2023. It was his first time hitting 1,000 yards since 2018. Last year, Thielen saw 137 targets, catching 103 of those balls.
He tied with Davante Adams for the 10th-most catches in the NFL. Thielen did this with 38 fewer targets than Adams. The Minnesota native has a reputation for excelling in short-yardage situations. In 2023, the wide receiver was rookie quarterback Bryce Young's security blanket. Young's yards per attempt last season were 5.5.
Adam Thielen 😤 pic.twitter.com/xp3A1mh1kc
— Fantasy Life (@MBFantasyLife) October 15, 2023
The Panthers have made significant moves in the offseason. The team traded to get wide receiver Diontae Johnson. Carolina also drafted wide receiver Xavier Legette in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Having both of these receivers on the roster drops Thielen's ADP.
The Panthers also made changes to their coaching staff. New head coach Dave Canales was formerly the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The team additionally signed ex-Dolphins RG Robert Hunt and ex-Seahawks LG Damien Lewis to boost the offensive line.
Although Thielen won't flirt with a 1,000-yard season this year, he remains valuable in PPR leagues. The veteran wideout is worth a late-round flyer in fantasy drafts. The team should be trailing in many games this season, leading to more passing work.
Baker Mayfield, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NFFC ADP: 175.14
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers posted a 9-8 record and won the NFC South last season. Quarterback Baker Mayfield had a solid first season with the Bucs. He ranked seventh in passing touchdowns and ninth in passing yards. Mayfield stood out for his skill in putting the ball in his teammates' hands.
The quarterback often targeted wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Both of these star pass-catchers return. Additionally, running back Rachaad White, tight end Cade Otton, and wide receiver Trey Palmer aided the offense.
Baker Mayfield ➡️ Trey Palmer! pic.twitter.com/SP9MWkLHcB
— Kyle Yates (@KyleYNFL) December 31, 2023
Evans recorded his 10th consecutive 1,000-yard season. Godwin had 83 receptions for 1,024 yards. Additionally, White caught 64 passes, Otton had 47 (and four touchdowns), and Palmer grabbed 39.
Mayfield is a QB2 for fantasy purposes and can often be selected in late rounds. Depending on the format of the league, he may be available after the draft ends. His strong play and talented receivers make him a great QB2 or bye-week fill-in.
Jermaine Burton, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
NFFC ADP: 189.71
The Cincinnati Bengals drafted Jermaine Burton with the 80th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He joins the team as a deep-threat weapon. Off-the-field issues led to his draft slide. His explosive play style makes him a bigger deep threat than Tyler Boyd, and the Bengals chose not to re-sign Boyd.
Burton steps into quarterback Joe Burrow's No. 3 receiver role behind Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. The rookie's standout senior year at Alabama showcases his talent as a receiver who can make big plays. He played in 13 games in 2023, catching 39 passes for 798 yards and eight scores.
Due to the Bengals' passing volume, he should be an excellent late-round dart throw.
Jermaine Burton.
What a route. What a ball. Going to be a problem for years to come.
LET’S GOO!!!
— Patrick Carey (@PatCareySports) August 11, 2024
Last year, Cincinnati was third in neutral passing rate when Burrow was healthy. Burrow's strong passing game when healthy suggests Burton can immediately make an impact.
In the preseason loss to the Buccaneers, Burton caught 3-of-4 targets. He had 82 yards and a touchdown. The touchdown play was a 37-yard score and was his biggest play of the game.
The Bengals face uncertainty about Higgins' future. He is franchise-tagged and has dealt with injuries throughout his career. Burton looks like a good stash option with contract issues and injury concerns hovering over Higgins. He will be a sought-after player if Higgins or Chase are hurt.
The third-rounder's preseason performance suggests he could contribute to the Bengals offense this season. Andrei Iosivas and Trenton Irwin are also in the mix, but the rookie is the better depth piece.
Colby Parkinson, TE, Los Angeles Rams
NFFC ADP: 287.37
The Los Angeles Rams signed free agent Colby Parkinson to a three-year, $22.5M deal in the offseason. The 6-foot-7, 251-pound tight end has excellent size. He should immediately become a red-zone asset.
The Stanford product is expected to be the lead tight end in 11 personnel formations, as The Athletic's Jourdan Rodrigue reported. Rodrigue also noted that Parkinson should have a big role in the Rams offense.
Parkinson is a valuable NFL player who can catch passes and block. This might not always yield many fantasy points. Still, tight ends can break out after their second contracts. See Evan Engram.
Another tight end on the roster, Tyler Higbee, is recovering from a torn ACL and MCL. He suffered the injury last year in the playoffs.
Colby Parkinson scores the touchdown 🔥
pic.twitter.com/r7sN7xiwlI— NFL Retweet (@NFLRT) December 10, 2023
With Higbee out, Parkinson will be a critical part of the Rams offense early in the season. Higbee could miss part of the season, and there is a possibility he will miss the entire season.
Averaging 9.9 yards per catch last season and 7.3 yards per target, Parkinson posted 247 yards on 25 receptions. Per Pro Football Focus, the former Seahawk ranked seventh in run blocking (in a sample of 76 tight ends).
Be prepared for Parkinson to see an abundance of playing time, but note that much of his time on the field will be due to blocking. He is not being taken in most leagues, making him an even more appealing option with your last draft pick.
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