12 Fantasy Football Sleepers To Draft After Round 10: Breakout Candidates to Target (2025)

Mike Fanelli's fantasy football sleepers and draft targets after Round 10. His later-round values and best picks for QB, RB, WR, and TE for 2025 fantasy football drafts.

While the 2025 NFL season is still a few months away, now is the time for fantasy players to prepare for their upcoming leagues. Every year, fantasy players look for sleepers or steals in the double-digit rounds.

Sleepers give fantasy players a leg up over their opponents, often becoming league winners. Last year, Chase Brown, Brian Thomas Jr., and Jonnu Smith were double-digit-round sleepers.

Let’s look at 12 sleepers fantasy players should target after the 10th round in a 12-team league. The ADP used for this article is courtesy of RotoBaller.

• 2025 fantasy football rankings
• Running back (RB) fantasy football rankings
• Wide receiver (WR) fantasy football rankings
• Tight end (TE) fantasy football rankings
• Quarterback (QB) fantasy football rankings
• FLEX fantasy football rankings
• Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
• Kicker (K) fantasy football rankings
• Dynasty fantasy football rankings

Fantasy Football Quarterback Sleepers to Draft

Justin Fields, QB, New York Jets

ADP 120.38 | QB12

While Fields is a below-average NFL starting quarterback, the veteran is an excellent fantasy option because of his rushing abilities. The former Ohio State star averaged 18.9 fantasy points per game over the first six weeks of last season as the starter for the Pittsburgh Steelers, totaling 23.7 or more in a third of those contests.

Furthermore, his 18.9 average would have made Fields the QB8 on a points-per-game basis in 2024. More importantly, the veteran was productive in his last year as the unquestioned starter, ranking as the QB9 on a points-per-game basis in 2023 among quarterbacks with at least nine games played. He is vastly underrated at his current ADP.

Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys

ADP 134.13 | QB15

Unfortunately, Prescott missed the second half of last year with a hamstring injury. Yet, the veteran was a fantasy star in 2023. He was the QB3 that season, averaging 20.1 fantasy points per game, totaling a career-high 36 passing touchdowns. Furthermore, Prescott had little impact on the ground, totaling two rushing scores.

More importantly, the veteran quarterback had a very similar set of weapons compared to this year’s unit. However, the Cowboys recently traded for George Pickens, giving Prescott his best No. 2 wide receiver since having Amari Cooper in 2021. Furthermore, the team improved the offensive line, using its first-round NFL Draft pick on Tyler Booker.

BREAKING: Steelers to trade WR George Pickens to the Cowboys. (via @rapsheet, @TomPelissero) pic.twitter.com/Eh9kMstOPu

— NFL (@NFL) May 7, 2025

J.J. McCarthy, QB, Minnesota Vikings

ADP 161.88 | QB20

McCarthy is the ultimate wild-card fantasy quarterback. He had little experience in college as the starter and missed his entire rookie year because of a knee injury. However, the former Michigan star is on track to play in Week 1, making McCarthy one of my favorite sleeper candidates for the 2025 fantasy season.

The Vikings have one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, adding three new starters this offseason. Furthermore, Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson give McCarthy an excellent trio of weapons in the passing game. While it’s high praise, don’t be surprised if the former Michigan star has a Patrick Mahomes-lite second year in the NFL because of his supporting cast.

Fantasy Football Running Back Sleepers to Draft

Isaac Guerendo, RB, San Francisco 49ers

ADP 129.63 | RB45

Hopefully, Christian McCaffrey can stay healthy in 2025 after missing 13 games last season, including the first eight with Achilles tendinitis. However, the superstar’s injury history makes Guerendo the top handcuff in fantasy football, especially after the 49ers traded away Jordan Mason this offseason.

Last year, Guerendo was outstanding when earning enough volume. He averaged 15 half-point PPR fantasy points per game in the five contests with more than five rushing attempts. While San Francisco used a fifth-round pick in the NFL Draft on Jordan James, Guerendo showed enough as a rookie to be the team’s featured guy if McCaffrey misses time.

Ray Davis, RB, Buffalo Bills

ADP 133.25 | RB46

Buffalo led the NFL with 32 rushing touchdowns last season. James Cook led the league with 16 rushing touchdowns, while Josh Allen had 12 scores. However, Davis also had an impact on the ground, totaling three rushing touchdowns. More importantly, he shone when Cook missed time with an injury.

Ray Davis takes it in for the TD! Time for snowballs in Buffalo ☃️

📺: #SFvsBUF on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/Mny7SZpama

— NFL (@NFL) December 2, 2024

The former Kentucky star was outstanding in the one game Cook missed with an injury last year. Davis finished Week 6 as the RB14, totaling 23 touches for 152 scrimmage yards and 16.7 half-point PPR fantasy points despite not scoring a touchdown. The second-year pro is a solid flex option with significant upside if Cook’s contract situation leads to a holdout.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, Washington Commanders

ADP 227.75 | RB70

Many thought the Commanders would select a running back early in the NFL Draft. Instead, Washington waited until its final pick to draft Croskey-Merritt. 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. The rookie is worth taking with fantasy players’ final pick as a high-upside running back.

Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Sleepers to Draft

Christian Kirk, WR, Houston Texans

ADP 142.13 | WR56

Kirk got traded to the Texans earlier this offseason after spending the past three years with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The veteran wide receiver had a disappointing 2024 season, ending the year as the WR95, averaging 7.2 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Unfortunately, he missed the final nine games with a broken collarbone.

Yet, Kirk was a solid fantasy wide receiver before last season. He averaged 11.1 fantasy points per game over his first two years with the Jaguars, finishing as the WR11 in 2022. More importantly, the veteran should be Houston’s clear-cut No. 2 wide receiver after Stefon Diggs left in free agency despite the rookie additions. Meanwhile, Tank Dell will likely miss the 2025 season with a significant knee injury.

Kyle Williams, WR, New England Patriots

ADP 150.38 | WR60

New England arguably had the worst receiving corps in the NFL last season. Yet, it only added Stefon Diggs, coming off a torn ACL, and Mack Hollins before the draft. Furthermore, Williams was the only receiver the team selected, making him one of my favorite sleeper wide receivers in dynasty rookie drafts and redraft leagues.

While Diggs should be the team’s No. 1 option in 2025, the Patriots don’t have many appealing options for the other starting role. Last year, New England drafted Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker. Unfortunately, both struggled as rookies. Don’t be surprised if Williams shines as a rookie and pushes Diggs for targets late in the season.

Marvin Mims Jr., WR, Denver Broncos

ADP 156.63 | WR61

The Broncos offense became fantasy-friendly late last season. Courtland Sutton was the only non-quarterback fantasy players could trust for most of the year. However, Mims started to shine over the final two months. He scored 12.3 or more half-point PPR fantasy points in four of the final seven regular-season games, including at least 18.4 in three outings.

Many believed Denver would have made a splashy addition at the wide receiver position this offseason. However, that didn’t happen because of how Mims ended last year. He averaged 6.5 receptions for 77 receiving yards, two touchdowns, and 22.9 fantasy points per game over the final two weeks, making several big-time plays for Bo Nix and the offense.

BO NIX ABSOLUTE CINEMA.

📺: #DENvsCIN on NFL Network
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/LpdaNr6sVi

— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024

Fantasy Football Tight End Sleepers to Draft

Brenton Strange, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars

ADP 140.13 | TE20

Strange had little fantasy impact over his first two years in the NFL. However, the former Penn State star flashed upside in 2024 when Evan Engram missed time with injuries. He averaged 4.9 targets and 6.5 half-point PPR fantasy points per game in the eight contests without the veteran tight end.

Furthermore, Strange is vastly underrated as the TE20 in ADP after the Jaguars moved on from Engram in the offseason and hired Liam Coen as their new head coach. The third-year pro will take over as the starter and fill the Cade Otton role in Coen’s offense. Last season, Otton finished as the TE13, averaging 7.9 fantasy points per game.

Zach Ertz, TE, Washington Commanders

ADP 142.88 | TE21

Last year, Ertz was the TE9, 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 a steal at his TE21 ADP.

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

Mason Taylor, TE, New York Jets

ADP 162.13 | TE24

Dynasty fantasy players shouldn’t draft Taylor ahead of Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland in their rookie or startup drafts. However, the two first-round tight-end picks have a less-than-ideal situation for their rookie season. Meanwhile, Taylor was the third tight end drafted in April and could have a fantasy-impacting rookie year.

The Jets lack proven weapons in the passing game. Garrett Wilson could lead the NFL in targets after finishing top five last season despite playing alongside Davante Adams. However, Taylor is the early favorite to finish second on the team in targets. More importantly, Justin Fields made Cole Kmet a top-7 tight end in 2023, his last year as a full-time starter.

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