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Nick's favorite PPR fantasy football sleepers for RB, WR, TE in 2025. His later-round values and draft targets for PPR leagues, focusing on targets and catches.
One of the most fun parts of fantasy football is hitting on a late-round player in your preseason draft. One of the least fun parts is taking a wild swing on someone, then cursing your past self 10 weeks later when you’re 4-6 and the running back you loved preseason has 11 total carries.
So let’s get it right, shall we? There is a simple methodology I have used pretty successfully over the years that attempts to identify which NFL players other managers in my league are likely to undervalue going into the draft. Invariably, they almost always fall into two classes: overlooked veterans and rookies.
Uncertainty depresses values, so players on new teams or teams expected to be bad, players recovering from an injury, or just inexperienced players can see their ADP drop. But many preseason valuations are skewed or flat-out wrong, and hitting on just a couple of sleepers (with ADPs over 100 in Sleeper Superflex rankings) can make a big difference. With that being said, here are some of my favorit later-round fantasy football sleepers and values for PPR leagues.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:- 2025 fantasy football rankings
- Running back (RB) rankings
- Wide receiver (WR) rankings
- Quarterback (QB) rankings
- Tight end (TE) rankings
- Defense (D/ST) rankings
- Kicker (K) rankings
- FLEX rankings
- Dynasty rankings
Javonte Williams, RB, Dallas Cowboys
ADP: 125
Williams’ fantasy value plummeted after he failed to regain his rookie form following a knee injury, and managers who took him highly in 2023 or 2024 likely feel jaded. But this is a different proposition because Williams’ ADP has fallen past where other players in his situation could expect to be taken.
On their first depth chart of the season, the Cowboys list their running backs like this:
🏈RB1 Javonte Williams
🏈RB2 Miles Sanders
🏈RB3 Jaydon Blue pic.twitter.com/LKU4QF1TfQ— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 29, 2025
The veteran quietly had 70 targets last season with Denver and was the No. 30 fantasy running back. He now steps into a Dallas offense with notable skill position talent and a solid interior line.
On a one-year deal, Williams has major incentive for a big season, a very good situation, the first crack at being the top back, and a deep sleeper draft value.
Ollie Gordon II, RB, Miami Dolphins
ADP: 175
Backfields are about opportunity, and Gordon has a great one to play right away. De'Von Achane (calf) missed time in August, and Jaylen Wright (leg) is unlikely to be ready for the start of the year.
Ollie Gordon looks like exactly what the Dolphins need pic.twitter.com/o1uyuwXpo2
— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) August 17, 2025
That leaves the rookie from Oklahoma State playing the role formerly occupied by Raheem Mostert within an offense built upon running. This late in the draft, Gordon is low-risk and very high-reward.
Jaydon Blue, RB, Dallas Cowboys
ADP: 138
In 2023, with the Rams' backfield a bit uncertain from a volatile prior year, Cam Akers fell in my draft, and I took him. It was a total whiff. In the last round, though, I took Kyren Williams, who missed parts of his rookie year but was great at Notre Dame.
I knew I likely wouldn’t be right twice, but I was confident I was going to own the backfield of a good team — and that late-round pick became a league-winning player.
The Cowboys might just be the uncertain backfield to target this year. I like Williams’ value, but the team also spent a fifth-round pick on Blue, who has shown flashes that he can take away the top job.
JAYDON BLUE, HOW DO YOU DO?!?! 🔥
A 77-YARD TOUCHDOWN TO MAKE IT A TWO-SCORE GAME VS. CLEMSON 😱 pic.twitter.com/cCzmh6V5W2
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 22, 2024
Nobody knows for sure how the Dallas backfield will play out, but I’m willing to spend two picks after the 12th round to make sure I’m the benefactor.
Joshua Palmer, WR, Buffalo Bills
ADP: 177
Nobody is mistaking Palmer for a sprinter, but he’s an athletic, big-bodied receiver who runs good routes, gets first downs, and presents danger in the red zone — a profile that certainly has worked before with the Josh Allen Bills.
Joshua Palmer’s separation ability is going to be such a valuable addition to #Bills passing game. His route running, combined w/ his size, strength and athleticism will bring an added element that BUF just didn’t have last season. Major boost #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/OGlFDLQiqJ
— alex brasky (@alexbrasky) August 11, 2025
Is Palmer the type of player who will suddenly rocket into being a top-10 fantasy receiver? Probably not. But he’s currently on the fringe of going undrafted in a 12-team league, and he has a very realistic pathway into being a very capable fantasy WR4 on his new team.
At that stage of the draft, the pick is likely not making or breaking your team — a sensible bet on a player likely to play a lot of snaps on a good team is worth the expenditure.
Woody Marks, RB, Houston Texans
ADP: 199
When asked last week if Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon (ankle) would play this year, Texans GM Nick Caserio answered, “We’ll see.” Which sounds … the opposite of reassuring?
The vibes are bad for Houston, which will be leaning on Nick Chubb, whose injury history is significant, and Dameon Pierce, whom the coaching staff hasn’t exactly raved about.
Woody Marks gets into the end zone 🤝
He led @uscfb with 1,133 rushing yards (198 carries, 5.7 per), 9 rushing TDs in 2024
Watch live out-of-market games on #NFLPlus
Blackout restrictions may applypic.twitter.com/nz3rh5k9ta— NFL+ (@NFLPlus) August 23, 2025
Marks caught a boatload of passes as a college back, which not only pairs nicely with the other runners on the roster, but could have him assume Mixon’s regular work as a pass catcher. The Texans' line is bad, but Marks has some breakout potential pretty deep into the draft.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, Commanders
ADP: 145
Bill! Washington traded Brian Robinson Jr. to San Francisco and then protected Croskey-Merritt at the end of preseason — a seventh-round pick! — a major signal that the hype around the rookie isn’t just smoke: the team envisions an immediate role for him.
But be forewarned: the secret is out, the rookie has rocketed up draft boards, the price may continue to rise, and taking a late rookie draft pick obviously comes with risks. The Commanders still have Austin Ekeler, Chris Rodriguez Jr., and Jeremy McNichols, so Croskey-Merritt is not a guarantee to see a ton of touches.
BILL 💸
📺 #CINvsWAS ESPN pic.twitter.com/mltwoCHhdh
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) August 19, 2025
But at this stage of the draft, possible RB1 candidates aren’t exactly falling from the trees. It’s a home run swing, but perhaps one you’re willing to make if you’re feeling good about your roster elsewhere.
Elijah Arroyo, TE, Seattle Seahawks
ADP: 198
Seattle parted ways with former starter Noah Fant during training camp, a clear sign the club believes in the rookie from Miami.
Tight ends are hard to predict as rookies, but this is lottery ticket territory for a likely starter with a TE2 floor. Last season, new ’Hawks quarterback Sam Darnold targeted T.J. Hockenson more than six times per game.
TE Elijah Arroyo said the knee injury that slowed him pre-draft is behind him. He didn’t run a 40 at the combine or his pro day due that injury, but I’m told the Seahawks estimated that Arroyo (6-5/254) would run a 4.52/4.53 based on his GPS speeds. pic.twitter.com/OHzzUZV2xf
— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) May 2, 2025
Elic Ayomanor, WR, Tennessee Titans
ADP: 205
The Titans’ top pass catcher is likely to be Calvin Ridley, but No. 2 is up for grabs. Ayomanor was a consistent college performer who had a strong offseason and now has a great opportunity to find a role.
He already appears to be ahead of fellow fourth-round receiver Chimere Dike, and his only other major competition is journeyman Van Jefferson.
Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Cleveland Browns
ADP: 237
Fannin compiled cartoon numbers at Bowling Green, which moved him all over the field as he became one of the best weapons in college football.
Browns GM Andrew Berry called TE Harold Fannin Jr. the “queen on the chessboard” after they drafted him.
Fannin catches his first NFL TD lined up like a wide receiver. Cleveland loves his versatility. pic.twitter.com/oDZ2wXVFMD
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) August 23, 2025
The Browns’ receiver corps is bottom-five in the NFL, and two-tight end sets with David Njoku and Fannin are coming early and often. Njoku was TE6 attached to Joe Flacco two years ago, and now the rest of the offense is worse.
If and when there’s a waiver wire scramble for Fannin this year, don’t say you weren’t warned.
Jakobi Meyers, WR, Los Angeles Raiders
ADP: 102
The Raiders have a new coach, a new quarterback, a new No. 1 running back, and traded Devante Adams last year. Though tight end Brock Bowers is likely to be the team’s top receiver, and trade-request drama aside, Meyers is a qualified WR3 with the potential for more going after pick 100.
The veteran logged top-25 PPR finishes in both seasons with the Raiders, even while sharing the field with Adams for a year-and-a-half, and drew 129 targets playing with Bowers last year.
Aidan O'Connell ➡️ Jakobi Meyers ➡️ TD
📺: #LVvsNO on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/AAS6Kcn6Ci— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024
Meyers has played on poor teams and isn’t a flashy name, but he’s been consistently productive and is entering his age-28 season. He’s a great candidate to outperform his ADP.
Stefon Diggs, WR, New England Patriots
ADP: 114
Here’s the thing: taking rookie wide receivers is just fun. You like it, I like it, even the guy in your league who once drafted Clyde Edwards-Helaire with the sixth pick likes it.
But often, the most undervalued players in fantasy fall on draft day because they are: A. Past age 30, B. Coming off an injury, or C. On a new team. Diggs is all three, which means a level of uncertainty, but also a major discount for a player of his pedigree.
Stefon Diggs 165 days after the ACL injury 💪
(via stefondiggs/IG) pic.twitter.com/HfWj875gFg
— NFL (@NFL) April 10, 2025
Diggs is one of the most gifted route runners of his era, and even though he’s not what he once was, he’s a good bet to clear 130 targets if he plays the whole season. That’s PPR currency.
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