PPR Fantasy Football Sleepers List - Nick Mariano's Draft Values for RB, WR, TE (2025)

Nick Mariano's 2025 fantasy football draft sleepers for PPR leagues - NFL running backs (RB), wide receivers (WR) and tight ends (TE) to target in PPR drafts.

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Before we begin, let's all get on the same page about what "sleeper" means within the context of the article. To this writer, we're going to go well beyond the top-36 RB & WR, as well as top-10 TE, to find the bare minimum of someone being slept on. There is plenty of profit to be had out there, but only if you know where to invest!

For me, the term sleeper equates to a late-round pick who could be an excellent value based on their 90th percentile outcomes, so I will highlight two or three of my favorite sleepers at running back, wide receiver, and tight end. Those seeking kicker or defense sleepers must know that I strongly advise using those extra bench slots on late-round RB/WR. This column utilizes aggregate ADP data for PPR drafts and was updated on 08/03/2025.

2025 Running Back PPR Draft Sleepers

Brashard Smith (KC), RB69

Smith could instantly step into a Jerick McKinnon-style output for us, with Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt, and Elijah Mitchell profiling as similar rushers between the tackles. The 5-foot-10 speedster began as a sparsely used receiver over his first three collegiate years at Miami, but had 69 catches for 770 yards.

Then he transferred to SMU to become their lead back, where he exploded for 1,332 yards and 14 TDs on 235 carries, with a 39-327-4 receiving line. The rookie is plenty capable of carrying the mail if asked to, but his receiving prowess should be where 2025 value is found. Those who score return yards may also enjoy his open-field ability with the further modified kickoff rules.

Pacheco should have a better form with more distance from the broken leg, but there’s no telling if he can recapture a dominant profile. Mitchell and Hunt may be reliable vets, but Mitchell has durability concerns (especially his left knee), and Hunt’s ‘24 metrics were awful.

He had bottom-of-the-barrel rates in big plays and missed tackles, taking the ball as far as his line could clear. At the end of the day, Smith needs to earn trust, but a strong preseason could go a long way.

Woody Marks (HOU), RB78

Houston gave up a 2026 third-round pick (plus another late swap) to move up and select Marks in the fourth round. Perhaps they knew that Joe Mixon was still struggling to reach 100% on his foot, or that Nick Chubb could not regain his burst. Either way, both of those fears are looking real at this time.

Marks was used all over the field over his four years at Mississippi State, racking up 4.6 yards per carry on 410 total carries with 22 rushing TDs and an eye-popping 214 catches (1,225 yards). Then he moved to a more traditional offense at USC, which led to 198 carries and another 47 catches with nearly 1,500 yards from scrimmage.

The kind of versatility shown with 261 collegiate receptions as a running back is what PPR ceilings are made of. And five total fumbles over five years, nearly 900 touches, is a great selling point. Joining an aging, injured RB room on an offense that most agree holds great chances at positive regression is a welcome sight.

If we set our initial expectation at being a third-down back for C.J. Stroud and move from there based on Mixon and/or Chubb’s availability, then we should agree on Marks being a solid dart throw.

USC's Woody Marks is probably the best RB in the #NFLDraft2025 class you haven't seen play. He's BUILT for today's dual-backfield NFL game.

Explosive rusher with 261 career collegiate receptions. Don't sleep. pic.twitter.com/8Az8Fe8MH6

— Ray G (@RayGQue) January 7, 2025

2025 Wide Receiver PPR Draft Sleepers

Kayshon Boutte (NE), WR71

Boutte was one of 36 receivers with 40 or more first-read targets in the second half of last season (Weeks 10-18). We are excited about Kyle Williams, and there’s no denying that DeMario Douglas is a solid value, especially in PPR leagues!

Just don’t forget about Boutte. Another, even more impressive, stat from that W10-18 split is that he ranked 17th with a 35.8% team air yard share. Everyone ranked above him goes early, with the majority in the first three rounds.

Correlation can be misguided, but why turn a blind eye to such a low cost? Stefon Diggs is no sure thing to rebound from his torn ACL, and this offense lacks a bedrock presence. Hunter Henry might be the “surest” thing. Let’s see if the Mike Vrabel Patriots can take a leap in Drake Maye’s second year, eh?

Devaughn Vele (DEN), WR133

Vele surprised us all with eight catches for 39 yards and a touchdown, only to miss the next month with a fractured rib (but there are also reports of a coach’s decision to scratch him). However, he played the rest of the season and wound up with the second-most routes and targets behind Courtland Sutton with a 69% slot rate in those 13 contests.

The 2024 seventh-round pick now has a full offseason of working with the starters, though Pat Bryant and Troy Franklin will surely still mix in. Sutton and Marvin Mims Jr. are the 1-2 punch on the perimeter, but this could be Vele’s window to shine in the slot. I’d lean toward early production with him, good if you ignore WR earlier in your draft.

Chimere Dike (TEN), WR150

The new-look Titans are ready to rumble with Cam Ward at the helm, but little is settled regarding his wide receiver corps beyond Calvin Ridley being the top dog. Tyler Lockett is the veteran No. 2, but he’s on the wrong side of the aging curve.

Then you’ve got Dike, Elic Ayomanor, and Xavier Restrepo all eligible to elevate into Van Jefferson’s tenuous role. Ayomanor tends to be highlighted, especially after torching Colorado in ‘23 with 294 yards, and still carries a higher ADP after two strong campaigns at Stanford.

While both Ayomanor and Dike were fourth-round picks, Dike went 33 picks earlier at 103rd overall. His 4.34 40-yard dash time is faster than Lockett’s 2015 combine time of 4.4 flat, but also has scouts praising his footwork for lateral release if pressed. HC Brian Callahan called Ayomanor an “X,” but described Dike as having three-position versatility. We like multiple paths to success being available!

Titans HC Brian Callahan on their two new rookie receivers: Chimere Dike and Elic Ayomanor

- Ayomanor will probably start at X, has Z ability
- Dike has true 3 position versatility, they’ll work to find what suits him best pic.twitter.com/JAEkYGNi5C

— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) May 1, 2025

2025 Tight End PPR Draft Sleepers

Brenton Strange (JAX), TE22

Amidst a trying year for the Jags, Strange caught 40-of-53 targets for 411 yards and two TDs. He scored twice in the four weeks that Evan Engram missed but Trevor Lawrence was still active, but wouldn’t score again.

Still, he notched at least 60 yards in three of the seven games in which he exceeded a 65% snap share. Strange also generated three missed tackles with four endzone looks on 36 total targets in those seven contests.

Lawrence made a habit of targeting Evan Engram, so we’ll hope that carries over, with Liam Coen’s creativity leading to better outcomes. Brian Thomas Jr. is the man, but the field is open beyond that.

Elijah Arroyo (SEA), TE29

Noah Fant being released has everyone suddenly throwing darts at either Arroyo or AJ Barner. While Barner has a year of experience and plenty of talent, Arroyo possesses another tier of playmaker ceiling.

We hit on Jonnu Smith last year by seeking out athletic, speedy TEs who had a path to genuine volume. Well, reports surface that Klint Kubiak saw the 6-foot-5 Arroyo as a potential X receiver with DK Metcalf now in Pittsburgh.

Did we mention speedy? Because Arroyo made a splash by hitting 21.8 mph on a touchdown against Georgia Tech. That would’ve tied with Jahmyr Gibbs and Jordan Addison for the ninth-fastest ball carrier speed in the NFL last year. That leaderboard doesn’t have any TEs on it, as players with Arroyo’s size usually don’t do this!

Former Miami TE Elijah Arroyo had the fastest ball-carrier time (21.8 mph) of any TE in 2024 - NCAA or NFL.

Probably don't need to worry about his lack of athletic testing #NFLDraft2025 pic.twitter.com/Y6V8x8zFhA

— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) March 25, 2025

This is unlikely to come to fruition just like that, but head coach Mike Macdonald echoed the callout. The shot-caller highlighted how Arroyo could “be able to split out wide, do X receiver type of things.” Of course, Seattle’s offensive line will need to hold up while the TE runs free, which is not a given.

But we’re here to focus on what could go right. If Arroyo stinks or flashes upside, but without any fantasy-viable volume, then move right along. There are enough hints at a unicorn standout here at minimal cost, so why not take a shot?

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