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RotoBaller analyst Brandon Murchison takes a look at three fantasy football players who could prove to be late-round rookie draft steals in dynasty formats.
As dynasty fantasy football managers prepare for their 2025 rookie drafts, the quest for late-round sleepers takes center stage, offering a chance to unearth game-changing talent at a bargain. Unlike redraft leagues, dynasty formats reward long-term vision, where a single late pick can yield a cornerstone player for years to come. These hidden gems -- often overlooked due to raw skills, limited college production, or landing in crowded depth charts -- can transform a roster, providing high-upside depth or trade capital. In this article, we’ll explore why targeting late-round sleepers in dynasty rookie drafts is a critical strategy for building a championship-caliber team.
The allure of late-round sleepers lies in their potential to outperform their draft capital, delivering outsized returns for minimal investment. Historical examples like Antonio Brown (sixth round, NFL Draft) or Alvin Kamara (third round) remind us that talent can emerge from obscurity, especially in dynasty, where patience pays off. In 2025, with a deep rookie class featuring versatile running backs, athletic wide receivers, and intriguing tight ends, the late rounds are ripe with opportunity. Metrics like college dominator ratings, breakout age, and NFL athletic testing can help identify players with the traits to rise above their draft slot, even if they land in less-than-ideal situations initially. By prioritizing these high-upside prospects, managers can hedge against early round busts and build a roster with depth and flexibility.
Moreover, the strategic advantage of finding late-round sleepers extends beyond immediate production -- it’s about staying ahead of the curve in a competitive dynasty landscape. In leagues where rivals hoard early picks, savvy managers can exploit the inefficiency of late rounds, whereas others may overlook raw talents or misevaluate landing spots. These players often require time to develop, but dynasty’s multiyear horizon rewards those who invest in potential over polish. Whether it’s a small-school receiver with elite speed or a running back buried on a depth chart, the right late-round pick can shift a team’s trajectory. Join us as we dive into the art of finding 2025’s late-round dynasty rookie sleepers and unlock the secrets to long-term fantasy dominance.
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Tahj Brooks - RB, Cincinnati Bengals
Tahj Brooks, selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, is a prime late-round sleeper for dynasty rookie drafts due to his prolific college production and favorable landing spot. At Texas Tech, Brooks cemented his status as the program’s all-time leading rusher, amassing over 1,500 rushing yards in both 2023 and 2024, with a staggering 95+ rushing yards in 22 consecutive games to close his collegiate career.
His 2023 season saw him lead the FBS with 96 forced missed tackles, averaging 3.0 yards per carry after contact, showcasing his elite contact balance and low center of gravity at 5-foot-9, 214 pounds. While his 4.52 40-yard dash and lack of breakaway speed cap his big-play potential, his 90th-percentile agility circuit and best-in-class 3-cone time at the NFL Combine highlight his elusiveness and lateral quickness.
In Cincinnati, Brooks sits behind Chase Brown but ahead of aging backups Zack Moss and Samaje Perine, offering immediate handcuff value with a clear path to a 1B role in a high-powered offense if injuries or underperformance strike. His ADP as a fourth-round rookie pick (RB20) makes him a low-risk, high-reward stash for dynasty managers, ideal for taxi squads.
Beyond his rushing prowess, Brooks’ well-rounded skill set enhances his dynasty appeal, particularly in PPR formats. He recorded 20+ receptions in each of his final three college seasons, with 26 catches in 2022, demonstrating reliable hands out of the backfield.
His pass-protection ability, evidenced by the third-most pass-blocking snaps per game among 2024 RBs (per Sports Info Solutions), ensures he can stay on the field in critical situations, a rarity for Day 3 backs.
While his 2023 metrics dipped slightly (60th in yards after contact per attempt, 37th in elusive rating) due to Texas Tech’s poor run-blocking, his 30% dominator rating in 2024 underscores his workhorse potential.
In Cincinnati, where the Bengals offense ranked top-10 in yards per game in 2024, Brooks could carve out a complementary role to Brown’s speed, especially in short-yardage and goal-line situations, given his 28 total touchdowns over two seasons.
For dynasty managers willing to play the long game, Brooks’ combination of production, versatility, and opportunity makes him a steal in the late rounds, with RB2 upside if he climbs the depth chart by 2026.
Dont'e Thornton Jr. - WR, Las Vegas Raiders
Dont’e Thornton Jr., a fourth-round pick by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2025 NFL Draft, is a high-upside sleeper for dynasty rookie drafts, thanks to his rare physical tools and a landing spot ripe with opportunity.
Standing at 6’5” with a 78.5-inch wingspan, Thornton led the FBS in 2024 with an eye-popping 25.4 yards per catch on 26 receptions for 661 yards and six touchdowns at Tennessee, per Sports Info Solutions, showcasing his elite deep-threat ability.
His 4.30 40-yard dash (No. 2 in the 2025 WR class) and 23.7 mph top speed (No. 2) at the NFL Combine, coupled with an 89 athleticism test score (No. 6), highlight his game-breaking potential. Despite modest college production due to Tennessee’s run-heavy offense (75th in passing yards per game), Thornton’s 75% contested catch rate and 23% touchdown-to-catch ratio (No. 1 in class) demonstrate his ability to win in high-leverage situations.
In Las Vegas, he joins a Chip Kelly-led offense with Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers, where his speed could stretch defenses, freeing up underneath targets and creating big-play opportunities. His ADP as a late fourth-round pick (WR22) in dynasty drafts makes him a low-cost flier with WR2 potential.
Thornton’s sleeper appeal is amplified by his long-term outlook in a Raiders offense that may evolve beyond 2025. With Meyers’ contract expiring in 2026 and potentially being out after this season, Thornton could climb the depth chart as early as Year 2, especially if he flashes as a rookie.
His 9.85 Relative Athletic Score (RAS), ranking 59th among 3,816 WRs since 1987, underscores his freakish athleticism, while his 18.7 mph speed at 10 yards (No. 1 in class) shows explosive burst off the line.
Though his 26 receptions in 2024 and limited route tree raise concerns about immediate volume, his 96.4 PFF receiving grade on deep targets suggests he’s a vertical threat who needs only a few touches to make an impact.
For dynasty managers, Thornton’s combination of elite metrics, a high-octane offensive scheme, and a murky WR depth chart beyond 2025 makes him a classic “stash-and-wait” prospect. Target him in the fourth round of rookie drafts to secure a potential difference-maker who could outpace his draft capital by 2026.
Terrance Ferguson - TE, Los Angeles Rams
Terrance Ferguson, selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, emerges as a compelling sleeper for dynasty rookie drafts due to his athletic prowess and promising landing spot.
At Oregon, Ferguson posted a 77.0 PFF receiving grade in 2024, ranking 14th among FBS tight ends, with 9.0 yards after catch (YAC) per reception, the highest in the 2025 TE draft class.
His 4.63-second 40-yard dash (fastest among TEs at the 2025 combine), 39-inch vertical jump (first), and 1.55-second 10-yard split (tied for first) resulted in a 9.32 Relative Athletic Score (RAS), second among Power 5 TEs.
Despite modest volume (43 receptions, 591 yards, three TDs in 2024) due to Oregon’s run-heavy offense and target competition from WRs Tez Johnson and Evan Stewart, Ferguson’s 14th-ranked 2.1 yards per route run highlights his efficiency as a pass-catcher.
In Los Angeles, he joins an offense led by Sean McVay, where aging starter Tyler Higbee (32, recovering from an ACL injury, contract expiring in 2025) creates a clear path for Ferguson to assume the TE1 role by 2026, making him a prime stash with low-end TE1 upside.
His ADP as a late-second to early third-round pick (TE6-8) in dynasty drafts offers excellent value for a player with his athletic profile and opportunity.
Ferguson’s skill set and situation amplify his long-term dynasty appeal, particularly in TE-premium formats. His 6’5”, 247-pound frame, paired with a 75% contested catch rate in 2024, makes him a red-zone mismatch, evidenced by his 23% touchdown-to-catch ratio (top-10 among TEs).
His route-running fluidity allows him to create separation against linebackers, with 70% of his 2024 receptions resulting in first downs or touchdowns.
While Higbee’s presence and Matthew Stafford’s historical reluctance to target TEs (Rams TEs averaged 12% target share since 2020) may limit Ferguson’s 2025 production, Higbee’s injury history and impending free agency position Ferguson for a breakout in Year 2.
The Rams’ top-10 passing offense in 2024, combined with Ferguson’s 90-grade prospect score as a former four-star recruit, suggests he can emulate past McVay TE1s like Higbee, who was a top-6 fantasy TE in 2022.
Dynasty managers should target Ferguson in the late second or third round of rookie drafts, stashing him on taxi squads for a potential 2026 leap into TE1 territory.
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