As you and other fantasy managers prepare for your draft, you might hear the term fantasy football sleeper pick. What is a sleeper in fantasy football? Here’s what you need to know before you draft for your fantasy league this NFL season.
Sleeper Pick in Fantasy Football Draft
A sleeper pick in your fantasy draft is a player who is likely to be drafted in the later rounds, but you predict will perform better than expected. Sleeper picks are anticipated to generate more fantasy players than those selected in similar rounds. They might have a low ADP, but can be identified as a player who is a sleeper.
When playing fantasy sports, it’s important to identify possible sleepers before the draft. This way, you can still focus on top talent at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, etc., before you select a sleeper in the later rounds.
What is ADP: Read More About Average Draft Position
Sleeper vs Breakout
It’s important to recognize the difference between a sleeper and a breakout player for your 2025 draft and beyond.
A breakout player is someone who is undervalued and has been in the league for a couple of years. Then, they have a great year and start to exceed expectations. They might have struggled last season, but started to put up big numbers this year by scoring touchdowns or racking up yardage.
A sleeper is a player who is newer to the league. They could be a rookie and unfamiliar to fantasy owners in the fantasy football world. Their talent is underestimated as they are listed lower in draft rankings. They might have even been a late-round pick in the most recent NFL Draft, and that’s why they don’t have a lot of buzz.
In 2024, Jayden Daniels ended up being a sleeper because he had a great rookie season when many did not know what to expect from him in his first year as a starter. Wide receiver Drake London was a breakout player in 2024. He went from 69 receptions to 100 while also seeing his touchdowns jump from 2 to 9.
Recognizing a Sleeper
To recognize 2025 fantasy football sleepers and in future drafts, you need to be aware of a player’s average draft position going into each draft. A sleeper might be a player who has a lower ranking due to injury from last season, playing for a new squad, or competition at their position.
Another thing to consider is whether the player will be next up if there is an injury to a star player. This is common with running back sleepers. They can take over for an injured starter and start putting up solid fantasy points. Also, if star players go out, it’s easy for more players to get opportunities to make plays.
The player’s potential is important to keep in mind if you see a player falling in the draft of your fantasy football league. You might value a specific player higher than others, but they are falling in your draft. They can turn into potential sleepers because other players don’t see them as valuable.
Always keep your scoring format in mind. If you are in a PPR league, you will be looking for sleepers at RB, WR, and TE that produce receptions. You might want to consider a rookie WR or RB in the backfield on a team that has a star fantasy QB and looks like they will get plenty of opportunities to shine this season.
Read More: PPR Scoring Explained
*This article was originally written in July 2024, it was revised and updated on August 6, 2025.
What is a Sleeper in Fantasy Football FAQs
What is a sleeper in fantasy football?
A sleeper in fantasy football is a player who is undervalued and is drafted in later rounds but has the potential to perform better than expected.
What is a bust in fantasy football?
A bust in fantasy football is a player who is expected to put up great fantasy points but performs poorly.
How do I recognize a sleeper in fantasy football?
There are many factors that contribute to a sleeper. They might be under the radar because of a recent injury, competing with other players, or changing teams. The player also just might be a pick for fantasy football that you value, but they fall far in the draft.
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